PROJECT MORINGA BOARD MEETING

Project Moringa President Prudencio Elegado (second from right in the photo below) presides over the Board of Trustee’s meeting that was hosted by Trustee Monico Delgado (first from left). Also in the meeting after Trustee Monico are (counter clockwise) Vice-president Anacleto Fernandez, Board Secretary Sergio Francisco, Trustee Manolo Mercado, Bro. Nathaniel Elegado (after President Prudencio) who was one of Project Moringa’s incorporators, Technical Consultant Reynaldo Villaflor, and Trustee Marionito Guerrero.

Project Moringa is the acronym for the Moringa Technology Development and Resource Center, Incorporated which is a corporation established by Model Lodge No. 373’s members to supervise and manage the Lodge’s social enterprises and income generating projects, take charge of its community extension and charity work, and develop and manage its properties and resources.

MASONIC TEMPLE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

Two more proposed architectural designs from Bro. Jose Matutino, Jr. and Bro. Reynaldo Villaflor for Model Lodge No. 373’s Masonic temple were accepted by the Lodge’s Masonic Temple Development Committee during its first formal meeting hosted by Bro. Marionito Guerrero. These are in addition to the first design that was commissioned by Bro. Anacleto Fernandez and that submitted by Bro. Jimmy Obejas.

During its deliberation, the Masonic Temple Development Committee narrowed its choices to that of Brothers Jose and Reynaldo. The committee also viewed a video presentation on pre-cast concrete technology as it seeks the most efficient method of constructing the Lodge’s Masonic temple.

After the committee’s meeting, the brethren of Model Lodge No. 373 led by Lodge Master Bro. Manolo Mercado (photo below, center in white shirt) jointly presented the immediate past Master’s certificate to Bro. Anacleto Fernandez (photo below, in red shirt). Certificates of Proficiency were also presented to Bros. Angelito Dela Cruz, Jojit Floro, Lino Carandang Jr., and Fitzgerald Hierco.

Brother Manolo chairs the Lodge’s Masonic Temple Development Committee with Brothers Jose, Reynaldo and Anacleto as members including Bro. Eduardo Sayco, Bro. Prudencio Elegado, and Bro. Lamberto Miranda.

LAST NIGHT I KNELT WHERE HIRAM KNELT

Last night I knelt where Hiram knelt

And took an obligation.
Today I’m closer to my God
And I’m a Master Mason!
Tho’ heretofore my fellow men
Seemed each one like the other.
Today I search each one apart;
I’m looking for “My Brother”.
And, as I feel this friendly grip,
It fills my heart with pride;
I know that while I’m on the square
That he is on my side.
His footsteps on my errand go
If I should such require;
His prayers will plead in my behalf
If I should so desire.
My words are safe within his breast
As though within my own;
His hand forever at my back
To help me safely Home…
Good counsel whispers in my ear
And warns of any danger
By Square and Compass, Brother now!
Who once called me a stranger.
I might have lived a moral life
And risen to distinction
Without my Brother’s helping hand
And fellowship of Masons.
But God, who knows how hard it is
To resist life’s temptations
Knows why I knelt where Hiram knelt

And took that obligation!!!

--- Bro. RUDYARD KIPLING

FOOTNOTE: Rudyard Kipling was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. He was in 1886 initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason (April 5), passed as a Fellow Craft Mason (May 3), and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason (December 6) at the Lodge Hope and Perseverance No. 782 in Lahore, India. Although he resigned from the craft in 1895, the influence of Freemasonry would be evident in his literary work.

COMMITTEES ORGANIZED, COMMITTEE HEADS APPOINTED

The following committee chairs were appointed by the Lodge's Worshipful Master, Bro. Manolo Mercado, during Model Lodge’s March 2010 stated meeting, and authorized to select their respective committee members:

Bro. Marionito Guerrero
LAPSATION AND VIGIL COMMITTEE

Bro. Sergio Francisco
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE

Bro. Jose Matutino, Jr.
MASONIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Bro. Eduardo Sayco
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION COMMITTEE

Bro. Prudencio Elegado
WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Bro. Erwin Macalinao
CIVIC ACTION COMMITTEE

Bro. Errol Santiago
SPORTS COMMITTEE

Bro. Arnel Landingin
JURISPRUDENCE COMMITTEE

Bro. Monico Delgado
GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

Bro. Anacleto Fenandez
GENERAL SERVICES COMMITTEE