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.   

SHORT FEBRUARY AND THE LONG STORY OF IT

There were of course the 373 Bikers who rode 77.2 kilometers to explore Tibag and Macanae Dam that culminate in the presentation of a coveted t-short to Bro. Darwin Pastor, and a homage to one of the Lodge's generous Temple patrons --- Bro. Muelvyn Agustin --- who was installed as as the 13th Master of Mangaldan Lodge No. 354.

Bro. Nathaniel Elegado presided over his first meeting as Master of the Lodge that saw the inaugural monthly prick of the Lodge's Wellness Program extend into Year 2, and the first graduates of the Lodge's "Tried and Proven" lecturer's training facilitate the first meeting with the Lodger's candidates.

The Lodge's delegation enjoyed the fellowship fete of Bros. Avelino Catahan Jr. and Teodolo Samatra who were installed as Masters of Mario S. Garcia Memorial Lodge No. 306 and Nueva Ecija Lodge No. 73, respectively, and Bro. Amidon Nicolas' impromptu welcome party in Manila.

A week later, Bro. Vladimir Poblete threw a party to remember after his installation as Master of Pantabangan-Bonari Lodge No. 203 that it took the 373 Bikers a day after before they recovered their bearings and rode their bikes again.

In between, the Lodge's corporate, the Moringa Technology Development and Resource Center, Inc., was convened to review what has been done and what needs to be done.

And finally, the 373 Bikers took to their last bike ride of the month before travelling to Camiling, Tarlac to witness the installation of the Bro. Rex Kiok --- a fellow of the Knights of the Scarborough Shoals of the Munoz Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites --- as Master of Victory Lodge No. 116.

And that is the Lodge's long story of the shortest month of February.

TO BE TRIED AND PROVEN

Beyond its activities and projects, Model Lodge was established with the ultimate goal of living the Masonic way of life.

Members of the Lodge therefore, as its name imply, are expected to subscribe to the tenets of Freemasonry and subject themselves to the regulations governing the fraternity with no exception or any precondition.

And this path to "making good men better" start at the first knock on the gates of King Solomon's Temple where those who "ask to be one" are "tried and proven".

The gates therefore must be guarded with utmost vigilance at all times by those who are worthy and qualified.

With this in mind, the first 20 members completed the Lodge's first ever course on "Capacity Enhancement of Lecturers for the Tried and Proven Meetings" that was hosted by Bro. Monico Delgado at his private lounge in Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija.

Four modules were discussed during the 1-day course whose main objective is to familiarize members of the Lodge on the "Tried and Proven" orientation manual for candidates and develop them into effective lecturers. 

The course started with an overview of its content and objectives followed by Bro. Ernesto Jimenez who facilitated the discussion on Module 1 (The First Meeting) and Module 2 (First Degree), Bro. Arnel Landingin who discussed the elements of Module 3 (Second Degree), and Bro. Shubert Ciencia who walked the participants through Module 4 (Third Degree) and Module 5 (Effective Teaching and Communication Strategies).

Of course, the usual refreshment and fellowship ala Model Lodge [i.e. billiards] followed which ended with a huge exclamation mark at Bro. Reynaldo Requito's residence who was celebrating his birthday.

IMES 2014-42: THE DAYS OF BLUE, YELLOW, AND GRAY

With perhaps the biggest enrollment of the year, more than 80 officers from the 17 subordinate Lodges of Masonic District RIII-D attended this year's 42nd batch of the Institute of Masonic Education and Studies (IMES).

Among them are the Master, the Senior and Junior Wardens, the Secretary, and the Assistant Treasurer of Model Lodge who marked each day of the first week with the colors of Lodge: [1] blue for Day 1 when Bro. Samuel Fernandez walked the enrollees through "Masonic History", [2] yellow for Day 2 where Bro. Renato Driz presented the intricacies of "Lodge Management", and [3] gray for Day 3 and Bro. Manuel Pineda's enlightening topic on "Liturgy, Ceremonies, and Rituals".

Blue Day also saw the presentation of a tennis jersey to District Deputy Grand Master Jerome Malaca which officially made him a member of the 373 Tennis Club, while Yellow Day was highlighted by a photo ops with the DDGM and Bro. Edison Rivera who was elected as president of this IMES's Matikas Class.

Gray Day was somber as the Lodge's IMES enrollees paid their respects to the late Bro. Dante Garcia who will always be fondly remembered as one hell of a funny man and a dear friend who will be terribly missed... 

SIX FRAMES FROM THE DISTRICT LODGE OF INSTRUCTION

It was a full house as officers of Masonic District RIII-D walked its subordinate Lodges through a review of the proper floor works and Masonic decorum in the historic hall of Cabanatuan Lodge No. 53.

The Master of Model Lodge, its Senior and Junior Wardens, and the Senior and Junior Deacons came in yellow.

And they learned a lot as mistakes were pointed out and corrected, and lingering questions fielded and clarified.

They stayed for the fellowship dinner too and enjoyed a table with District Deputy Grand Master Bro. Jerome Malaca.

 
PHOTO CREDIT: The last frame courtesy of Bro. Alex Manuel

BLOOD SPILLED AS GRAND LODGE INSPECTOR IS INSTALLED

A wee drop of blood actually as members of the Lodge lined up to have their blood glucose tested, and then their blood pressures measured too.

The project was sponsored and conducted by the ladies of Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth and part of the Lodge's effort to refocus on the well-being of its members as its first and foremost priority.

During the Lodge's regular stated meeting, the entourage of District Deputy Grand Master Bro. Jerome T. Malaca was received after which District Grand Lecturer Bro. Rhommel A. Martinez presided over the installation of Bro. Lito Gapasin from Kapatiran Lodge No. 228 as the assigned Grand Lodge Inspector for Model Lodge.

Lunch was later tendered for the visiting District officers and the ladies of Model Court No. 55 at Model Lodge's temple-under-construction.

ORIENTATION FOR OFFICERS, MEETING WITH PAST MASTERS

Model Lodge recently held an orientation for all elected and appointed officers on their respective tasks and responsibilities.

Afterwards, the officers led by the Master of the Lodge Bro. Shubert L. Ciencia held a a consultative meeting with the Lodge's Council of Past Masters where the proposed annual Lodge work and financial plan was presented. 

The meeting concluded with a general cleaning of the Lodge premises.

The photo below shows those in attendance enjoying their corn, wine, and oil after the activity.

BRO. JOSE RIZAL AND A PROFICIENCY TEST

Proficiency in Masonic rituals are taken seriously by the subordinate Lodges of Masonic District R3-D.

So in preparation for the annual district proficiency test, Model Lodge's newly elected Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, the newly appointed Senior and Junior Deacons, and Marshall conducted a mentoring exercise on the opening and closing of a Lodge in first, second, and third degrees of Masonry under the supervision of Bro. Arnel M. Landingin.

The next day before the proficiency test, the brethren of Masonic District R3-D gathered at the grounds of the Cabanatuan City Hall to commemorate the 117th death anniversary of Bro. Jose P. Rizal.

Afterwards during the proficiency test, all Lodges under the jurisdiction of Masonic District R3-D demonstrated the opening and closing of a Lodge in the third degree of Masonry. Model Lodge in particular was asked to demonstrate the opening of a lodge in the second degree of Masonry.

All Lodges within the District are compelled to complete a proficiency test on Masonic rituals as a requirement for the installation of its newly elected officers. 

DISTRICT HOLDS LODGE OF INSTRUCTION

The Senior Grand Lecturer himself --- Bro. Sixto S. Esquivas IV --- was the resource person during the Masonic District RIII-D's Lodge of Instruction for Lodge officers within its jurisdiction where changes in the Centennial Monitor were explained and the proper execution of floorworks demonstrated.

DISTRICT HOLDS LODGE OF INSTRUCTION

A Lodge of Instruction was recently convened by Masonic District RIII-D to present incoming Grand Master Bro. Santiago Gavionza's masonic program for 2012-2013 to the newly elected Masters and incoming Grand Lodge Inspectors of Lodges within its jurisdiction.

The occasion was jointly convened by incoming District Deputy Grand Master Bro. Ramiro Cruz and his outgoing predecessor Bro. Mariolito Carlos, and was attended by Model Lodge's Master Bro. Sergio Francisco and its immediate past Master Bro. Marionito Guerrero who is the incoming Grand Lodge Inspector for Pantabangan-Bonari Lodge No. 203.

BRO. JOSE P. RIZAL'S 115th YEAR OF MARTYRDOM

Breaking from tradition, Masonic District RIII-D held its annual commemoration of Bro. Dr. Jose P. Rizal's martyrdom at the grounds of the Gapan City Hall which also occasioned the inauguration of the National Hero's monument that was erected through the efforts of the General Llanera Memorial Lodge No. 168. Similar wreath offering ceremonies were previously held at the grounds of the Cabanatuan City Hall.

This year's commemoration rites was co-hosted by the Gapan City government under the leadership of Citys Mayor Christian Tinio who is shown speaking in the photo below, and past District Deputy Grand Master and City Vice-Mayor Bro. Rodel T. Matias (3rd from left) who is also shown with incumbent District Deputy Grand Master Bro. Mariolito O. Carlos (2nd from left) at the National Hero's new monument.     

After the ceremonies, the newly elected Wardens and Masters of all Lodges under the jurisdiction of Masonic District RIII-D proceeded to the General Llanera Lodge No. 168 Masonic Temple where they took their proficiency examinations with the District Deputy Grand Master presiding as shown in the photo below. Masonic regulation requires that all incoming Wardens and Masters must pass the proficiency examination before they can be formally installed as such.

AFTER 4 YEARS, LODGE INTERNAL RULES IS REVIEWED AND UPDATED

When the founding Fathers named the Lodge as "Model", they were serious about it and drafted an internal rule based on the Landmarks of Freemasonry, and the Edicts and Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines to guide future brethren in practicing, upholding, and defending the tenets and principles of Freemasonry.

Four years after, the 23 sons of Model Lodge No. 373 since it was constituted in 2008 sat down to discuss, review, and update these internal rules and reaffirmed their solemn obligation to uphold the following guiding principles of the Lodge:

"This Lodge shall exist for the protection and welfare of its members and the communities where their families reside.

This Lodge will encourage the formation of appendant bodies to enhance the participation of the brethren’s immediate family in the practice and exemplification of the teachings and tenets of Freemasonry.

This Lodge shall be self-sustaining, self-developing, and self-enduring and will accept worthy and qualified men who will bring honor and dignity to Freemasonry with due priority to the brethren’s immediate family, relatives, and friends.

The brethren of this Lodge have faith in the Almighty, hope for immortality, and charity for all humanity and as such shall practice the greatest attribute of charity, and participate in all activities that will improve the lives of those who are marginalized, displaced, and sickly.

The brethren of this Lodge shall make available their resources, skills, and time to implement socio-economic projects for the benefit of the Lodge and welfare of the brethren, and as such shall establish a social enterprise which it shall supervise for this purpose.

The brethren of this Lodge shall strive to become model Masons and citizens, and shall therefore earnestly care for their families, do service for the community, and offer their talent to national development."