SNAPSHOTS FROM MODEL LODGE'S CORNERSTONE LAYING AND CONSECRATION CEREMONIES

PHOTOS EXPLAINED: [1] The CLSU brass band play as the brethren wait for the [2] arrival of MW Peter U. Lim Lo Suy (GM) and VW Emmanuel Antonio Umali (DDGM) at the ceremony site in Baloc, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija. [3] MW Lim Lo Suy then presided over the opening of the Grand Lodge in a temporary lodge hall while the officers of Model Lodge 373 wait before [4] the procession to the ceremony site where [5] VW Conrado Sante (DGL) and VW Umali helped prepare the implements for the rites. [6] MW Lim Lo Suy presided over the opening of the ceremony where [7] MW Grand Secretary Danilo Angeles (PGM) read the record of the contents of the time capsule namely copies of Model Lodge 373’s constitution and charter, a rooster of its members and a photo of its officers, the 27 November 2009 issues of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Manila Bulletin, the August and September-October 2009 issues of The Craftsman, the May-June 2009 issue of The Cabletow, the invitation to the ceremony, WB Monico Delgado’s personal calendar for 2009, a letter from Bro. Freddie Ruiz (Memorial Lodge No. 90) to his son to be opened and read after 50 years, and the Grandmaster’s pin. [8] MW Lim Lo Suy then blessed the cornerstone [9] where the time capsule was placed by Grand Treasurer-designate WB Edynnel Medina (DGLI) with the assistance of Grand Chaplain-designate VW Emmanuel Diesta (AAGM). Parts of the cornerstone were then [10] squared by VW Umali, [11] leveled by Senior Grand Warden-designate VW Sante, and [12] plumbed by Junior Grand Warden-designate VW Antonino Manabat (DGL) who reported “the craftsmen [to have] faithfully and skillfully performed their dut[ies]” before pouring the [13] corn, [14] wine, and [15] oil to nourish, refresh and enjoy the “workmen employed”. The working tools were then [16] handed to Bro. Principal Architect-designate VW Jose Matutino after which [17] MW Lim Lo Suy prayed over the cornerstone. [18] The procession marched back to the temporary lodge hall where, after being closed in due form by MW Lim Lo Suy, [19] the brethren had their photo taken with the Grandmaster for posterity before [20] partaking of a modest lunch prepared by Model Lodge 373, and [21] engaging the Grandmaster and his deputy in a farewell informal banter.

FOOTNOTE: This article was also published in the December 2009-January 2010 issue of "The Craftsman".