200K RAISED IN PLEDGING SESSION, THE "FREE LUNCH" PROJECT LAUNCHED

Members of the Lodge toasts a successful fundraising that raised more than P200,000 when the brethren responded to WM Jojit Floro's call for funds that brought in pledges of P1,000 to P50,000 for the installation of the the their Masonic Temple's ceiling in preparation for next year's Installation Rites.

A week later, the Lodge launched the school year-long "Free Lunch" project with Model Court 55 of the Order of the Amaranth, the Munoz Bodies of AASR, and Sto. Rosario National High School to provide meals to poor students who have to walk long distances to have lunch and sometimes don't come back to their school. By providing them lunch in the school, these students stays in the school.

And the annual Bowling Games concluded with Team 55 clustered in the familiar confines of the Class D category, a pulsating win over the joint San Leonardo-Aliaga Team anchored by the Worshipful Master himself, a 3rd runner-up finish, and a fellowship night at Vicentico's tendered by the Worshipful Master for his tired but happy team.

ANNUAL SCHOOL PROJECT HELPS 350 STUDENTS IN 3 SCHOOLS

WB Jojit Floro requested the Lodge's Past Masters' Council to convene for the first this year to consult on some urgent concerns before opening the Lodge's regular meeting that was highlighted by a Dignitary's Time in honor of VW Emmanuel Antonio Umali who was recently elected as vice-mayor of Cabanatuan City.

After the meeting, Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amranth presented the medical diagnosis of the blood samples extracted from the members a month ago as part of the Court's Year-Long Diabetes Awareness Program.

The Lodge's annual Adopt-a-School project, co-implemented this year with Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth and the Munoz Bodies of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites, benefited three rural schools in Sto. Domingo with donations of a requested water pump, a portable sound system, and electric fans.

And then the annual Bowling Games, with the opening game featuring Model Lodge's most senior member with the incumbent Master of General Llanera Memorial Lodge No. 168, who are both in their 80s, and the all time oldest participants of the District Bowling Tournament.   

A YEAR-LONG DIABETES AWARENESS LAUNCHED, 100K RAISED IN ANNUAL FUN RUN

That is, partial liberation from lifestyle diseases as the brethren of the Lodge got pricked and profiled for a Year-long Diabetes Awareness project, now on its third year, and once known as Model Court's "Dugo Mo, Babantayan Ko" wellness project, but still is Model Court's project.

Then the real Independence Day, the 118th year in fact, with the Sto. Domingo LGU and Model Court as was the tradition, before the brethren shed their barong tagalogs for the 373 Temple Temple Builders' jersey and hand Team Pantabangan-Bonari their third loss in three years in, as always, their own home court.

June also ushered the 5th Edition of the Lodge's "Takbo para sa Bahay ni Kuya" project whose raffled draw component raised P100,000.00 for the continuing construction of its Masonic Temple, the glass window panes halfway though its transition into the ceiling installation works, the Temple grounds cleared of growth during the annual post-fun run general cleaning, all in commemoration of the Lodge's 9th founding anniversary.

And finally, the Lodge bids farewell to its former Grand Lodge Inspector, Bro. Leonido De Guzman, Jr., as the Mayor of the Lodge's host town who stepped down after serving two terms, and say hello to Mayor Imee Llado-De Guzman who will betaking over from her husband.

CHANGING OF THE GUARDS

This month, WB Jojit Floro of Model Lodge was recognized as the Most Outstanding District Deputy Grand Royal Patron of the Order of the Amaranth's Grand Court of the Philippines by Honored Lady Alona (Grand Royal Matron) and Sir Knight Florencio (Grand Royal Patron) Padilla as they turned-over the gavel of leadership to their successor --- Honored Lady Elspeth Deborah and Sir Knight Gilbert Gille.  

The month of May also heralded the hand-over of leadership in the Southern Nueva Ecija and Aurora jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines from outgoing District Deputy Grand Master Ravinar Austria to his successor, VW Alfredo Soriano, whose first official function is to visit Model Lodge. 

The District Deputy Grand Master's visit coincided with the launching of Model Court No. 55's "Year-Long Diabetes Awareness Program" for the benefit of the Lodge's members and their immediate families. 

And as a way of expressing the Lodge's gratitude, WB Jojit Floro later hosted a Mother's Day dinner for the members of the Court. 

The merry and busy month of May ended with the holding of the Lodge's annual "Operation Tuli" with Model Court and Team 40, this time in Cabanatuan City which benefited 26 young boys from urban poor families.

THE 100th ANNUAL COMMUNICATIONS AND THE DAY OF THE AMARANTH

The highlight of April is of course the 100th Annual Communications in Tagaytay City where the Lodge's delegation led by WB Jojit Floro witnessed the installation of Bro. Voltaire T. Gazmin as Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, and its very own Past Master Bro. Aquilino M. Valino, Jr. as a District Grand Lecturer of Southern Nueva Ecija and Aurora.

But before the 100th ANCOM is the installation of Past Master Bro. Shubert Ciencia as Royal Patron of Model Court No. 55 with Sis. Baby Liza Ciencia as Royal Matron...

...and a visit from UK-based Bro. Crescencio De Asis who is a founding member of the Lodge...

...in between a Lodge Executive Committee meeting, a series of fellowship with the ladies of the Amaranth, and the year's first charity project --- a medical outreach project with the Munoz Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites and Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth that benefited 131 urban poor families in Cabanatuan City.