On Rizal's Execution

[A Commentary]

The execution of a great and humble Man on December 30, 1896, when all believers of the christian faith were celebrating the birth of their savior on christmas day was an act of hypocrisy and arrogant display of barbarity for those who masterminded his execution. History will never be accurate unless we of this generation have a second look on why those who were supposed to be considered as keepers of the faith and profess to be followers of the great teacher of christianity preferred to order an execution instead of sowing LOVE on such a solemn holiday!

Even historians of our time never endeavored to touch on this ticklish issue for fear that they will not be saved when they travel to the other side or better still afraid of - ETERNAL DAMNATION!

We masons can only relish with joy and pride that finally our Brother Rizal in the habilaments of a mason was placed on the front page of a broad sheet newspaper and for that honor alone, we can pause a while and examine the ideals and principles he fought and died for.Let me then quote a few lines from Bro. Rafael Palma's Book - THE PRIDE OF THE MALAY RACE - with a sincere purpose to remind us of how good and great this brother of ours!

"Glory to Rizal! In him are typified the best qualities of our race. He elevated the concept of our country before the world because all his life he demonstrated a sincere desire to work for the good of others; he had no ambition for glory or fame, nor did he expect rewards and recompense from anybody. From that same spiritual relationship between him and ourselves, we have the right to believe that in each of us there is a possible RIZAL and that what he has done is within our reach and within our power if we exert the same effort, the same means of action, and the same devotion to duty that he displayed in the most heroic acts of life."

"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori."

(Sweet and seemly it is to die for one's country.)

-Bro. Joselito P. Tamaray
Kalilayan Lodge No. 37
Lucena City

About Phil. Masonic History

“Originally attached to the Grand Lodge of Spain - the Philippine archipelago is a former colony of Spain - the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of The Philippines became autonomous on 19 December 1912.”

I thank the WB for his research however, allow me to adjust his article and hopefully fill in some void between. The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines (GLP) was never been “attached to the Grand Lodge of Spain.” In order to make a balance presentation, the following materials were taken from history pages of two Lodges under the GLP, an equal number from Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI) and a Lodge under Gran Logia Nacional de Filipinas (GLNF). Furthermore, a short quote from official statements from both Grand Lodges.

About Philippines Masonic History.

Masonry in our Hearts

Sustaining progress from a fresh start by putting Masonry in the heart

Bro NICOLAS G. RICAFRENTE, Grand Master

INAUGURAL ADDRESS

Installation of Grand Officers

01 December, 2007

2nd Annual Grand Assembly

The MW Independent Grand Lodge, F. &. A.M. of the Philippine Islands

Cavite Lodge No. 2, Cavite City

Memorable episodes in history are not always played by famous, powerful men but by ordinary men. The great gothic cathedrals of Europe, still standing magnificent today were built by artisans who remain faceless except for the fact that they were known as Masons from whom, it is said our Fraternity derived its origins. Great revolutions were fought and won not really by generals but by men who were willing to sacrifice their lives for love of country, and the principles they decided to embrace.

Because of your unswerving faith and belief in the true essence of liberty, equality and fraternity, your Grand Lodge is a democratic institution. We have a constitution that enshrines your rights. You have ratified the essential codes – the Administrative, Judicial, Election and Appointments Codes, together with the Uniform Code of By-laws for Member Lodges that will guide us and the future generations of Masons in the government of the Craft in this jurisdiction. In all these, you had exercised your right to be heard and be a part in the formulation of these instruments. And by your exercise of suffrage, you have now formed a new set of officers. Brethren, from these foundations we shall build.

Year 2006 was a year of change. 2007 was a year for a fresh start. Let 2008 therefore, be a year for sustaining progress from a fresh start by putting Masonry in the heart - a year of building strength; a year of building bridges to society; a year of building knowledge and values; a year of building stronger ties among the families of Masons.

As members of our lodges and the Grand Lodge therefore, no other mission can ever be greater than to make the mission of the Craft our mission - to internalize all its teachings, and devote our time and effort toward the fulfillment of our duties as Masons. Our vision is a Grand Lodge that is democratic and concerned primarily in uniting lodges and their members in the “grand design of promoting happiness.”

After a year of labor, our Grand Lodge has succeeded and proven its capability to organize and to provide the essential instruments of governance. As we were doing these, we have seen how very basic reforms in the organization which, we immediately undertook can inspire our members and encourage new initiates to our Fraternity. We saw the unselfish devotion and dedication of our officers and members, sharing their limited resources and time, but contributing invaluable talents for the cause and ideals we had vowed to embrace.

With these therefore, there is no doubt that by sustaining these gains, united, we shall achieve greater heights and travel forward, conquering every conceivable obstacles along the way.

In our Masonic banner, let us emblazon our commitment of sustaining progress from a fresh start by putting Masonry in our hearts.


For complete text see: Masonry in our Hearts.

IGLPI Election

Test of IGLPI Election Code

Bro Jim Bantolo

December 3, 2007

In the IGLPI Second Grand Assembly, the Election and Appointments Code underwent its crucial test.

The IGLPI Legislative Council formulated an Elections and Appointments Code in consonance with the “injunction or rather emulation of who best can work and best agree” to ensure the highest standards of integrity, harmony and efficiency of all Member Lodges affiliated with and chartered under its jurisdiction.

The Council endeavored to find solutions to the disastrous issue of “electioneering” ; to preserve the concept of “lodge empowerment”; and to find a better method of nominating, and qualifying the most worthy and impeccable Nominee for higher positions.

Most important was the creation of Boards, Council, Panels and Tribunals which will be involved in the election process. These were:
1. Election Board is composed of five (5) members with a Chairman and responsible for the conduct of the election and implementation of the Election and Appointments Code.
2. Panel of Peers is composed of five (5) members chosen by draw lots from among the Past Masters of the each lodge, and who were chosen confidentially. It elects its Chairman, Vice Chairman and Recorder. The Panel evaluate, rate, tabulate and rank the Nominees for the position of Junior Grand Warden (JGW). A Standard Nomination Form for Nominees is submitted by the Lodge. The Panel accomplishes the Peer Evaluation Form. The highest five (5) Nominees are determined and the sealed Report is forwarded to the Council of Elders through the Election Board.
3. The Council of Elders is composed of seven (7) members with a Chairman and Vice Chairman. The Council evaluates, interviews, rates and ranks the Nominees for Junior Grand Warden. The highest final three (3) Nominees are determined and the sealed Report is read by the Chairman during the Election period and submitted to the Election Board. The Council of Elders meets, acts, and rules on any formal written violation of the Elections and Appointments Codes until it has read and submitted the final three (3) Nominees.
4. The Electoral Tribunal is immediately sworn into Office after the Council of Elders announced the final three (3) Nominees. The five (5) members with its Chairman, monitors the conduct of election. It meets, acts, and rules on any formal written violation of the Election and Appointments Code.

The Lodge in its Stated Meeting in September makes its Nomination for Junior Grand Warden. The Nominee may come from the Lodge or from other Lodges whom it deems is qualified, eligible and worthy of nomination. The Lodge accomplishes the Standard Nomination Form, encloses desired documents and submits it to the District Grand Supervisor.

The District Grand Supervisor, during the District Council Meeting of October, reviews the Nomination Form, checks its completeness and accuracy of information, and endorses the Report to the Panel of Peers through the Election Board.

The basic qualifications for an elective position in the Grand Lodge are: a member is in good standing for ten (10) consecutive years, a Past Master for five (5) years, no record of conviction in the government judicial court, no record of having been found guilty of disloyalty or violation of the IGLPI Constitution, no record of suspension for unmasonic conduct or any Masonic offense, no record of violations of any provision of the Codes or having committed any act or matter inimical to the Fraternity or in the opinion of the Grand Lodge is morally culpable.. Other qualifications for evaluations are: leadership qualities, management skills, human relations and knowledge of Freemasonry.

The qualified electors are: the six (6) incumbent elected Lodge officers, Immediate Lodge Past Master, the seven (7) elected Grand officers, the Regional Grand Deputies, the District Grand Supervisor.

The elected and installed Deputy Grand Master, Senior Grand Warden and Junior Grand Warden shall be considered nominated for the next higher position, unless they become ineligible. The incumbent Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary and Grand Auditor shall be automatically nominated for the same positions, subject to confirmation by the Council of Elders, without prejudice to its consideration of other nominees.

Specific acts and collateral acts of electioneering have been very well defined.
In the event that there is only one (1) nomination for any elective position, any qualified voting member may move for his election without actual balloting, provided there is no objection.
The Nominees for JGW are allowed a five (5) minute talk prior to elections to highlight himself and his platform before the electors.

The Chairman, Council of Elders stressed the point that incumbent Grand Officers should not be confident of outright nomination or re-nomination. They should rather perform their duties, and responsibilities; and continue to be worthy of advancement; in order to avoid the possibilities of not being considered for nomination. The Council stressed that, the IGLPI being a young growing Grand Lodge should start right, be led and managed by impeccable leaders, seek for equitable distribution of positions if possible, review periodically the qualification standards for better evaluation and nomination. Ranking system may not be announced to avoid bias.
The Election and Appointments Codes indeed run its real test in the past months. Electioneering was negative. I am consoled with the evaluation that it indeed passed the real test. A few minor hitches may have to be looked into, particularly the schedule and sequence of events, the election period, the minimum number of Nominees for elective positions, better evaluation of records, its comparison with others, and rating discrimination. We should look forward when Nominees come from Lodges in other Provinces and the present process may have to be reviewed.

Peace On Earth

In an article "Universal Masonry," the Past Grand Master Hahn was quoted about the notion of a better world through the influence of our Craft. The concept was grand and I support it however, the reality where the whole world would embrace the our system and live in a "Masonic world" is unfortunately will continue to be a nebulous dream.

Peace on Earth.

*** May your days be merry and bright---HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL ***

F/
RmOlano
York Rite of CA

IGLPI Second Grand Assembly

The Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI) held its Second Grand Assembly from November 30 – December 1, 2007 at Cavite Lodge Nr 2 Cavite Masonic Center and at the Bagong Buhay Lodge Nr 4 Bagong Buhay Masonic Center. Bagong Ilaw Lodge Nr 6 was the Host Lodge assisted by La Naval Lodge Nr 7 and Mendez Nunez Lodge Nr 8. The Theme was – “Sustaining Progress From a Fresh Start by Putting Masonry in the Heart. “


For complete report, see IGLPI Second Grand Assembly by Jim Bantolo, PGM.

Congratulations to new set of Officers and to all members of IGLPI.