373 BIKERS: APRIL FOOLS EDITION

After a month, the 373 Bikers grew to 5 more members namely Bro. Virgilio G. Santos and his wife Sis. Mary Grace, Bro. James P. Mata, Bro. Reynaldo L.Requito, and longtime bikers Bro. Darwin S. Pastor and Bro. Erwin S. Macalinao. 

That makes 12 members plus 5 more who are just biding for the right time to buy their bikes and join the group. 

A total of 196.1 kilometers was logged by the 373 Bikers for the month of April which also included Sunshine Visits to the following members of the Lodge: Bro. Erwin S. Macalinao in Fort Magsaysay, Bros. Reynaldo L. Requito and Wilfredo G. Pagay at the Central Luzon State University, Bros. Darwin S. Pastor and James P. Mata in Sto. Domingo, and Bro. Dean Barry Lao in Guimba.

THE ANCOM 2014 PHOTO ALBUM

THE MODEL LODGE DELEGATION TO ANCOM 2014: Bros. Shubert L. Ciencia (Master of the Lodge), Nathaniel N. Elegado (Senior Warden), Jojit DL Floro (Junior Warden), Aquilino M. Valino Jr. (Immediate Past Master), Wilfredo G. Pagay (Junior Steward), Allan H. Rios (Marshall), Reynaldo L. Requito, Anthony V. Reyes, Jonathan P. Requintel, Don King T. Barcelo, Eduardo T. Sayco, Amidon P. Nicolas, and Marciano T. Dela Cruz.

Also present are Bros. Manolo M. Mercado in his capacity as an incumbent District Grand Lecturer, Aurelio M. Umali as Grand Orator, Lamberto B. Miranda as a to-be-installed District Grand Lecturer; and Bros. Emmanuel Antonio M. Umali, Prudencio J. Elegado, Foilan M. Valino, and Ramon M. Sabacan as representatives of their respective Mother Lodges. 

Bros. Ruben C. Talampas and Darwin S. Pastor who are both Manila-based also attended the fraternal dinner at the Ihaw Balot Plaza that was tendered by Brother Shubert for the Lodge's ANCOM 2014 delegation. 

THE FEAST OF THE PASCHAL LAMB AND RELIGHTING THE LIGHTS

“The Jewish Feast of the Passover commemorates the Exodus event when the Hebrews were lead out of slavery in Egypt by Moses. In the last of the Ten Plagues, the angel of God smote the first born of the Egyptians. The Angel of Death “passed over” the houses of the Israelites that had their doorposts marked with the blood of the Paschal Lamb. Thus, the blood of the Paschal Lamb symbolizes redemption and liberation. In observance of this Feast, Jesus of Nazareth, in the night in which he was betrayed, gathered his disciples in the upper room for the Last Supper. In their midst He instituted the Sacrament of Holy Communion”. --- Valley of the Hudson AASR

It was in commemoration of this event that Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites gather every Maundy Thursday to observe the Feast of the Paschal Lamb through a solemn ceremony that is open to the public.

The ceremony includes the Mystic Roll Call of those who have been called to the Celestial Lodge during the previous year, and the Ceremony of Lights in symbolic reenactment of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

The Munoz Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites continue to observe this annual tradition and for this year's edition, Model Lodge cancelled its traditional motorist assistance activity to enable its members to attend the ceremony.

Through this experience, the members of the Lodge will have the opportunity of further understanding the mysteries of Freemasonry and reflecting on its various symbolisms towards encouraging them to seek more enlightenment through the higher degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites.

It was with the same purpose that the sisters from Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth also attended the ceremony.

A SUNSHINE VISIT IN LIPA

The members of Model Lodge prays for the eternal repose of Bro. Lino M. Carandang Jr.'s father who joined his creator at the ripe age of 80. 

To comfort its grieving Lodge Treasurer, a delegation led by the Lodge's Three Lights traveled to Lipa City, Batangas where the remains of the late Lino M. Carandang Sr. lies in state until its interment on Easter Sunday.

During the Lipa visit, the Lodge delegation was also able to interact through Skype with Bro. Lino Jr.'s brother in-law who is a member of the Craft in San Francisco, California.  

TEMPLE PAVEMENT COMPLETED, FACADE WORK BEGINS

After a month of work, the rough pavement of the Lodge's Masonic temple is finally completed.

Work now shifts to finishing the facade of the Lodge which will house the archives and a columbarium in the basement; the visitors' area, the Preparation Room, and the restrooms in the ground floor; and the Lodge offices in the second floor.

Bros. Prudencio J. Elegado and Eduardo T. Sayco co-chairs the Lodge's Temple Works Committee and with them at the helm, the brethren of Model Lodge is hopeful that they will finally be able to hold next year's installation of officers in their new home. 

OPERATION TULI 3 NETS 86 YOUNG BOYS

The oldest is 16 and the youngest 7.

Most were with their mothers but some came on their own.

Many tried to be brave, a number cried out loud.

These are a few frames from the 3rd edition of Model Lodge's annual rite-of-passage in Baloc Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija.

The Lodge is grateful to Bro. Carlo R. Valmonte who as the project coordinator supervised the necessary arrangements and brought his team of skilled nurses from the Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center.

Baloc as the partner LGU under the leadership of Brgy. Capt. Josefina Lee provided the necessary logistical support including preparing the venue, initiating the information campaign, and providing sumptuous refreshments for the project partners who had a late lunch just to accommodate all 86 clients. 

The project is also the Lodge's first step in delegating all its charity work to its partner Appendant Bodies namely [1] Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth whose ladies came in full force through the leadership of its Royal Matron Sis. Jocelyn Villanueva-Dela Cruz, and the [2] Munoz Bodies of the Ancient and accepted Scottish Rites who was represented by its Venerable Master Bro. Eduardo Marbida.

From this moment on, the partner Appendant Bodies will implement all charity work with the Lodge providing support and overall supervision.

Hence, the Lodge will be able to focus on its mission of "making good men better" and looking after the well-being of the brethren and their families. 

MODEL LODGE IN CARRANGLAN

The Master of the Lodge --- Bro. Shubert L. Ciencia --- with Bros. Reynaldo L. Requito and Wilfredo G. Pagay recently attended the Carranglan Agro-Trade Fair upon the invitation of the Municipal Government.

While visiting the various trade fair displays, the Lodge's delegation was able to meet several notable Masons who were also there namely Bro. Romeo Momo who as the current Undersecretary for Operations of the Department of Public Works and Highways is the event's guest of honor and keynote speaker, Bro. Jose Francis Stevens M. Dizon who is the incumbent municipal mayor of Guimba, and several past and incumbent District Deputy Grand Masters.

373 BIKERS GOES TO FORT MAGSAYSAY

It was a leisurely stroll along narrow inner streets, dusty roads, and a car-less highway 90 percent of the 21.6 kilometers from Sta. Arcadia in Cabanatuan City to Fort Magsaysay.

That was before the hills of the Special Forces Compound and the final lung-busting steep climb to Fernandez Hill.

The bikers are grateful to Bro. Maj. Erwin Macalinao who took time off to guide them around the military reservation, and for the sumptuous breakfast he hosted at the recreational center of the Special Operations Command.

Joining the bikers on this leg are their families and members of Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth.

The newest members of the Lodge's biking club, Bro. Virgilio and Sis. Mary Grace Santos, later hosted an impromptu lunch of canned sardines, salted eggs, and chicken adobo at their residence in Sta. Arcadia, Cabanatuan City.

PHOTO CREDITS: Sis. Jocelyn Villanueva-Dela Cruz and Juan Gabriel L. Ciencia.

+IN MEMORIAM

Go in peace, dear brother...

 

"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived." --- Gen. George S. Patton

MODEL COURT NO. 55 (Order of the Amaranth) INSTALLS 4TH SET OF OFFICERS

"Model Lodge reaffirms its continuing patronage of Model Court No. 55 and will start delegating the Lodge's charity work to the Court this year".

This was the main message of Bro. Shubert L. Ciencia, the incumbent Master of Model Lodge, when he delivered the welcome remarks during the Public Installation of Officers of the Order of the Amaranth's Model Court No. 55 that was held at the Masonic Temple of Talavera Lodge No. 73.

It was the Court's 4th installation rites and indeed, the number 4 was the dominant theme.

For the Order of the Amaranth, it is the 4th public installation to be held in in Nueva Ecija this year.

The date was April 4 which is the birthday of Sis. Jocelyn Villanueva-Dela Cruz who is the newly installed Royal Matron.

Its was also the Masonic birthday, or the day 4 Mason's present were raised to the 3rd degree of Masonry: Past Grand Master Bro. Danilo D. Angeles who is the Installing Officer, Bro. Jojit DL Floro who is the newly installed Royal Patron, Bro. Angelito E. Dela Cruz who is the Court's newly installed Secretary, and the incumbent Master of Model Lodge.

Bro. Jose R. Dizon, former Mayor of Guimba and a past Regional Grand Master of Masons, was the Guest of Honor and delivered a keynote speech on the evolution of the Order from ancient times to the present day. 

Several members of Model Lodge were also installed as officers of the Court namely Bro. Virgilio G. Santos as Associate Royal Patron, Bro. Reynald F. Martin as Treasurer, Bro. Arnel M. Landingin as Prelate, Bro. Elpidio F. Dizon as Musician, Bro. Rafael S. Perez as Historian, Bro. Anacleto C. Fernandez as Warder, Bro. James P. Mata as Sentinel, and Bros. Monico G. Delgado as Sergio R. Francisco as Trustees.

373 BIKERS: THE IDES OF MARCH EDITION