THE STORY OF OUR HOUSE

One year ago after our first regular meeting in 2014, we trooped to the site where the Lodge's permanent Masonic Temple was being erected.

There was one big hall then with an unpaved floor, and the Lodge must move in by the beginning of the next year.

So we started paving the floor from the savings generated from our simple installation rites. 

There was excess cement so maybe that will be enough to erect the facade's first floor too, or perhaps a bit more by completing the second floor pavement with the income from the annual fun run and golf tournament, and maybe some more as pledges and contributions from our members made the second floor walls and roof, and the rest rooms and mosaic pavement possible. 

“Operation Bintana” was launched where we individually or collectively sponsored the cost of a steel window, followed by “Operation Semento” where members contributed one bag of cement each after every meeting for the plastering of the inner walls. 

Donations from generous friends came and that took care of the water and electric works and the doors.

A year later on almost the same day when we first came to look at the unfinished Temple work, we came back with the Atengs with brooms and hoses to wash the dust away and do some last minute work.

The furnishings from the temporary Masonic Lodge was moved in while we tried to do a semblance of installation rites practice in between.

On January 10 of this year, the Model Lodge Masonic Temple was dedicated in a solemn ceremony presided by Junior Grand Lecturer Rodel Matias who represented Grand Master Alan Purisima. 

District Deputy Grand Master Jerome Malaca stood as the principal witness with his counterpart from Masonic District RIII-F --- District Deputy Grand Master Tristan Escudero --- as Grand Lodge officers performed their duty of consecrating the Temple before it can be used to pursue the labors of the Craft.

All Past Masters of Model Lodge who worked hard in building the Temple were present, and it was a poignant moment as Grand Marshall Manolo Mercado --- Model Lodge’s Master in 2010 when the Temple foundations were laid --- presided over the floor works as Bros. Anacleto Fernandez (PM, 2009), Marionito Guerrero (PM, 2011), Sergio Francisco (PM, 2012), and Aquilino Valino Jr. (PM, 2013) looked on. 

And it is fitting that Bro. Prudencio Elegado (PM, 2007-2008) who was the Lodge’s Charter Master reported to the Grand Master the completion of the Temple with Bro. Eduardo Sayco, the Lodge’s own tireless Hiram Abiff, at his side.

Finally, the corn of nourishment was poured with the wine of refreshment and the oil of joy. The Grand Master concluded the ceremony and the Grand Marshall led back the Purple Aprons into the room where the Grand Lodge was earlier opened in ample form.

There is still much work to be done.

But Model Lodge has come home, and this is our story…