Bulletin and Summon of Regular Stated Meeting August 20, 2016

Message From The East
WB Ivan Gerardo J. Banaag
Worshipful Master

Brethren:

Last July 30, 2016, our Lodge participated in the IMES District Ritual Olympics together with the rest of the lodges under MD RX & ARMM Lanao Provinces.  Thanks to the team of Judge Valerio V. Rovira Lodge No. 259 under WB Reynaldo O. Mancia who filled-up the vacant positions since most of our Elected/Appointed members at that time were not around to attend an equally important activities.  Special mention to Bro. Carl Irwin P. Garzon, our Senior Deacon who performed his part almost perfectly & following our new blue monitor.  Declared winners were JJVR Lodge No. 259 for the Opening Rituals & Radjah Indarapatra Lodge No. 387 for the closing.  My Congratulations to the winning teams.

The 3rd MD RX & ARMM Lanao Province District Convention was held last August 6, 2016 at Elena Tower Inn, Iligan City.  Registration started at 10am followed by the Stated meeting of Lake Lanao Lodge No. 227, the lead lodge whose Worshipful Master WB Omar S. Mahamad, Sr., as Convention Chairman.  Convention proper was between 1 to 4:30 in the afternoon.  A testimonial & Fraternal Night was held to honor our brethren under the district or within the district who were elected to public office.  The 5 out of 10 Honorees present were Bro. Majul U. Gandamra, Bro. Allan I. Lao, Bro. Jamal E. Manabilang, WB Samuel P. Huertas, PGLI, & VW Ian C. Uy, PDDGM.  Ceremonial Toasts was given by VW Warlito M. Sanguila, PDDGM before VW Alan U. Buenaventura, DDGM, delivered the message from the Grand Lodge.

Our Lodge was designated to handle the foods/drinks preparation & physical arrangements.  Thanks to Bro. Alykhan U. Ali, SW, who provided his vehicle to transport needed lodge paraphernalia to the venue & vice-versa.  WB Pat D. Noel took charge of the documentation esp. during the evening.  Thanks also to the Iligan Lodge 207 brethren who supported this activity and who registered to reach our required number of participants.

Thank you & May the GAOTU bless us all!

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AGENDA

August 20, 2016

5:00 pm  Opening of the Lodge of Master Mason

               Presentation of the National Flag

               Reading and Approval

                   *  Minutes of last stated meeting

                   *  Secretary Financial Report

                   *  Treasurer Financial Report

               Reports of Committees

                   *  Sunshine

                   *  Fellowship

               Masonic Education Battle of Knowledge

                                       WB Vic Mariano - Moderator

               Balloting - Mr. MACLIN LANTO

               Reading of Grand Lodge Edicts/Circulars

               Other Communications (Petitions, etc.)

               Recognition of Visiting Brethren

               DGL Lecture

               Commentaries of Visiting Dignitaries

               Closing of Lodge of Master Mason

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Petitioners:

Mr. Ricarte Cadalin                     Mr. Leonidas Hidalgo

Mr. Arturo Alibango                    Mr. Sotero M. Jala, Jr.

Mr. Maclin Lanto                        Mr. Nocolai G. Tenazas

Mr. Simplicio Bautista, Jr.          Mr. Al Jalani Haroun P. Sanguila

Mr. Kent Alginn Garzon               Mr. Saudi S. Sulog

Mr. AbdulRashid Paunte

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR MARCH CELEBRANTS

VW Jose Montejo, Jr.              August 7
Bro. Rainato Sy                        August 11
VW Dominic W. Siao               August 30

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 "Visit an old teacher today and give thanks for the lessons given to you." - 2015 Bible Alive Daily Companion

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

Of Light and Darkness

In 1939, when he was the Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, MW & Ill. Joseph Earl Perry, 33 °, delivered an address before brethren in that State in which he compared Freemasonry to a candle burning in the darkness.   The following are excerpts from his address :

Freemasonry Is Like A Candle Burning In The Darkness

"There is something brave about a candle burning in the darkness.  Some people are brave only when they are a part of a crowd, but a candle - it may be a dim and feeble thing in the daylight, but alone in the dark it rises to the occasion and sends out its beams as fearlessly as the brightest sun.

"It is not given to a candle, burning in the darkness, to know who sees its far-flung ray or who may be cheered or guided or saved by it.   And so Freemasonry is content to shed its gentle light for the guidance and encouragement of mankind without the blare of trumpets.   Quietly, impartially, universally, it holds aloft its light for the benefit of friend or foe.

"Just as the rays of the candle shine across the artificial boundaries of geography and race and religion, so Freemasonry offers its warm and friendly light to all men of all countries and of all faiths."

Thirty-two (32) years later (i.e.,in 1971), excerpts from an article by Ill. Waldemar Hait, 33 ° Past Sovereign Grand Commander for Venezuela were printed in The Northern Light, as follows :

A Light Will Illuminate The Darkness

"When one does not have an ideal - philosophic, religious, or otherwise - his life seems to be void of meaning or content.   The big difference between the human being and the many kinds of animals is precisely that of reason - the mind or the analytical process of reasoning.  And, more than all this, the Eternal Kernel or the Soul given us by the Almighty.

"Therefore, when we choose Masonry as our ideal and, as we are progressing on the way of the eternal truth, it is impossible to deny the 'Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God'.   This is the real meaning of all the teachings of our Order, and especially of the Scottish Rite.

 "At times we feel as if the whole world is surrounded by dark clouds; men arouse against men;  human lives are perishing;  high fences are put up between men and peoples.   Nevertheless, we feel at the same time that a Lights sparkles, like lightning, giving us a new meaning to our life.   These are the high ideals of Masonry and the Scottish Rite, the highest degree of human feelings.

"The ideal which says to us :  'Don't despair! Not all is lost! Men are Brethren!'   And, when they will feel it, when they will understand it, then a bright Light will illuminate their minds and lives and the words of the Prophet shall come true :   'The swords will be transformed into plows and peace to all men of good will shall reign on earth.'

 "But, as said above, we must feel, we must understand the teachings of our Scottish Rite and, most of all, we must do all we can to bring the reflection of that eternal light into the darkness of a convulsed world.   Not only the mere understanding of our ideal but also the understanding of our fellow men.   And, this is the most difficult task of Masonry;   to make our fellow brethren bearers of that understanding to seek the means of knowing the ways of life of our fellow men, their customs, and their history also.

 "We must never be satisfied with what we have done.  Our work has not end because human nature has many facets and phases, each different from the other.

 "We cannot and shall not enclose our Rite into an ivory tower;  we mush meet our fellow men with an open heart and mind, thus finding our way to the eternal light in the darkness - and theirs, too."

Source  :   The Far Eastern Freemason    3rd Quarter 2009

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"Darkness cannot drive out darkness;   only light can do that.   

Hate cannot drive out hate;  only love can do that."     -  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Message from the Worshipful Master - August 21, 2010

Greetings my brother,

Thank you - seems inadequate to express my deep gratitude to everyone who helped and contributed to the success of our district project Masonry: FYI last July 31st.  The enthusiastic effort of many brethren and sisters of inviting friends and guests was responsible for the huge turn-out: 125 in attendance.  And they were not disappointed for they were informed, enlightened and entertained by four of our most knowledgeable and erudite Freemasons: WB Vic Mariano, VW Warly Sanguila, VW Roy Trinidad and VW Fem Calio.  And just as the open forum was becoming more exciting with the audience earnestly participating.  I had to end the program because we had exceeded our time by one hour already.  My thanks also to the Masters of the other Lodges for their unstinted support and to all brethren who attended, specially those who performed as lodge officers.  Most of all, my thanks to the project chairman, WB Vic Mariano for acceding to my suggestion of reviving this activity after a lapse of about eight years, and to our DDGM VW Ben Alipio, for his trust and all out support.

In the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, I would like to urge the brethren to also extend their support to the forthcoming district activities: Walk For Your Health on Saturday morning of August 21 with Manticao Lodge 243 as lead lodge and Novatos Golf on Sunday, August 22nd with Maranaw Lodge 111 as the lead lodge.  Let us practice outside the lodge the Masonic Fellowship that we so proudly talked about during the bring a friend program.  Let us support and participate in all of our district and lodge activities.  See ya...
- WB Oscar V. Badelles


* * * * *
AGENDA FOR THE STATED MEETING AUGUST 21, 2010

5:00 P.M. OPENING OF LODGE OF MASTER MASONS
5:30 P.M. 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 P.M. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
*  Bring-A-Friend - WB Victor G. Mariano
*  Sister Lodge Visitation - Bro. Jaime P. Magnetico

6:30 P.M. MASONIC EDUCATION
"Our Glorious Past and Deplorable Present" - VW Moises G. Dalisay, Jr.

6:40 P.M. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF VISITING BRETHREN -
6:45 P.M. Messages / Commentaries Visiting WMs, GLI, DGLs, and DDGM
6:50 P.M. CLOSING OF THE LODGE
7:00 P.M. Fraternal Dinner


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PLEASE BE REMINDED OF THE FOLLOWING DISTRICT ACTIVITIES:


*  WALK FOR YOUR HEALTH @ UDLMC, SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2010 @ 5:30 A.M.


*  NOVATOS GOLF @ GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB OF ILIGAN, TIPANOY ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2010 @ 7:00 A.M.




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GREETINGS to our AUGUST BIRTHDAY CELEBRANTS:

WB Mervin C. Salazar - August 4
Bro. Jose B. Montejo, Jr. - August 7
Bro. Rainato L. Sy - August 11
Bro. Angelo Guisseppi C. Loceo - August 14
VW Dominic W. Siao - August 30

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

Bro. Angelo Guisseppi & Sis. Patricia Loceo - August 23


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"In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves." - Thomas Carlyle


               

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                    

Freemasonry: For Your Information - A HUGE SUCCESS!!!

Around 8 years ago, Iligan Lodge No. 207 led the district in the first Bring A Friend program.  Its intention is to let the people know all about masonry and its work in general, and of the lodges and appendant bodies in the district RD-X and Armm (Lanao) in particular.

The event, scheduled last Saturday, July 31, 2010, started with a registration of all Masons present, all guests, friends and families included.  Everyone then was escorted to the lodge room and seated comfortably by the deacons.  The lodge was opened with a prayer followed by the singing of the national anthem and the lodge hymn.  After the welcome remarks of the Worshipful Master, it went directly to the business of the day.  Lectures followed by another lecture gave the guests a colorful insight of what freemasonry is all about.  After the lectures at the lodge room, everyone was led by the Worshipful Master and the District Deputy Grand Master to the function hall for some refreshments and continuance of some queries.  The pictures below will somewhat give the sequence of the story...

Sisters of the Order of the Eastern Star, led by their 

Worthy Matron Sister Girlie Miguel (extreme right) eagerly

awaits the start of the program.

This picture is one of my favorites because it showed a true

meaning of commitment to the lodge activity: The Charter

Master of Iligan Lodge No. 207, WB Gerardo Padilla (1975)

and the immediate past Worshipful Master, 

WB Eduardo Ulindang (2009).  Of course the present

Worshipful Master of the lodge is presiding the activity.

The brethren and guests standing for the entry of the Philippine flag.

Occupants of the east led by the WM, WB Oscar V. Badelles
of Iligan Lodge No. 207 and the District Deputy Grand Master,
VW Ben Alipio.

Southwest corner of the lodge is almost to the rim with people.

Northwest of the lodge likewise in the same condition.

WB Victor Mariano, PM of Iligan Lodge No. 207 giving the
walk-about the Lodge Room.  Bro. Mariano by the way,
also chaired the event.

The north side of the lodge room as viewed from the west.

WB Ian Uy, WM of Maranaw Lodge No. 111 occupied

the south, while the west was occupied by

WB Dodong Fernandez of JVVR Lodge No. 259.

VW Warlito Sanguila, PDDGM and PM of Iligan Lodge
No. 207 delivering the history of freemasonry entitled
"England to Iligan City" in 15 minutes!
Your imagination is as good as mine!

The north east corner of the lodge was likewise jam-packed
with people.

VW Roy Trinindad, PDDGM and PM of Iligan Lodge No. 207
delivering the "Community Service and Involvement"
portion of Freemasonry, also in 15 minutes.
I really don't know what's with 15 minutes...

VW Warly and the Senior Warden of Iligan Lodge No. 207, 

Brother Jaime Magnetico following the lecture of VW Roy.

This picture is a testimony that everyone inside the lodge room
were all ears to the topics prepared by the speakers.

VW Fem Calio, PDGL, gave a very important topic...the

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) which answered majority of

the doubts of the attendees and guided majority of the questions

during the open-forum that followed. 

Brethren from Lake Lanao Lodge No. 227 and

Rajah Indrapatra Lodge No. 387 also graced the occasion

bringing with them their families and guests.  Their presence

gave a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood in the

relationship of Muslims and Christians in our vicinity.

Then the questions during the open-forum started.

WB Vic Mariano acted as moderator.

VW Dicky Castro, PDDGM and PGPursuvant answering

some of the questions thrown by the participants.

Brother Manny Sambilay likewise gave answers to

some questions from the floor.

VW Ben Alipio, District Deputy Grand Master of RD-X

and Armm (Lanao) giving his message before

the program ended.

Sisters of the Order of the Eastern Star posed at their

exhibit area at the function hall during the fellowship.

Members of the Order of the Amaranth, led by the

Royal Patron Brother Ali Bari (left, kneeling)

at their exhibit area.

The working tools of a Master Mason.

The exhibit of the Order of Amaranth.

Some literature brought in by the brethren of show to the

guests of the wide range of materials available in the market

today...if one wants to study about masonry.

Some of the regalia used by the Scottish Rites exhibited at their area.

Another exhibit of the higher bodies.

Exhibit table of the Order of the DeMolay.

Pictures exhibited by different lodges during the fellowship

greatly added to the information that was given to the guests

by just merely viewing them.

Sisters of the Order of the Eastern Star posing in front

of the exhibited pictures, showing their activities and

installation of officers.

And the picture exhibit of Iligan Lodge No. 207

showing some of our lodge activities, brethren

during their travels abroad, etc.

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"Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think." - Benjamin Disraeli