GLP's GM Aniag Sydney Visit: Fellowship & Induction

FilMasons NSW Officers for 2008-2009, after the induction posed with GM MW Bro Aniag.

Official Welcome, Fellowship and Induction of Officers: 26 July

The Apollo Street at Greenfield Park home of Bro Romy and Sis Tessie Bernabe and their family, became the focal point of every brother and sister that evening. The Bernabes’ had very generously offered their home as the venue for the official welcome for GM Aniag and the brethren who accompanied him and for this all were most grateful.

WBro Abe Amores took charge of the official proceedings with some preliminary words of welcome then invited WBro Romy Nieto to lead all in the prayer of thanks which he did in his usual very capable way. Dinner was a traditional barby which included kangaroo steaks specially ordered for the visiting brethren. It was prepared under the supervision of Sis Tess Amores, many thanks for this.

After dinner, Filmason co-founder WBro Mat Armonio introduced our honoured guest in his usual inimitable style. MW Bro Pacifico Aniag was then invited to take the floor and address everyone assembled.

What followed was a tour de force by the head of Philippine masonry as he revealed and expounded on the theme of his term as grandmaster – Harmony. He used the example of a choir to develop his idea – many different and differing voices crafted to produce one harmonious sound, each member of the choir primarily charged with listening to those on their left and right and then singing so as to blend with them, subjugating individual voices to that of the group.

According to GM Aniag, Masonry is no different. It accepts men of the widest variety of races, backgrounds, and beliefs into its fold and then teaches them to concern themselves primarily with the needs and wants of those around them. The grandmaster stressed that unity of such a diverse group of men is very difficult, if not impossible, a pipe dream, unless harmony is first achieved.

I believe that all were touched by his oration and it was made amply clear to all why he is the grandmaster.

The official proceedings continued with outgoing president VWBro Fidel Pamplona sharing his final thoughts with his fellow Filmasons followed by the induction of the Filmason officers for 2008-2009 by MW Bro Aniag. Incoming president Mario Baylon Jr led his officers in taking the oath administered by the grandmaster and then the paparazzi closed in again, led by our official photographer Bro Ray Moncay who coordinated and choreographed the photos throughout the evening.

Newly-inducted president Bro Baylon shared his vision for the club for the coming year, saying that he would use a back-to-basics approach, reducing the number of business meetings and increasing the number of fellowships and socials, and also putting some emphasis on the charitable aspect of the fraternity on which the club is founded.

The guests were then presented with several gifts of welcome which included masonic banners from WB Amores, boomerang key rings, and an Aboriginal boomerang and mount for MW Bro Aniag as well. More group photos, including photos of the paparazzi at their work, an idea of Bro Ray. We were then entertained by a musical number from Jasmin, the granddaughter of Bro Romy and Sis Tessie, and she sang beautifully indeed.

The official proceedings having drawn to a close, the brethren and sisters resumed the fellowship that masonic gatherings are known for and this could easily have gone on all night but did not because there was a golf tournament and barby scheduled for the next day and the visitors were still to get some real rest from their trip.

Reported by Bro Louie Reyes.