2014 INSTALLATION RITES: GENERAL LLANERA MEMORIAL LODGE NO. 168

Bro. GARY PAUL T. SOTO

as Master on the Lodge

on January 25, 2014

REFRESHMENTS AT A CHRISTENING

The brethren at the Hap Chan Tea House Restaurant in Cabanatuan City during the christening of Bro. Reynald F. Martin's youngest son.

THE LADIES OF MODEL LODGE NO. 373 AND MODEL COURT NO. 55

The brethren of Model Lodge is grateful to our much, much better halves and the Honored Ladies of Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth whose presence made our 7th Public Installation of Officers a memorable occasion.

Photos: Bro. Jojit DL Floro and Juan Gabriel L. Ciencia

2014 INSTALLATION RITES: TALAVERA LODGE NO. 273

Bro. NARCISO CUIZON

as Master of the Lodge

on January 18, 2014

LODGE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HOLD PLANNING AND BUDGETTING WORKSHOP

The Master, the Senior and Junior Wardens, the Treasurer and Secretary and their assistants, and the Auditor. 

These are the members of Model Lodge's Executive Committee (EXECOM) who, in a workshop at the Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Lodge No. 326, crafted this year's program of work and budget which will be presented for the approval of the brethren. .

The main themes that emerged from the proposed budget are those related to Temple works, fund raising, family day and bonding, community work, and Masonic education and jurisprudence.

After the workshop, the EXECOM had lunch with Model Court No. 55 of the Order of Amaranth as an initial activity in forging closer relations between the Lodge and its partner Appendant Bodies. 

7th PUBLIC INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

"By our acts shall Masonry be judged".

Those words from Past Grand Master Bro. Danilo D. Angeles which Model Lodge adopted as its motto was the core message of Bro. Shubert L. Ciencia's inaugural address on his installation as the 7th master of the Lodge.

"We will be judged by our peers and not by ourselves if we were able to live up to our name which is a heavy responsibility on our part as it almost leaves no room for mistake," he said.

He also apologized for not tendering the traditional post-installation dinner and fellowship since the money that would be spent on such will be donated for the continuing construction of the Lodge's Masonic temple, and that he hopes that simple installation rites will become a tradition for Model Lodge in order to encourage willing and capable members to serve as Masters without being burdened by the cost of a lavish banquet which have made access to the Oriental Chair exclusive only for those who can afford it.

The occasion was graced by Bro. Sigfredo R. Serrano, a Past Master of Makiling Lodge No. 72 and an Undersecretary for Policy and Planning of the Department of Agriculture, who in his address as the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker urged the brethren to go back to the spiritual anchor of Masonry in order not to lose sight of its noble intentions in making good men better.

He also encouraged the brethren to extend charity and goodwill beyond the confines of Masonry by becoming more involved in social concerns that affects every Filipino and ultimately determines the future of the nation.

Also installed as officers of the Lodge were Bro. Nathaniel N. Elegado as Senior Warden, Bro. Jojit DL Floro as Junior Warden, Bro. Virgilio G. Santos with Bro. Angelito E. Dela Cruz as Assitant Secretary and Bro. Fitzgerald A. Hierco as Assistant Treasurer, Bro. Arnel M. Landingin as Auditor, Bro. James P. Mata as Chaplain, Bro. Allan H. Rios as Marshall, Bro. Rafael S. Perez as Senior Deacon and Bro. Reynald F. Martin as Junior Deacon, Bro. Dean Barry Lao as Almoner, Bro. Ruben S. Talampas as Orator, Bro. Carlo R. Valmonte as Senior Steward and Bro. Wilfredo G. Pagay as Junior Steward, Bro. Elpidio F. Dizon as Organist, and Bro. Aquilino M. Valino, Jr. as Tyler.

The simple but solemn installation ceremony was presided by Bro. Manolo M. Mercado --- a Past Master of the Lodge and an incumbent District Grand Lecturer --- as the Installing Officer with Bro. Arnel M. Landingin as the Master of Ceremony and Bro. Sergio R. Francisco, also a Past Master of the Lodge, as his assistant.

The Past Master's apron and jewel was presented by Bro. Monico G. Delgado --- the Chairperson Emeritus of the Lodge's Council of Past Masters --- and Bro. Sergio to Bro. Aquilino M. Valino, Jr. who in his farewell speech as the outgoing Master said that although his Masonic career may be over, his Masonic journey is just starting and will continue forever.

Model Lodge's 7th public installation of officers was marked by historical "firsts": [1] it was the first time in a long stretch of time in the District that a post-installation dinner and fellowship was omitted, [2] it was the first to be conducted by an installing team who came from the Lodge's own ranks, [3] and the first to be well-attended by the wives of the brethren and the Honored Ladies of Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth.

Photos: Juan Gabriel L. Ciencia

LODGE HOLDS TRANSITION MEETING

A day before its 7th Public Installation of Officers, the outgoing and incoming officers of Model Lodge held a transition meeting where the financial portfolio and corporate documents of the Lodge were handed to this year's set of officers.

Witnessing the turnover is Bro. Prudencio J. Elegado, the Lead Convener of the Lodge's Council of Past Masters.

This year's plan for the continuing construction of the Lodge's Masonic Temple was also discussed with Bro. Eduardo T. Sayco who is currently the co-chair of the Lodge's Temple Development Committee. 

GRAND MASTER ESPINO AND A HAPPY BIRTHDAY

No less than Grand Master Juanito R. Espino, Jr. came to grace the birthday celebration of Bro. Jose Dizon --- a former mayor of the Municipality of Guimba a Past District Deputy Grand Master of Nueva Ecija.

Several members of Model Lodge were also on hand to greet the birthday celebrant and the Grand Master namely Bro. Shubert L. Ciencia, Bro. Ramon Sabacan, and Bro. Jose A. Matutino, Jr.

Three of the birthday celebrant's sons are also members of the Craft --- Bro. Bopet Dizon who was also a 3-term mayor of Guimba and a Past Master of the Eulogio R. Dizon Memorial Lodge No. 264, Bro. Boyito Dizon who is in his last term as mayor of Guimba, and Bro. Bonbon Dizon who was recently elected as the No. 1 councilor of Guimba. 

LUNCH AND A CONVERSATION WITH A DISTINGUISHED BROTHER

Model Lodge recently paid a visit to Bro. Segfredo R. Serrano, the Department of Agriculture's Undersecretary for Policy Planning and a Past Master of Makiling Lodge No. 72, to personally invite him to be the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker during its 7th Public Installation of Officers for 2014.

Outgoing Master Bro. Aquilino M. Valino, Jr. led the Lodge's delegation which included incoming Master Bro. Shubert L. Ciencia, incoming Junior Warden Bro. Jojit DL Floro, and incoming Secretary Bro. Virgilio G. Santos. 

2014 INSTALLATION RITES: CABANATUAN LODGE NO. 53

Bro. MARCIANO MATIAS

as Master of the Lodge

on 04 January 2014

BRO. JOSE RIZAL AND A PROFICIENCY TEST

Proficiency in Masonic rituals are taken seriously by the subordinate Lodges of Masonic District R3-D.

So in preparation for the annual district proficiency test, Model Lodge's newly elected Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, the newly appointed Senior and Junior Deacons, and Marshall conducted a mentoring exercise on the opening and closing of a Lodge in first, second, and third degrees of Masonry under the supervision of Bro. Arnel M. Landingin.

The next day before the proficiency test, the brethren of Masonic District R3-D gathered at the grounds of the Cabanatuan City Hall to commemorate the 117th death anniversary of Bro. Jose P. Rizal.

Afterwards during the proficiency test, all Lodges under the jurisdiction of Masonic District R3-D demonstrated the opening and closing of a Lodge in the third degree of Masonry. Model Lodge in particular was asked to demonstrate the opening of a lodge in the second degree of Masonry.

All Lodges within the District are compelled to complete a proficiency test on Masonic rituals as a requirement for the installation of its newly elected officers.