Thank you

Many thanks again to Bro Manny and Sis Odeng for their great hospitality in hosting our Christmas party last Saturday at their home. It was an excellent evening of food, drink, and fellowship, made possible by them. Our sincere gratitude, extended as well to all who made it that evening and shared in the wonderful atmosphere.


Luis 'Louie' Reyes


For those with Facebook account you can see some of our pictures on the night. As always these festivities does not end till the wee hours of the morning! For those who managed to attend; we are sure by your smiles that you enjoyed the night. Our thoughts to those were not able to come for some reason or another; especially those who are away overseas or those who are sick or are tending to those who are sick: we missed you!

Christmas Party moved to 5:00 PM: 18 Dec

Hello All,

Just a reminder for this Saturday's Christmas Party, 18 December. Our host decided to have it moved from 12 noon as a starting time to 5:00 PM onwards due to most of you not available [see email below] as early as we want to. Perhaps this is much better & cooler; whilst I don't know the weather forecast I am sure we will have a good time.

Also Sis Remy suggested to have a gift per couple to exchange with [$20-$30] other couples.

Again on behalf of our Pres WBro Louie Reyes & Sis Marilyn, our Wor Master VWBro Fidel Pamplona & our hosts; Bro manny & Sis Odeng Santos; have a Very Merry Christmas & a Happy & Safe New Year to you & your family!

FilMasons' XMas Party: 18 Dec

On behalf of our President, WBro Louie Reyes; we would like to announce and invite you and your family to the FilMasons' Christmas Party, Saturday 18 December. Starting time is 12 noon till late at Bro Manny & Sis Odeng's Woodcroft residence.

To simplify catering, this is a potluck and BYO. It is requested, if you can [not a show stopper by any means!] to bring a dish or dessert and your favourite drinks to share. The important part is to show up with your family and have a wonderful time with the brethren, their ladies and their family.

For those, for some reason can not make it this time:

Have a Merry & Peaceful Christmas and a Happy & Prosperous New Year!

Lodge Woronora's Annual Ladies Night: 30 Oct

It would be greatly appreciated if you could please confirm your
attendance for this important annual event in the Lodge’s activities program.

The theme for the evening is a masked ball so come in your creative best.

It will be held at the St George Masonic Club

[Roberts Avenue, Mortdale]

on Saturday 30th October 2010, commencing 7.00 for 7.30pm.

Cost $40.00pp (Children 15yrs and under $15.00pp)

An interesting Night of Entertainment is envisaged,

we have arranged a two piece Band for you to dance to

and a Two Course Meal will be served at your table.

Please make sure you mark up your diary for this important event.

We would very much like to share the evening with you.

Luis 'Louie' Reyes
Wor Master

Eulogy: VWBro Cecilio 'Cecil' Reyes Uy

Family and Friends

Welcome and thank you for your attendance today and joining us to celebrate the life of my Dad, Cecilio.

I’d like to share my memories of Dad.

Dad’s a son of the solid north. Born at Aparri, Cagayan and raised at Tayug, Pangasinan [3 February 1938]. He completed his tertiary education at Far Eastern University majoring in Accounting. He became a Certified Public Accountant and built a successful practice. At the same time, he has a knack for teaching and became a professor at Polytechnic University of the Philippines and the University of Manila.

In his professional life, I think his best achievements include becoming Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Manila. He assumed the role despite of just having a Bachelor Degree. We are very proud of this achievement. This is proof that he’s attained the role purely on merit and skill. He eventually was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree, although, he preferred being a University Dean. He signs his name as Dean Cecilio R Uy to a point that people have mistaken his name to be Dean instead of Cecilio.

Another achievement is on being selected as one of the external auditors for the Philippine Constabulary – Integrated National Police. He would proudly display a sticker of the PC – INP on his jeep or car’s windscreen. Even the traffic police are giving him a military salute as he drove pass.

Personally, he was a great Dad. Growing up was never dull. While we seldom have dinner with him on weeknights, he made a point to dedicate the weekend with us. We used to live in Las Pinas which is between Cavite and Laguna. We have a choice of spending the day at either the beaches of Cavite or the swimming pool resorts of Laguna. He also loved going to fiestas. We’d go to Bulacan for a fiesta among others. I share this love of the fiesta with him. It is the best example of Filipino hospitality. There is nothing better.

A particular good time was when he would pack the family for a road trip back to Tayug, Pangasinan. This is always around the time of All Saints Day in November. He liked going back to Tayug and introducing us to the rest of the family. He never forgot his roots.

Today, we farewell Tayug, Pangasinan’s favourite son.

After school, we normally get picked up by a cousin to get us home. On some occasion, Dad will pick us up and would treat us to a merienda at Max Fried Chicken, at the airplane that’s been converted to a restaurant for some club sandwiches or at some fancy hotel restaurant for cake.

Our home at Las Pinas is a hub on weekends. If we’re not in Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Tayug or visiting friends for lunch or dinner, Dad liked to entertain guests at home.

Dad is the most welcoming person I know. If he meets a new person, his instinct will tell him that this new person is a potential friend.

We have a long driveway at Las Pinas. Dad will set up a table and chairs at the street end of the driveway. He’ll have a case of beer and whisky. He loved his whisky. The first neighbour to walk pass our driveway is promptly invited for a drink. Next thing you know, the entire street is at our driveway with an impromptu party. The name of the street we used to live in is Tidy Tips. By the end of the party, our place in untidy and the guests are way pass being tipsy.

When we moved to Australia and he still have his accountancy practice back home, this period made him split his time between Sydney and Manila. But he always makes a point to be here with us during Christmas and New Year. During the most important time of the year, he will always be with us, his family.

This is how I remembered him, simply Dad.

Your attendance here is testament to his generosity and friendship to you, his family and friends. He made good friends here and back home. Friends that treated us like family.

It was different here when he first joined us in Sydney. It was so quiet for his liking. But that changed when he made friends with the gang at BM Mount Druitt, with his drinking buddies at the [Blacktown] Workers Club and, most certainly, his Lodge Brothers here in Sydney. Your tribute last night is befitting of your Past Master and Brother and he’d be pleased that you have delivered that honour to him. It is a reflection of the high esteem you hold for my Dad. You made Sydney just like what he’s used to back home.

Thank you for honouring his memory today.
 
by Dennis P. Uy [son]

VWBro Cecil Uy Drops Working Tools: 29 Aug 2010

Brethren & Sisters,

It is with deep regret & sorrow that I inform you of the death of our VWBro Cecilio 'Cecil' Uy in Sydney this 2:30 am [29 Aug 2010] at Westmead Hospital [Sydney] [as relayed by WBro Rey Velez].

He is a member of Araw Lodge No 18 [honorary member of Jacques DeMolay Mem Lodge No 305, GLP]; and in Sydney, a long time member of the Filipino Freemasons Association of NSW Inc [FilMasons Club NSW] and the representative of the Philippine Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay to Australia.

Our deepest condolences & prayers to Sister Rosie and their two children.

Sincerely & fraternally,

Bro Mario Baylon Jr
Secretary
------------------------------

Viewing: Friday Sept 3, from 5 to 9 pm at Pinegrove [Kington St., Minchinbury NSW 2770 (02) 9625 8066]. We are planning a Masonic Tribute/Last Rites Friday, please bring your Masonic aprons.


Last Rites & Burial: Saturday Sept 4; there will be a 10:30 am Mass at St Andrew's Church, Marayong, and then onwards to Pinegrove Cemetery (Minchinbury) right after the Mass.

[More pictures of the viewing & Masonic Tribute here.]

Nanay Sally Estrera Passed Away: 20 July 2010

To all our brothers and sisters,


Sis Milabel Estrera informed me that Nanay Sally Estrera, 92; mother of our late brother Jimmy Estrera, co-founder of the FilMasons, passed away yesterday. Details of viewing and internment to follow but there will be prayers every evening at the home of Cesar and Myra Estrera at 64 Summerfield Ave, Quakers Hill. Please include Nanay in your prayers.

Luis Reyes
President

-----------------------------------


Details for Nanay Sally Estrera:



Viewing - 5 PM to 9 PM, Friday, 23rd of July at Guardian Funeral Home, Sunnyholt and First Avenue, Blacktown.


Mass and internment - 10:30 AM, Saturday, 24th of July, Mass at St. Andrews at Marayong at 10:30 am followed by internment at Pinegrove


-----------------------------------


Also continue to pray for our VWBro Cecil Uy, who is still confined as of this writing at Westmead Private Hospital from a cancer operation.

Pray also for Sis Elvie Sta Maria, who suffered a mild stroke a couple of weeks ago.

Condolences to VWBro Ronald Fabian

Former FilMasons member, VWBro Ronald Fabian is in town to commiserate with the family of his deceased sister, Rachel Fabian Ymalay [10 Sept 1954 - 8 June 2010] of Doonside.

Our condolences and prayers for the family & friends of Rachel, especially to our Bro Ronald Fabian.

FilMasons AGM: 20 June

The FilMasons Annual General Meeting & election of officers for 2010 will be held this coming Sunday, 20 June at 3:00 PM at the Castle Hill Masonic Centre, corner Showground and Old Northern Roads, Castle Hill NSW 2154.

Please bring drinks & dish to share.

There is an onsite parking in the compound.

Lodge Woronora Install: 18 June

To all Brethren & Sisters,

Thanks for making yesterday's meeting a great success!

The fellowship was first class, probably second only this year to Bro Butch Canicula's birthday / meeting at their home last January when we all went over the limit! I'm sure your Amasons also enjoyed yourselves, judging from the constant laughter at the Castle Hill Masonic Centre.

Our dinner was also first class - chicharon, roasted peanuts, beer, wine, softdrinks, etc for pica pica, pakbet, tinolang manok, siomai, noodle soup, rice, bagoong, etc for dinner, and assorted cakes for dessert, including a Chinese dessert called 'mochi'. We still have not established the correct pronunciation for this particular delicacy so it will be an agenda item for our next meeting.

We also got through the business meeting, details to be provided by Bro Mario at a later date.

Once again, sincerest thanks from your Sis Marilyn and myself.

Bro Luis 'Louie' Reyes

----------------------------------

Also, let us congratulate our President, Bro Louie Reyes for being elected as Worshipful Master of Lodge Woronora No 414. Let us support him & Sis Marilyn by attending his Installation next month, Friday 18 June 2010 at 6:00 PM at Oatley Masonic Centre. All are invited, especially the ladies. See details below.

Details of Woronora's install are as follows:

Friday, 18 June 2010 [RSVP by 9th June 2010], Tyling at 6 PM

[Visitors: 6:15 PM - Grand Lodge: 7 PM]

Oatley Masonic Centre, 11a Letitia Street Oatley

Followed by an Installation Banquet at the Oatley RSL Club,

23 Letitia Street Oatley, [Banquet fee of $35.00 per person applies]

Please  RSVP by the 9th of June 2010 to RWB Bill Casley, Secretary.

PO Box 71 Sutherland NSW 1499, Telephone - 02 9521 2482

Ladies & partners are most cordially invited to the Banquet.

16 May Regular Meeting

Our President, Bro Louie Reyes & the rest of our officers would like you & your family to attend our regular monthly meeting this Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 4 PM at the Castle Hill Masonic Centre, corner of Showground & Old Northern Roads, Castle Hill NSW 2154. Parking on site [inside the boom gate].

This is our nomination month so please make time to attend this important meeting.

Please bring a dish, dessert & favourite drinks to share.

Hope to see you there!

Easter Outing: 3-4 April

Brethren & Ladies,

We will have a joint Easter Outing with Lodge Jose Rizal at the Pilipino Multi-Purpose Centre [MPC] at 80 Grange Ave, Schofields [NSW 2762]  this Easter weekend. Our Wor Bro Vince Flores is one of the caretakers here and will welcome you with a barbeque [cost per family is just $20.00].  We are planning to spend the weekend here, arriving on the morning of Sturday, 3rd April and leaving after lunch, Sunday, 4th April. Some might go there for a day and visit.

"The Pilipino MPC is situated in a big acreage with a three (3) bedroom house and meeting room. Please bring tent if you intend to sleep in the backyard, pillows, beddings, etc. or air mattress if sleeping at lounge room. Bedrooms can be shared by ladies. Suggested activities are chess, mahjong, card games, bingo or dominos, please take your family as well as friends." according to WBro Manny Maniago.

Bro President Louie says: "May this period be a blessed and solemn one for all of you."

Photos by Bro Manny Santos via his Facebook.

William O'laco: RIP 17 March 2010

Brethen & Sisters,

Good evening to all brothers and sisters.

It is my sad duty to announce that Bro Rudy O'laco's brother, William, passed away yesterday [Wednesday, 17 March] in the Philippines and the viewing is at Malate Church, internment on Sunday, 21 March.

Bro Rudy and Sis Sen will go home tomorrow, Friday 19 March.

Please pray for the eternal repose of William O'laco's soul, and may he rest in peace in the arms of the Creator.


Bro Louie Reyes
Club President

------------------------------------

The members of FilMasons NSW Inc offer their prayers & condolences to Bro Rudy & Sis Sen O'laco and the rest of their family and friends on the passing of their beloved brother, Willian O'laco.

May he rest in peace!

Ladies Night 2010 in Photos

FilMasons Farewell WBro Fred Enriquez

WBro Godofredo "Fred" Enriquez, 24 June 1948 drops his working tools 12 February 2010; was farewelled by at least 73 mostly FilMasons at his viewing and Masonic Tribute yesterday, 18 February at Pinegrove Memorial Park Chapel.

Funeral Mass - 20 February 2010 at 10:00 AM, Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, 110 Mimosa Drive, Bossley Park NSW 2176. Parking, off Restwell Road.

Internment - 20 February 2010 after Church Funeral Rites, Pinegrove Memorial Park, Kington Street [off Great Western Highway], Michinbury NSW 2770.

"While we deplore the loss of our beloved brother, and pay this fraternal tribute to his memory, let us not forget, my brethren, that we, too, are mortal; that our bodies, now so strong and vigorous, must ere long, like his, become tenants of the narrow grave and that our spirits, too, like his, must return to the God who spake them into existence."

" 'Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth as a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.' "

"We extend to the bereaved family, Sister Dolly and family, relatives and friends of our departed Worshipful Brother Fred our sincere sympathy in this hour of sorrow, and we pray that "He who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb" will give them His divine comfort and consolation, and that they may be brought to realize that the spirit of our brother Fred is happy in his Father's House, where "God shall wipe away all the tears from their eyes, and where there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away." "*

 "We consign his body to the tomb. We cherish his memory here. We commend his spirit to God!"

We thank brethren from Lodge Star of Australia, Lodge Beauty of Cabra-Vale, Lodge Alpha, Lodge Education, Lodge Blacktown-Kildare, Lodge Woronora and Lodge Jose Rizal [and many others] for their attendance; as well as our ladies and friends.

-------------------------

*Excerpts from the Philippine Masonic Funeral Services booklet as provided by Bro Ved Reyes.

Ladies Night - 20 Feb

If you have missed the January 2010 Regular Meeting at Bro Butch & Sis Gene Canicula's residence in Woodcroft you've missed one of our best meetings to date. What a way to start the New Year!

Frankly it could have been due to the alcohol served, but personally it is the presence of the brethren & their ladies & the tremendous fellowship that followed. The business meeting took only half an hour of the planned "meeting", which started at 3:00 pm and ended at 12 midnight [for some!].

But don't be distressed if you've missed the January meeting, our President, Bro Louie has come up with a great Ladies Night this February 20 at 6:00 pm [7:15 pm booking] at Bay View Hotel's 25th Floor Restaurant [90 William St, Woolloomooloo NSW 2010]. Approximate cost is $50 per person.

Parking in the building, $15.00 flat rate.

16 Jan Monthly Meeting

Our President, Bro Louie Reyes, and officers invite everyone to the FilMasons monthly meeting Saturday, 16 January 2010 at 3 PM to be hosted by Bro Butch & Sis Gene Canicula at their Woodcroft residence.

The main agenda will be the coming Ladies Night, which is traditionally scheduled every February to coincide with Valentines Day.

Bro Louie said in an email that "I had initially thought of calling a recess in January to allow the LJR team an uninterrupted run to the consecration but we now have some matters to settle so please go ahead and invite everyone to our January meeting on the 16th at Bro Butch and Sis Gene's home.

Many thanks for your generosity in inviting us, Bro and Sis Canicula. Very kind of you."

Part of the ladies contigent.

From left, around the table: Bro Pres Louie, WBro Vince, WBro Romy, WBro Manny R, Bro Al, Daniel P, Bro Manny P, Bro Dick P, the celebrant - Bro Butch. Bro Fred & Bro Manny S.

The celebrant & host thanking the brethren & ladies for attending his birthday.

More newcomers still showing up: WBro Fidel P & Bro Tony S.

WBro Manny R proposing yet another toast, while roasting the host. After which a round of Happy Birthday song in the tune of Silent Night was sung.

Sis Pen & WBro Fidel laughts at one of Bro Butch's jokes.