Meeting Brother Masons in Zamboanga City

Last October 28, 2010, I had the privilege to travel to Zamboanga City with my beautiful wife, Revilla, Sister "Binky" to our masonic family, to attend the 4th Mindanao Bloggers Summit.  This travel to Zamboanga City was my second, and first for my wife.  My first travel was to attend the Mindanao Business Conference which Zamboanga, "Asia's Latin City" hosted.  I was then with businessmen and some City Councilors to promote business in Iligan and look for prospective investors.  There were 3 of us travelers then.

This time, except for my wife, I am alone.

But though alone, it is in this trip that I met fellow travelers.  Not that they are "glad to meet me thus alone", but they are glad I'm sure to have met me, as much that I am really glad to have met them.  The first brother I met was Bro. Amin who is a member of Mt. Apo Lodge No. 45.  He too, like me was a participant in the 4th Mindanao Bloggers Summit.  Bloggers by the way is the term used to identify people who writes on the internet on any topic under the sun.  Bro. Amin is a Food Critic and writes about FOOD!  My favorite subject (to eat!).  Visit his blog at http://onlygoodchow.blogspot.com

Bro. Romar Amin of Mt. Apo Lodge No. 45

And while we were savoring the beauty of Zamboanga, specifically strolling along Paseo del Mar, then deciding to eat at Pinokyo (Pinoy and Tokyo food combined), I stumbled upon two great brothers in the person of WB Ed and Bro. Arellano.  WB Ed is a Past Master and Bro. Arellano's mother lodge is Maranaw Lodge 111.  I was surprised to have met a brother almost at the edge of the country whose mother lodge is the mother of our lodge.

Worshipful Brother Ed Ferrer and Bro. Arellano who I'm surprise to
learn that Brother Arellano's mother lodge is Maranaw Lodge No. 111.

One proud comment made by my companions to my wife (while WB Ferrer and Bro. Arellano were talking) was that I have many friends in Zamboanga.  My wife said no, they've just met.  And our companion asked how come they seemed like they've known each other for quite some time?  My wife said that they are brothers in Masonry and she explained that it is always the case with Masons,  every time a Mason meet another Mason, they'll greet each other and talk like they've been friends for a long time.  

I have not told my wife yet why I feel at ease every time I meet a Mason...it seems that I have met a brother whom I have not seen for a long time.  So for me, I feel happy and proud to have met a Brother Mason.

I now know why.  But I would also like to know from you why?  Write your views and let's start sharing our experiences with Brothers whom we've met on our sojourn.

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"Be courteous to all, but intimate with few; and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence." - George Washington