GRANDMASTER CONSTITUTES 2 NEW LODGES IN NUEVA ECIJA

And then there were 37.

Golden Beehive Lodge No. 388 in the Science City of Munoz and Kadanglaan Lodge No 392 in the upland town of Carranglan both within the jurisdiction of Masonic District RIII-F were recently constituted as regular Lodges in solemn ceremonies presided by Grandmaster Avelino Razon, Jr.

A contingent from Model Lodge No. 373 headed by Senior Warden Marionito Guerrero were on hand to witness this momentous event which culminated in the formal installation of the officers of both Lodges including one of Model Lodge’s own, Bro. Ramon Sabacan, who has been elected as Secretary of Kadanglaan Lodge No. 392.

The province of Nueva Ecija is divided into 2 Masonic Districts namely Masonic District RIII-D covering 16 regular Lodges in South Nueva Ecija and Aurora province, and Masonic District RIII-F covering 11 Lodges in North Nueva Ecija.

Model Lodge is within the jurisdiction of Masonic District RIII-D but its strategic location right the middle of Nueva Ecija province has made it a melting pot with its members coming from both Masonic Districts including Bro. Jose Matutino, Jr. who is the incumbent District Deputy Grandmaster of Masonic District RIII-F.

MASONIC DISTRICT RIII-D TURNOVER

Model Lodge No. 373 applauds Bro. Emmanuel Antonio Umali whose fruitful term of office, together with District Grand Lecturers Bro. Froilan Valino and Bro. Antonino Manabat, formally ended in a turnover ceremony held in Cabanatuan City. Brother Emmanuel Antonio is one of the few recipients of Outstanding Deputy Grandmaster Award during the recently held 2010 Annual Communication in Manila.

At the same time, Model Lodge salutes Bro. Alan Purisima of General Llanera Memorial Lodge No. 168 who formally took over the helm of the District as its District Deputy Grandmaster for the year 2010-2011. Brother Alan appointed 3 members of Model Lodge as District officers namely Bro. Wilson Tan who was retained as District Treasurer, and Bros. Prudencio Elegado and Anacleto Fernandez who were appointed as Grand Lodge Inspectors for Zaragoza Lodge No. 263 and Manuel L. Quezon Memorial Lodge No. 262, respectively. Brothers Prudencio and Anacleto are both Past Masters of Model Lodge.

FOOTNOTE: The photo above shows the Model Lodge contingent listening to the keynote speech of Grandmaster Avelino Razon, Jr. during the Masonic District RIII-D turnover ceremony and oath taking of its incoming officers.

BRO. JOEY MATUTINO IS 4TH MODEL LODGE MEMBER TO BE DDGM

Bro. Jose “Joey” Matutino, Jr. (right) receives the symbolic gavel of authority to preside over Masonic District RIII-F as District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) for 2010-2011 during the District’s turn-over ceremony at the Central Luzon State University that was witnessed by Junior Grand Warden Juanito Espino, Jr. Brother Joey thus became the fourth member of Model Lodge No. 373 to be appointed as DDGM after Bro. Emil Andrew Dela Rosa in 2007-2008, Bro. Narciso “Boy” Nieto in 2008-2009, and Bro. Emmanuel Antonio “Anthony” Umali in 2009-2010 all in Masonic District RIII-D. With Brother Joey’s appointment, Model Lodge has the rare distinction of having as active members DDGMs who have and is serving both the Southern (RIII-D) and Northern (RIII-F) Masonic jurisdictions within Nueva Ecija. Brother Joey is a Past Master of Memorial Lodge No. 90, a Past District Grand Lecturer of Masonic District RIII-F, a Past Venerable Master of the Munoz Bodies of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites, and a member of the Grand Court of the Philippines’ Order of Amaranth.

FINALLY, OUR NEW LODGE LOGO

After a series of conceptualization and redrafting, Model Lodge No. 373's new logo was officially presented through the anniversary t-shirts worn by the brethren during the Lodge's 3rd founding anniversary celebration. The logo was based on Bro. Prudencio Elegado's concept and designed by Bro. Jose Matutino, Jr. An electronic copy of the Lodge logo was also created through the initiative of Bro. Aquilino Valino, Jr.

A TRIPLE TREAT FOR MODEL LODGE'S 3RD ANNIVERSARY

Three years ago, Grandmaster Jaime Gonzales presided over the constitution of Model Lodge No. 373 at the historic grounds of Cabanatuan Lodge No. 53. This year, the brethren of Model Lodge No. 373 commemorate that significant event with 3 activities: a community outreach project in its host community, a day of getting-to-know-you and bonding for the brethren and their families, and a fundraising to help build the Lodge’s Masonic temple.

Operation Tuli

At least 65 young boys were led to their summer rite of passage in a mass circumcision held at the Barangay Health Center of Baloc in Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija. The operation was conducted by a team of nurses from the Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Hospital and supervised by Bro. Dr. Dennis Galang of Factoria Lodge No. 311, and in cooperation with the Baloc barangay government.

Model Lodge is grateful to all those who took the project as their own especially Bro. Dr. Dennis Galang and his team of nurses. Medicines were provided by the brethren of AG MW Pedro M. Gimenez Memorial Lodge No. 370, Sta. Rosa Lodge No. 297, Factoria Lodge No. 311, and Bro. Dr. Gil Suratos of Cabanatuan Lodge No. 53. Senator-elect Franklin Drilon through the facilitation of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement donated umbrellas that were given as tokens to the medical team. Bro. Fitzgerald Hierco and his wife Sister Daisy graciously hosted the lunch and ensuing fellowship for the brethren and medical team.

And while the brethren sang and frolicked, the Board of Trustees of Model Lodge’s corporate arm --- the Moringa Technology Development and Resource Center Incorporated --- was convened by its president Bro. Prudencio Elegado to finalize and consolidate the architectural plans submitted by Bro. Reynaldo Villaflor and Bro. Jose Matutino, Jr. for the Lodge’s future Masonic temple.

Family Day

The day right after Operation Tuli, Model Lodge held its first ever family day at Sarmiento’s Resort in Talavera, Nueva Ecija. As the kids frolicked in the pool, their parents went back to the joys of childhood play in the parlor games which everybody won and nobody lost. With such joy and gladness, the jug of premium brandy brought for the occasion by Bro. Jojit Floro tasted like vintage wine.

Fund Raising

The climax of Model Lodge’s family day is the drawing of the winning tickets of its fund raising project that was initiated to help raise funds for the building of the Lodge's Masonic temple. The grand prize of a 3-day and 2 nights round trip to Hong Kong for 2 was won by Bro. Edison Rivera of Talavera Lodge No. 273. The second prize of a laptop computer went to Bro. Jose Matutino, Jr. of Memorial Lodge No. 90 and the third prize of a 29-inch JVC colored TV to Mr. Ricardo Valdez of the Land Bank of the Philippines. Ten consolation prizes of a cavan of premium rice each was also won by the following: Bro. Aquilino Valino, Jr., Bro. Jomari Valino, Bro. Fitzgerald Hierco, Bro. Lino Carandang, Jr., Bro. Anacleto Fernandez, and Bro. Anthony Reyes all of Model Lodge No. 373; and Mr. Carlos Medina, Bro. Bobby Faronillo of Palayan City Lodge No. 331, Bro. Errol Santiago of the Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Lodge No. 326, and Bro. Michael Valenzuela of Pantabangan-Bonari Lodge No. 203.

REGULAR MEMBER (017-2010)

Bro. Elpidio Dizon

NINTH BATCH (017-2010). Bro. Elpidio Dizon (017-2010) was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason on 20 January 2010, passed as a Fellow Craft Mason on 03 April 2010, and raised as a Master Mason on 01 May 2010 at Model Lodge No. 373’s temporary Masonic temple in Baloc Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija.