THE IDES OF MARCH

There were of course the installation rites with Bro. Agustin Liwag of Zaragoza Lodge No. 263, Bro. Romeo Novelles of Factoria Lodge No. 311, and Bro. Romeo Dacanay of Manuel L. Quezon Memorial Lodge No. 262 ascending the Oriental Chair.

And the 373 Bikers too who earned more Finisher's Medals at the Pedal One for Fun, the Papaya Mountain Bike Challenge, and the Licab Mountain Bikers' Padayak para sa Kalusugan fun rides plus a mini tour of Aurora province.

DDGM Jerome Malaca presided on what might his be his last District Meeting in Baler and Bro. Oliver Almeria was installed as the Venerable Master of the Munoz Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites.

Amidst the bustle of it all, the Lodge went on with its labors, and with Model Court No. 55 of the order of the Amaranth checked on the wellness of its members, prepare the candidates in receiving the degrees of Masonry, polish the floorworks, and enjoy the wine of refreshment as a just and earned reward after the work is done...  

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. 

MODEL LODGE MOURNS ITS FIRST DEATH

BRO. ALBERTO B. SAMSON

1956-2014

The Brethren of Model Lodge No. 373 extends its deepest sympathies and solidarity to the family of the late Bro. Alberto "Kuya Bobby" Samson who has been called to the Celestial Lodge Above.

Kuya Bobby is a member of Kapitan Pepe Lodge No. 293 and one of Model Lodge's 33 founding members.

And like most members of the Lodge, he is affiliated with the Munoz Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites who, in solemn ceremonies, conferred upon his mortal remains the last rites befitting a good man and a true friend.

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.

MUNOZ BODIES (AASR) HOLDS 33rd INSTALLATION RITES

Bro. Eduardo M. Mardiba (32 MRS) formally assumed his calling as the 33rd Venerable Master of the Munoz Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites in a solemn ceremony at the Masonic Temple of Memorial Lodge No. 90.

The occasion was graced by the presence of Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Director Bro. Crizaldo O. Nieves who was the guest of honor and speaker.

Of the 11 members of Model Lodge who are members of the Munoz Bodies, three were installed with the Venerable Master as officers namely Bro. Alberto B. Samson (32 MRS) as Almoner, Bro. Shubert L. Ciencia (32 MRS) as Master of Ceremonies, and Bro. Rafael S. Perez (32 MRS) as Captain of the Host.

Three of Model Lodge's Past Masters have served as Venerable Masters namely Bro. Marionito L. Guerrero (32 MRS) of the Munoz Bodies in 2008, and Bros. Prudencio J. Elegado (32 KCCH) and Manolo M. Mercado of the Cabanatuan Bodies in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

(Photo Credit: Bro. Tong Salvador Valencia)

FEAST OF THE PASCHAL LAMB

The Feast of the Paschal Lamb commemorate the lamb offering of the Jews during the Passover or paschal feast. The practice has been adopted by the Ancient and and Accepted Scottish Rites of Freemasons and traditionally held every Maundy Thursday in the Philippines. The ceremonial feast features a symbolic banquet, the Mystic Roll Call of brothers who have been called to the Celestial Lodge, and a special Ceremony of the Lights.

Several members of Model Lodge, through the invitation of Lodge Master Bro. Marionito Guerrero, were fortunate to witness this very special ceremony that was held by the Munoz Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites at Memorial Lodge No. 90.

FOOTNOTE: Photo above shows the fabled Blue Boys of Model Lodge with members of the Cabanatuan Bodies AASR after the Munoz Bodies AASR's commemoration of the Feast of the Paschal Lamb.