7th PUBLIC INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

"By our acts shall Masonry be judged".

Those words from Past Grand Master Bro. Danilo D. Angeles which Model Lodge adopted as its motto was the core message of Bro. Shubert L. Ciencia's inaugural address on his installation as the 7th master of the Lodge.

"We will be judged by our peers and not by ourselves if we were able to live up to our name which is a heavy responsibility on our part as it almost leaves no room for mistake," he said.

He also apologized for not tendering the traditional post-installation dinner and fellowship since the money that would be spent on such will be donated for the continuing construction of the Lodge's Masonic temple, and that he hopes that simple installation rites will become a tradition for Model Lodge in order to encourage willing and capable members to serve as Masters without being burdened by the cost of a lavish banquet which have made access to the Oriental Chair exclusive only for those who can afford it.

The occasion was graced by Bro. Sigfredo R. Serrano, a Past Master of Makiling Lodge No. 72 and an Undersecretary for Policy and Planning of the Department of Agriculture, who in his address as the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker urged the brethren to go back to the spiritual anchor of Masonry in order not to lose sight of its noble intentions in making good men better.

He also encouraged the brethren to extend charity and goodwill beyond the confines of Masonry by becoming more involved in social concerns that affects every Filipino and ultimately determines the future of the nation.

Also installed as officers of the Lodge were Bro. Nathaniel N. Elegado as Senior Warden, Bro. Jojit DL Floro as Junior Warden, Bro. Virgilio G. Santos with Bro. Angelito E. Dela Cruz as Assitant Secretary and Bro. Fitzgerald A. Hierco as Assistant Treasurer, Bro. Arnel M. Landingin as Auditor, Bro. James P. Mata as Chaplain, Bro. Allan H. Rios as Marshall, Bro. Rafael S. Perez as Senior Deacon and Bro. Reynald F. Martin as Junior Deacon, Bro. Dean Barry Lao as Almoner, Bro. Ruben S. Talampas as Orator, Bro. Carlo R. Valmonte as Senior Steward and Bro. Wilfredo G. Pagay as Junior Steward, Bro. Elpidio F. Dizon as Organist, and Bro. Aquilino M. Valino, Jr. as Tyler.

The simple but solemn installation ceremony was presided by Bro. Manolo M. Mercado --- a Past Master of the Lodge and an incumbent District Grand Lecturer --- as the Installing Officer with Bro. Arnel M. Landingin as the Master of Ceremony and Bro. Sergio R. Francisco, also a Past Master of the Lodge, as his assistant.

The Past Master's apron and jewel was presented by Bro. Monico G. Delgado --- the Chairperson Emeritus of the Lodge's Council of Past Masters --- and Bro. Sergio to Bro. Aquilino M. Valino, Jr. who in his farewell speech as the outgoing Master said that although his Masonic career may be over, his Masonic journey is just starting and will continue forever.

Model Lodge's 7th public installation of officers was marked by historical "firsts": [1] it was the first time in a long stretch of time in the District that a post-installation dinner and fellowship was omitted, [2] it was the first to be conducted by an installing team who came from the Lodge's own ranks, [3] and the first to be well-attended by the wives of the brethren and the Honored Ladies of Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth.

Photos: Juan Gabriel L. Ciencia

6th PUBLIC INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

INSTALLED ELECTED OFFICERS FOR 2013

BRO. AQUILINO M. VALINO, JR.

Master

BRO. SHUBERT L. CIENCIA

Senior Warden

BRO. NATHANIEL N. ELEGADO

Junior Warden

BRO. LINO M. CARANDANG, JR.

Treasurer

BRO. JOJIT DL. FLOR

Secretary

BRO. MARIONITO L. GUERRERO

Auditor

FIRST "ORGANIC" MEMBER INSTALLED AS 5TH MASTER OF MODEL LODGE

Bro. Sergio R. Francisco was recently installed as the Lodge's 5th Master in a ceremony presided over by Installing Officer Bro. Rodel T. Matias with Bros. Anselmo P. Syegco, Jr. and Narciso M. Salvador as Master of Ceremonies and Assistant Master of Ceremonies, respectively.

Thus, Brother Sergio became the Lodge's Centennial Master and its first organic or regular member to be installed as such. Also installed with him are Bro. Aquilino M. Valino, Jr. as Senior Warden, Bro. Shubert L. Ciencia as Junior Warden, and other officers of the Lodge for Masonic Year 2012.

The installation rites was graced by Bro. Mayor Leonido M. de Guzman, Jr. of the Lodge's host municipality of Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija who himself is the incoming Master of Nueva Ecija Lodge No. 73.

Photos courtesy of Bro. Florante Fajardo

4TH MASTER OF MODEL LODGE INSTALLED

Both of Nueva Ecija’s District Deputy Grandmasters and their Junior Grand Lecturers are present. So are key officers of the Order of Amaranth. The guest of honor and speaker is a past Grand Master and the incumbent Grand Secretary. And the multitude of brethren from various Lodges, friends from near and far, and family members who came filled the cavernous gymnasium of the Philippine Rice Research Institute.

It was indeed a moment of celebration as Bro. Marionito Guerrero’s Masonic journey finally came full circle as he was installed the 4th Master of Model Lodge No. 373.

Those who are familiar with Brother Marionito's Masonic career are aware of its twists and turns for rather than following a straight line to the East as would have been the case, his journey went around it having been chosen first to lead 2 prestigious Masonic appendant bodies. He served as the Venerable Master of the Munoz Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites (A&ASR) in 2008 then Royal Patron of the Order of Amaranth’s Pantabangan-Bonari Court No. 46 the following year. His distinguished service to the 2 organizations earned him recognitions as an Outstanding Member of the A&ASR and Outstanding Royal Patron.

It was also a milestone of sorts as members of Model Lodge took center stage: District Deputy Grandmaster Bro. Jose Matutino, Jr. who led the contingent of Masonic District RIII-F and presented the Past Master’s jewel and apron to outgoing Master Bro. Manolo Mercado, Bro. Wilson Tan who presided over the installation rites, and Past Grand Master and incumbent Grand Secretary Bro. Danilo Angeles who is an honorary member and the acknowledged godfather of Model Lodge as the guest of honor and speaker.

The installation rites concluded with the presentation of plaques and certificates of appreciation to District Junior Grand Lecturer Bro.  Dennis Villasenor and Bro. Ed Ang who served as the installation rites’ Master of Ceremonies and Assistant Master of Ceremonies, respectively; and to Bro. Ambrocio Palolan of Sta. Rosa LodgeNo. 297, Sto. Domingo mayor Bro. Leonido “Baby Boy” De Guzman of Nueva Ecija Lodge No. 73, and members of Model Lodge for their support in the ongoing construction of the Lodge’s Masonic temple.

Bro. Rodolfo Estrada, the newly designated District Deputy Grandmaster of Masonic District RIII-D, gave the closing remarks and formally closed the installation ceremonies.

BRO. MANOLO M. MERCADO INSTALLED AS MASTER OF MODEL LODGE

After traveling for almost 10 years, Bro. Manolo M. Mercado finally ascended the oriental chair of Model Lodge No. 373 in an installation ceremony presided by past District Deputy Grandmaster Bro. Trese Wenceslao (Nueva Ecija Lodge No. 73) in the hallowed grounds of the historic Cabanatuan Lodge No. 53.

Brother Manolo, or Kuya Boy as he is more popularly known, thus became Model Lodge’s 3rd Worshipful Master after Bro. Prudencio Elegado in 2008 and Bro. Anacleto Fernandez in 2009.

In his inaugural speech, Brother Manolo outlined the construction of Model Lodge’s Masonic temple, the launching of a Model Lodge Learning School, and sustaining the program of the Moringa Technology Development and Resource Center as his priority projects. Likewise in his farewell speech, outgoing Master Brother Anacleto thanked the brethren of Model Lodge, his advisers, and the district officers, particularly District Junior Grand Lecturer Bro. Antonino Manabat and District Grand Lodge Inspector Bro. Edynell Medina whom he presented with ironwood mallets, for their support during his incumbency.

The installation ceremony was punctuated by Bro. Ramon Sabacan’s stirring tribute to the Philippine flag; past District Deputy Grandmaster and keynote speaker Bro. Narciso Nieto’s reminder for the brethren to observe “brotherly love, relief, and truth” during the upcoming Philippine local and national elections; and the presentation of hand-carved tokens of gratitude from Ifugao to the patrons of Model Lodge namely past Grandmaster Bro. Danilo Angeles whose support was instrumental in the establishment of the Lodge, and past District Deputy Grandmaster Bro. Antonio Alfonso who graciously offered a place in Baloc, Sto. Domingo where the Lodge can pursue its labors.

Also installed with Brother Manolo are Bro. Marionito Guererro as Senior Warden, Bro. Sergio Francisco as Junior Warden, Bro. Lamberto Miranda who was retained as Treasurer, Bro. Shubert Ciencia as Secretary, and Brother Prudencio as Auditor. The other officers of Model Lodge are Bro. Jomari Valino (Chaplain), Bro. Erwin Macalinao (Marshall), Bro. Nathaniel Elegado (Senior Deacon) and Bro. Aquilino Valino, Jr. (Junior Deacon), Bro. Reynaldo Requito (Lecturer), Bro. Ronaldo Sadural (Orator), Bro. Angelito Dela Cruz (Almoner), Bro. Jojit Floro (Assistant Treasurer), Bro. Virgilio Santos (Assistant Secretary), Bro. Lino Carandang, Jr. (Senior Steward) and Bro. Fitzgerald Hierco (Junior Steward), Bro. Eduardo Sayco (Organist), and Brother Anacleto who in keeping with tradition was appointed as the Tyler.

Assisting Bro. Trese Wenceslao in the installation ceremony are Bro. Laverne Manangbao (Kapatiran Lodge No. 228) who acted as the Master of Ceremony and his assistant Bro. Arnel Landingin, while Bro. Jose Matutino served as the emcee.


FOOTNOTE: This article was also published in the February-March 2010 issue of "The Craftsman".

1-HECTARE LOT PURCHASED FOR TEMPLE BUILDING

The photo above shows the Master of Model Lodge No. 373, Bro. Anacleto Fernandez (second from right), with District Grand Lecturer Bro. Antonino Manabat (right) and District Grand Lodge Inspector Bro. Edynell Medina (left) conducting an ocular survey of a recently acquired 1-hectare property along the national highway in Baloc, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija where Model Lodge will build its Masonic temple. The 1.2 million pesos lot purchase was made possible through the efforts of Bro. Prudencio Elegado who initiated the project during his incumbency as the Master of Model Lodge in 2008, and who after stepping down from the East was designated by Bro. Anacleto Fernandez as the chairperson of Model Lodge’s lot purchase committee. Bro. Prudencio Elegado was ably assisted in the project by Bros. Monico Delgado and Perfecto Parinas.

OUR STORY (Part 2): Institution and Constitution

On the 31st of October 2007 in Cabanatuan City, Model Lodge was finally instituted by Most Worshipful Jaime Gonzales, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. Among those present to witness the institution were Grand Secretary Danilo Angeles, Grand Chaplain Manuel Palomo, Senior Grand Lecturer Flor Nicolas, and District Deputy Grand Masters Emil Dela Rosa of RIII-D and Celso Paderes of RIII-F.

Installed as the officers of Model Lodge were Bro. Prudencio Elegado as Worshipful Master, Bro. Narciso Nieto (Factoria Lodge No. 311) as Senior Warden, Bro. Anacleto Fernandez (Eulogio R. Dizon Lodge No. 321) as Junior Warden, Bro. Lamberto Miranda as Treasurer, Bro. Arnel Landingin as Secretary, and Bro. Jose Matutino (Memorial Lodge No. 90) as Auditor.


Also installed were Bro. Ramon Sabacan as Chaplain, Bro. Val Santos (Moises J. De Guzman Memorial Lodge No. 161) as Marshal, Bros. Wilson Tan (Palayan City Lodge No. 332) and Errol Santiago (Eduardo L. Joson Memorial Lodge No. 326) as Senior and Junior Deacons, respectively; Bros. Marionito Guererro (Pantabangan-Bonari Lodge No. 203) and Bro. Ronaldo Sadural (Apolinario Mabini Lodge No.235) as Senior and Junior Stewards, respectively; Bro. Froilan Valino (Kapitan Pepe Lodge No. 293) as Organist, Bro. Jaime Dela Cruz (Eulogio R. Dizon Lodge No. 321) as Almoner, Bro. Eugenio Ramirez as Orator, Bro. Manolo Mercado (Sta. Rosa Lodge No. 297) as Lecturer, Bro. Monico Delgado as Harmony Officer, and Bro. Perfecto Parinas (Nueva Ecija Lodge No. 73) as Tyler.

The final listed number of the Model Lodge’s Charter Members is 33 as conceived by Bro. Prudencio Elegado in a symbolic reference to the highest degree conferred by the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.

After its institution, Model Lodge conducted its first meeting at the Talavera Lodge No. 273 Masonic Temple where it was first conceived, and whose patronage and endorsement were instrumental in its creation. Talavera Lodge No. 273 also passed a resolution giving permission to Model Lodge, then Under Dispensation, to use its Temple until such time that Model Lodge’s own Temple is built for which an inspired Bro. Monico Delgado shelled an advance payment of P50,000.00 from his own personal funds to purchase the proposed site in Baloc.

Lodge No. 373 was later assigned to Model Lodge during the 92nd Annual Communications of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines on April 2008 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. A month later on the 17th of May 2008, the lodge was formally constituted as Model Lodge No. 373. With the appointment of Bro. Narciso Nieto as the District Deputy Grand Master, he was replaced by Bro. Anacleto Fernandez as Senior Warden who was also replaced by Bro. Manolo Mercado as Junior Warden.

It took 7 seven years to build King Solomon’s Temple and Model Lodge No. 373 might take that number of years to build its own. For most of 2008, it held its meetings at Talavera Lodge No. 273 where its first organic members --- Bros. Sergio Francisco, Eduardo Sayco, Nathaniel Elegado, and Reynaldo Requito --- were entered, passed and raised. Model Lodge No. 373’s stated meetings were then moved to Kapatiran Lodge No. 228 and later to the Mario S. Garcia Memorial Lodge No. 306 both in Cabanatuan City.

In 2009 and during the incumbency of Bro. Analceto Fernandez as Worshipful Master, Model Lodge No. 373 finally moved to its registered address in Baloc, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija where it continue to pursue its labors.

FOOTNOTES:
(1) The photo above shows Bro. Prudencio Elegado, Model Lodge's Charter Master, during the lodge's second public installation of officers. Kuya Amang as he is known in Masonic circles has the rare distinction of having served as a Past Master thrice having also been previously elevated as such in the Nueva Ecija Lodge No. 73 and the Zaragoza Lodge No. 263.

(2) The information and materials used in this article were culled from a document written by Bro. Monico Delgado (PM) titled “History of Model Lodge U.D.”and another article he co-wrote with Bro. Ramon Sabacan (PM) with the same title. Another source is a historical sketch from the archives of Model Lodge No. 373 with no title and no author/s listed. Bros. Lamberto Miranda (PM) and Arnel Landingin (PM) were also valuable resource persons for this article. Model Lodge No. 373's history is a work in progress and any ommissions and fallacies are unintended. Any additional information that will help illustrate a complete picture of our story will be highly appreciated.