FilMasons NSW & Vic posed for photo for posterity with their ladies and friends.
VIC INDUCTION: A CROWNING SUCCESS
As reported by Bro Louie Reyes, FilMasons NSW VP
Dateline: Melbourne, 5-8 June 2008
Saturday, 7 June 2008 - INDUCTION DAY
Saturday dawned fairly clear, and the first rays of morning welcomed the next set of travellers – WBro Rudy and Sis Mila and WBro Romy and Sis Ellen to sunny Melbourne. Bro Roy was once again on hand to convey them from the airport to their lodgings and one could not hope for a better welcoming committee as our Victorian brethren provided. The Placidos’ and Robisos’ were still in transit but would join us later that afternoon.
The Victorian brothers and sisters still had plenty of work to do preparing for the evening and how they were able to fit us in to an already exhausting schedule is a story on its own. Suffice it to say that they did and we were in for a truly brilliant night.
As if they could not spoil their visitors any further, the VIC Filmasons provided limousine service for those of us billeted in the city all the way to the Polish Hall at Ardeer. I have to say that the Hall has probably never looked as good as it did on the evening of 7 June 2008. They had done a truly splendid job of preparing the venue to suit the auspiciousness of the occasion. The Grandmaster of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria and his wife were present, eloquent testimony of the esteem in which our Victorian brethren are held by the craft. The other 170 or more in attendance were a similar tribute to them as well.
The joint emcees, Sis Rowena Cazar and Bro Jun Dela Cruz, got the evening off to a great start by asking everyone to rise for the national anthems of the Philippines and Australia, underscoring the traditional friendship which exists between these two countries. Incoming president Bro Roy then delivered a very well-worded welcome speech which also outlined what the evening was all about. This was immediately followed by dinner which consisted of an enormous buffet with plenty of choices for all. I was having a bout of upset stomach so I just consoled myself with the wine and cognac which the Victorians so generously provided for medicinal purposes.
FilMasons NSW Association delegation brethren with their ladies.
Dinner lasted about an hour after which they smoothly moved on to the evening’s formalities which included:
- Speech by VWBro Fidel Pamplona, FilMasons NSW President, followed by presentation of the friendship shield to incoming president Bro Roy Esagunde.
- Induction of new VIC Filmason members by Bro Fidel Pamplona.
- Induction of VIC Filmason officers by MWBro Grandmaster Gary Sebo, United Grand Lodge of Victoria.
- Address by MWBro Grandmaster Gary Sebo.
The Amasons then took to the floor for the first of their two items, the Timawa, a Filipino cultural dance with distinct Spanish influences. Their beautiful costumes and intricate and skilful choreography were an instant hit with the audience and they were rewarded with loud applause at the conclusion of the number.
Several generous prizes were awarded to lucky guests during the raffle, and then the Amasons continued the program with their second item, the Pandango Sa Ilaw. This is a very delicate choreography performed with lit candles in little glasses held by the dancers throughout and in dimmed light to accentuate the effect of the candles. Once again the Amasons held the audience spellbound with their graceful moves and the acclaim at the finish was no less enthusiastic.
The rest of the evening was marked by dancing and fellowship, endless photos and stories, and bottomless softdrinks and wine. I have to comment at this point that the Polish Hall is managed by the very ever helpful Polish people (surprised?); who were assisting throughout the evening in every aspect, including cleaning up in the kitchen, and they shared with us that they had also enjoyed the entertainment and the music. No mistaking, our Victorian brothers and sisters know how to party and they gave their guests as much as they could handle, and then some.
When it was finally over (we only had the hall until midnight) and everything had been put away, the traditional long goodbyes and good nights began. A thick Melbourne fog had descended on the area, as though drawing the curtain on a truly great night. There was, of course, more to come next day, but we were all willing to leave that for tomorrow. The "limos" took the others back to the city while Bro Fidel and Sis Hilda once again very kindly brought us home.
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