By: VW Bro Evaristo A. del Mundo
Pintong Bato Lodge No.9
IGLPI
Good evening, my dear brethren, sisters, and friends. Tonight is the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI).
Some three weeks ago, I learned of this evening’s celebration. The wives of IGLPI masons were having their rehearsal of their dance number for this affair. I therefore asked myself, “What can I contribute tonight being one of the oldest member of IGLPI having completed more than 52 years in masonry?”
For this affair, it is my sincerest desire to give a reflection. A candidate for freemasonry can only be accepted provided he believes in the existence of the Supreme Being. The Holy Bible, the great light in masonry, is to us masons the rule and guide of our faith. Based on this premise, I qualify myself to reflect on the Holy Scriptures.
(1) Around 607 B.C. the woes of the prophet Habakkuk against Babylon, was to serve as a warning to Judah of God’s displeasure. The Lord’s answer to Habakkuk; “ Those who are evil will not survive but those who are righteous will live because they are faithful to God”. Thus the famous passage, “Man shall live by faith”.
(2) Between the period of 55 A.D. and 66 A.D. the same passage,
“The just shall live by Faith”, is repeated by St. Paul in his epistle to the Galatians, Romans and Hebrews.
(3) Around 1544 A.D. a German priest named Martin Luther, while on his way to the Vatican office of the Pope, as he repeated his prayers on the Lateran staircase, the words of the prophet Habakkuk suddenly came to his mind: “ The just shall live by faith”. As he meditated on these words, he saw the whole face of the Scripture in a new light. And the Christian world was never again the same,
With the turmoil around May 2006, Cavite Masons illustrated their commendable virtue of heroic endurance to the wrongs of persecution.
United and firm in their conviction that TRUTH shall prevail, on September 10, 2006, the IGLPI was proclaimed to the Masonic world. The fruit and reward are now at hand as we celebrate this evening the first year anniversary of IGLPI existence.
Moreover I wish to relate this TRUTH to the Gospel of Matthew specifically on The Parable of the Talents. In it, the Master has said to his servants who were given five and two talents each, the following: “ Well done thou good and faithful servants, enter thou into the joy of the Lord”.
To the servant who did not use the single talent given to him, this was taken from him, and the Master said: “ Wicked and worthless servant, you shall always be in the DARK where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
About 66 A.D. St Paul wrote his last epistle to Timothy, a fellow worker in the Lord: “ I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race and I have kept my faith.”
My brethren, who among you can also claim the above? No doubt, it will always be a challenge for all of us to keep our faith in freemasonry.
Lastly, before 90 A.D. St John the Apostle has admonished his fellow workers with his kind words: “My children, love one another.”
To you my brethren, my sisters and friends, LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
On this very memorable evening, I say to everybody: “Well done, thou good and faithful servants”.
( This was delivered by VWB EVARISTO A. DEL MUNDO, PGSB of GLP and PM Pintong Bato Lodge No 51 GLP and presently a member of Pintong Bato Lodge Nr 9, IGLPI and Vice Chairman, IGLPI Council of Elders, during the First Founding Anniversary Celebration of IGLPI last September 9, 2007. VWB Del Mundo was a recipient of the 50-Year GOLD BUTTON with DIPLOMA from GLP Grand Master Hermogenes Ebdane Jr last 2005.for 50 years of faithful and honourable service to Masonry. Inspite of these Masonic credentials, VWB del Mundo was UNJUSTLY declared “clandestine mason” by virtue of GLP PGM YU Edict No 232-D for being installed as a Lodge appointed Officer of Pintong Bato Lodge No 9 last January 5, 2007. VWB del Mundo prepared this article to manifest the similar journey of IGLPI and the other Biblical figures and of Martin Luther in the search for TRUTH and their strong FAITH in their RIGHTEOUS endeavors. --- Bro. Jim Bartolo)
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Moralist
It is amazing to watch how a subject of dirty pictures and green jokes could elicit so much interest in one of the popular Masonic yahoo group. Despite of personal appeals and clarifications from the owner and moderators to drop the subject, the repeated hits on the issue is simply remarkable. When one consider the level of participation on a subject which the VW Ben Apacible called "Recent Events in Philippine Masonry," one does not need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what issues takes precedence over the other in the minds of the participants.
Moralist.
Moralist.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Lodge Elections and Installations of Officers
IGLPI Moves ON - - Lodge Elections and Installations of Officers
Pursuant to the IGLPI Constitution and the Interim Elections and Appointments Codes, the Lodges of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI) conducted their elections in the month of September. The Installation of the newly elected and appointed Lodge Officers for the ensuing Masonic Year is scheduled for October.
Once again, Masonic organizations move on. Elections and installation are activities that bespeaks of the dynamism of organizations. It reflects on the strength and solidarity of Lodges. It manifest the growth and continued existence of Lodges. It exemplifies the harmony and unity of the members and of their pride in the Fraternity.
I have observed the conduct of elections in some of the Lodges. We have indeed matured in the better and proper election of those really worthy, well qualified, duly prepared. I have observed changes in the elective positions, which exemplifies that the Brethren are watchful of the performance of the elected officers. I was also informed that in some Lodges, it took several ballots before an election can be declared for a JW. It simply speaks of the good bench of qualified candidates and those who vouches for them. There was no report of electioneering, indeed a good sign.
Installation of elected and appointed officers started with Mendez Nunez Lodge No. 8 last September 22 and with Cavite Lodge No. 2 last September 29, 2007. The well- attended affairs were conducted in solemn atmosphere as demanded by the occasion. Minor changes in the sequence of the rituals were made following a recommended Ritual submitted to the Committee on Masonic Works. No change in the substance were recommended except of course the name” IGLPI” had to be made. By and large the ceremony was impressive, smart, immaculate, orderly
Pursuant to the IGLPI Constitution and the Interim Elections and Appointments Codes, the Lodges of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI) conducted their elections in the month of September. The Installation of the newly elected and appointed Lodge Officers for the ensuing Masonic Year is scheduled for October.
Once again, Masonic organizations move on. Elections and installation are activities that bespeaks of the dynamism of organizations. It reflects on the strength and solidarity of Lodges. It manifest the growth and continued existence of Lodges. It exemplifies the harmony and unity of the members and of their pride in the Fraternity.
I have observed the conduct of elections in some of the Lodges. We have indeed matured in the better and proper election of those really worthy, well qualified, duly prepared. I have observed changes in the elective positions, which exemplifies that the Brethren are watchful of the performance of the elected officers. I was also informed that in some Lodges, it took several ballots before an election can be declared for a JW. It simply speaks of the good bench of qualified candidates and those who vouches for them. There was no report of electioneering, indeed a good sign.
Installation of elected and appointed officers started with Mendez Nunez Lodge No. 8 last September 22 and with Cavite Lodge No. 2 last September 29, 2007. The well- attended affairs were conducted in solemn atmosphere as demanded by the occasion. Minor changes in the sequence of the rituals were made following a recommended Ritual submitted to the Committee on Masonic Works. No change in the substance were recommended except of course the name” IGLPI” had to be made. By and large the ceremony was impressive, smart, immaculate, orderly
September 30, 2007 – Bro Jim Bantolo
SEC Approves IGLPI Registration
IGLPI Moves ON -- SEC Approves IGLPI Registration
On September 24, 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands Inc. The Certificate of Incorporation had a Company Registry No CN200713250 and a Company TIN 006-862-814.
The IGLPI is now granted a juridical personality as a Corporation. In so far as the laws of the country is concerned, the IGLPI exist as a legal, and lawfully formed or created organization.
The IGLPI authorizes and encourage its Lodges to incorporate and be registered in the Securities and Exchange Commission. It respects the Lodges and their ownership of their properties, their funds, their temples, their lands. It does not compel the Lodges to place their properties in the name of their Grand Lodge nor hold them in trust for their Grand Lodge.
The IGLPI respects the power and empowerment of the Lodges. It exist to serve the Lodges. It does not seek to be a ruling absolute monarch over the Lodges, their temples, their properties, their funds, their lands, their members or even their future, It does not even intend to hold proprietary rights over their Lodge names.
On September 24, 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands Inc. The Certificate of Incorporation had a Company Registry No CN200713250 and a Company TIN 006-862-814.
The IGLPI is now granted a juridical personality as a Corporation. In so far as the laws of the country is concerned, the IGLPI exist as a legal, and lawfully formed or created organization.
The IGLPI authorizes and encourage its Lodges to incorporate and be registered in the Securities and Exchange Commission. It respects the Lodges and their ownership of their properties, their funds, their temples, their lands. It does not compel the Lodges to place their properties in the name of their Grand Lodge nor hold them in trust for their Grand Lodge.
The IGLPI respects the power and empowerment of the Lodges. It exist to serve the Lodges. It does not seek to be a ruling absolute monarch over the Lodges, their temples, their properties, their funds, their lands, their members or even their future, It does not even intend to hold proprietary rights over their Lodge names.
Bro Jim Bantolo
September 30, 2007
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