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.

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 STORY OF OUR HOUSE

One year ago after our first regular meeting in 2014, we trooped to the site where the Lodge's permanent Masonic Temple was being erected.

There was one big hall then with an unpaved floor, and the Lodge must move in by the beginning of the next year.

So we started paving the floor from the savings generated from our simple installation rites. 

There was excess cement so maybe that will be enough to erect the facade's first floor too, or perhaps a bit more by completing the second floor pavement with the income from the annual fun run and golf tournament, and maybe some more as pledges and contributions from our members made the second floor walls and roof, and the rest rooms and mosaic pavement possible. 

“Operation Bintana” was launched where we individually or collectively sponsored the cost of a steel window, followed by “Operation Semento” where members contributed one bag of cement each after every meeting for the plastering of the inner walls. 

Donations from generous friends came and that took care of the water and electric works and the doors.

A year later on almost the same day when we first came to look at the unfinished Temple work, we came back with the Atengs with brooms and hoses to wash the dust away and do some last minute work.

The furnishings from the temporary Masonic Lodge was moved in while we tried to do a semblance of installation rites practice in between.

On January 10 of this year, the Model Lodge Masonic Temple was dedicated in a solemn ceremony presided by Junior Grand Lecturer Rodel Matias who represented Grand Master Alan Purisima. 

District Deputy Grand Master Jerome Malaca stood as the principal witness with his counterpart from Masonic District RIII-F --- District Deputy Grand Master Tristan Escudero --- as Grand Lodge officers performed their duty of consecrating the Temple before it can be used to pursue the labors of the Craft.

All Past Masters of Model Lodge who worked hard in building the Temple were present, and it was a poignant moment as Grand Marshall Manolo Mercado --- Model Lodge’s Master in 2010 when the Temple foundations were laid --- presided over the floor works as Bros. Anacleto Fernandez (PM, 2009), Marionito Guerrero (PM, 2011), Sergio Francisco (PM, 2012), and Aquilino Valino Jr. (PM, 2013) looked on. 

And it is fitting that Bro. Prudencio Elegado (PM, 2007-2008) who was the Lodge’s Charter Master reported to the Grand Master the completion of the Temple with Bro. Eduardo Sayco, the Lodge’s own tireless Hiram Abiff, at his side.

Finally, the corn of nourishment was poured with the wine of refreshment and the oil of joy. The Grand Master concluded the ceremony and the Grand Marshall led back the Purple Aprons into the room where the Grand Lodge was earlier opened in ample form.

There is still much work to be done.

But Model Lodge has come home, and this is our story…

THE LAST MEETING

Last January 3 of 2015, the Past Masters' Council of Model Lodge No. 373 was convened by the incumbent Master Bro. Shubert Ciencia for consultations.

It will be the last meeting of the Council for MY 2014 and the Lodge's last regular stated meeting in its temporary Masonic Temple which has been its home for the last four years.

The brethren is grateful to the late VW Antonio Pascual and his family who readily offered a space in their building in Baloc, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija where the Lodge may pursue its labors after it moved from Cabanatuan City in 2010.

In a poignant moment witnessed by District Deputy Grand Master Jerome Malaca, the Master of the Lodge who was the first son to be raised as a Master Mason at its temporary Masonic Temple, gaveled the last meeting to be held at that happy place. 

Then the last photos were taken...

...before the fellowship to celebrate the start of a new chapter as the Lodge moves to its permanent new home.

DISTRICT NOMINEE WINS IN CENTRAL LUZON CONVENTION!

Garnering a total of 120 votes, Bro. Aurelio Umali --- Past Master of Kapitan Pepe Lodge No. 294 and Past Grand Orator --- was elected by delegates to the Central Luzon Special Multi-District Convention as their nominee for next year's Junior Grand Warden contest.

Brother Aurelio who is the incumbent provincial governor of Nueva Ecija was previously elected unopposed as Masonic District RIII-D's nominee to the Central Luzon nomination process.

Model Lodge's voting delegates turned out in full force to support Brother Aurelio who is one of its founding fathers and a current plural member.

Masonic District RIII-A hosted the event at the Clark Freeport Zone that was convened solely for the purpose of electing Central Luzon's nominee as Junior Grand Warden, which is part of the electoral reforms being initiated by the Grand Lodge of the Philippines.   

MODEL LODGE MOURNS ITS FIRST DEATH

BRO. ALBERTO B. SAMSON

1956-2014

The Brethren of Model Lodge No. 373 extends its deepest sympathies and solidarity to the family of the late Bro. Alberto "Kuya Bobby" Samson who has been called to the Celestial Lodge Above.

Kuya Bobby is a member of Kapitan Pepe Lodge No. 293 and one of Model Lodge's 33 founding members.

And like most members of the Lodge, he is affiliated with the Munoz Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites who, in solemn ceremonies, conferred upon his mortal remains the last rites befitting a good man and a true friend.

DAY OF THE AMARANTH AND A WEDDING

Congratulations to Model Court No. 55 (Order of the Amaranth) for successfully hosting the last official District Visitation of their Order in the province!

The Sir Knights and Honored Ladies of the Court also warmly welcome Bro. Antonio Manabat, the incumbent District Royal Matron of the Order of the Amaranth and one of the first honorary members of Model Lodge, who with the incumbent District Royal Matron was declared as an honorary member of Model Court No. 55. 

And the best of everything to to Bro. Jomari Valino and Sis. Olive Tuscano who later in the afternoon exchanged "I dos" and embarked on a new chapter of a blissful marriage. 

8TH CONSTITUTION DAY CELEBRATED WITH A TRIPLE TREAT

Model Lodge was constituted as a regular Lodge on May 17, 2007.

To commemorate the 8th year of this milestone, the 3rd edition of the Lodge's traditional "Takbo para sa Bahay ni Kuya" fun run was held covering a distance of 3 kilometers from the Temple construction site to the Sto. Domingo National Trade School and back.

District Deputy Grand Master Bro. Jerome T. Malaca arrived after the fun run with Bros. Rhommel A. Martinez (District Grand Lecturer) and Rey Samonte (District Treasurer) and joined the participants for breakfast. 

He also delivered the occasion's inspirational message and drew the lucky winner of a brand new top-of-the-line mountain bike from a raffle draw that was held to help raise funds for the continuing construction of the Lodge's Masonic temple.

The Lodge's acknowledged founding fathers, Bros. Prudencio J. Eelegado and Monico G. Delgado, also gave the members of the Lodge and their families a walking tour of the Lodge-under-construction and shared with them vignettes that helped shaped the history of Model Lodge No. 373.

After the fun run and raffle draw, a tennis clinic for the members and their families was held at the Central Luzon State University in partnership with Model Court No. 55 of the Order of the Amaranth.

The tennis clinic is part of the Lodge's continuing effort to diversify the mode of its fraternal fellowships while at the same time expanding the participation of immediate family members in its out-of-the-Lodge activities and strengthening ties with Appendant Bodies. 

The day's activities was highlighted by a lunch tendered by the Lodge for the activity organizers --- Bro. Virgilio G. Santos who supervised the fun run and raffle draw, and Bros. Jose A. Matutino, Jr. and Elpidio F. Dizon who took care of the tennis clinic.