AGRI R&D SHOWCASED AS MUNOZ BODIES HOST ITS FIRST MULTI-ORIENT CONVENTION

The future of the Philippine rice industry waved in welcome as a busload of expectant tour-ists cruise along rows of experimental plots at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PHILRICE).

At the Central Luzon State University, goats of various sizes from the breeding pens of the Small Ruminant Center came out to parade themselves while an array of modern farm machinery was showcased at the Philippine-Sino Center for Agriculture Technology (PHILSCAT) before a quick pit stop at grounds of the Philippine Center for Post-harvest Development and Mechanization PHILMECH).

Finally, the tour-ists were introduced to the life cycle of the giant freshwater prawns in the incubating tubs of the National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center (NFFTC) and then the dairy potentials of the Bulgarian bulls and cows herded at the gene pool of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC).

These and more as some of the country’s premiere agriculture technology centers were presented in a personalized tour organized by the Munoz Bodies for the delegates to the 2014 Multi-Orient Convention which it hosted for the first time last September 26-27 this year.

The tour was attended by the Sovereign Grand Commander Joven Chua and Sovereign Grand Inspector Generals in attendance and served as the footnote that explains the Convention’s theme of “Awareness and Growth, Hand in Hand for Scottish Rite Masonry”.

Strategies on how this can be done were alternately explained by the host’s assigned tour guides --- Bros. Teresito Aguinaldo, Theody Sayco, and Oliver Almeria --- and members of the Craft from the tour stops who also made sure that the tour-ists are accommodated despite the rain and late hour, and the fact that the Munoz Bodies is located within the Science City of Munoz which is the country’s only city to be distinguished as such.

The night after the tour, the red carpet was rolled out by the Munoz Bodies for the Sovereign Grand Commander’s Night for a sampling of the local cuisine and trademark Novo Ecijano hospitality, with Orient Deputy Rodolfo Estrada (Nueva Ecija and Aurora) conveying the host’s warm welcome to the delegates.

The Sovereign Grand Commander spoke briefly, then the band played as the delegates trooped to the buffet table while the roasted buffalo calf cooked, the lechon chopped and served, packs of fried tilapia and duck adobo were distributed, and the wine of joy flowed as the fellowship went through the night with the host’s own Tabo at Timba tandem of Bros. Michael Valenzuela (PVM) and Tristan Escudero (DDGM) emceeing.

The next day, formality permeated the air as the Multi-Orient Convention was convened at Memorial Lodge No. 90 of Masonic District RIII-F by the Presiding Officer, SGIG Danilo Angeles (PGM), and the formal welcome address in behalf of the Munoz Bodies was delivered by Valley Supervisor Alexander Coloma who exerted a huge effort in bringing the Convention to Nueva Ecija.

In a stirring prelude to the highlight of the Convention, SGIG Edilberto Carrabacan (Nueva Vizcaya and Ifugao) delivered a compelling lecture on the mysteries of 4^th-18^th degrees and its relevance to the 1^st-2^nd degrees of the Blue Lodge, so animatedly and effectively conveyed that it took the delegates’ rapt attention despite the unholy post-lunch hour and left behind great anticipation for the lecture on the 19^th-32^nd degrees that was promised to be delivered in the next Convention.

Finally, the Sovereign Grand Commander delivered his keynote address where he reported on past and future activities of the Supreme Council, the continuing effort to renovate the Scottish Rites Temple, and his appreciation of the other day’s tour which is unique and very informative.

And as the closing gavel fell, the host’s VM Eduardo Marbida and ILL. Manuel Sta. Maria finally let loose their long held sigh of relief after the tireless days and sleepless nights concluded with a very fruitful outcome.

The Convention was attended by delegates from Bodies of the Orient of Ilocos and Mountain Province led by SGIG-designate Benito Ty, the Orient of Bulacan and Pampanga led by SGIG Pacifico Aniag, The Orient of Pangasinan and Tarlac led by Michael Nava, the Orient of Bataan and Zambales led by Romeo Ramos, and of course the Orient Nueva Ecija and Aurora led by SGIG Danilo Angeles.