HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

PHOTO: The Chorale Group of Model Lodge No. 373 and Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth performs during the District Christmas Party with Bro. Elpidio Dizon conducting.

THE BATTLE OF NUEVA ECIA (2012 Edition)

The annual Inter-District Sports Fest kicked-off in the backyard of Masonic District R3-D on November 18 with both District Deputy Grand Masters in attendance.

The Model Lodge delegation came and with the rest of the competitors took their oath of sportsmanship.

Bro. Fitzgerald Hierco who was celebrating his birthday later feted the brethren to a sumptuous lunch in their family residence.

Part 2 of the tournament was held on November 25 with Masonic District R3-F hosting.

TEAM 373 FIRES AWAY IN DISTRICT SHOOTFEST

The TEAM 373 Shooting Squad

Bro. Prudencio Elegado

Bro. Shubert Ciencia

Bro. Elpidio Dizon

Bro. Erwin Macalinao

Sis. Marlene Macalinao

REGULAR MEMBER (27-2012)

Bro. Ruben C. Talampas 
 
15TH BATCH (027-2012): Bro. Ruben C. Talampas was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason on 07 July 2012, passed to the degree of a Fellow Craft Mason on 13 October 2012, and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on 03 November 2012 at Model Lodge No. 373's temporary Masonic temple in Baloc, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija.

MODEL LODGE REPORTS DURING DISTRICT ANNUAL CONVENTION

Yesterday was reporting day of all Lodge's under the jurisdiction of Masonic District RIII-D. 

Which incumbent Master Bro. Sergio R. Francisco ably did in behalf of Model Lodge. 

Yesterday was also the nomination for next year's District Deputy Grand Master.

Of which retired army general Bro. Roberto Morales of Talavera No. 273 emerged as the overwhelming choice.

PHOTO CREDIT: MD R3-D Web Site

THE LODGE OF REMEMBRANCE

"Brothers, the Lodge is alarmed. One of our co-workers is called to the Eternal East, and so, he had to put down his Tools. His co-workers had to experience, that a chain in the chain of Brethren is gone, and they are painfully aware of the crack in the chain.

We can only become aware of the loss for the Lodge, if we notice which place our Brother had in our midst. As an Apprentice he worked, like all of us, at the Rough Ashlar; as Fellow he filled in his task in this Lodge with strength, inside and outside the Lodge; and as a Master he worked in loneliness on the tracing board, lest the building could progress. But where necessary, he has not scrupled to work as a Fellow, and where it was needed, to perform the humble work of an Apprentice. Because the true Master knows to work there, where it is needed, and he will always help there, where his labours at a whole will receive the most benefit. The Master knows how to be the most humble of all.

Our Brother worked as long as it was day, and when the night arrived, he put down his Tools, in the certainty, that He, who can oversee the entire building plan, knows best, when a task should begin or end.

We trust, that the Great Architect of the Universe will be satisfied about the labour of our Brother, and possible defaults in the delivered labour will have covered with the trowel of Love…"

(Excerpts from the “Ritual for the Lodge of Sorrow”)

FOOTNOTE: Photos taken during the District Lodge of Remembrance held at Cabanatuan Lodge No. 53.

CLASH OF THE RUFFIANS III

We came.

We competed.

We won some.

And lost some too.

Congratulations to the brethren of Model Lodge No. 373 who, with Pantabangan-Bonari Lodge No. 203 and Manuel L. Quezon Memorial Lodge No. 262, bagged the overall bronze medal as Team Violet in the 3rd edition of the District's "Clash of the Ruffians".

MODEL LODGE IN TARLAC

It was for the Centennial Multi-District Convention at the Ninoy Aquino Center in Tarlac City.

No less than the Big 4 (i.e. Grand Junior Warden, the Grand Senior Warden, the Deputy Grand Master, and the Grand Master) of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines graced the occasion.

The Lodge's delegation of Bros. Marionito L. Guerrero (Past Master), Shubert L. Ciencia (Junior Warden), Jojit DL Floro (Secretary), Rafael S. Perez (Assistant Treasurer), Elpidio F. Dizon (Oreganist), and James P. Mata (Junior Steward) were able to have a photo with Grand Junior Warden Bro. Tomas G. Rentoy and Grand Master Santiago T. Gabionsa.

And applaud the entourage and impressive report of Masonic District RIII-D led by District Deputy Grand Master Ramiro Cruz and his District Junior Grand Lecturers.

ADOBO AND BOILED EGG FOR BREAKFAST

And it came with rice and a piece of ripe tomato wrapped in banana leaves.

A very Filipino breakfast tendered by Bro. Mayor Leonido De Guzman, Jr. who is the incumbent Master of Nueva Ecija Lodge No. 73 and his father Bro. Leonido De Guzman, Sr. who is an incumbent District Grand Lecturer.

Definitely one of the best breakfast ever for representatives of subordinate Lodges under Masonic District RIII-D who came to the District's river erosion protection project in Dolores, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija.

2012 DISTRICT BOWLING: STILL IN BRACKET D, STILL 1st RUNNER UP

Model Lodge started hot with back-to-back wins in Day 1.

Followed by back-to-back losses on Day 2.

And more back-to-back losses on Day 3.

But it was enough to retain 1st runner up honors as last year behind eventual Bracket D champion San Leonardo Lodge No. 386.

Of course, with a lot of help from the Honored Ladies of the Order of the Amaranth's Model Court No. 55.

PHOTO CREDIT: HL Joy Villanueva-Dela Cruz 

IN MEMORIAM: VW ANTONIO P. PASCUAL (1923-2012)

Kuya Tony served the Craft well. He was a 4-time Master of his Lodge --- Memorial Lodge No. 90 in the Science City of Munoz --- in 1970, 1978-1979, and 1982; a 2-time District Deputy Grand Master in 1982 and 1983 when Nueva Ecija was still a single District; a Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites from 1982 until 1995; and the acknowledged “Founding Father” of Munoz Royal Court No. 17 of the Order of the Amaranth.  

In 2009, then MD RIII-D District Deputy Grand Master Emmanuel Antonio M. Umali hosted a tribute for Past District Deputy Grand Masters and Senior Masons where Kuya Tony was supposed to deliver the response in behalf of the honorees. He prepared his speech, by his own hand, which unfortunately was not delivered that night. That speech was finally delivered during the Last Rites tendered for him by Munoz Royal Court No. 17. In his memory and to honor him, that speech is being published now; perhaps the parting words of wisdom from an exemplary Mason on his final journey to the Celestial Lodge, to his fellow Travelers who are tasked to continue the work of the Craft in this earth...

Right Worshipful Sir, Very Worshipful Sirs, Worshipful Sirs, Friends, Ladies, and All.

After wandering my eyes inside this hall and see the faces of everyone, I am finally convinced that I am the most senior Mason among us here present today. The truth to say is I am now 86 years of age with 15 grandchildren, two of which are the daughter and son of Bro. and Mrs. Lino Carandang. For all you know, Bro. Lino Carandang is a Fellow Craft Mason of Model Lodge No. 373 at Baloc, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija. He is expected to be raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on October 3, 2009 while my daughter, Pacita P. Caarandang, is a manager of Metrobank in Cabanatuan City.

At my age of 86, I feel still young in heart, strong, healthy, willing, and able but no longer usable. But in spite of a damaged spinal cord, I managed to stand upright to avoid being humpbacked.

How and why I’ve maintained a normal bodily heath is due to my belief and learning in Masonry: “When human strength and wisdom fails, DIVINE ASSISTANCE vouchsafes us thru the medium of PRAYER”.

I always pray to the ONE AND ONLY LIVING GOD WHOSE POWER AND WISDOM ARE EXPLICITLY BEYOND THE CHALLENGES OF THE MOST POWERFUL MEN ON EARTH.

Going back to my younger age, I wish to share with you my experience and accomplishment as a Mason. I served my Lodge, Memorial Lodge No. 90, as Worshipful Master for 4 years. It was also during those trying years that I organized Munoz Royal Court No. 17 of the Order of the Amaranth where I served as Royal Patron for 8 years. Today, the Court has more than 100 active members.

How I managed to perform those accomplishments is perhaps due to my robust enthusiasm, my deep commitment, my loyalty, and dedication to the principles of Freemasonry.

Today, Masonic District RIII-D, in line with the plans and programs of MW Grand Master Peter Lim Lo Sur, is giving a tribute to senior Masons and PDDGMs which I believe is a good precedent for other Lodges to follow which will serve as an ardent gift of gratitude and affection to all senior Masons.

Thanks to the keen foresight of the District officers headed by VW Emmanuel Antonio M. Umali for sponsoring this kind of program.

Thanks also for giving me a chance to give a short response in behalf of my co-senior Masons.

Again, thank you, good night, and God Bless.

#

GET WELL SOON, BROTHER INSPECTOR!

The brethren of Model Lodge No. 373 wishes Bro. Julius Visaya, its assigned Grand Lodge Inspector, a fast recovery. Past Master Bro. Marionito L. Guerrero recently led a contingent from the Lodge and Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth in visiting Brother Julius who was briefly hospitalized after a mild stroke.

Photo: Bro. James P. Mata

2012 BALER DISTRICT MEETING

As was the tradition every month of July, representatives of Lodges under the jurisdiction of Masonic District RIII-D flocked to Baler, Nueva Ecija for a 2-day District meeting. We met, we planted mangrove seedlings, we breakfasted...

Photography: Bro. James P. Mata

BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF...

Indeed as Thomas Fuller said, "Charity begins at home, but should not end there".

Hence, Model Lodge No. 373 (represented by its Secretary Bro. Jojit DL Floro) and the Order of the Amaranth's Model Court No. 55 (represented by it Secretary Bro. James P. Mata who is also the Lodge's Junior Steward) recently turned over a donation of food stuff to the Bahay ni San Jose Home for God's Children in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija.

PHOTO: Bro. James P. Mata

CHRISTMAS IN JUNE

Model Lodge extends its gratitude to the sponsors and patrons of its annual Adopt-a-School project which provided a complete set of school supplies to each of the 155 students of the Rogelio DG Valdezotto Elementary School.  

The Lodge is specially thankful to its partner --- the Order of the Amaranth's Model Court No. 55 --- who led in repacking and distributing the gifts, and in later facilitating a nutrient supplementation feeding program.

PHOTOS: Bro. James P. Mata

114th INDEPENDENCE DAY

For the first time, Model Lodge commemorated the nation's 114th independence day in its host municipality of Sto. Domingo with the brethren from Nueva Ecija Lodge No. 73, the employees of the municipal government led by Bro. Mayor Leonido De Guzman, Jr. who is also the incumbent Master of Nueva Ecija Lodge No. 73, and members of the Order of Amaranth's Royal Court No. 55.

Raising the Flag.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Tribute to the Flag.

The Mayor and the Master Speak.

In Fond Remembrance.