Here is a bit of interesting news; the lodge that presently shelters the now-aging lion in this scenic island of Bohol is getting a distinct facelift on two distinctive fronts. Consider these.
Through the very bold initiative of WM Eugene “Jack” Galbreath, incumbent master of the lodge, it decided to sell the lot where the old temple that was built in 1928 using the proceeds on the sale and the hard lumber that were retrieved from the demolished building. The hard lumber were recovered came from the timbers that were felled from the forests of Anda and Sierra Bullones some eighty years ago; and as the town of Anda is situated about a hundred kilometers away from Tagbilaran City and is at the opposite end of the island, one can well guess that these may have been towed via the open sea and should easily remind the reading brethren how the timbers were felled in Lebanon and brought on floats to Mount Moriah in Jerusalem where King Solomon’s Temple was erected. This new lodge was erected adjacent to the Masonic cemetery that was located about half a kilometer away from the original site. As a side comment, the acquisition of the cemetery is also considered epic because in 1931 the Roman Catholic Church refused the burial of Bro. Arnold Bartlett who died, although a Roman Catholic, because of his Masonic affiliation. This prompted the brethren to establish their own Masonic cemetery and is thus credited as one of the very few lodges in the entire country that has a cemetery of its own.
The administrative and technical expertise for building the two-story lodge was never found wanting. Administrative acumen is ably provided by the organizational skills of the Worshipful Master who during his heyday was a battle-scarred American soldier who honed his military and administrative skills in Vietnam, while the technical skills were made available by the other brethren like Bros. Francisco Pamaran, Jr., Ulysses Tirol, Mark Noel Mende and Moises Millanar- able professional engineers and architects of the lodge. Why, even Bro. Jerry Servas pinches in as night watchman to protect the materials lying around the site while the building is undergoing construction.
While the funding of the main building structure is expected to be fully covered by the proceeds of the sale, the supplemental needs are reasonably expected and will therefore require additional funding; like replacing the old wooden chairs, the podium and many other ornaments and amenities that must complement the needs of the lodge to keep it fully operational. As supplemental support in the construction of the building, WB Ulysses Tirol encouraged the brethren to share in the construction of the lodge in whatever way they can. In addition to professional service, he pledged several hundreds of hollow blocks as construction materials while WB Moises Millanar has promised P5,000 as financial aid. The aging lion , restricted by his meager pension that is already sorely drained by the lion tamer’s existing charity projects, can only appeal to one of the lodges in Quezon City where he sports honorary membership. Will the members be generous enough to contribute the sets of gavels, columns and the working tools that is displayed at the foot of the Worshipful Master’s station so that these symbolic adornments may also bring additional prestige to the lodge?! He also cannot help but wonder, would other generous brother out there be kind enough to send in a few dollars to help us build our cherished Masonic lodge down here after reading this narration?!
The Worshipful Master projects the building will be completed before the year ends in time for the “changing of the guards” that will be held the next year. Whether this will materialize, only time will tell, but the entire brethren of the lodge are keeping their fingers crossed eagerly awaiting the said historic event.
On another front, the lodge, now as defined as “a certain number of brethren with a Holy Bible, square and compasses” is also being rebuilt. Long without additional members, it added in its roster four able-blooded young recruits last year and with the aging lion affiliating now have five new members in its list. A new candidate is also scheduled to be passed as this article is being written and as another petitioner is subject to be balloted later the brethren foresees more robust membership . And pretty soon, the rituals, which for quite a time have been relegated to the sidelines will receive the attention that is required of the members, thus restoring the lost glory that once was the pride of the lodge’ elder brethren.
To all of you out there, especially the brethren who once have graced our old lodge, we trust you will join us that our noble aspirations are achieved for the greater glory of the Supreme Architect of our Universe!
Through the very bold initiative of WM Eugene “Jack” Galbreath, incumbent master of the lodge, it decided to sell the lot where the old temple that was built in 1928 using the proceeds on the sale and the hard lumber that were retrieved from the demolished building. The hard lumber were recovered came from the timbers that were felled from the forests of Anda and Sierra Bullones some eighty years ago; and as the town of Anda is situated about a hundred kilometers away from Tagbilaran City and is at the opposite end of the island, one can well guess that these may have been towed via the open sea and should easily remind the reading brethren how the timbers were felled in Lebanon and brought on floats to Mount Moriah in Jerusalem where King Solomon’s Temple was erected. This new lodge was erected adjacent to the Masonic cemetery that was located about half a kilometer away from the original site. As a side comment, the acquisition of the cemetery is also considered epic because in 1931 the Roman Catholic Church refused the burial of Bro. Arnold Bartlett who died, although a Roman Catholic, because of his Masonic affiliation. This prompted the brethren to establish their own Masonic cemetery and is thus credited as one of the very few lodges in the entire country that has a cemetery of its own.
The administrative and technical expertise for building the two-story lodge was never found wanting. Administrative acumen is ably provided by the organizational skills of the Worshipful Master who during his heyday was a battle-scarred American soldier who honed his military and administrative skills in Vietnam, while the technical skills were made available by the other brethren like Bros. Francisco Pamaran, Jr., Ulysses Tirol, Mark Noel Mende and Moises Millanar- able professional engineers and architects of the lodge. Why, even Bro. Jerry Servas pinches in as night watchman to protect the materials lying around the site while the building is undergoing construction.
While the funding of the main building structure is expected to be fully covered by the proceeds of the sale, the supplemental needs are reasonably expected and will therefore require additional funding; like replacing the old wooden chairs, the podium and many other ornaments and amenities that must complement the needs of the lodge to keep it fully operational. As supplemental support in the construction of the building, WB Ulysses Tirol encouraged the brethren to share in the construction of the lodge in whatever way they can. In addition to professional service, he pledged several hundreds of hollow blocks as construction materials while WB Moises Millanar has promised P5,000 as financial aid. The aging lion , restricted by his meager pension that is already sorely drained by the lion tamer’s existing charity projects, can only appeal to one of the lodges in Quezon City where he sports honorary membership. Will the members be generous enough to contribute the sets of gavels, columns and the working tools that is displayed at the foot of the Worshipful Master’s station so that these symbolic adornments may also bring additional prestige to the lodge?! He also cannot help but wonder, would other generous brother out there be kind enough to send in a few dollars to help us build our cherished Masonic lodge down here after reading this narration?!
The Worshipful Master projects the building will be completed before the year ends in time for the “changing of the guards” that will be held the next year. Whether this will materialize, only time will tell, but the entire brethren of the lodge are keeping their fingers crossed eagerly awaiting the said historic event.
On another front, the lodge, now as defined as “a certain number of brethren with a Holy Bible, square and compasses” is also being rebuilt. Long without additional members, it added in its roster four able-blooded young recruits last year and with the aging lion affiliating now have five new members in its list. A new candidate is also scheduled to be passed as this article is being written and as another petitioner is subject to be balloted later the brethren foresees more robust membership . And pretty soon, the rituals, which for quite a time have been relegated to the sidelines will receive the attention that is required of the members, thus restoring the lost glory that once was the pride of the lodge’ elder brethren.
To all of you out there, especially the brethren who once have graced our old lodge, we trust you will join us that our noble aspirations are achieved for the greater glory of the Supreme Architect of our Universe!
Comments
Brethren,
An appeal for a few dollars more of donations you can spare to cover some of the other expenses on the rebuilding of Dagohoy Lodge No. 84. The Lodge is located in Tagbilaran City in Bohol which is close to Cebu , the site of the ANCOM 2006.
You may contact WB Jun directly @ jungalarosa@yahoo.com or we can pool our contributions and send it to them as early as we can before the completion date of the Lodge.
Thank you for your generosity Brethren.
Bro. Dennis Alban, PM
Integrity Lodge # 997
Bro. Dennis:
Even at this early very stage ( I sent my mail below only yesterday), please accept my heartfelt thanks. Two others have already signified their intention to help, the first was a brother from the lodge where I hold honorary membership in Quezon City who assured me by text message that he will secure for me the columns and gavels while another has just emailed from the American Samoa saying he will send a check.
On Saturday, October 17, we will pass a candidate in our makeshift lodge where we now temporarily hold our meetings and there it will allow me to relate to them your heartfelt support on our endeavors.
Again, many thanks!
Bro. Jun
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From Bro. Dennis Alban
Bro. Jun
You are welcome! I've copied WB Nick Sarabia who also hail from Bohol to help me and hopefully will coordinate the efforts in getting the generous support of our Brethren here in Chicago.
Thank you, WB Nick, "This is the opportunity you have so long sought to give back to your Country and your beloved and beautiful Island of Bohol.
Bro. Dennis