Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 Centennial Year

El Nuevo Vida Logia # 4
(The Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4)
5907 - 6007 Anno Lucis

"El Consejo del Ciudad de Cavite ya reconoci El Nuevo Vida Logia # 4 del Agosto 11, 2007"

"The City Council of Cavite recognized the Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 on August 11, 2007"

On August 6, 2007, the Sangguniang Panglunsod of Cavite adopted Resolution No. 07-081, "A resolution recognizing the exemplary, meritorious and outstanding achievements and worthy contributions extended by the Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 (formerly No. 17) under the auspices of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI) to the City Government of Cavite and its inhabitants"

The resolution was very timely since the Lodge will celebrate its memorable 100 years of existence on August 11, 2007 and the adoption of the recognition of the noble and distinguished Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 is considered an addendum to the momentuous moment in the commemoration of the historic Lodge centennial years.

The recognition was in deed a beautiful gift from the City Government of Cavite more particularly from the City Council and a great surprised when it was read during the program of the centennial celebration held on August 11, 2007 at VWB Artemio A. Tadiar, Jr. Hall, Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 Masonic Temple, San Roque, Cavite City.

For a brief backgrounder, founders and members of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 under the jurisdiction of the IGLPI (chartered and numbered Lodge No. 291 under the Gran Oriente Espanol, then rechartered and renumbered to Lodge No. 17 under the GLPI and GLP) are Masonic distinguished leaders, prominent propagandists and revolutionary leaders during the Spanish regime.

On August 11, 1907, the first elected officers of Lodge No. 291 were WM Jose Ariosola Mariano Reyes PM (1906 - 1910; 1915; and 1916) as its Master; Bros. Ladislao N. Diwa PM (1918) and Bro. Juan N. Santos as Senior and Junior Wardens, respectively. They are known associates of Dr. Jose Rizal, Gat Andres Bonifacio, Teodoro Plata, Apolinario Mabini, Felipe Buencamino, Ramon Diokno, Gen. Pantaleon Garcia, Baldomero and Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

There were distinguished leaders and members of the Lodge who were originally members of other Lodges. Among the brethren of Sinukuan Lodge No. 272 who were residents of Cavite and affiliated to the Lodge that became Past Masters of Bagong Buhay Lodge were: WB Emilio Espinosa PM (1912); WB Pedro del Carmen PM (1913 - 1914); WB Felipe Cabezas PM (1922); and WB Valeriano Custodio PM (1929); the other prominent leaders of the Lodge were: WB Emilio Basa PM (1917); MWB Rafael Palma PGM (1920); MWB Emilio P. Virata PGM (1947); and WB Gervacio Pangilinan PM (1937).

In modern times, there were also prominent personalities of the Lodge: WB Dr. Jesus Tranquillino PM (1956); WB Judge Angel Rica. Alvarez PM (1968); WB Mayor Julian C. Medina, Jr. PM (1969);WB Artemio A. Tadiar, Jr. PM (1991-1992); Bros. Bishop Alberto C. Ramento and Rev Fr. Nilo P. Ramos of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente; Bro. Vice Admiral Pio Carranza PN; Bro. Brig Gen. Francisco Callelero PAF; Bro. P/Supt. Asher Dolina PNP; Bro. Capt. Roberto Q. Estioko PN; Bro. Capt. Reynaldo Bernardino PN; WB Jaime V. Bantolo PM (1999), adopted son of Cavite City and GM of the IGLPI; and the incumbent City Mayor Bro. Bernardo S. Paredes; to name a few.

In 2005 to 2007, the Lodge eventually had to part with its adopted school - the Bagumbuhay Elem. School which for decades held their classes in the ground floor of the Lodge and had graduated thousands of school children, including several brother Masons. The ravages of time and termites had deemed it dangerous for the school to continue. Bro. Mayor Totie Paredes generously put them up in a better, newly constructed school building. Nevertheless, the Lodge maintained its umbilical cord to them with the signing of Memorandum of Agreement in 2005 to make the school its beneficiary of the Adopt-A-School project. The Lodge also supported indigent but deserving students from different schools. This was initiated by WM Jun Necessario, WB Ric Alvarez, WB Bert Esperat and Bro. Bay Aquino who also personally helped other students on their own.

The other exemplary, meritorious and outstanding contributions of the Lodge in partnership with the City Government of Cavite and its inhabitants were: feeding and scholarships programs to the students of Bagumbuhay, Lorenzo Ruiz, Porta Vaga, Dalahican, Ovidio dela Rosa Elem Schools and Cavite National High School; participation in Alay-Lakad program, Independence Day, Ladislao Diwa, Julian Felipe, Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite, Jose Rizal and Cavite Mutiny of 1872 celebrations; providing financial assistance and support to persons with disabilities; instituted drug awareness programs through the conduct of symposiums and seminars; medical and dental missions; financial assistance and support in the renovation of San Rafael Chapel at Barangay 42C (Pinagbuklod, San Antonio, Cavite City; and many others.

Through the years, the Lodge moves forward and has remained steadfast to its chosen name "New Life" (In Cahavacano dialect - Nuevo Vida).

To the brethren of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4, congratulations, happy birthday and more power.

And a million thanks to the City Government of Cavite more particularly to the City Council of Cavite.

(Note: Attached herewith is reproduction of the resolution, as soon as the original copy is already scanned and available, same will again be posted to form part of the documented materials for future references).

(The above resolution was originally posted at West to East yahoogroup by Bro Ric Alvarez)