Masonically Inspired Essays

PRUNING THE LION’S MAILING LIST Over the last five years since the Grand Lodge Website was introduced in the pages of the Internet, the lion periodically wrote articles for general readership. This opportunity can well be considered similar to the message contained in a juvenile poetic verse that says: “I shot an arrow into the air, It fell to earth I knew not where.” But what started it all was an entry that he made in the Guestbook of then fledgling Website that elicited from the organizers an offer that he join the core group of the Computer Resource Committee (or CRC).. That group comprised VW Gene V. Sicat as Grand Webmaster who is based in Toronto, Canada; RW Rosauro “Boy” Rosales as GLP List Administrator who resides in New Jersey; Bro. Aquilino “Pong” Javier as US/Canada Web Editor based in Chicago; Bro. Rommel Cardinoza, GLP Asst. List Administrator based in Pangasinan; VW Benny Ty- Coordinator, Liason Officer based in Manila; and the lion as Contributing Editor for the Philip...

MNEMOSYNE, THE FORGOTTEN GODDESS OF ANCIENT LORE The above-mentioned title is definitely eye-catching, but only because on a thousand to one ratio (probably even higher), the reader has not gone across this mythical Greek goddess of memory from where the phrase “mnemonic art” was derived. For those not in the know, Mnemosyne (and don’t ask this writer how this name is pronounced) is the daughter of Uranus (Heaven) and Gaia (Earth) who, in turn, was mother of the nine muses that include Epic poetry, History, Flute playing, Tragedy, etc., etc. Greek history has it that the poet Simonides of Ceos, circa 556-468 BC, was commissioned by a rich man named Scopas in Thessaly to chant a lyric at a banquet prepared in the latter’s honor. But the former devoted only a half of his time in praise of Scopas and allotted the other half to the divine twins Castor and Pollux, which naturally infuriated the host, and who, after the delivery of the poem, paid the bard only half of what was agr...

VISITING THE CAPITOL MASONIC TEMPLE BRETHEN The scenario was, for all intents and purposes, the same as the last visit that I and the missus conducted last September. Together, the primary purpose was to pay a call to our three children, their respective spouses and our four grandchildren and thus enjoy with them the Christmas season. But that is where the similarity of purpose ends, for individually, we have different itineraries during our almost four weeks’ stay in the metropolis; she to visit her former officemates that she left behind when I compelled her to resign and join me in our migration to the South, her many friends at the prayer meeting that she usually attends to during Thursdays, and her favorite beauty parlor that has already been part of her life ever since she became and adolescent. I, on the other hand, have a very simple schedule, just be with my brethren at the Capitol Masonic Temple. Thus it was that my first itinerary after we arrived in metropolitan Ma...

THE SALIENT TEACHINGS OF THE CHARGE OF THE ENTERED APPRENTICE DEGREE APPLIED Last month, WB John Teng sent the lion an e-mail the text of which is quoted in full below: VW Sir, How's the Lion doing? Reckon the Lion and the Lion Tamer are in the best of health. Just to give you an update, Laong-Laan Lodge will have its next stated meeting on April 03, 2004. We will be passing possible two candidates, Bros. Sweke Palacios and Ric Sy. You may be physically far from us but we all know that your heart is still very much with us as a Laong-Laaner. We all missed the times when you enlightened us no ends with your Masonic Education. May we therefore, trouble you by giving you an assignment. Can you write again a 10 to 15 minutes Masonic Education, any subject of your choice and e-mail it to me. We will gladly assign someone to read your article. John Teng, PM Forthwith, the lion sent WB John his reply as follows: WB John: I’m...

THIS PESKY MASON Despite the wealth of topics that are convertible into articles, the aging lion has decided to rest his pen during the current year. For example, much like the New Year revelry that the lion tamer organized for the benefit of our neighbors to usher the advent of the stork, (See New Year at the Lion’s Den) they again celebrated a unique Valentine party at their backyard with practically the same participants but with an additional dog meat served as “pulutan”. Or marking the first anniversary of their harelip project that tallied for them a total of 21 harelip repair patients which in the gambler’s lingo resulted in an unbeatable “Black Jack!” Or his tussle with BOHECO II to have the date of reading clearly indicated in the meter card that involved no less the Energy Regulatory Commission as referee where the lion used to the hilt the Internet facility! But in fine the lion mused, “ ang pagbubuhat ng sariling bangko’ or lifting one’s own bench can be boring!” ...

CHANCE MEETING WITH AN AMERICAN FRATERNAL BROTHER Tante, the lion’s email friend who just arrived from the States a week ago was excited over the phone. He asked if this writer was not busy and not fully grasping what he meant answered that other than attending the stated meeting at Tagbilaran on the second Saturday of the coming month, the latter was entirely free for the rest of his time. It turned out Tante was expecting an American friend that noon and since he knew that his visitor is a Freemason, then perhaps the lion might want to rub elbows with a fraternal brother. The lion’s reply was understandably in the affirmative. Lunch, after all, will also be served.. And so the lion and his tamer went to Bro. Eduardo Palac’s residence where Tante was residing being one of the owner’s six son-in-laws, and at the dining table was introduced to an American who was already having lunch together with about six other people. Tante immediately motioned this writer to take his s...

THE CROSS WE ALL BEAR Two emails were received by the lion from two brothers last November 5. One was an article titled “The Three Trees” that was sent by WB Rommel S. J. Corral of Rafael Palma Lodge No. 147 while the other was sent by a brother as a reply to a previous mail, the identity of whom the lion chose to withheld by replacing some words with xxxxx’s . The contents appears unrelated but on closer look, is. The better advise therefore, is just to read the contents yourself. Bro. Jun THE THREE TREES Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carvings and everyone would see the beauty." Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the wo...

SURPRISE MASONIC VISITORS. This article is too good to escape the literary pen. Last Saturday September 20, at about five minutes before four in the afternoon while I was leisurely resting at our backyard waiting for the four o’clock news over the DZRH radio band, a man in civilian clothes approached the back gate and in the local dialect hollered: “Ikaw si Mr. Galarosa?” and received a nod as a reply. He next said: “Gipangita ka ni Col. Arugay!! (Col. Arugay is looking for you) and to which I said: “Asa man siya?” (Where is he?) Sa atbang sa imo ba’ay! (At the front gate of your house) he said. And so I immediately motioned him to enter the back gate, made him follow me and together we entered the house via the kitchen door, went out of it via the front door and outside the front gate saw two vans with about a dozen people, mostly in fatigue uniforms, already alighted. I immediately opened the gate and noticed a young gentleman in military uniform approaching me and saw t...

WALKWAYS OF THE TWO SAINTS JOHN This article should have found its place in the infinite pages of this wonderful world called the Internet much earlier but bureaucratic red tape prevented this writer from doing it. Let me tell you a story. Sometime in September of last year, the newly-elected barangay council of my adopted place passed a resolution installing an electric light bulb at the right side of our backyard and through its barangay captain asked me and the missus if we would be kind enough to likewise install a similar light bulb at the left end to complement what they just did for the benefit of the fishermen who dock in the night. He promised the council will provide the electrical materials but since their funds are low, would we be generous enough to shoulder the continuing cost of electricity? Realizing that our backyard can also serve as a mini-park for the residents of the place especially in the early evening when humidity is hot, we answered we will be glad to d...

UNTO THE LION’S LAST HUNTING GROUND The lion and his tamer were on board the Superferry when it docked at the Tagbilaran pier at six on the morning of March 6, Wednesday. Instead of immediately boarding a bus bound for the town of Guindulman which is a full eighty five kilometers away from the pier, they decided to make Tagbilaran City their first stopover. They reckon they will save more time if they will first attend to their needs of getting the zonal valuation document at the appropriate office in the government bureaucracy at Tagbilaran City instead of proceeding posthaste to her hometown. Getting off the ship, they went straight to a local eatery for breakfast and there whiled the time away until his wristwatch signaled the hour of eight and later took a tricycle bound for the city proper. On the way, they passed by the compound of the University of Bohol and surmised one or more of the Tirol brothers who, the lion is aware, are members of the...

Classics

Faith, Hope and Charity

By: Bro. Geminiano V. Galarosa, Jr. Dagohoy Lodge No 84 (HM- LL 185, JS 169 and RP 147) Yesterday, the lion sent an e-mail to VW Jimmy Gonzales, AGS, the contents of which is reprinted in full below: VW Jimmy: Last Saturday January 10, I was elected and consequently was obligated member of Dagohoy Lodge No. 84. That would not have been made possible without your kind assistance. Thanks a lot! Sincerely, Jun The decision to seek membership at Dagohoy Lodge No. 84 was not easy and took no less than 23 months to complete. Let me tell this story. Last March 2002 when the lion and his tamer mulled on the idea of transferring residence to the island of Bohol, one of his first acts upon arrival was to attend the stated meeting of Dagohoy Lodge No. 84, thus inwardly placing himself under the canopy of the island’s only lodge. Never mind if the said lodge was situated 85 kilometers away from their residence in Guindulman. And never mind if he is alr...

Morsels & Tidbits

THE VARIOUS PATHS TO THE MYSTIC EAST By: Bro. Geminiano V. Galarosa, Jr. Dagohoy Lodge No 84 (HM- LL 185, JS 169 and RP 147) It’s now Year 2005 but the Craft reckons it four centuries earlier by calling it Masonic Year 6005. And to the Chinese who reckons their calendar by multiples of twelve, this is the year of the rooster and the start of its reign will still be on February 9. Now, how they reckon their calendar in terms of progression of a hundred years is beyond the mind of this writer but might as well, for it is not at all the subject of this article that he is about to tell. January starts the month of installation although there were a few lodges who did it last December. Maguindanao Lodge No. 40, for example, installed WM Chito Olifernes in impressive ceremony last December 11, and surely there must have been another lodge at the GLP who must have concluded theirs before the year ended. But this article is not about the newly-or-soon to be installed masters of t...

By: Bro. Geminiano V. Galarosa, Jr. Dagohoy Lodge No 84 (HM- LL 185, JS 169 and RP 147) One of the more distinct definitions of Freemasonry is that it is “a system of morality veiled in allegory”; or phrased differently, “a system of morality expressed in symbols” both of which mean the same. For allegory is simply defined as expression through symbolic figures and actions of truth. Freemasons no longer need to be told of the symbolic meanings of the Square, the Level, and the Plumb as these are well explained in the second degree conferral. And just in case he feels he needs more elaboration, all he need is listen to the annual installation ceremonies of the Craft and there he will be reminded of their full significance. The working tool which serves as emblem or symbol that is first presented to an initiate is neither the Square, the Level, nor the Plumb. Neither is it the Compasses that figure prominently in the logo of the Craft. It is the twenty-four inch gauge; an...

THE HALF-REMEMBERED GRAND LODGE INSPECTORS Called “workhorse” by the Grand Lodge, the Grand Lodge Inspectors have several unique advantages over all other appointive officers. These are: (1) They are individually installed in solemn and impressive ceremonies, which, much unlike all others who are herded and installed during the yearly ANCOM; and especially when performed by installing officers who have memorized their roles, are done impressively, indeed! (2) The word “Grand” like that of “Grand Master”, “Grand Treasurer”, “Grand Secretary”, “Grand Chaplain”, etc., precedes all other words in their honorific titles thus eliciting serious mien to the general public since the uninitiated thinks those who have the word Grand as the second word are second fiddles; and (3) The cute 7cm x 20cm appointment paper makes a novel memento when placed among the diplomas of merit, honors and citations that one has accumulated during one’s lifetime. And this do not exclude the diplomas ...

THE MYSTIC CABLETOW It was exactly five in the morning of October 24 when our phone rang and at the other end of the line was Alou, our daughter-in-law. Her voice crackling with bitterness, she asked if there is a way we could help her. Four days before, the lion tamer said that she saw the stepfather of our daughter-in-law being broadcast on TV as having been slain with a bullet hole on his head, apparently a subject of a summary execution by unknown assailants for reasons the lion neither knew nor cared about. In her narration our daughter by affinity said that she and her mother had just arrived from the wake, where an hour before, they were unceremoniously shooed away by the relatives of her deceased stepfather out of Arlington Chapel apparently also dissuading them to attend the noontime burial. And the reason is simple- the relationship of her mother with the deceased has already turned sour a few years back and the husband was already having an affair with another girl. F...