Masonically Inspired Essays

Some two years ago, MW Hermogenes Ebadane Jr., (or is it another GM?) then the incumbent Grand Master, issued an edict authorizing the creation of a Harmony Officer in every lodge under the jurisdiction of the MW Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines. This short talk will not delve on the wisdom, or the lack of it, why the said office was created, as indeed the pros and cons of the said edict was not explained except that when disputes in the lodge arise, he who is elected automatically becomes the arbiter. On a different note, this short talk will attempt to explain why Harmony is a tenet that is of paramount importance in our Fraternity. Harmony is a dogma that is often hinted only in cryptic codes in our rituals. To the undiscerning multitude, this very important science is not even there, but to the adepts it stares at him squarely on his face. It’s much like the parables narrated by the Greatest Teacher of all time, to many it is as cle...

The year of the pig was both bane and boon to the aging cat. First, he barely escaped being drowned without his body being submerged in water because his lungs were full of mucus-aggravated liquid it hardly allowed his snubbed-shaped nose or in local parlance “pango” to breath, Luckily for him, the community hospital where he was confined on that fateful Holy Wednesday had an available oxygen tank for such an emergency. With steroid injected to help open up his lungs, the lady doctor managed to make him regain his breath and thus enabled him to return home to recuperate two days later and saved him from being unceremoniously dumped into the century-old waiting graveyard. The second aborted trip to the Great Beyond occurred two weeks later when, shortly after his right leg was amputated, he was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of St. Luke’s Hospital, that time because his heartbeat already dangerously dropped below normal level it might have stopped beating at all. Bad gr...

Compared to his two siblings, Ian is the least exposed to the ways of the Masonic Fraternity. His sister, after all, joined the Job’s Daughters during her teens while his youngest brother fully exhausted seven years of his life in the DeMolay movement until the time he became a Senior DeMolay. But it was understandable; he was already in his second year at Los Banos when his Dad joined the Craft and to confound matters, he got himself employed, got married and thereafter established residence in his adopted place. Except for some fleeting moments, like attending his father’s installation as Worshipful Master of his mother lodge in 1995 and acting as surrogate brother to the fraternal brod of his kid brother, Ivan, when the DeMolays tangled with a college fraternity, his link with the organization the aging puma has embraced was indeed rare. Suffice it to say that it came as a mild shock to the rest of the family when he said in late 2005 that he wants to knock at the Craft...

Short talk delivered to Laong Laan Lodge No. 185 on June 2, 2007 You have listened to the Entered Apprentice degree lecture earlier this afternoon where the three principal tenets Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, three of Masonry’s greatest teachings, were taught. So simply worded, easily understood, yet oftentimes difficult to internalize and apply in our daily lives. Curiously however, without these tenets, this aging lion would not be alive today. So let me tell you this story. For a start, allow me to apologize for my inability to strictly comply with the rules on proper attire. It is true I am impeccably dressed in white barong and matching black pants but I am not properly shod. Instead, I am wearing a sandal same as what Boaz must have worn in ancient times. Also, my right leg is missing from the knee down. Which reminds me of the answer that I gave to the question “What happened to your right foot?” that was asked by a brother last Saturday, May 26, on the occasion of the p...

Death be not proud though you ultimately will succeed in separating the soul from its body, But let it not be on piecemeal basis, Like the throat being torn out of its roots and buried in the rough sands of the seas. Or the heart given as prey to the beasts of the fields or the vultures of the air, Or more especially its bowels taken thence and burned to ashes and the ashes cast to the four winds of heavens that no more remembrance may be had among men or Masons forever. So let the soul soar up to the heavens, there to receive judgment for its deeds while in the body. But let the decomposed particles merge the earth from whence it came, pulverized like dust to dust, earth to earth, or ashes to ashes, there to serve another soul and repeated into innumerable cycles till time shall be no more. So in what manner shall decomposition be? Will it follow that of Hiram Abif whose body was laid to rest three times, first in the rubbish of the Temple by the ruffians, next at the brow of a hill ...

REQUIEM FOR A DEPARTING BROTHER It was, no doubt, the most unforgettable wake and burial the town of Guindulman ever witnessed. But let the aging lion narrate the events that transpired from the start.. Last Sunday, February 18, the lioness arose early at four in the morning and after applying mascara on her face and donning on her Sunday wear, left for the church but not after saying she will be home late in the afternoon as she, Baby and Arlene Palac, the last-named of whom just arrived from the States, are bound for Tagbilaran to do some grocery shopping. They will also be accompanied by Manny, Arlene’s husband and therefore may return home late as ladies’ talk will surely occupy their time. The aging lion can only meekly nod his head. By seven, however, she was back teary-eyed, saying Tio Dadong Palac has just died and that while they will still proceed to Tagbilaran, it will be for another purpose- they will attend to all matters that will prepare the old...

Brethren: Here is a reply to an invitation to join the 2007 ANCOM worth reading, but to achieve anonymity of the one who made it, his email was deleted and so was his name on the salutary portion of the lion’s email. ----- Dear Brother: That makes you the fourth brother who openly declared (all three are also out of the country and are timing the ANCOM for their homecoming) they hope to see the aging lion at the 2007 ANCOM and have extended similar invitations. Curiously, those who wish the aging lion set forth his two feet in Luzon are not limited to brethren, his niece to whom he acted as a godfather thirty five years ago is getting married in May wish he play the same role as godfather during her wedding, his daughter is again sojourning to Japan in April and has already convinced her mother to serve as amah for her grandchildren and therefore wished the old cat tags along, to no avail. All things considered the pros of staying still outweigh the cons of leaving, and there’s no n...