October 19, 2013 Bulletin and Summon of Meeting

Message from the East

WB ROGELIO C. NUÑEZA


Greetings of peace and prosperity!


Brethren, during our last stated meeting on September 21, 2013, WB Bobby Marzo was our Masonic Speaker.  On Saturday, October 19, 2013, during our stated meeting, Very Worshipful Raul Cinco of Pañares Lodge 220 will speak on a very interesting topic on masonry.  The members of Pañares Lodge 220 led by WB Ted Halibas will attend our stated meeting.


This month the beloved wife of WB Ed Cueto passed away, a tragic loss to Bro Ed and his children.  I would like to extend my personal thanks and gratitude to all the brethren who joined me in extending our lodge sympathy to the Cueto family.


Brethren, let's support the 20th WestMinCon by paying the registration fee of PhP1,500.00.  I also urge our businessmen brethren to advertise your company/ business in the WestMinCon souvenir program.


Brethren, let us join the "walk for good health" this coming October 27, 2013.  Our lodge will be spearheading this activity.  Let us also continue supporting our lodge and our district-wide activity.
God bless.




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Agenda for the Stated Meeting

5:00 PM       Opening a Lodge of Master Mason
5:20 PM       Stated Meeting

•  Presentation of the Philippine Flag
• Panunumpa sa Watawat
• Reading of Minutes of previous meetings                     
• Reading of Financial Report of Secretary
• Reading of Financial Report of Treasurer
•  Reading of Edicts, Circulars, etc.
• Committee Report

           -  Family Day
           -  Sunshine
           -  Sports
           -  Community

• Masonic Education   -  WB Raul Cinco, PM Leonardo T. Pañares Lodge No. 220
• Recognition of Visiting Brethren by the SD
• Reading of Part III, Art. II, Section 2 of the Masonic Law Book
• Commentaries of Visiting Dignitaries
• Retirement of the Philippine National Flag
• Closing of the Lodge

7:00 PM   Fellowship Dinner, UDL Masonic Center Social Hall


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For the month of September, we greet the birthday celebrants a very Happy Happy Birthday :

    Hilario Abel Gomez                   -  October 4
    Antonio Bartolome                     -  October 5
    Wilfredo Bacareza                      -  October 12
    Arthur Padilla                             -  October 20
    Urso Peñalosa                             -  October 26


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"Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that." Brother Norman Vincent Peale

Bulletin and Notice of Meeting March 16, 2013

Message From The East

First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the brethren who extended their cable tow in making our installation and investiture of officers for the Masonic Year 2013 a very successful one.

Masonry is a lifelong commitment, that has been a constant reminder since the start of our Masonic journey; older Masons keep reminding us to wait with patience and walk uprightly.  Masonry is a brotherhood; there is more to it than meeting once a month during our stated meetings and then having dinner together.  A brotherhood, by definition, is the quality of being brothers.  Not brothers by blood but brothers of soul.

I do not know if you have met a fellow brother Mason by chance like I have when I was at the Battle of Alamo Monument in San Antonio, Texas.  An American brother Mason approached me suddenly and we shook hands the way that is expected of Masons; because of the ring I wore, he knew that I was a Mason.  Although we didn't know each other previously, there was an instant friendship.  There is always that sense of camaraderie that can only come from shared experiences when you meet a fellow brother Mason.  Just like the way soldiers bond with their comrades, the solidarity they have built between them is strong.  Even if that brother Mason isn't of the same nationality, even if you don't speak the same language, there is that sense of instant closeness because you are both Masons.

Masonry has been shrouded in mystery and intrigue for many centuries, so much that some people look at it with thinly veiled curiosity and apprehension.  But through tough times, Masons have held strong.  In the course of our history, a number of our great heroes have been, and will always be, Masons - Jose Rizal, Juan Luna, Marcelo H. del Pilar, to name a few.  These men banded together to fight against the Spaniards for Philippine Independence, they fought for what they believed in - they were brothers of soul.

Did you know that Winston Churchill was a Mason?  How about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?  Theodore Roosevelt?  Mark Twain?  These famous men were all Masons, they were proud to be called Masons.  Churchill and Roosevelt united the people while Mozart and Twain inspired them.  Brethren, do we also unite and inspire the people around us?  Masons are brave, intelligent, successful, generous and willing to help.  We are Masons.  And as such my brethren, I hope that we will continue to embody the traits of a true Mason for the rest of our natural lives.

Some of us have been Masons for decades while others have just been initiated into Masonry.  Some of us have been faithfully attending meetings while others have come and gone.  But attendance isn't all there is to Masonry, you have to be there for your brethren in their time of need.  No matter how often you come to meetings (but it is greatly appreciated if you will always attend), you will always be a brother Mason.  Masonry is a group of brothers who will always look out for each other.

Brethren, see you in the next stated meeting!

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AGENDA

March 16, 2013

OPENING OF A LODGE OF MASTER MASONS

>  Reading and Approval of minutes of previous meeting

>  Secretary Financial Report

>  Treasurer Financial Report

COMMUNICATIONS (Edicts, Circulars, etc.)

MASONIC EDUCATION:  WB EDUARDO ULINDANG

COMMITTEE REPORTS

>  Creation of Committees

>  Annual Communication

BALLOTING OF PETITION

>  Mr. Carl Irwin Garzon

>  Mr. Anthony Cañete

RECOGNITION OF VISITING BRETHREN

COMMENTARIES AND MESSAGES

>  Visiting WMs

>  GLI, DGL and DDGM

CLOSING OF THE LODGE

FELLOWSHIP DINNER

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The Officers and Members of Iligan Lodge No. 207 extend

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO:

March 8 - Charles K. Ang

March 11 - Abdulhakim R. Mamad

March 14 - Ricky James Roselejos

March 15 - Augustus Nizami Riconalla

March 23 - Wayne Chavit

March 25 - Sotero Q. Trinidad

March 29 - Albert Chiu

March 31 - Eduardo D. Ulindang

HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO:

VW Dominic and Sis Sheila Siao - March 8

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"The great distinguishing characteristics of a Mason is a sympathy with his kind.  He recognizes in the human race one great family, all connected with himself by those invisible links, and that mighty network of circumstance, forged and woven by God." - Albert Pike

A Plea For Financial Assistance For Iligan City Flood Victims

Brethren, last December 16, 2011, for the first time in the history of Iligan City, a typhoon passed through northern Mindanao affecting the cities of Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and Dumaguete.  As a result, hundreds of lives were lost and hundreds more are missing.

The path of the typhoon as shown in a photo series prepared by Mr. Marvin Isidore C. Macatol shows its deadly course.

No one was spared specially those located near Iligan's two major rivers, the Mandulog and Iligan rivers.  At least 50 of our brethren experienced lost of properties as flood waters reached upto their rooftops, in some areas, beyond.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enq5iQ_7QQo
The youtube video above was taken a few hours after the devastating event.  Ordinary citizens together with the Philippine Armed Forces united to helped those who lost their lives, who lost their loved ones, who lost their properties.  As shown, even cars, trucks and heavy equipments lie as if made of paper.

12 days have passed.  Christmas had passed.  And still we continue to look for those missing friends and relatives.  Searching for bodies yet to be found.  The smell of death lurks in the air in areas greatly damaged by the floods.  Schools were washed away in many areas.  The death toll has risen by the hundreds and still searching, hoping that it will end.  Survivors were luckily found in many sites, floating in the sea, as far as hundreds of kilometers away from Iligan.  Dead bodies too were found and recovered in distant places.

As reported in our city's disaster management command center, their were 11 barangays that was greatly affected by the catastrophe.

As a member of Iligan Lodge No. 207, I sadly say that this month was supposed to be our election month, but due to the incident, we have to postponed it until all things will be at least brought to a manageable state.  Also, I sadly say that our Worshipful Master is a victim of all this.  His house was totally submerged in the flood damaging all his property way beyond recovery.  Many other brother Masons were victims.  From their houses to business establishments losing hundreds of thousands probably millions of pesos.

Brethren, we turn to you asking to extend your cabletow across the seas, across the continents to help your brethren affected by the flood halfway around the world.

Donations can be sent through MetroBank ATM Account No. 170-3170360339 Name - WI Oscar V. Badelles - Iligan Masonic Disaster Relief Coordinating Committee.

May the Great Architect Of The Universe bless us all!

Message from the Worshipful Master - September 20, 2010

VIVA SEÑOR SAN MIGUEL! .... VIVA!!!

The 20th day of September marks the beginning of the nine days of novena prayer leading to the celebration of the Feast of Señor San Miguel.  This is also the "pagkanaog" day when Señor San Miguel is lowered from his lofty pedestal.  Perhaps not known to everyone, there is a local "tinuhuan" or folk belief associated with this event - it augurs well for the People of Iligan if Señor San Miguel allows himself to be lowered in one easy heave, while it is bad omen if several attempts are required.  So, in spite of the fact that this ritual has been carried out repeatedly in the past, the devotees still anxiously look forward to and pray for a smooth and quick "pagkanaog."  This is the reason why many devotees also celebrate this day.  We therefore join them in their celebration as we also pray for peace and harmony in our community in this deplorable present.

The "pagkanaog" is also opportune time for us Brethren to have a fellowship among ourselves.  It has been months since we last had a similar bonding activity.  Everyone is urged to attend this meeting, specially, the fellowship afterward.  You don;t want to miss the gimmicks prepared by JW Abel Gomez.

We visited our sister lodge, the Leonardo T. Pañares Lodge No. 220 last September 6th.  Aside from the three lights, we were joined by DDGM Ben Alipio, DGL Edward Banawa, WB Ed Ulindang, VW Fem Calio, VW Warly Sanguila, Vw James Yu, and VW Willington Yee.  VW Fem Calio gave the Masonic Education talk.  We were all warmly but separately, received.  Dinner and fellowship followed at the Philtown Hotel.  WB Raul Cinco, Worshipful Master of LTP 220, proposed their reciprocal visit on November due to hectic schedules.  My deep gratitude for the brethren who supported us in this undertaking.  Thank you.

-  WB Oscar V. Badelles

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AGENDA FOR THE STATED MEETING - September 20, 2010

5:00 pm - Opening of Lodge of Master Masons

5:30 pm - Main Business
                Reading & Approval of the Minutes of Last Stated Meeting
                Reading & Approval of Secretary's Financial Report
                Reading & Approval of Treasurer's Report
                Reading of Communications

6:00 pm - Committee Report
                Visit to the Leonardo T. Pañares Lodge No. 220 - Bro. Jaime P. Magnetico, SW
                Membership Development - VW G. Audwin T. Garzon, Secretary

6:20 pm - Masonic Education
                VW Eufemio L. Calio, PDGL
                Topic:  "Peace And Harmony Prevailing"

6:40 pm - Acknowledgement of Visiting Brethren

6:45 pm - Messages / Commentaries Visiting WMs, GLI, DGLs, and DDGM

6:50 pm - Closing of the Lodge

7:00 pm - Fraternal Dinner


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YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE FORTHCOMING ACTIVITY:


       October 2 (Saturday) @ Oroquieta City  :   Conferral of 4th to 14th degree A&ASR


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Greetings to our SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS:

Bro. Boyd F. Siao - September 10
Bro. Lowell D. Chiong - September 10
Bro. Mark Stanley K. Siao - September 15
VW Eufemio L. Calio - September 16
Bro. Alberto V. Espejo - September 17
VW Datumanong D. Sarangani - September 17
Bro. Miguel T. Valbuena - September 18
WB Melanio D. Siao - September 19
WB Ferdinand P. Bartolome - September 27
Bro. Rene A. Tan - September 30


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Felicitations also to the love birds of Iligan Lodge on their WEDDING ANNIVERSARY:

VW Edwin & Sis Annie Co - September 8
VW Robert & Sis Joy Co - September 15





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"Personality can open doors, but only character can keep them open." -  Elmer G. Letterman

Masonic Educational Tidbit

Question :   What is meant by "travel in foreign countries"?
Answer   :   The ancient operative brethren desired to become Master, so when they travelled in foreign countries they could still practice their craft.  Speculative Freemasons desire to "travel in foreign countries" and study their craft so that they may receive such instructions to enable them to receive Master Mason's wages.  But "foreign countries" do not mean to us the various geographical and political divisions of the world.  It is to us a symbol.  Like all the rest of the symbol, it has more than one interpretation.  But unlike the other, it is not very difficult to trace or understand.

Freemasonry itself is the first "foreign countries" within it.  There are the foreign countries of philosophy, of jurisprudence, of history.  No Freemason is really worth of the nae who does not understand something of how his new land governed, of what it stands for and why.   There is also the foreign country of symbolism.

As a Master Mason, he has the right to travel in all the foreign countries of Freemasonry.  One will find the gateways to those lands in the library, in the study club, in the books and magazines and most and best of all, in the quiet hours alone, when what he has read and learned comes back to him to be pondered over.

Question  :   Why is the Acacia an emblem of Immortality?
Answer   :    The Acacia is the "Shittah" wood referred to in the Old Testament.  It has the peculiar property of seeming to have everlasting life.  Bare beams of wood have been known to put forth fresh sprout.   Thus, it was easily established as the symbol of resurrection and life everlasting.

Question  :    What are Masonic "Landmarks"?
Answer   :     According to Dr. Albert G. Mackey, they are "those peculiar marks of distinction by which we are separated from the profane (non-Masonic) world and by which we are enabled to designate our inheritance as the "Sons of Light".   The universal language and laws of Masonry are Landmarks, but not the local ceremonies, laws and usages.   Mackey lists 25 Landmarks. These are given in our Masonic Law Book.

Question   :  What is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah?
Answer    :   Judah was symbolized as a lion in his father's deathbed blessing.   The Lion was upon the standard of the large and powerful tribe of Judah.   "Lion of the Tribe of Judah" was one of Solomon's titles.  It is the Christian interpretation of the phrase which springs from Revelation V : "Behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."

Question  :  What is a Masonic "Charge"?
Answer   :   At an appropriate place in the ceremonies of each degree, the candidate receives a concise summary of his new duties and responsibilities;  and he is "charge" or exhorted to perform them in a creditable manner.


Source :   Iligan Lodge No. 207 Bulletin and Notice of Meeting  August 21, 2010
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"You can catch yourself entertaining habitually certain ideas and setting others aside;  and that, I think, is where our personal destinies are largely decided."   -  Alfred North Whitehead

Our Junior Warden's Daughter Got Zapped!

By God!  It was Abby's 1st Birthday Celebration and her Christening at the same time.  The proud father, Brother Hilario Abel Gomez organized a party attended by a few church friends, family members and a lone eater (outsider who is not actually related to the family, so I went there to eat...and brought along my lovely wife...and take photos...and wrote this blog...and posted these pictures)...

Beeday...cakes!

The candle symbolizing the light of the path towards God, the water

which symbolizes the cleansing of the soul. 

Sacred corner.

Officiating pastor.

The guests...with the proud Grandpa (right).

Some of the guests during the prayers for the newly baptized baby girl, Abby

Cute Abby curious of the camera while her dad, mom and kuyas are

all singing the hymn!

Proud Dad giving baybee Abby one of his

glowing smiles.

And God's words were broadcast in the air for everyone to hear

that this child Abby is in HIS protection.

The proud parents and the God parents.

Abby's energy was passed to her by these proud parents.

And the ritual of baptism is performed on Abby to proclaim

to everyone that she is GOD's precious child.

Baybee Abby dipping her cute little hands on the holy water.

Grand Pa leading the prayers for the blessings of the food.

The 3 Kings or Musketeers 

A pose with Ninang Marlene with Grand Pa at the background.

Hopping around to get acquainted with the rest of the guests of her baptism.

 

Struggling to grab her Grand Pa here standing beside Lolo Warly.

Baybee Abby grabbing herself a handful!

Friends...Relatives...Neighbors...

Party's OVER! wwaaahhhhh!!! I wanna go home!

Baby Abby, May God always protect you and guide you as you make your way to this world.   To our Junior Warden, Brother Abel, the father, May you continue to shower your love ones with abundant love, wealth, attention and not failing to show them the way to our eternal creator.

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"Just as a flower gives out its fragrance to whomsoever approaches or uses it, so love from within us radiates towards everybody and manifests as spontaneous service." - Swami Ramdas

   The centenary celebration of the Tyrian Lodge. no. 253. of freem