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.    

DOUBLE SLAM DUNK IN SEPTEMBER

It's not the baskets made during Part II of a basketball game against the Army's Special Operations Command Team, or the marks hit during a shooting drill that followed the game.

It is the trophies that were brought home from the District Lambskin Apron Elocution contest where the Lodge placed third among a field of 18 competing Lodges through the representation of Bro. Ernesto T. Jimenez, and Team 373 losing by a hair to settle for second in the District Ritual Olympics.

And of course the opportunity of witnessing the Grand Master himself --- Bro. Tomas G. Rentoy III --- preside over an exemplification of the 1st and 2nd sections of the Third Degree of Masonry at the Grand Lodge of the Philippines.

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...

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. 

THE BATTLE OF NUEVA ECIA (2012 Edition)

The annual Inter-District Sports Fest kicked-off in the backyard of Masonic District R3-D on November 18 with both District Deputy Grand Masters in attendance.

The Model Lodge delegation came and with the rest of the competitors took their oath of sportsmanship.

Bro. Fitzgerald Hierco who was celebrating his birthday later feted the brethren to a sumptuous lunch in their family residence.

Part 2 of the tournament was held on November 25 with Masonic District R3-F hosting.

CLASH OF THE RUFFIANS III

We came.

We competed.

We won some.

And lost some too.

Congratulations to the brethren of Model Lodge No. 373 who, with Pantabangan-Bonari Lodge No. 203 and Manuel L. Quezon Memorial Lodge No. 262, bagged the overall bronze medal as Team Violet in the 3rd edition of the District's "Clash of the Ruffians".

FINALLY, MASONIC DISTRICT RIII-D NAILS ONE

It was a friendly game between Masonic Districts RIII-D (South Nueva Ecija) and RIII-F (North Nueva Ecija) during their annual Dual Sportsfest. But this time around, Masonic District RIII-D of which Model Lodge is part went home with the overall champion's trophy. Way to go brethren!

(Photo taken by Bro. Errol V. Santiago)

CLASH OF THE RUFFIANS 2

South Nueva Ecija (Masonic District RIII-D finally won in basketball. But in the end, North Nueva Ecija (Masonic District RIII-F) tallied the most wins and emerged as the clear winner. Model Lodge have players from both sides and, as far as the Lodge is concerned, they are all champions.

 

PHOTOS: Top photo shows Masonic District RIII-F District Deputy Grandmaster Bro. Jose "Joey" Matutino, Jr. (in red shirt) receiving the overall championship trophy from District Junior Grand Lecturer Bro. Alfredo Geronimo of Masonic District RIII-D. Brother Joey is a member of Model Lodge No. 373 which is under the jurisdiction of Masonic District RIII-D. Bottom photo shows Team Model Lodge with the championship trophy borrowed from masonic District RIII-F. Bro. Errol Santiago (front row in black shirt, second from left) played in the volleyball team of Masonic District RIII-F while Bro. Sergio Francisco (front row in white shirt, third from left) is a member of the Masonic District RIII-D tennis team.

YELLOW WINS!

Congratulations to the Yellow Team for being declared as the co-champions of the District basketball tournament, and to Bro. Dean Barry Lao who represented Model Lodge in the team!

Yellow Team

General Llanera Memorial Lodge No. 168

Antonio R. Lamson Memorial Lodge No. 290

Mario S. Garcia Memorial Lodge No. 306

Model Lodge No. 373

CLASH OF THE RUFFIANS 1

For 2 days this year, Masonic Districts RIII-D (South Nueva Ecija) and RIII-F (North Nueva Ecija) will test each other in the disciplines of tennis, badminton, volleyball, and basketball. In the first meeting held in Cabantuan City, North Nueva Ecija won in volleyball and basketball and South Nueva Ecija in tennis and badminton. The second meeting to decide the overall champion will be held on October 30 in San Jose City.

  

A BIKATHON, A TREE PLANTING, AND A BIRTHDAY

Aging knees and stomach paunches might have slowed the pace but the brethren from Lodges under the jurisdiction of Masonic District RIII-D still have what it takes to ride the 12 kilometers from Sta. Rosa town to Fort Magsaysay and still have some to spare to plant trees around the watershed of the 7th Infantry Division's (Philippines Army) Bahay Pahingahan. And they were amply rewarded with a feast and give aways prepared by District Deputy Grandmaster Bro. Alan Purisima. On the way home, Worshipful Master Bro. Manolo Mercado served lunch at his home for the Model Lodge contigent. The day ended with a dinner and a fellowship hosted by Bro. Jojit Floro on the occasion of his 27th birthday.

FOOTNOTE: The photo above shows the Model Lodge contigent led by Worshipful Master Bro. Manolo Mercado (left, in white shirt) after the District bikathon and tree planting in Fort Magsaysay's Bahay Pahingahan. Bottom photo shows birthday celebrant Bro. Jojit Floro (third from left, in blue shirt) with the brethren from Model Lodge No. 373, Pantabangan-Bonari Lodge No. 203, Eulogio R. Dizon Lodge No. 321, and Memorial Lodge No. 90 who attended his birthday bash.