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