Loyalty-To Whom

It is interesting to read a posting regarding "loyalty" when a pointed question could be brought as to whose side one has to plead "loyalty" to? Who takes priority and deserves closer attention, our local mother Lodge or the more distant, grandeur, and sometimes pompous Grand Lodge?

Maybe we need to see another example of what loyalty is all about by taking a note of Isarog Lodge No. 33's history. Had their members plead their loyalty to the Grand Lodges instead of their OWN mother Lodge, I wonder where they at today? Had there was not a unity in this Lodge and individual members choose what Grand Lodge they would be "loyal to," this Lodge probably disintegrated long time ago. Here is an example of Brotherhood in action, a decision was made, supported, and carried out as a Lodge --- one unit — one body not as an individual star player.

For full article: Loyalty.

F/
RmOlano
Hanford Lodge No. 279
Grand Lodge of CA (F&AM)

Tale of Two Lodges

Looking for a map of Olongapo City, I stumbled on a history of Lincoln Lodge No. 34 posted in their previously unknown (to me) website. I took the liberty of minor editing and of pasting old photos (also obtained from the website) and other sources to give the readers visual references. It was very interesting to realize the connection of Lincoln Lodge No. 382 with Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 291, under the jurisdiction of Gran Logia Regional de Filipinas. Considering the distance and geographical barrier between the two cities—Cavite and Olongapo, one might be tempted to wonder the linkage. At the time (or once upon a time), in view of the presence of US naval bases in both locations and their military/naval and local civilian Freemasons, the mother-daughter relationship was therefore, not a mere coincidence.

Had Fate were not been so unkind, it would be wonderful to discern and pleasure of knowing who my grandmother Lodge was before my mother Lodge let me go. Though time is relative, I am glad to know my uncles from Bagong Buhay Lodge whether they are from Nos. 291, 17 or 4. They all came from an institution that begat my mother Lodge.

To Bagong Buhay Lodge which just celebrated their 100th Year anniversary---my congratulations and fraternal embrace. Thank you for having the quality of men who exemplified and practiced the Tenets of our Fraternity. Marami pong Salamat.

To Lincoln Lodge, Thank you for the memories.

A History of Lincoln Lodge.



F/
RmOlano
Hanford Lodge No. 279
Grand Lodge of CA (F&AM)

Cavite's Illustrious XIII Martyrs

(Inspirational Message delivered by a brother Mason during the Commemoration of the 111th Martyrdom of the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite held at the XIII Martyrs Centennial Plaza, Isthmus of Rosario, San Roque, Cavite City, Philippines on or about 7:30 A.M., Wednesday, September 12, 2007)

Perhaps, one of the reasons why I was chosen to deliver an inspirational message this morning by the Chairman of today’s affair, the Hon. Larry Crawford aside from being a former City Councilor is my affiliation to Freemasonry. It’s an open book that whenever we touched the Philippines and the Cavite City history, we always encountered and read the words “Masons” and “Masonry” or “Freemasonry”. May be because, or as based from the history books, the Katipunan adopted the “Masonic Procedures” in getting members into the secret society, and perhaps, most of the Katipuneros were leaders and members of Freemasonry.

My simple message is about the sad fate in the life of the 13 Martyrs; how, when and who initiated the construction of the monument; and what are the participation of Freemasonry in the Philippine Revolution of 1896.

But first, please allow me to greet and extend my wealthy greetings to the Hon. City Mayor Bro. Bernardo S. Paredes, life member of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4, Vice Mayor Romeo Ramos, to the members of the City Council, department heads and employees of the City Government, supervisors, principals, teachers and students of the different schools in the City, officers and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Cavite City Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection, different civic and religious organizations present this morning, to our senior citizens and elderly associations, friends of the City library and museum association, barangay nutrition scholars, barangay health workers, persons with disabilities and urban poor associations, to the young group of Teatro Baile de Cavite who performed the re-enactment of the execution of the XIII Martyrs, Garita Elementary School drum and lyre, to the pupils of Julian Felipe Elementary School, my alma mater, to MW Jaime V. Bantolo, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands and adopted son of Cavite City, to my brethren from Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4, later on, the Lodge will be awarded the Order of XIII Martyrs, to be permanently honored, commended, recognized and to be enshrined as the new member of the Cavite City Hall of Fame, and of course to the descendants of the XIII Martyrs of Cavite, other distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen.

“THE SUCCESSFUL REVOLUTION OF 1896 WAS MASONICALLY INSPIRED, MASONICALLY LED, AND MASONICALLY EXECUTED. AND I VENTURE TO SAY THAT THE FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC OF WHICH I WAS ITS HUMBLE PRESIDENT WAS AN ACHIEVEMENT WE OWE LARGELY TO MASONRY AND THE MASONS…” (President General WB Emilio Famy Aguinaldo, a Mason and member of Logia Pilar in Imus, Cavite, founder and Past Master of Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Lodge No. 31, now Lodge No. 5 under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI).

Philippine Masonry played an important role in the 1896 Philippine revolution against Spain and the Fraternity of Masons had noble mission of liberating the country through the organization of the Katipunan which was founded by Masons. Bro. Ladislao Diwa, Bro. Andres Bonifacio and Bro. Teodoro Plata, the K.K.K. triumvirate, were all Masons.

With the turn of events, Freemasons were placed under surveillance by the Spanish authorities. The distrust arose from the fact that the leaders and members of the Katipunan were mostly Masons and that had adopted some of the rituals of Freemasonry; such as the conferring of degrees, secret ceremonies and the adoption of symbolic names, like our very own Bro. Ladislao Diwa. In the Katipunan his symbolic name is “Balite”, and in Masonry, it’s “Baguio”, and he was conferred degrees in secret ceremonies by both the Katipunan and the Masonry. These two (2) organizations were often mistaken one for the other.

In August 1896, at the height of the Filipino uprising, the Spanish authorities were alarmed and a series of retaliatory measures were conducted. Arrest, tortures and execution became the order of the day in Manila, Cavite and nearby provinces. Several innocent Filipinos were arrested, tortured and forced in signing written confessions but were not allowed to read the contents. With these confessions in the hands of the Spanish authorities, the arrests were inevitable. In Cavite City, first to be arrested among the Cavite’s illustrious thirteen (13) men were Bros. Severino Lapidario, Alfonso de Ocampo and Luis Aguado. They were brought to the cruiser Don Antonio de Ulloa for interrogation. Thereat, Bros. Lapidario and de Ocampo were tortured, for every negative answers reaped brutal beating and as expected, forced confessions were extracted. The house of Bro. Maximo Inocencio was searched for remington rifles, the offices of Warden Bro. Severino Lapidario and Assistant Warden Alfonso de Ocampo were also searched for bolos and other weapons but they found nothing except for Masonic paraphernalias. Nevertheless, it was reported that the confiscated materials were anti-Spain. And one by one, the rest of the thirteen martyrs were arrested and detained at Fort San Felipe including Julian Felipe, Ramon Macauas, Jose A. Reyes, and many others. The thirteen martyrs were implicated in the propaganda movement and accused of alleged conspiracy to overthrow the Spanish government, while some for being suspected members of the Katipunan, and others for being active members of Masonry.

The thirteen martyrs were tried by military tribunal known as the Consejo de Guerra or Council of War. Although represented by their respective counsels, some were not allowed to testify and professed ignorance of any conspiracy, and the verdict…despite for lack of material evidences, all of them were found guilty of rebellion and imposed upon them “the penalty of death”.

That was one hundred eleven (111) years ago, a few minutes after highnoon, September 12 of 1896, infront of the Filipino people, infront of the Cavitenos, the condemned thirteen (13) illustrious men were escorted by Spanish soldiers out of Fort San Felipe to the Plaza de Armas, hands tied at their backs, blind folded and in kneeling positions, the honorable and patriotic sons of the land, were shot from behind.

BY 12:45 P.M., the official doctor, Francisco Masip had examined the fallen, inert bodies of the thirteen men and pronounced “All of them dead”.

Among the thirteen martyrs executed, ten (10) were Masons, Bros. Maximo Inocencio, Jose Lallana, Eugenio Cabezas, Maximo Gregorio, Hugo Perez, Alfonso de Ocampo, Luis Aguado, Victoriano Luciano, Severino Lapidario and Felipe Cabuco. And eight (8) out of the ten (10) were members of Espana En Filipinas Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Gran Oriente Nacional de Espana, one of the oldest Lodge formed in the Philippines before the Filipino uprising. If these eight (8) martyr Masons were not executed, they would have been members of Bagong Buhay Lodge because in 1906 when the Lodge was formed, prominent Masons who were raised from other Lodges or places but residents of Cavite City affiliated to Bagong Buhay Lodge. The non-Masons were; Francisco Osorio, Antonio de San Agustin and Agapito Conchu.

The lifeless bodies of the illustrious thirteen martyrs were carried and loaded in three (3) carabao-drawn carts, guarded by six (6) Spanish soldiers armed with rifles and bayonets and their remains were brought to the convent or Catholic Cemetery at Caridad, The wealthy family of Maximo Inocencio, Francisco Osorio, Luis Aguado, Hugo Perez and Victoriano Luciano were appropriately placed in separate coffins and buried their remains in a common grave but the underprivileged one, Maximo Gregorio, Feliciano Cabuco, Antonio de San Agustin, Agapito Conchu, Eugenio Cabezas, Jose Lallana, Severino Lapidario and Alfonso de Ocampo without any caskets were buried altogether in only one grave.

Eight (8) years after the execution, in June 1904, a group of young inhabitants of the community led by Masons together with the descendants of the thirteen martyrs proposed the construction of a monument, in honor of the thirteen Martyrs of Cavite. On September 12, 1904, at Ballesteros Street, now named in honor of Hugo Perez, one of the thirteen martyrs, formed a committee, chaired by Don Ceferino Picache, Past Master of Bagong Buhay Lodge in 1936, grandfather of former ABC and City Councilor Boyie Picache and Grandfather of the wife of former Councilor Boboy dela Rosa, our City Librarian, Jocelyn Picache dela Rosa.

After nine (9) years, in September 1905 under the able leadership of Dr. Catalino Nicolas, Chairman of the Comite Ejecutivo (Executive Committee) and also Municipal President of United Cavite in 1903-1904, grand uncle of Nanay Puring Ballesteros and great grand uncle of Dra. Teresa Ballesteros-Baleda, our City Veterinarian; Don Juan Matias, Secretary; and Don Nicasio Desiderio, Treasurer, they were able to raise funds in the amount of one thousand (Php1,000.00) pesos, which is already a huge amount at that time.

After ten (10) years, September 12, 1906 to be exact, the monument was finally constructed. Again the Cavitenos led by brother Masons of Bagong Buhay Lodge exhumed the remains of the thirteen martyrs and in a public procession escorted, transferred and interred in the newly constructed final resting place, right here, in Isthmus of Rosario, the monument of the Thirteen Martyrs was inaugurated, in honor and memory of the departed sons of Cavite, The Thirteen Martyrs.

The President of the Executive Committee Dr. Catalino Nicolas and Don Gervacio Pangilinan, Cavite Historian, Municipal President of United Cavite in 1919-1921, Past Master of Bagong Buhay Lodge in 1937 and grandfather of Mr. Willy Pangilinan, member of the Cavite Historical Institute delivered a short but meaningful and memorable messages while Dr. Justo Lukban expressed his own in a form of poem, and since then the commemoration was celebrated annually.

In 1930, Bro. Ramon Samonte, Municipal President of United Cavite (1928-1930, 1931-1933), also former governor of Cavite province, a member of Bagong Buhay Lodge, and the great grand father of Councilor Larry Crawford led the first renovation of the monument.

In 1997, Atty. Timoteo O. Encarnacion, Jr., historian, lawyer and Mayor of Cavite City (1989-1992, 1992-1995, 1995-1998, 1998-2001) led the further renovation and remodeling of the monument in a more distinctive and significant views, renamed and now called, “The XIII Martyrs Centennial Plaza”.

Last year September 12, 2006, we had celebrated the 100 years existence of the monument and 110th martyrdom of the Cavite’s illustrious thirteen martyrs, and today, we are commemorating the 111th martyrdom of the famous “Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite”, the honorable and patriotic sons of Cavite City.

Good day and muchos gracias!

Bro. Ric Alvarez
Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 F & A M
Cavite City, Philippines

Unforgettable IGLPI First Founding Anniversary

On or about 5:00 P.M., September 9, 2007 (Sunday) at the Cavite School of Life, Panapaan II, Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines, the IGLPI celebrated its First Founding Anniversary. The memorable event registered more than two hundred twenty five (225) members of the eight (8) Lodges under the jurisdiction of the IGLPI, including some visiting brethren from other jurisdiction. The affair was unforgettable when more than seventy five (75) sisters, wives and daughters appeared and supported the gatherings of the brethren. We can safely say that in the history of Freemasonry in Cavite province, it's the first time that such big number of Mason's family gathered together.

The Ladies of the IGLPI even showed their strong support to the Lodges during the District Council meetings and other IGLPI activities when they prepared foods and drinks for the brethren. It never happened yesterday, even once.

To show their real support to the IGLPI brethren, Sisters Estrella del Mundo and Marilyn Rodriguez informed the attendees that since the member brethren of the Order of the Amaranth were suspended and declared clandestine Masons, in a formal letter sent to the Royal Matron, they withdrew their membership from the Order of the Amaranth and officially announced that they were the Ladies of the IGLPI, and soon to organize the "LADIES OF SQUARE AND COMPASSES"., Long Live!!!, the Ladies of Square and Compasses.

At about 6:00 P.M., a thanksgiving mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Liberato Gonzaga, Diocese of the Cathedral, Iglesia Filipina Independiente, Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines.

In the program proper, the Grand Chaplain, VW Bayani R. Leoncio delivered an invocation, followed by the mass singing of the Philippine National Anthem and IGLPI March and then RW Nicolas G. Ricafrente Deputy Grand Master welcomed the guests, brethren and sisters.

Before dinner, the Ladies of the IGLPI entertained the brethren in between the reflection delivered by VW Evaristo del Mundo of Pintong Bato Lodge No. 9, a Master Mason with fifty two (52) great years of Masonic services, an outstanding Master Mason... they expelled.

Another interesting and notable performance, one of the Ladies Nanay Naida Adriano at the age of seventy five (75) years old gracefully showed her talent and skills in dancing side by side with the younger ones.

As the sumptuous dinner being served, a film presentation of IGLPI's activities are being shown then the offering of toast to the G.A.O.T.U for the blessings, for the IGLPI's successful celebration of the Grand Lodge First Founding Anniversary, the continuous support rendered by the Lodges and brethren, the recognition of foreign Grand Lodges and the long, rough and rugged journey of the Grand Lodge. For every offering of toast, the brethren joyously sang "Happy Bithday".

The message of the Guest of Honor and Speaker, the Honorable Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, Congressman, Cavite First District, Philippines and great grandson of the first president of the Republic of the Philippines, Gen. WB Emilio Aguinaldo, touched the victorious Katipuneros during the 1896 Philippine revolution and received an outstanding ovation from the brethren since the delivery are quite familiar and similar to the situation when the brethren declared independence from their mother Grand Lodge.

The Grand Officers headed by MW Jaime V. Bantolo presented a memento to the Honorable Congressman in appreciation of being the first Guest of Honor and Speaker of the IGLPI first founding anniversary.

One of the highlights of the affair was the presentation of the Grand Lodge Award to some individuals who in one way or another extended their genuine and sincere commitment to the formation of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI). The brethren's great effort and meritorious commitment extended to Freemasonry serves as an inspiration to the members of the IGLPI and other brethren withersoever dispersed.

It's only but fitting recognition, the awardees of the First IGLPI Award:

VWB Regalado B. Manimtim PDDGM (Tagaytay Lodge No. 165 GLP)

VWB Medardo Benjamin O. Apacible PDDGM (Kalilayan Lodge No. 37 and Araw Lodge No. 18 GLP)

VWB Rolly H. Sarmiento PDDGM-Posthumous Award (Jose Rizal Lodge No. 1172, New York, USA, Araw Lodge No. 18 GLP, Mendez-Nunez Lodge No. 316 GLP and Mendez-Nunez Lodge No. 8 IGLPI)

Hon. Bro. Mayor Federico A. Poblete (Municipal Mayor of Kawit, Cavite, EAM Lodge No. 31)

Bro. Rudy M. Olano (Hanford Lodge No. 279, Grand Lodge of California)

A Certificate of Appreciation was also presented to Bro. Ernesto V. Yu, Pintong Bato Lodge No. 9 and owner of the Cavite School of Life.

Finally the Grand Master's message (Posted in west to east egroup entitled "The Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI) First Founding Anniversary - - The Journey of 365 Days".

SOUVENIR PHOTO...FIREWORKS. ..FELLOWSHIP. ..BALLROOM DANCING..

Bro. Ric Alvarez
Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 F & A M
Cavite City, Philippines

The Journey of 365 Days

THE INDEPENDENT GRAND LODGE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS (IGLPI)
- FIRST FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY-

-THE JOURNEY OF 365 DAYS

( Message of MW Jaime V Bantolo, GM, IGLPI

on September 9, 2007 at Cavite School of Life, Bacoor Cavite)

Greetings !!!


How does one feel to be one (1) year old?

How does Pilar Lodge feel to be 115 years old?

How does Cavite Lodge feel to be 105 years old?

Or how does Bagong Buhay Lodge feel to be 100 years old?

How does Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Lodge feel to be 92 years old?

How does Pintong Bato Lodge feel to be 88 years old?

How does Bagong Ilaw Lodge feel to be 82 years old?

How does La Naval Lodge feel to be 23 years old?

How does Mendez Nunez Lodge feel to be 10 years old?

An infant at age one has just learned to walk on two legs or crawl on both hands and feet. He has learned to recognize faces, things or place. He has learned to feel, to respond to touch. He has learned to use his senses.He has to be propped up and assisted, fed, washed, bathe, cloth. His body system is constantly switched – on.


A man at age 100 has ceased to walk or to crawl on both legs and feet. He does not recognize faces, places or things. He has lost his feelings and does not respond to touch. He senses are failing, He has to be propped up and assisted by – a wheelchair, a ventilator, a pacemaker, a hearing aid, eyeglasses, a food blender, a dialysis machine, a heart lung machine, etc. His body system is slowly switched-off.

In between, man goes through a vibrant youth and adult life. A period of progressive perfection of his GOD given talents where his useful undertakings are rewarded; while on the other hand, a period of abuse and misuse is punished with defeat, loss, sickness, death.

On that fateful afternoon of September 10, 2006, we read the Declaration of Independence and lawfully, properly, regularly, constituted the Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands in fitting ceremonies at the President General WB Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine at Kawit, Cavite, Philippines. We re-chartered and renumbered our Lodges as Masonic tradition dictates. The interim Grand Lodge officers took their oath of office. The new Grand Lodge Standard and Seal was adopted. The new Grand Lodge March was sung. The Lodges received their new Charters and the old ones were turned over. The Lodges received their new Lodge Standard while their old ones were lowered and retired. From then on, we continued to switched – on our systems.

The journey started a long time ago

The journey of IGLPI was a journey in search of further light in the pursuit of true masonry. GLP PGM Raymond E Wilmarth said “
“The service we render to Masonry must be to support its tenets, enforce its traditions, and safeguard its fundamental status in civilization as the Brotherhood of Men under the Fatherhood of God. Our discipline is to change ourselves to fit Masonry – not to change Masonry to fit ourselves…If we cannot change ourselves, perhaps It would be better to change from Freemasonry to whatever association we find fits us… “


And so, we left the Grand Lodge. But we never left Masonry. Instead, we continued to search for true Masonry where we become fit and proper. Thus we formed the IGLPI.

What is Masonry?… Bro Newton defined it from a German Handbuck , an Encyclopedia of Masonry, 1900, Vol I, p 320
" Masonry is the activity of closely united men who, employing symbolical forms borrowed principally from the mason’s trade and from architecture, work for the welfare of mankind, striving morally to ennoble themselves and others, and thereby to bring about a universal league of mankind, which they aspire to exhibit even now in a small scale..”


Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Jose Rizal embarked on the project to establish Lodges in the Philippines exclusive only to Filipinos for two (2) reasons:

First- That Masonry could help unify the Filipinos and mobilize them with a sense of nationhood.
Second.- The Filipino Masons perceived Masonry as the “ universal protest against the ambition of tyrants” as the “supreme manifestation of democracy”, as the organization which could transform the Philippines “ from a downtrodden Spanish colony, poor and sickly, without rights and liberties, into a dignified, free and prosperous nation.”,


And so the IGLPI was later born.

Jose Rizal said that” Masons should not rest so long as the world nurtures a tyrant, so long as the night gathers in its echoes the moans of the oppressed, so long as there are slaves, so long as there are oppressors. And this work is perhaps the greatest that Masonry has imposed upon
itself and the only one worthy of its universal name…”


And the tyrants and oppressors are gone and forgotten in our craft.


As Albert Pike wrote in Morals and Dogmas 1873…” A true Mason does not lie, neither in a little nor in a great thing; neither in the substance nor in the circumstance; neither in the word nor in the deed. His words that which deceives, equally with that which is false…”..


And those who lied are gone and forgotten in our craft.

A year ago, we signed the Declaration of Independence. We were 7 Lodges then. Now we are 8 lodges. A year ago, 154 signed the Declaration of Independence. Today, NOT one of those who signed left. They are all still here with us. A year ago, there were MANY spiritually united in our goals for reform, justice and democracy. Today there are many more who share, understand or sympathize with our faith and resolve for a better Freemasonry. Let us remain as Brothers even to those who do not share our longings. We have to understand how even Christianity suffered before it grew; or how Freemasonry was persecuted before it found acceptance.

Our one (1) year of life and success is a testimony of all your efforts and perseverance and sacrifices. I salute you, each and everyone of you here and those not here. We are IGLPI.

Hindi tayo tatantanan ng kabila na akitin na bumalik na daw sa kanila. O baka kaya hadlangan ang ating paglalayag? Ngayon pa? Pagkatapos ng lahat.! Now that we are one, united and harmonious in our journey to true masonry! .

We have so many reasons to celebrate today. We are one and united. We remain harmonious We continue to receive Petitions. We continue to meet, transact business and elect officials. We continue to formulate rules to guide our administration. We continue to communicate with other Brethrens with websites and blogsites developed by the labor of love of our friends. We continue to consolidate. We continue to strengthen our organizations. We continue to solidify. Our IGLPI is ALIVE.

There are many more things to do in the next few years. We will proceed to strengthen and stabilize our finances. We will proceed thence to build our capital investments. We will proceed to enhance our image and prestige in the Masonic world. We will develop our Masonic Education System. We will improve our Lodges and until thence we will build our Grand Lodge Temple.

I charge you, all of us, to be stouthearted. Fear not, what men can do unto you. But have faith always in the GAOTU whose blessings we should always seek .Be BRAVE. Let everyone be an EXEMPLAR of a TRUE and GOOD Mason.

We shall build a family of Masons. I had urged everyone to come and be with your love ones tonight. So we can always remember that Masonry teaches us that a family of Masons, can eventually evolved into a family of nations that will truly serve mankind.

Sa ating lahat—Happy Birthday !

Sa maraming Kapatid na tumulong upang makarating tayo dito ngayon at sa hinaharap, Maraming Salamat po!.


September 9, 2007-JVB

THE THIRTEEN MARTYRS MONUMENT

One hundred eleven years ago, on or about 12:45 P.M., September 12, 1896 at Plaza de Armas, Fort San Felipe (constructed in the year 1637), the people of Cavite personally witnessed the execution of the thirteen (13) honorable and patriotic sons of the land. They were implicated in the propaganda and accused in instigating revolutionary movement against Spain, while some for being suspected members of the Katipunan, and others for being an active Masons.

On August 31, 1896, one by one, they were arrested, and executed on September 12, 1896. Among the thirteen martyrs shot, ten were Masons, namely: Maximo Inocencio, 64, a rich proprietor; Jose Lallana, 54, a tailor and a former corporal of the Spanish Marines; Eugenio Cabezas, 41, a clerk at the Cavite Arsenal; Maximo Gregorio, 40, another clerk at the Cavite Arsenal; Hugo Perez, 40, a physician and a member of the Katipunan; Alfonso de Ocampo, 36, a Spanish mestizo who is also a member of the Katipunan; Severino Lapidario, 38, Chief Warden of the Provincial Jail and another member of the Katipunan; Luis Aguado, 33, an employee of the Cavite Arsenal; Victoriano Luciano, 32, a pharmacist and poet; and Feliciano Cabuco, 31, an employee of the Navy Hospital in Cavite. The Three Non-Masons were: Francisco Osorio, 36, a Chinese mestizo and contractor; Antonio de San Agustin, 36, a surgeon and businessman; and Agapito Conchu, 33, a teacher, musician and painter.

The lifeless bodies of the Sons of Cavite were carried into a garbage cart, guarded by six Spanish soldiers armed with rifles and bayonets brought to the Convent cemetery at Caridad. The wealthy family of Maximo Inocencio, Francisco Osorio, Luis Aguado, Hugo Perez and Victoriano Luciano buried their remains appropriately in separate coffins but the underprivileged one, Maximo Gregorio, Feliciano Cabuco, Antonio San Agustin, Agapito Conchu, Eugenio Cabezas (brother of Roberto Cabezas, the first candidate of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 291), Jose Lallana, Severino Lapidario and Alfonso de Ocampo without caskets were buried altogether in only one grave.

After eight years, in June 1904, a group of young men and other inhabitants of the community known as the “Samahan ng Kabataang Kabitenyo”, (Association of Young Cavitenos) held a dance party, thereat, the group decided to sponsor a meaningful project, in honor of the 13 Martyrs of Cavite. On Monday night, September 12, 1904 at Ballesteros Street, now named in honor of Hugo Perez, one of the 13 Martyrs, the nationalistic young Cavitenos held a formal meeting and a committee was formed chaired by Don Ceferino Picache, Past Master of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 17 (1936) and discussed the possibility of putting up a monument in honor and memory of the 13 Martyrs of Cavite. The following Saturday night, September 17, 1904, Dona Baltazara Adriosola Reyes suggested to invite and involved wealthy family in the community. On Sunday afternoon of September 25, 1904, together with the invited guests, they agreed to raise funds through donations of the members, distinguished and other wealthy Cavitenos in the community. They also formed a Comite Ejecutivo (Executive Committee) chaired by Dr. Catalino Nicolas, Don Juan Matias, Secretary and Don Nicasio Desiderio, Treasurer, to oversee the project.

After one year, they were able to raise 1,000 pesos and they started to put up the foundation. In the afternoon of September 12, 1905, a simple program was held with Joaquin Balmori and Jose Turiano Santiago of Manila and Alejandro Fojas of Tanza, Cavite were invited as guest speakers.

Ten years after the execution of the 13 Martyrs, September 12, 1906, the Cavitenos led by brother Masons of Bagong Buhay Lodge marched from Magallanes Street, Cavite District Proper up to the Convent cemetery in Caridad. The remains of the Martyrs were exhumed and in public procession, again led by brother Masons escorted, transferred and interred in the newly constructed final resting place at Isthmus of Rosario, now called “The Thirteen Martyrs Centennial Plaza. The Monument was formally inaugurated, in honor and memory of the departed Sons of Cavite.

At the inner part or basement of the monument, a box made of mulawen wood covered with thick lead are documents of agreement in the construction of the monument written in a papel culado or pergamino (bleached or white paper) while newspapers/bulletins were saved in a bungbong na bubog (glass cylinder), where all expressions of appreciations and recognitions in the construction of the monument were written. Also preserved are old currencies in different denominations used at that time.

The President of the Executive Committee, Dr. Catalino Nicolas and Don Gervacio Pangilinan, Cavite Historian, Municipal President of United Cavite (1919-1921), and Past Master of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 17 (1937) during the affair, delivered a short but meaningful and memorable messages while Dr. Justo Lukban expressed his own in a form of poem, and since then the commemoration was celebrated annually.

In 1930, Bro. Ramon Samonte, of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 17, Municipal President of United Cavite (1928-1930, 1931-1933) and in 1997, Atty. Timoteo O. Encarnacion, Jr., Cavite Historian and Mayor of Cavite City (1989-1992, 1992-1995, 1995-1998, 1998-2001) led the renovation of the monument in a more distinctive and significant views.

On or about 7:30 A.M., Wednesday of September 12, 2007, Cavite City Government will celebrate the 111th Death Anniversary of the “Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite”, the Honorable and Patriotic Sons of Cavite City.

Bro. Ric Alvarez
Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4

For Good Men

by RmOlano
08Sep07

Brother Edmund Burke (1729-1797) of Jerusalem Lodge No. 4, London, a staunch supporter of American Colonies, advocates anti-slavery among other things, once said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."In Brother Ric Alvares of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 aptly titled article, “A Cry for Justice,” the lack of progress in solving the assassination of Brother Bishop Alberto Ramento (1936-2006) is not unforeseen.

Reading our late Brother Bishop Alberto Ramento membership and affiliation, one would not doubt the highly charged ground he threaded on. The very same reasons of his character bear the testimony of this long list of type of undertaking he was involved. Our Brother stood up for what he believed--- an act worthy of emulation contrast to many excuses we often heard about fighting corruption.

Once upon a time our Craft made a difference; once upon a time our Craft were composed of ordinary men and did extraordinary effort under extraordinary circumstances. They are not perfect and so was the result nevertheless, the Filipino people inherited a Nation.

Brother Bishop Alberto Ramento was an answer to Brother Edmund Burke statement, the kind of Filipino Mason Mr. Rodel Ramos was wondering about and the example to not only to Juan dela Cruz but most importantly to all Filipino Masons regardless of affiliation and jurisdictions. The kind of Mason we wanted to be.

For full article. For Good Men.

A CRY FOR JUSTICE

BRO. BISHOP ALBERTO B. RAMENTO, 9th Obispo Maximo, I.F.I. and the First Priest Member of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 (formerly Lodge No.17)

“I KNOW THEY ARE GOING TO KILL ME NEXT BUT NEVER WILL I ABANDON MY DUTY TO GOD AND MY MINISTRY TO THE PEOPLE”
(A statement of Bishop Alberto B. Ramento to his family before his death)

On or about 4:00 A.M., 03 October 2006 in the Parish of San Sebastian, Tarlac City, unidentified persons broke through the rectory of the church and entered the room where Most Reverend Alberto B. Ramento was sleeping. With intent to kill, and all the elements of treachery, he was stabbed several times by the faceless murderer in the different parts of the body that caused his instantaneous death.

Accordingly, based from the initial police investigation report, the incident was a mere case of robbery with homicide. However, the Ramento family believed that the motive is much deeper than what has come out from the spot report for there are obvious indications that Bishop Ramento’s murder was allegedly planned and politically motivated. They believed that the good bishop was silenced because of his principled engagement with the people and their struggle for the fullness of life.

The sudden journey of Bishop Ramento to the Eternal Home to live with his Creator brought marks of grief and sadness into the hearts of his family, to all the people of Cavite City as well as for the whole nation, considering the fact that he is well-loved pastor by his clergy and faithful, has earned the reputation as a social prophet, and an icon in the nationalist struggle of the Filipino masses with his uncompromising stand for national sovereignty and patrimony.

Bishop Ramento was born on August 9, 1936 at Guimba, Nueva Ecija. His parents were Felipe Curpoz Ramento and Margarita Bermudez Baldovino. He was married to Celerina V. Mendoza of Hermosa, Bataan (Sister of VW Leonardo Mendoza PDGL and member of non-existing Pilar Lodge No. 15). They were blessed with four children, namely: Alberto II (Aldos); Aleli, Alberto III (Altres); and Liezel. His three great uncles were I.F.I pioneer priests; Rev. Frs. Adriano Mendoza, Anastacio and Luis Curpoz.

He finished his course in B.S. Theology in 1958. His first assignment was in Malabon, Metro Manila, as an Assistant Priest from June to August 1958. He was transferred and became the Parish Priest of St. Anthony de Padua of San Antonio, Cavite City from 1958 to 1969. He became the Diocesan of Cavite from 1970 to 1993 and it was also during the year 1993 when he was elected and became the 9th Obispo Maximo of Iglesia Filipina Independiente. At the time of his death, he was the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Tarlac.

Some of Bro. Bishop Ramento’s Ecumenical Involvement:

Member, Executive Commission, National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Co-Chairman, Ecumenical Bishop’s Forum
Member, National Social Action Commission
Third Party Depository on the GRP-NDF Peace Talks
Convenor, Pilgrims for Peace
Co-Chairman, Philippine Peace Center
Initiator, Peace for Life
Founding Convenor, Movement of Concerned Citizens for Civil Liberties
Provincial Chairman, KARAPATAN-Tarlac
Judge, International People’s Court, 2005
Member, Presidium, Citizens Congress for Truth and Accountability, 2005
Chairperson, Workers Assistance Center, Inc. Cavite, 2006
Considering his outstanding service to his people, he was chosen as one of the Adopted Sons of Cavite City and was awarded as an Outstanding Caviteno during the year 1993. He was also a recipient of the Outstanding Son of Cavite, Province of Cavite, Philippines in the year 2004.

He was a family to the pioneer members of the Parish of St. Anthony de Padua. He was deeply involved in administering not only the spiritual needs of Aglipayan community but also helped his people materially. He was also instrumental in the renovation of the church. When he met and married Sis. Celerina on May 4, 1963, he considered Cavite City his permanent home.

In Masonry, Bro. Bishop Ramento was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft Mason, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in the year 1968 and the first priest member of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 (formerly Lodge No. 17).

The untimely demise of Bro. Bishop Ramento is a great loss not only for the Iglesia Filipina Independiente but also for the ecumenical movement and people’s organizations.

At the age of 70, the victim of injustice, Most Reverend Bro. Alberto Baldovino Ramento, a fatherly pastor, a social prophet, an uncompromising nationalist, a peacemaker, a champion of the peoples’ cause, and a Mason, now joins the G.A.O.T.U.

“The I.F.I., the Faithful, the Fraternity - Cry for Justice”

Bro. Ric Alvarez
Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 F & A M
President, Kapatirang Alagad I.F.I (1999)

Sources / References

Most Reverend Godofredo J. David, 11th Obispo Maximo. Statement of the I.F.I. on the Brutal Killing of Bishop Alberto B. Ramento, 9th Obispo Maximo, I.F.I. October 4, 2006.
Cavaliers and The Hall of Fame, Cavite City.
Cavite City Council Resolution No. 06-138 October 9, 2006.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

Seven (7) years ago, it was done... but only selected participants knew the values of the historical endeavors. And after seven (7) long years, I only now realized that it is my duty to disseminate to the Filipino people especially the Cavitenos that there exist a time capsule that contained important and memorable events that transpired in the City of Cavite, but there’s an old quotation saying, “it’s better late than never”, so, I decided to move on and do what I know is my obligation to our inhabitants, just like any interested individual, for it is also their right to inform everybody, for anything they valued and appreciated, and that would benefited each and every peace loving Caviteno, more particularly the young generation.

The concept started when we were researching good materials to be incorporated to our souvenir program in connection with the Bagong Buhay Lodge centennial commemoration on August 11, 2007. I was then at home, and have just finished doing some household chores when I saw an old issue of Cabletow, official organ of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines Volume 75, No. 5 dated January-February 1999.

The front and back covers shows the Trece Martires de Bagumbayan Marker located at the Japanese Garden, Luneta, Manila. The inside front cover are the Markers of the Trece Martires de Bagumbayan and the Message of MW Enrique L. Locsin Centennial Grand Master. On the inside back cover are photos taken during the Unveiling Ceremony.

For a moment, I was stunned and speechless, and something cherish in my mind, that the then City Mayor Timoteo O. Encarnacion, Jr. issued Executive Order No. 7 dated October 27, 1999 creating a Millennium Time Capsule, Marker and Perpetuation Committee who are task to research, collate and record significant events, great personalities, trivia and other related subject matters that transpired and emerged in Cavite City for the past 1,000 years.

The enormous tasked was assigned to me and chaired the Committee. Together with the members, namely Ms. Jocelyn dela Rosa, City Librarian; Ms. Remedios Ordonez, retired school teacher and member Cavite City Historical Committee and City Tourism Council; Mr. Leon Young Jr. member Cavite City Historical Committee; and Mr. Victor Rufin, Executive Secretary to the City Mayor; researched and prepared the Tagalog-English-Spanish Dictionary, biography of Cavite patriots, great personalities and trivia; collected important materials pertaining to the history of Cavite City, the City’s Great Seal, the City Hymn, and the City March, and other significant events and related subject matters that transpired and emerged in Cavite City for the past one thousand (1,000) years while Architect Noelito Atangan of the City Engineer’s Office designed the time capsule and marker; and Ms. Nora Buenaventura, and Rosemarie Basuil, Assistant Secretary and Stenographic Reporter III, respectively of the City Council assisted in compiling the records.

We didn’t waste our time, upon received of the gargantuan order, we immediately conducted an intensive and exhaustive research and interviews. We have to work hard even in the wee hours to finish our assignment on time, for we have a time table, the ceremony was scheduled come January 1, 2000.

The mission was very interesting, you do research, you gain more knowledge, you conduct interviews, you meet nice people, and most importantly was the wholehearted support extended by the members coming from different offices in the City Government. In just two (2) months of being together, camaraderie born-out amongst us, the respect for each and everyone was crystal clear of signified intention to spread the importance of City history and be form part of it with noble cause.

It was also worthy of remembering the assistance of City’s local historian, some individuals, organizations and associations in their way of extending contributions and donations, like the collection of poems, essays, riddles, short stories, the Holy Bible, rosary, instructions on how to play old Filipino or childhood games like “patintero, tumbang preso, piko, sipa, sungka, and even including a rubber bond with a stick of “walis tingting”, names of residents of the City as of 1999, list of registered voters, total number of population, recipes of Tagalog and Chavacano viands, old and new pictures of government and private buildings, memorable markers, historical and educational books authored by different personalities, and many others; and of course the food and drinks for our snacks or lunch with corresponding thoughtfulness and encouragement.

It was at this juncture, when I said to myself, “Why not include the history of Masonry and Lodges in Cavite City?” It’s an open book that Masonry played a vital role during the Spanish, American, Japanese, and even in the modern period. There were many prominent personalities who contributed in the history of the City that were members of Cavite Lodge No. 2, Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 17 (now Lodge No. 4) and La Naval Lodge No. 269 (now Lodge No. 7), all found in Cavite City.

With this in mind, coupled with noble intention to recognize the exemplary, meritorious and outstanding achievements and contributions of the brethren to the Lodge and Masonry as well as to the City of Cavite and its inhabitants, I began to collate Masonic materials, but because of time constraint, I wasn’t able to collect much. The best thing I can do was to gather available Masonic emblems, decals and stickers and referred to Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 17 (now Lodge No. 4 under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands), souvenir programs, trusted and confident with the references, sources, written and edited by WB Herminigildo Perez Santos PM (1945-1946) of Bagong Buhay Lodge and WB Adriano Anastacio, Jr. PM of La Naval Lodge; and with my little contribution, we were able to finish a brief history of Freemasonry in the Philippines, and so with the Lodges in the City.

The celebration of “New Year” was something to remember because we experienced the merriment at the Mayor Julian C. Medina, Jr. Hall at the second floor of the City Hall, and while the parents, children and love ones were praying together at home, and having their “media noche” (midnight snacks), others were celebrating with the traditional lightings of firecrackers, the playing of loud music, homemade trumpets, drums, sirens, etc., and the different voices heard at the top of their “viva voca”, dancing and greetings each other with happy new year, we were inside the hall celebrating with our computer sets, until the job was finally done. It’s already 6:00 A.M., we’re almost exhausted after that long vigorous moment, after those labors and sacrifices, and we went downstairs directly to Samonte Park, and with sweet smiles turned over the big volumes of documentary materials to Mayor Encarnacion. Having accomplished the biggest tasked we ever had, we shook hands and hugged each others. We were also congratulated and greeted by every one for a job well done. We were very proud of ourselves for being a part of a noble cause.

On that momentous day of January 1, 2000, in a simple and solemn ceremonies, the Cavite City Millennium Time Capsule and Marker was officially installed at the heart of Samonte Park, Cavite City fronting the City Hall at exactly 6:21 A.M. (first sunrise) signifying the end of the 2nd Millennium and the beginning of the 3rd Millennium.

The preservation and immortalization of the contents of the Millennium Time Capsule and Marker are dedicated to the future generation of Cavitenos, in order for them to know, learn and appreciate the role played by Cavite City in ancient and modern times.

The installation of the Millennium Time Capsule and Marker is very memorable for it is the “First Historical Time Capsule and Marker” ever installed in the City of Cavite, only to be opened up to view its contents at the end of the 3rd Millennium and the beginning of the 4th Millennium, another 1,000 years of significant achievements.

“Under Resolution No. 04-081 dated September 6, 2004, the Millennium Time Capsule and Marker officially installed on January 1, 2000 at the heart of Samonte Park, Cavite City was recognized as one of the historical sites in the City of Cavite”

The preservation and immortalization of the Millennium Time Capsule and Marker is the brainchild of lawyer/historian former City Mayor Timoteo O. Encarnacion, Jr. dedicated to the future generation.

To the former City Mayor of Cavite City, Atty. Timoteo O. Encarnacion, Jr, the pride of the Cavitenos, a million thanks for leading the preservation and immortalization of the historic past.

To the Millennium Time Capsule, Marker and Perpetuation Committee members, my sincerest gratitude and commendation for a job well done.

To the brethren, it’s an honor to be of service to the Lodge in particular and Freemasonry in general.

Finally, the forgotten documentation, publication, posting and announcement of the installation of the Millennium Time Capsule and Marker on January 1, 2000 at the heart of Samonte Park, Cavite City signifying the end of the 2nd Millennium and the beginning of the 3rd Millennium is now a fulfilled obligation and form part of the manuscripts of history as a source and for references, dedicated to the future generation, to the Cavitenos living in foreign countries, friends, guests from other places, and nearby municipalities, and of course to brother Masons withersoever dispersed.

Bro. Ric Alvarez

Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4

(NOTE: This article was posted in West to East, entitled "Millennium Time Capsule and Marker. Thank You.

THE RECOLLECTIONS OF 1906, 1907, 1912, 1917, 2006 AND THE FINALE 2007

On September 4, 1906, founders of the Lodge adopted a resolution to form Bagong Buhay Lodge; on September 16, 1906, Bagong Buhay Lodge UD elected and installed its first Lodge officers; on August 11, 1907, Bagong Buhay Lodge was officially constituted. It was chartered and numbered Lodge No. 291 under the jurisdiction of Gran Oriente Espanol and formally installed its officers; in 1912, the Lodge was re-chartered and renumbered to Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 17 under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands; on February 13, 1917, the Lodge was officially constituted and started to be referred as Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 17 under the unified Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands and became directly under the supervision of American Masons.

After almost 89 years (February 13, 1917 – September 9, 2006) of harmonious relationship, Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 17 with heavy hearts, had to break ties with the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, but the friendship or amity remains forever.

On September 10, 2006, Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 17, acting on resolution adopted in a regular stated meeting, declared its independence from the Grand Lodge of the Philippines and joined the regularly, legally and duly constituted Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI), re-chartered and renumbered to Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 under the jurisdiction of the IGLPI together with six (6) other century old and very old Lodges in the Province of Cavite, Republic of the Philippines, namely: Cavite Lodge No. 2 (retained its number, constituted on October 18, 1902); Pilar Lodge No. 3 (formerly No. 15, constituted on June 5, 1894); Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Lodge No. 5 (formerly No. 31, constituted on December 21, 1915); Bagong Ilaw Lodge No. 6 (formerly No. 97, constituted on January 27, 1925); La Naval Lodge No. 7 (formerly No. 269, constituted on January 20, 1984); and Mendez-Nunez Lodge No. 8 (formerly No. 316, constituted on May 31, 1997); and later followed by Pintong Bato Lodge No. 9 (formerly No. 51, constituted on February 15, 1919) which was re-chartered and renumbered on January 5, 2007 during the Special Grand Assembly of the IGLPI.

The first candidates of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 after the “Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the IGLPI”, despite the worrying situation but pursued their noble intentions to join the craft, were: Bro. Joseph Camato Macaraig and Bro. Picollo Chester M. Bulanhagui. They were initiated Entered Apprentice Masons on October 31, 2006, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft Masons on November 24, 2006 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Masons on December 6, 2006.

With the theme, “A Fresh Start for True Masonry”, Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 under the jurisdiction of the IGLPI, moves on and march forward, thus created and adopted three (3) resolutions with the concepts of recognizing the exemplary and outstanding performances and contributions of the brethren to the Lodge and Freemasonry as well as to the community and its inhabitants, bringing the brethren new and fresh ideas, and maintaining brotherly love, relief and truth:

RESOLUTION NO. 4, SERIES OF 2007 “A resolution creating the Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 F & A M Awards and approving and adopting the guidelines and criteria for the award hereto attached, and to bestow the Worshipful Master the authority to present and award to Master Masons in good standing who and which distinguished and excelled themselves by exemplary, meritorious and outstanding achievements or services rendered to the Lodge and Freemasonry as well as to the Community and its Inhabitants both in their public and private lives, and to non-Masons, either by an individual, group or associations who unselfishly rendered worthy contributions to member Master Masons, to the Lodge in particular and Freemasonry in general”

The Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 Awards were classified under the name of the prominent members of the Lodge and categorized according to their outstanding achievements and worthy contributions, to wit:

1) MWB Emilio P. Virata PGM Award (Masonic Services)
2) MWB Rafael Palma PGM Award (Government Services)
3) VWB Artemio A. Tadiar Jr. PGLO Award (Posthumous)
4) VWB Ricardo A. Alfaro PDGL Award (Sports)
5) WB Ladislao N. Diwa PM Award (Other Field of Services)
6) WB Jose A. Reyes PM Award (Individual, Group, Association, Master Masons or Non- Masons of worthy accomplishments and unselfish contributions rendered to member Master Masons, the Lodge in particular as well as to Freemasonry in general)

RESOLUTION NO. 5, SERIES OF 2007 “A resolution creating a newsletter and adopting the name “THE NEW LIFE”, as the official bulletin of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 F & A M”

RESOLUTION NO. 6, SERIES OF 2007 “A resolution creating and adopting the new official “LODGE SEAL of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4, F & A. M.”

The description and depiction of the new official seal of the Lodge are, as follows:

a. The boarder is an endless double-looped knot of a rope or cord represented in circular shape
b. The name of the Lodge and the year 5907-6007 Anno Lucis are inscribed inside the boarder and outside of the circle
c. The shield vertically divided in two sections are portrayed at the center of the circle
d. The first section consist of two segments of the same size shown at the inside upper portion of the shield while below is the second section of one bigger segment
e. The first segment feature the official flag of the City, the second segment inscribed the letters KKK adorned with laurel leaves, above the third and bigger segment depicted the All-Seeing Eye and below the Square and Compasses

The Lodge also recognized the Outstanding Masons of the Lodge:

Recipient of the First Hiram Award

a. VWB Ireneo I. Racimo (MD#2) - 1994
b. VWB Francisco E. Expectacion (MD#2) - 1994
c. VWB Armando L. Quion (MD#2) - 1994

Masonic District No. 2 Outstanding District Grand Lecturer

a. VW Jaime V. Bantolo (MD#2) - 2004

Masonic District No. 2 Most Outstanding Worshipful Masters

a. WM Edgardo N. Reyes (MD#10) - 1988
b. WM Jaime A. Ramos (MD#10) - 1989
c. WM Armando L. Quion (MD#10) - 1990
d. WM Artemio A. Tadiar, Jr. (MD#10) - 1991
e. WM Amorico M. Alvarez (MD#2) - 1997
f. WM Jaime V. Bantolo (MD#2) - 1999
g. WM Gorgonio V. Necessario, Jr. PM (MD#2) - 2005

Grand Lodge of the Philippines Most Outstanding Worshipful Master

a. WM Artemio A. Tadiar, Jr. (MD#10) - 1992

On August 11, 2007, Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 F. & A. M. celebrated its Centennial Anniversary. The memorable celebration started at 2:00 P.M. with a motorcade. There were about thirty (30) cars with balloons and streamers assembled in an open space at the Cavite Coastal Bay City, Dalahican District, Cavite City, and from thereat, passed the City’s major thoroughfares up to the Masonic Lodge Temple. Upon arrival, a Eucharistic Celebration by Rev. Fr. Rizaldy Arnaiz of San Antonio Parish Church, Philippine Independent Church was held at the Lodge Hall by 3:00 P.M.

A formal wreath laying and floral offering at the Masonic Lodge Memorial Marker was participated by the Guest of Honor and Speaker, widows and orphans of the deceased dearly departed brethren, members of different subordinate Lodges, sisters, sons and daughters of appendant bodies, distinguished guests, and friends of Masons. The program proper was held inside the VWB Gen. Artemio A. Tadiar, Jr. Hall PM, PGLO with Bro. Mayor Bernardo S. Paredes as the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

The highlights of the program are the reading of 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” passed and adopted by the Cavite City Council on August 6, 2007, and the recognition and presentation of awards to the members and other prominent personalities who rendered exemplary, meritorious and outstanding achievements and worthy contributions to Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 F. & A. M.

The Centennial Major Awardees. . .

MWB EMILIO P. VIRATA AWARD (Masonic Services)

a. MW Jaime V. Bantolo GM
b. RW Nicolas G. Ricafrente DGM
c. RW Manuel L. Carranza, Jr SGW
d. RW Joseph A. Capuyan JGW
e. RW Armando L. Quion GS
f. Bro. Mayor Bernardo S. Paredes

MWB RAFAEL PALMA PGM AWARD (Government Services)

a. Bro. Mayor Bernardo S. Paredes
b. VWB Councilor Amorico M. Alvarez

VWB ARTEMIO A. TADIAR, JR PGLO AWARD (Posthumous)

a. VWB Ricardo A. Alfaro PDGL
b. WB Raul A. Patricio PM
c. Bro. Alberto B. Ramento
d. Bro. Nilo P. Ramos

VWB RICARDO A. ALFARO PDGL AWARD (Sports)

a. Bro. Magno C. Herradura
b. Bro. Lyndon D. Torres

WB LADISLAO N. DIWA (Other Field of Services)

a. VWB Amorico M. Alvarez AGS
b. VWB Edilberto D. Esperat GBB
c. WB Gorgonio V. Necessario, Jr. PM
d. Bro. Lamberto A. Aquino

WB JOSE A. REYES PM AWARD (Masons, Non-Masons, Associations or Group)

a. VWB Petronilo M. Bulanhagui DGL

The important event of celebrating the 100 years existence of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 became more memorable when the affair was graced by the presence of the brethren under the jurisdiction of Gran Logia Nacional de Filipinas led by its Grand Master, Most Worshipful Victor Valdez.

There were about two hundred twenty five (225) members, sisters and guests attended the successful affair who also participated in the fellowship, ballroom dancing and raffles that went to the wee hours.

As of December 2006, Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 had member Master Masons of 202; Dual Members 3; and Life Members by Longevity 80 with a total strength of 285 Master Masons in good standing (Philippines and Foreign Countries).

Through the years, it has remained steadfast to its chosen name “New Life”. It has honorably and faithfully discharged its duties to the Fraternity and maintained its prestige and good name by adhering to the ancient landmarks of the institution.

New members come. Old members laid down their working tools. Others simply fade way. But Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 will stand like a beacon light, diffusing its rays to light up the part of that grand ideal of establishing a Universal League of Mankind under the Fatherhood of GOD.

“Despite the long, rough and rugged journey, the Lodge moves on, and brethren march forward”

- TRUST IN GOD, FEAR NOT WHAT MEN CAN DO, AGAINST US -


Bro. Ric Alvarez
Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4

A Journey: IGLPI First Anniversary

by RmOlano

01Sep07

On September 9th a year ago, as a result of various emails exchanged with our Brethren mainly in pinoymasons eGroup created by Brother Willy Francia, moderated by WB Amor Mangosing, WB Jay Orolfo and Bro Jerry Azurin, I patched together the body of the thoughts and called it “Cavite Masons.” The main issue this writer was wondering about was the reasons why some selected Brothers were expelled and the subject of edicts whereby listed “names are to be erased from Masonic records forever” or something to that effect. Noting the time difference and coincidence, the day the article was composed was the day the Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands was formally announced.

It is unnecessary to recapitulate the travel over rough and rugged road toward the place where the IGLPI now stand under the able leadership of the MW Jaime Bantolo and assisted by numerous unnamed Brethren who also shared the experience. The journey is not yet over but rather just started, there are more work to be done, cornerstones to be laid, arches to support and stones awaiting the workmen in the quarry. Though we look for the time, when our spirit will finally rest onboard that Ark anchored within the protected harbor, let us not forget – in the words of our esteemed Brother Alfred Ferrer of Malinaw Lodge No. 25 of San Pablo City , “it is the journey that counts.” It is the journey that makes who we are, not the goal we achieved. It is an endeavor that will test how much Lessons in Freemasonry each one of us learned during the years. A test of not how much power and prestige we accumulated on our way to the purple of the Fraternity but of much we protected our lambskin apron from being soiled on our way to a “more noble cause.” Standing for what we believed, despite what others might think---what kind of Mason we became. It is my humble wish to the visionaries of IGLPI to be vigilant at the time of burning oil in the middle of the night that it is the travel and not the destination that will make lasting legacy of each man and the institution they are building.

With all my sincerity, I thank the Brethren of IGLPI for allowing me to be a part of a great journey. It is indeed a great pleasure and privilege to be invited to IGLPI historic event. With my utmost regret, I would like to ask your forgiveness as your humble brother cannot be of your service due to personal and professional reasons. I am certain that I will miss the warm camaraderie of the Brethren of IGLPI and hearing the wisdom from the message of your speakers. Without criterion, it is my personal loss for not being able to be a part of your celebration. I would like to ask your indulgence to please send my deepest apology to the Grand Master, the Brethren of IGLPI, and in my behalf to "extend my right hand in token of continuance of friendship and Brotherly Love" to our Brothers of the Craft regardless of their jurisdiction.

Congratulations on your First Anniversary.

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