Photo above shows The Honorable Philippine Ambassador to Australia, Bro Ernesto De Leon, GLP GM MW Bro Boy Aniag, WBro Romy Nieto, VWBro Fidel Pamplona and Bro Manny Placido, taking a breather after a round of golf and partaking of the barbeque lunch.
Social Golf and Barbeque Lunch at the Park: 27 July
Preparations for the Sunday barbeque and fellowship began at approximately the same time that the golfers teed off at Villawood, if not earlier. Bro Manny Santos was already at Flinders Slopes at 9 am to make sure that the Filmasons had their customary spot, marked off by the Filmasons banner.
VWBro Fidel and Sis Pen Pamplona joined him shortly afterwards and they worked so quickly that by the time the others started arriving they were greeted by delicious smell of cooking sausages and steaks.
The full menu was prawns, steaks, sausages, chicken and fried rice by Sis Ellen; grilled onions, a variety of salads, and chips, all of which could be washed down by a selection of softdrinks, juices, wines, and three bottles of whisky donated by our fearless president. There were also fresh fruits, cakes, and chocolate for desserts. A typical Filmason picnic spread and even after everyone had had their fill, there was still enough left over for take away.
I got the chronology slightly messed up in that the lunch got eaten in two shifts because the golfers arrived about an hour after it was served. Nonetheless, they also had their fill, led by MWBro Aniag and His Excellency, brother Ernesto De Leon, Philippine Ambassador to Australia; who has already been a guest on several occasions at our get-togethers. Bro De Leon had made his way all the way from Canberra to join us for golf and barby and we are most grateful for this, brother ambassador.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in pleasant fellowship – stories on every topic including but not limited to golf and masonry were exchanged among the brethren and sisters, punctuated only by the slight interruption of the record-breaking hail storm at around 3 pm. We were then grateful for Bro Manny Santos’ foresight because we had the best and most protected spot on the grounds and stayed relatively dry throughout the downpour. It was also quite cold but the brethren were fighting it off bravely with liberal doses of Bro Mario’s medicinal whisky. I personally favoured the Johnny Walker Black for this purpose.
We easily outlasted the storm and then, on cue, the paparazzi appeared from nowhere and began their work, as will be evident from the photos accompanying this article. You will agree that just about every angle to photograph the group was used. Then, and this is never my favourite part of any story, it was time to pack up and say our goodbyes.
Everyone who wanted take away got some, except for the whisky. Some of us brought our visiting brethren to their lodgings, some at Bro Ariel Gonzales’ and Bro Joe Diroy’s residences at Campsie and Darling Point, the others to the Masonic Club and Hotel at Castlereagh Street in town; and with this a great day of fellowship had come to a most satisfying end.
Epilogue
At the start of his address, MWBro Aniag thanked the Australian brethren and sisters for making him and his delegation so welcome. At the end of it, he also congratulated them for forming the Filmasons Club. He stated how important it was, particularly in foreign lands, to come together and provide an environment in which we can feel welcome and at home, and through this club, it was possible to do just that.
Finally, he extended an invitation to all present to inform him whenever anyone was going back home for a visit so that they could reciprocate the warmth and hospitality shown them this day; a food for thought for sure.
Reported by Bro Louie Reyes
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