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 Manila was to attend the stated meeting of Quezon City Lodge No. 122, my mother lodge.
I arrived at the Capitol Masonic Temple before two in the afternoon and there hobnobbed with the brethren who arrived earlier. WM Jerome Gabionza was on time. So were his two lights- SW Nestor Malana and Francis Pagulayan. MWs Reynold Fajardo and Agustin Mateo, VWs Ager Amagna, Ev Salvo, Dennis Gabionza, and BJ Torres, WB’s Alex Fabian, James Donadilla, Jonathan Florendo, Mario Ignacio and several others were also there. It was a time for “kumustahan”.
In fine the main fare of the stated meeting, that of electing its officers was held. The two lights, SW Nestor and JW Francis were routinely elevated to the position of Worshipful Master and Senior Warden, respectively, while Bro. Joe Gabionza, younger brother of the outgoing Worshipful Master was elected Junior Warden. Elder brother VW Dennis was also elected Secretary. It was a case of one brother out and two brothers coming in as imposing lodge officers!!
The traditional Christmas party of the lodge was held the next day. But unlike in previous years where it was done at the PRRM building near Mother Ignacia Avenue, it was this time held at the imposing residence of MW Reynold S. Fajardo, PGM. Even VWs Saul Exmundo, Louie Reyes and Santiago “Boy” Gabionza, Jr. three lodge stalwarts who failed to attend the previous day’s stated meeting were present. In addition, most of their respective families composed of spouses, children and grandchildren were there to enjoy the spirit of the Christmas season.
The next Saturday I attended a similar election of the officers of two other lodges, Rafael Palma Lodge No 147 and Mandaluyong Lodge No. 277. The former also promptly elevated its two Wardens to the next higher ranks and also elected Bro. Jun Farcon as Junior Warden. In addition, it elected VW “Mawi” Lazaro lodge Secretary as WB Zito Ochoa begged off from being reelected.
Meanwhile at the other lodge hall, Mandaluyong Lodge No. 277 had a spirited election. The two incumbent Wardens were curiously absent and so WB Mike Benjamin, its Worshipful Master, was reelected and in fine also saw the election of Bros. Jun de Ocampo and Jojo Eleazar to the positions of Senior and Junior Wardens, respectively. The lodge at this point experienced infusion of young bloods as the three lights are basically young, in matters of biological ages, that is. The other officers, from the Treasurer to Auditor in the persons of WB Danilo Flores and VWs Kim Alvin Villanueva and Roger Flores, were also promptly reelected. It also gave me the opportunity to rub elbows with VW Juanito Abergas, Region VII’s Director of Public Works. After which, the stated meeting was concluded and the brethren of the two lodges enjoyed their fellowship at the two rooms at the ground floor of the Capitol Masonic Temple.
During the Christmas lull, I sidestepped to the Grand Lodge and procured the Certificate of Good Standing form that was required for my petition for dual membership. Posthaste, I had the form signed by the Worshipful Master of my mother lodge and endeavored to get the signature of our elected lodge Secretary to no avail. It turned out he was evasive in affixing his signature as he was no longer functioning as lodge secretary for reasons he alone can tell. Realizing the predicament, I consulted MW Fajardo, the incumbent Grand Secretary who forthwith gave the assurance that his signature and that of the Worshipful Master will suffice. The revered elder also briefed me on the status of the Masonic book that I helped him write, which he said was now awaiting printing and is expected to be off the press before the term of MW Eugenio Labitoria is over.
Then came the first Saturday of Year 2003. Even before leaving our residence, I already expected with bathed breath attending the stated meeting of Laong Laan Lodge No. 185, a lodge where along with two others, I hold honorary membership. I was fully aware that in a matter of only six years this lodge has progressively achieved becoming the strongest lodge at the Capitol Masonic Temple. Not only does it hold its meetings clad in the mandated white barong tagalog, dark pants and black shoes , but its attendance is also often spiced by visiting brethren from other lodges, a distinctive mark of distinction signaling that it has already arrived.
But as the meeting starts at three, I thought it wise to attend the stated meeting of Marikina Lodge No. 119 first. Its incumbent Worshipful Master is, after all, WM Alfredo Andres, a fraternal brother I’ve met at Mount Moriah Lodge No. 252 some months back when I sojourned in Cebu City and who saw to it that I didn’t get lost in that burgeoning queen city of the South. This lodge also promptly elevated its two Wardens, and in addition, also elected Bro. Nestor Estaris, a well-liked PNP officer, for its Junior Warden sitting in the South.
Back at Laong Laan Lodge No. 185, I was greeted by WM Roberto “Bong” Fajardo who just recuperated from an acute case of meningitis and had himself downed at St. Luke’s Hospital. The attendance was robust and true enough, save for one visiting brother, all were wearing white barongs. Glad I came clad in the same outfit otherwise, I would have looked like a solitary black sheep in a flock of whites.
The meeting proceeded with vigor. In addition to the regular stated meeting format, it was also spiced by two Masonic Education lectures, with the first being conducted by the Worshipful Master who narrated his experience during his confinement at St. Luke Hospital, while the second lecture was conducted by this writer who forthwith delved on the symbolism of the three pillars.
The attendance during the stated meeting was robust. Three of the four district officers, namely, VW’s Celso S. Viray, DDGM, Raynor Taroy and Allan Bontuyan were likewise present. So was visiting brother from Saigon Lodge No. 185, a Senior DeMolay named Bro. Ephraim de Mesa of the Abad Santos Chapter, Order of DeMolay.
The election was likewise done as predicted. Bros. John Teng and Billy del Rosario were elevated to the posts of Worshipful Master an Senior Warden, respectively, while Bro. John Sy, its Senior Deacon became its Junior Warden. WB Johnny Flaviano, who assumed the awesome task of Secretary some six years back, also begged off from being reelected due to pressure of work and therefore paved the way for the election of Bro. Albert Encarnacion, a comparatively new but very energetic Mason ever to don the lambskin apron. WB Gene Cortez and VW Noe de la Cerna were also routinely reelected Treasurer and Auditor, respectively.
The meeting ended and the traditional fellowship at a nearby restaurant ensued. And what better enjoyment can be had except enjoying the usual food and drinks?!
Two days later I and the missus boarded the Superferry for our return trip to our haven in Guindulman town, and in the stillness of the night recalled the events that transpired. The replacement of secretaries in the three lodges that I visited was sure a welcome respite that will redound to the benefit of the concerned lodges, for as they say “a secretary’s job is never ended”. As an afterthought, I also cannot help but wonder out aloud: “When will my next visit to the brethren of the Capitol Masonic Temple be?!!.”
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 Manila was to attend the stated meeting of Quezon City Lodge No. 122, my mother lodge.
I arrived at the Capitol Masonic Temple before two in the afternoon and there hobnobbed with the brethren who arrived earlier. WM Jerome Gabionza was on time. So were his two lights- SW Nestor Malana and Francis Pagulayan. MWs Reynold Fajardo and Agustin Mateo, VWs Ager Amagna, Ev Salvo, Dennis Gabionza, and BJ Torres, WB’s Alex Fabian, James Donadilla, Jonathan Florendo, Mario Ignacio and several others were also there. It was a time for “kumustahan”.
In fine the main fare of the stated meeting, that of electing its officers was held. The two lights, SW Nestor and JW Francis were routinely elevated to the position of Worshipful Master and Senior Warden, respectively, while Bro. Joe Gabionza, younger brother of the outgoing Worshipful Master was elected Junior Warden. Elder brother VW Dennis was also elected Secretary. It was a case of one brother out and two brothers coming in as imposing lodge officers!!
The traditional Christmas party of the lodge was held the next day. But unlike in previous years where it was done at the PRRM building near Mother Ignacia Avenue, it was this time held at the imposing residence of MW Reynold S. Fajardo, PGM. Even VWs Saul Exmundo, Louie Reyes and Santiago “Boy” Gabionza, Jr. three lodge stalwarts who failed to attend the previous day’s stated meeting were present. In addition, most of their respective families composed of spouses, children and grandchildren were there to enjoy the spirit of the Christmas season.
The next Saturday I attended a similar election of the officers of two other lodges, Rafael Palma Lodge No 147 and Mandaluyong Lodge No. 277. The former also promptly elevated its two Wardens to the next higher ranks and also elected Bro. Jun Farcon as Junior Warden. In addition, it elected VW “Mawi” Lazaro lodge Secretary as WB Zito Ochoa begged off from being reelected.
Meanwhile at the other lodge hall, Mandaluyong Lodge No. 277 had a spirited election. The two incumbent Wardens were curiously absent and so WB Mike Benjamin, its Worshipful Master, was reelected and in fine also saw the election of Bros. Jun de Ocampo and Jojo Eleazar to the positions of Senior and Junior Wardens, respectively. The lodge at this point experienced infusion of young bloods as the three lights are basically young, in matters of biological ages, that is. The other officers, from the Treasurer to Auditor in the persons of WB Danilo Flores and VWs Kim Alvin Villanueva and Roger Flores, were also promptly reelected. It also gave me the opportunity to rub elbows with VW Juanito Abergas, Region VII’s Director of Public Works. After which, the stated meeting was concluded and the brethren of the two lodges enjoyed their fellowship at the two rooms at the ground floor of the Capitol Masonic Temple.
During the Christmas lull, I sidestepped to the Grand Lodge and procured the Certificate of Good Standing form that was required for my petition for dual membership. Posthaste, I had the form signed by the Worshipful Master of my mother lodge and endeavored to get the signature of our elected lodge Secretary to no avail. It turned out he was evasive in affixing his signature as he was no longer functioning as lodge secretary for reasons he alone can tell. Realizing the predicament, I consulted MW Fajardo, the incumbent Grand Secretary who forthwith gave the assurance that his signature and that of the Worshipful Master will suffice. The revered elder also briefed me on the status of the Masonic book that I helped him write, which he said was now awaiting printing and is expected to be off the press before the term of MW Eugenio Labitoria is over.
Then came the first Saturday of Year 2003. Even before leaving our residence, I already expected with bathed breath attending the stated meeting of Laong Laan Lodge No. 185, a lodge where along with two others, I hold honorary membership. I was fully aware that in a matter of only six years this lodge has progressively achieved becoming the strongest lodge at the Capitol Masonic Temple. Not only does it hold its meetings clad in the mandated white barong tagalog, dark pants and black shoes , but its attendance is also often spiced by visiting brethren from other lodges, a distinctive mark of distinction signaling that it has already arrived.
But as the meeting starts at three, I thought it wise to attend the stated meeting of Marikina Lodge No. 119 first. Its incumbent Worshipful Master is, after all, WM Alfredo Andres, a fraternal brother I’ve met at Mount Moriah Lodge No. 252 some months back when I sojourned in Cebu City and who saw to it that I didn’t get lost in that burgeoning queen city of the South. This lodge also promptly elevated its two Wardens, and in addition, also elected Bro. Nestor Estaris, a well-liked PNP officer, for its Junior Warden sitting in the South.
Back at Laong Laan Lodge No. 185, I was greeted by WM Roberto “Bong” Fajardo who just recuperated from an acute case of meningitis and had himself downed at St. Luke’s Hospital. The attendance was robust and true enough, save for one visiting brother, all were wearing white barongs. Glad I came clad in the same outfit otherwise, I would have looked like a solitary black sheep in a flock of whites.
The meeting proceeded with vigor. In addition to the regular stated meeting format, it was also spiced by two Masonic Education lectures, with the first being conducted by the Worshipful Master who narrated his experience during his confinement at St. Luke Hospital, while the second lecture was conducted by this writer who forthwith delved on the symbolism of the three pillars.
The attendance during the stated meeting was robust. Three of the four district officers, namely, VW’s Celso S. Viray, DDGM, Raynor Taroy and Allan Bontuyan were likewise present. So was visiting brother from Saigon Lodge No. 185, a Senior DeMolay named Bro. Ephraim de Mesa of the Abad Santos Chapter, Order of DeMolay.
The election was likewise done as predicted. Bros. John Teng and Billy del Rosario were elevated to the posts of Worshipful Master an Senior Warden, respectively, while Bro. John Sy, its Senior Deacon became its Junior Warden. WB Johnny Flaviano, who assumed the awesome task of Secretary some six years back, also begged off from being reelected due to pressure of work and therefore paved the way for the election of Bro. Albert Encarnacion, a comparatively new but very energetic Mason ever to don the lambskin apron. WB Gene Cortez and VW Noe de la Cerna were also routinely reelected Treasurer and Auditor, respectively.
The meeting ended and the traditional fellowship at a nearby restaurant ensued. And what better enjoyment can be had except enjoying the usual food and drinks?!
Two days later I and the missus boarded the Superferry for our return trip to our haven in Guindulman town, and in the stillness of the night recalled the events that transpired. The replacement of secretaries in the three lodges that I visited was sure a welcome respite that will redound to the benefit of the concerned lodges, for as they say “a secretary’s job is never ended”. As an afterthought, I also cannot help but wonder out aloud: “When will my next visit to the brethren of the Capitol Masonic Temple be?!!.”
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