Bulletin and Summon of Meeting - January 18, 2014

Message from the East

WB Rogelio C. Nuñeza

Brethren, may the blessings of the Great Architect of the Universe be always upon us.

I would like to greet all the brethren on this worshipful lodge a belated Happy New Year.  I regret I could not be with the lodge last December 2013 stated meeting.  I have to accompany your Sister Olga to Sr Lanka and proceeded to India for a short visit.  I wish to impart that the holiday season strengthened our understanding to our commitments to the teaching our ancient institution. 

Once more, we are affected by the LPA "Agaton" that hit some areas in Mindanao, including Iligan City.  This resulted to evacuation of some families to safer areas.  The Masonic Relief Coordinating Council led by VW Eduardo Ulindang, DDGM, made a round in many evacuation center and provided food to the families.  The major destruction was the bridge at Lapayan, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte that link Iligan City and Northern Mindanao to the Zamboanga Peninsula.  It affected major economic activities and more than a million of people whose business range from farm products such as rice and corn to fish for the City of Iligan and neighboring areas.  Let's hope that htis could be repaired earlier.

Brethren, this will be my last stated meeting as your Worshipful Master prior to the installation of the next WM in February 2014, I wish to thank all of you for your support and understanding.  The Masonic Year 2013 is memorable to me and my family and wish that Iligan Lodge 207 will continue to be the lodge we look up for our masonic activities.  I wish to reiterate my commitments for support to all our activities in the future.

Also, I welcome Bro. Karl Garzon, FCM to an active  masonic life as he is scheduled to a raising on our January stated meeting.  Bro. Ali Bari, Senior Warden and Master-elect will led the team to confer the Master Mason degree.

Lastly, I wish to thank all Masons who have given their support, both personal and financial to all the programs made during my term.  Let us move to another year of service to masonry, our fellowmen, our country and to the Grand Architect of the Universe.


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Agenda for the Stated Meeting

2:00 PM     Opening a Lodge of Master Mason
                   Conferment of Master Mason Degree upon Br. Karl Irwin Garzon

5:00 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
                      Recognition of Visiting Brethren
                      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 January, we greet the birthday celebrants a very Happy Happy Birthday :

                   Renato Bontol                    Jan 10
                   Ali Bari                              Jan 10
                   Jason Lim                           Jan 14
                   Rolando Layumas              Jan 17
                   Warlito Sanguila                 Jan 28
                   Joseph Sanguila                 Jan 29
                   Ronald Sy                          Jan 30

Happy Anniversary :

                    WB Oscar and Sis Belinda Badelles       Jan 10
                    Bro Ike and Sis Grace Gaite                  Jan 18
                    


   

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

Amusing Anecdotes

A Junior Deacon and a Visiting Brother


A Lodge in the National Capital Region was unexpectedly visited by a foreign Masonic dignitary.  The Junior Deacon told the Worshipful Master :  "Worshipful Master, there is an alarm at the door", and the Worshipful Master said, "Attend the alarm and report your findings".

When he opened the door, the Junior Deacon saw, to his amazement, a Brother impeccably clad with an elaborate apron and jewels.  The Tyler being slow in answering for the visiting Brother, the latter solemnly said,  "I am Brother John Smith, Past Master of my Lodge, Past Grand Master of Masons in our Grand Jurisdiction, Past Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite in the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States, York Rite Legion of Honor Awardee, and Imperial Potentate of Shrine Temples in North America.  I humbly request an audience with your Worshipful Master."

Hearing the visiting Brother's words and awed by his apron, jewels and titles, the Junior Deacon immediately closed the door, returned to his post, and said tremendously, "Worshipful Master, the Grand Architect of the Universe is at the door and desires admission into the Lodge!"


Keep it Under Your Hat

The Lodge had just opened.  As the Master looked around the Lodge room, he noticed a brother on the back row over in the southwest corner who was wearing a hat.   Not wanting to embarrass the brother, the Master called on the Senior Deacon to quietly ascertain why the brother was wearing a hat.  After  whispered conversation with the offending brother, the Senior Deacon reported back to the Master.  He said that the brother was overjoyed to be asked.  It was the third time he had attended that Lodge, and this was the first time anyone had spoken to him.  -  At Refreshment (1987) by Ill. Steward M. L. Pollard






Source :   The Cabletow, March-April 2010

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

35th Charter Anniversary and Past Masters' Night

April 17, 2010, our monthly stated meeting went on smoothly as scheduled...attended by brethren from different lodges of our district plus the attendance of  Bro. Leo Acosta of  Macajalar Lodge No.184, Cagayan de Oro City who, by the way, religiously attends meetings when he is here in Iligan. 

      

On this Stated Meeting,   we also celebrated our 35th Anniversary as a lodge which falls exactly on April 26.    Thirty five (35) years is quite a long time (of course not as long as 75 years which our mother lodge is celebrating this year!) 

As we ended our stated meeting and gathered around the function hall to partake the food prepared for us, we realized that we have in our midst, in our roll of members, stalwarts who have guided us and groomed our lodge to what it has become.  And to give honor to these people, we rightfully opened with a toast...followed by another...until we completed the 7th and the last, the Tyler's Toast.

Tokens were given to the Past Masters, as shown in the pictures below.   Thirty five (35) candles on top of an anniversary cake, as well as individual candles on top of sliced cakes for the Past Masters, were blown.  

As the night moved on, and the programmed activity heightened, scenes were captured by the lens of my olympus e-510 camera to be shared to everyone who wishes to witness and be a part of our 35th anniversary celebrations.

Bro. Boy Bartolome lead the Invocation

1st Toast lead by Worshipful Master Oscar V. Badelles...
...to the National Government and the Republic of the Philippines!

2nd Toast  again lead by  WM Oscar V. Badelles...

...to the Grand Master of Masons, MW Peter Lim Lu Soy!

Bro. Hilario Abel B. Gomez, Junior Warden giving the 3nd Toast...

...for the District Deputy Grand Master VW Lyndon L. Abucay and other Grand Line Officers!

The Message of District Deputy Grand Master, VW Lyndon Abucay, was read
by the District Grand Lecturer, VW Genesis Calit

4th Toast with WB Eduardo B. Cueto...for the brethren of Iligan Lodge No. 207

5th Toast ... for the inspiring, supporting past masters of Iligan Lodge No. 207,

Given by WB Ronald U. Sy

The response of the Charter Worshipful Master of Iligan Lodge No. 207

in behalf of all the other past masters of the lodge present.

Emphasizing on the importance of "What induced you to become...?"

The Distribution of Tokens to the Past Masters of Iligan Lodge 207

Worshipful Master Oscar V. Badelles giving a token of appreciation to the

Charter Worshipful Master Gerardo B. Padilla, 1975.

VW Warlito M. Sanguila, 1982

VW Robert S. Co, 1984

WB Datumanong D. Sarangani, 1985

 

Sister Rose Balacuit, receiving a token in behalf of her better half,
the late WB Jimmy Y. Balacuit, 1991

WB Edwin S. Co, 1993

WB Victor G. Mariano, 1994

VW G. Audwin T. Garzon, 1997

WB Eduardo B. Cueto, 1998

VW James T. Yu, 2001

VW Dominic W. Siao, 2002

WB Ronald U. Sy, 2008

WB Eduardo D. Ulindang, 2009

The 35th Year Anniversary Cake

All the past masters present gamely blew the candles out.

(noticed the present master practicing for next year's anniversary?)

Since everyone was ashamed to slice the beautiful cake, they all

settled for the next option...the cupcake.  ???  not a cupcake

The Sisters with their special surprise number.

Departed Master, Present Master, Upcoming Master and Past Master

completes the line-up.  (for questions, just send me a message in the comment box below. :-) )

Immediate Past Master WB Eduardo D. Ulindang giving the

6th Toast to the Ladies of Iligan Lodge No. 207!

7th Toast...given by VW Warlito M. Sanguila...

to the brethren at sea, on land or in air...whethersoever dispersed...

Bro. Jaime P. Magnetico, Senior Warden, giving the closing remarks,

thanking everyone who joined in the celebrations.

WB Victor G. Mariano leading the mass singing of "Auld Lang Syne"

The Master of Ceremony,  VW Sotero Trinidad, PDDGM

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"It isn't the incompetent who destroy an organization.  It is those who who have achieved something and want to rest upon their achievements who are forever clogging things up."    -  Charles Sorenson

Elocution on the "Lambskin Apron"

Elocution on the "Lambskin Apron" was first held at Tubod, Lanao del Norte last October 31, 2009 at the lobby of the office of Lanao Norte Electric Co., with the able leadership of VW Lyndon L. Abucay, DDGM.  Iligan Lodge No. 207 was ably represented by Bro. Hilario Abel Gomez, who as they say, "Took home the bacon".  He was pitted against the representatives of Maranaw Lodge No. 111, Manticao Lodge No. 243, Judge Valerio V. Rovira Lodge No. 259, Lake Lanao Lodge No. 227, Rajah Indrapatra Lodge No. 387 and the host lodge, Glicerio A. Lim Memorial Lodge No. 222.