Part 1
The colors unfurled before you represent the national banner of our country - the Philippines.
It stands for a people, united with every element forming an integral whole, a geographical territory without dismemberment - a republic, democratic, free and independent.
It is an emblem of our national freedom, the incarnation and inspiration of all that is dear and noble in Philippine life.
Wrought by the mighty hands of ages, born of a liberty-loving people and led by the guiding spirit of the destinies of nations.
It is the landmark of our national patrimony and the living symbol of our birthright.
In its name history records the founding and building of the nation.
Its zeal shall live till the end of time and its ideals shall cease only when nations and races are no more.
The Sun is an emblem of the eternal life of the nation and a symbol of the perpetual life that guards the destiny of our race.
Its eighth rays represent the first eight constituent provinces, the three stars designate the three great regions, ours by the gift of nature and by the design of the Almighty.
The white triangle tells us of our peaceful and friendly purposes as well as the sincerity and purity of our actions, the Masonic Trinity of Faith, Hope and Charity.
The blue field denotes our patriotism and our lofty principles and purposes.
The red stripe proclaims our indomitable energy with which we hold on to our tropical skies.
On the whole, the sun, the triangle and the three stars that make our flag are Masonic symbols - the Brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God.
As our forefathers have dreamed of it, so may it float forever over the land of a happy people.
Part 2
There flies our flag, an emblem of rare beauty and patriotic meaning.
The constant inspiration of our people for a life of peace, independence and freedom.
Salute it because it is the symbol of the happiness and felicity of our forefathers and heroes during the centuries gone by;
Kiss it because it is the banner of the brave sons of our Rajah Sulaimans and Maria Claras;
Press it upon your bosom because it is the sacred colors of our country, the Philippines;
Place it in your hearts because it is the symbol of our country that is over us in all our vicissitudes of life;
Love it because it is the fruit and sacrifices of our brothers and heroes who perished for our nation’s cause;
Adore it because it is the living personification of the spirit of our land of birth;
Venerate it because it is the living mantle that covered the bleeding and mangled bodies of our heroes - dead;
Bless it and dedicate it to God because it is the fruit and sacrifices of our brothers and heroes who now in eternity rest;
And trust it to the Almighty and to human justice that it be preserved for us, for our children and our children’s children, to glorify and render more holy that those who died for it might not have died in vain
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Salute to the Filipino Flag: In Honour of the 110th Philippine Independence
Part III: Golf & Barbeque Day
FilMasons NSW & Vic brethren and sister Do Placido (muse) take a breather for a photo.As reported by Bro Louie Reyes, FilMasons NSW VP
Dateline: Melbourne, 5-8 June 2008
Sunday, 8 June 2008 – GOLF & BARBY DAY
In what is almost certainly going to become a tradition, the day after the induction is for the golf match followed by barby (barbeque). The venue for the match was the Altona Golf Club because several of the brothers are members and regulars there.
The day was another beautiful and sunny Melbourne day and a total of fourteen players, eight from Victoria and six from New South Wales, took on the challenging course, albeit for only nine holes due to the late tee off of 9 am. The brethren were once again the perfect hosts, providing us with all the equipment we needed, and even coffee before tee off.
Allow me to say up front that our Victorian brethren are excellent players and we have much to learn from them. No excuses though, because we tried our best but they are streets ahead in golf skill. I, for example, was in the last squad to tee off, with Bro Roy, Sis Do, and Bro Manny Placido, and it quickly turned into a clinic by Bro Roy for us. Thank you very much for your valuable lessons and your patience, bro! Nonetheless, there were some high points for us as well. Our hosts were all praise for Sis Do’s style and were even willing to bet on her against some other ladies on the course.
At the end of the match, we all gathered at the car park around 1130 am for some photos before joining the others at Western Masonic Hall for the barbeque and fellowship.
Some of the sisters from Victoria.The banquet was ready and waiting for us by the time we got to the lodge at Sunshine and we joined the others in enjoying the delicious food. WBro Reg De Leon was chief chef, ably assisted by the others brthren. Once again, there was plenty of softdrink, wine, beer, and even some cognac to help with digestion. The only minus for me was that Marilyn got sick with flu and was unable to join us in the celebration.
There is also no such thing as a Filipino get-together without karaoke and that had already been set up and was used constantly after lunch. Lunch is always a noisy and happy affair for Filipinos and the NSW contingent, though smaller in number, had no problem contributing to the general happiness and celebration going on throughout.
The Victorians had organized trophies for the golf match and first up were the Class C or rookie prizes which were won by Bro Cesar Solis, 1st placer; Bro Toti Mayo and Bro Bong Flores, runner ups; all of Victoria which was no surprise.
Sis Do Placido receiving her trophy from Bro Tito Mayo.
Some of the FilMasons Vic & NSW with their "trophies."Kidding aside, it was a beautiful gesture on their part, and Bro Manny Placido was inspired to say "thank you" on our behalf by leading the sisters in an energetic rendition of Hurts So Good which got everybody to either join in the singing or to get up and dance.
Then, Sis Remy informed us that the Placidos’ had just celebrated their wedding anniversary and that meant, of course, a love song by them. They sang their favourite song, Endless Love, so beautifully that several of the brethren proposed to Bro Manny right then and there.
More songs and dancing followed, and a very fair raffle as well wherein NSW FilMasons was allowed to win a prize. Just kidding! This all added to the wonderful atmosphere which had taken over the banquet hall of the lodge.
Some of us were taken on a tour of the lodge rooms which are very beautifully laid out and furnished and we had to say that this was one of the best lodges we had ever seen, a true temple of Freemasonry.
It could have gone on for a long time yet, but this is where my part of the story ends because we had an 8 pm flight to catch at Tullamarine, so at a little past 3 pm, I began the sad task of saying farewell to all my Victorian brothers and sisters. It seemed to take a long time. Bro Fidel and sis Hilda, wonderful couple that they are; brought me to my home yet again and I will never forget their kindness.
What do you say to people who had given their all and then some to make our visit a most wonderful experience? I’m sure I speak for all of the visitors when I say that this was easily one of the high points of our lives, and we mean it. There is now a new definition for mason in the dictionary – "Victorian Filmasons". And a whole new meaning to our famous Filipino hospitality - "door to door hospitality" Victorian FilMasons style!
Part II: VIC Induction Week End
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.
FilMasons Victoria Induction: A Crowning Success By Bro Louie Reyes
As reported by Bro Louie Reyes, FilMasons NSW VP
Dateline: Melbourne,VIC, 5-8 June 2008
Prologue: Thursday, 5 June 2008 - ARRIVALS
In response to the very cordial invitation of their Victorian Filmason brethren, fourteen of the NSW brothers and sisters boarded plane, train, and automobile (figuratively speaking) to be part of their induction scheduled for the Queen’s birthday long weekend, 6 to 8 June 2008.
The delegation included FilMason's President, VWBro Fidel and Sis Pen Pamplona, VWBro Manny and Sis Remy Maniago, Bro Manny and Sis Do Placido, WBro Romy and Sis Ellen Nieto, WBro Rudy and Sis Mila Romerosa, Bro Ted and Sis Evie Robiso, and Bro Louie and Sis Marilyn Reyes. We all knew that it was going to be a great event. What we didn’t anticipate was just how great it would be.
The long weekend really began on Thursday, 5 June, with the arrival of the first of the NSW contingent at Tullamarine airport. President-elect Bro Roy Esagunde personally met the Reyes’ and brought them safely to their host, a sign of things to come and just what the Victorians meant by hospitality: "door to door hospitality".
Friday, 6 June 2008 – LODGE & CASINO VISIT
The following morning brought in the second wave from the north, consisting of the Pamplonas’ and Maniagos’ and it was Bro Greg Todio who did the meet and greet, along with lunch and fellowship at his home before taking them to their accommodation in the city.
After a bit of time for rest and unpacking, we all met in the city for the first organized events. Bro Greg took us to Lodge Civil Service 338 to visit and watch a live second degree, this will be covered in a separate article. Suffice it to say that the brethren of Lodge Civil Service were most appreciative of the visit and presented us with small souvenirs of the evening.
Another group headed by Bro Fidel and Sis Hilda and Bro Noling and Sis Delia took Sis Remy, Sis Pen, and Sis Marilyn to Crown Casino for dinner and other entertainments such as are on offer at the premises. The brethren joined them a little later on after the lodge meeting and the fellowship continued at one of the cake and coffee outlets, of which there must be thousands at Crown Casino. I exaggerate of course, but let me say right now that night and day become one at the Casino and there is wall-to-wall everything there. The place was absolutely packed and VWBro Fidel P and VWBro Manny M had reason to comment that it was as near to Las Vegas as one could get without leaving Australia. The group were almost reluctant to part ways for the "evening" but next day was the big day and there was still work to be done.
(Moderator's Note: This is part one of a three-part series on the FilMasons Victorian Induction Trip long weekend.)