DECEMBER ELECTIONS AND PROFICIENCIES

Elected Officers for MY 2016

BRO. JOJIT DL FLOR

Master of the Lodge

BRO. FITZGERALD A. HIERCO

Senior Warden

BRO. ANGELITO E. DELA CRUZ

Junior Warden

BRO. RAFAEL S. PEREZ 

Treasurer

BRO. SHUBERT L. CIENCIA (PM)

Secretary

BRO. ARNEL M. LANDINGIN (PM)

Auditor

And in recognition of their proficiency on Masonic floorworks, the incoming "Three Lights" Lodge 373 were exempted from the District's annual proficiency practical exam that was held at the Masonic Temple of Pantabangan-Bonari Lodge No. 203 after the traditional commemoration of Bro. Jose P. Rizal's 119th year of martyrdom that was held for the first in Rizal, Nueva Ecija.

NOVEMBER MILESTONES

In the end, it was Lodge 373 who was tasked to represent Masonic District RIII-D in the Central Luzon Ritual Olympics during the Central Luzon Multi-District Convention in Subic, Zambales.

The Lodge lost by the minutest hairline to eventually place second again, a bit of a disappointment but a solid affirmation of its name and what Model Lodge No. 373 stands for.

November is indeed a month of "near misses" that led to more "2nd place finishes" with the White Team of Cabanatuan Lodge No. 53, Nueva Ecija Lodge No. 73, Talavera Lodge No. 273, and Model Lodge No. 373 finishing second overall in the District Ladies of Mason Bowling Tournament...

...and the Model Court No. 55 getting second place overall during the District Sportsfest of the Order of the Amaranth.

But really, it's not the color of the medals that counts but how the games were played.    

I.M.E.S. IN OCTOBER

The Lodge is proud of Bros. Fitzgerald A. Hierco (Junior Warden), Rafael S. Perez (Treasurer), Angelito E. Dela Cruz (Assistant Secretary), Roberto P. Bulanadi (Chaplain), Carlo R. Valmonte (Junior Deacon), and Roem Gaymel Bulanadi for successfully completing this year's 4-day IMES course.   

HEROIC AUGUST

And as in past meetings, the brethren of Lodge 373 heroically endured the monthly prick of love from the Honored Ladies of Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth who came as always to check on the brethren's FBS and blood temperature levels.

Meanwhile, Team 373 emerged as the 3rd runner-up in the Class D Category of the annual District Bowling Tournament and, in their own right, a champion in terms of camaraderie.

The Lodge also joined our soldiers in planting trees for the "Broadcastreeing Project" of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters sa Pilipinas...

...paraded with the brethren of Masonic District RIII-D in Baler, Aurora to commemorate the 137th birth anniversary of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon who is a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines...

...spruced up the Heroes' Park in Baloc, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija for the annual National Heroes Day celebration.

...and heroically played a basketball game with the brave warriors of the Philippine Army's Special Operations Command.

THE JULY FRIENDSHIP MONTH

The banned decals were stripped as directed by the Grand Master's edict.

The Honored Ladies of the Order of the Amaranth came as always to measure blood sugar and pressure.

Mangroves were again planted during the traditional July District Meeting in Baler Aurora.

Pins fall in the first two days of the District's annual Bowling Games.

Work on the Masonic Temple resumed.   

And school supplies were distributed to the students of the Lodge's two adopted schools.

It was a busy but happy month...

INDEPENDENT JUNE

With the turn-over and installation of Grand Lodge Inspectors done, District Deputy Grand Master Ravinar Austria of Masonic District RIII-D announced the start of the Masonic year by visiting all its subordinate Lodges.

And the Lodge is the first to host the DDGM and his visiting entourage during its regular meeting on the first Saturday of June.

It being the month of June, the Lodge participated in the District's traditional commemoration of the Philippines' 115th Independence Day that was held in the grounds of the Munipality of Talavera for the first time, and the remembrance of Bro. Jose P. Rizal's 154th birthday at Nueva Ecija's old provincial capital in Cabanatuan City.

Amidst it all, the Lodge was able to to conduct a review of its Constitution and Internal Rules.

MAY DAY

Lodge 373 Fetes their "Bunso"

Bro. Monico "Kuya Monic" Delgado was raised to the sublime degree on August 12, 1967 and has been with the Craft for more than 47 years.

He served as Master twice: in Nueva Ecija Lodge No. 73 which is his Mother Lodge, and as Charter Master of Zaragoza Lodge No. 263 which he helped established.

Brother Monico is also the acknowledged father of Model Lodge No. 373 who, on the occasion of his 77th birthday, presented to him the Hiram Award from the Grand Lodge of the Philippines which, other than being elected as Master, is the highest honor that can be bestowed by a Lodge to its member in recognition of outstanding service to the Fraternity and "indicates the esteem, respect, and admiration of the members".

Brother Monico envisioned Model Lodge as a resource center that will “encourage proficiency in Masonic rituals” and a showcase of compliance to “the edicts of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines concerning conferrals”, with the mission of elevating “Masonic relationship to a higher level” and developing “competent, respectable and honorable leaders” who will be “models of Masonic demeanor”.

The month of May also saw the transition from outgoing District Deputy Grand Master Jerome Malaca to incoming DDGM Ravinar Austria of Masonic District RIII-D who immediately convened a seminar/workshop for the better understanding and due implementation of the recently approved edicts and reform agenda of Grand Master Tomas Rentoy III which the incumbent and immediate Masters of the the Lodge with the Junior and Senior Wardens committed to support by affixing their signatures in the District Covenant for such.

May also saw the installation of Bros. Sergio Francisco and Shubert Ciencia, both Past Masters of the Lodge, as the assigned Grand Lodge Inspectors for Model Lodge No. 373 and Nueva Ecija Lodge No. 73, respectively.

The merry month of May ended with the 4th Edition of the Lodge's "Takbo para sa Bahay ni Kuya" fund raising project which raised P100,000.00 for the continuing construction of the Lodge's Masonic temple, and a visit to Malinaw Lodge No. 25 in San Pablo City, Laguna to convey the Lodge's gratitude for their invaluable assistance during a moment of distress.   

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...  

373 BIKERS BAG 5 TOP 20 FINISHES IN THE 2nd DISTRICT MTB TILT

That is in the Masons Category after 30 kilometers of off-roads, foot trails, and hills that took 300 riders through Tanawan Hills, the Guyabano Trail, and the treacherous slopes of Aulo Dam.

Bro. Darwin Pastor who is Team 373's top rider pushed hard for a podium finish but eventually settled down for 7th place. He was followed by Bros. Shubert Ciencia (11th place), Angelito Dela Cruz (12 place), Reynald Martin, (18th place), and Virgilio Santos (19th place).

A welcome consolation, however, is Brother Darwin winning the the raffle draw grand prize of a bike frame and Brother Virgilio getting a gift certificate for a stay at the Hunter's Valley Plantation and Resort.
 
Also joining Team 373 are the father-and-son tandem of Bros. Roberto and Roem Bulanadi, Bro. Jojit Floro, Bro. Erwin Macalinao who hosted lunch for the bikers in Fort Magsaysay after the race, and guest riders Juan Gabriel Ciencia and Lordlee Santos.

The 2nd Masonic District RIII-D Fun Ride was organized through the efforts of DDGM Jerome Malaca and Bro. Raymond Flores with the support of the Bistro Stella Bike Shop. 

PALASAPAS AND PART I OF A DUEL

The day after Fiscal Year 2014's last regular meeting, the 373 Bikers went out for a ride to burn last night's excess beer, supposedly to climb the slopes of Maangol, but since only two recovered from the expected hang-over, ended up on tamer roads that led to Palasapas Falls.

Somehow, the killer view above soothed alcohol-frayed nerves and eased the ride back to a welcome breakfast of pansit palabok and pinapaitan before a pit stop at San Jose City's Pag-asa Gym to join Bro. Ernesto Jimenez in cheering for Team RIII-D as they engage Team RIII-F in Chapter 1 of a basketball-tennis duel.

Bro. Allan Rios and Team RIII-D's basketball team lost the first game but they promised they will even things up on March 1 in Cabanatuan City for Chapter 2 of the duel. 

OF JPR AND PROFICIENCIES, AND A TRANSITION

Despite the ennui of a long vacation, the Lodge was able to assemble a sizeable delegation to Masonic District RIII-D's annual remembrance of Bro. Jose P. Rizal's martyrdom.

The commemoration and wreath laying was held in the grounds of the Cabanatuan City Hall and was presided by District Deputy Grand Master Jerome Malaca with the participation of the Cabanatuan City government, the Department of Education, the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and Appendant Bodies of Masonry.

And as was the tradition after the ceremony, the newly elected Masters and Wardens of the District's subordinate Lodges trooped to Kapatiran Lodge No. 228 for their practical and written proficiency examinations.

 
The Lodge take its proficiency examinations seriously so after the New Year's Day revelry, the incoming Thee Lights worked on the proficiency questionnaires under the guidance of the Lodge's Past Masters as the Transition Committee discuss preparations for the upcoming Temple Dedication and 8th Public Installation of Officers.