Fil Masons Exemplification Team

VWBro President Fidel Pamplona and VWBro Manny Maniago recently released the list of the Philippine 3rd Degree Exemplification Team. Those who made the commitment are as follows:


Worshipful Master: WBro. Romy Nieto

Senior Warden: WBro. Manny Reyes

Junior Warden: WBro. Ted Balgos

Senior Deacons: Bro. Louie Reyes & Bro. Ved Reyes

Junior Deacons: Bro. Manny Santos

Secretary/Marshall: Bro. Mario Baylon Jr

Chaplain: WBro. Jack Sta. Maria

Senior Steward: VWBro. Fidel Pamplona

Junior Steward: Bro. Bert Dooma

Working Tools: Bro. Bert Dooma

First Fellowcraft: VWBro. Manny Maniago

Second Fellowcraft: VWBro. Fidel Pamplona

The next practice will be on 19 April 2008 at the Blacktown Masonic Centre, 30 First Avenue, Blacktown NSW 2148 at 1:00 PM, before the April monthly membership meeting. (Note: Due to scheduling problems, Lodge not available at this time: This activity was rescheduled to a Sunday, 20 April at 5:00 PM. Please note, and call the President for more info.)

The lodges/districts who invited the team for year 2008 are as follows: Lodge Sydney St George, Lodge Alpha No 970, the Lodges that meets at the Bondi Masonic Centre and Lodge Theo Gray No 234 at 286 Princes Highway Bulli NSW 2516. Definite schedule are still under negotiations with the invitees.

The Filipino Exemplification team started in the early days of the Club as a way of Masonically educating the Australian raised brethren. First exemplified were the opening and closing of the three degrees. But the most popular by far is the 3rd Degree Raising, as this has no exact equivalent in the Australian lodges.

Lodge Alpha No 970 Installation: 9 May

Incoming Junior Warden (elect), Bro Manny Santos; invites the brethren and their ladies of the Fil Masons on the Installation of Officers of Lodge Alpha No 970 at the the Blacktown Masonic Centre, 30 First Avenue, Blacktown NSW 2148 on 9 May 2008. Tyling is at 6:30 PM for visitors.

Other incoming officers, who are also members of Fil Masons NSW are: Bro Carlo San Juan, Senior Deacon elect and Bro Sherwin Lim, Junior Deacon elect.

The sitting Worshipful Master is also a member of the Club, WBro Vince Flores.

Congratulations to these three Fil Masons on their way to the Oriental Chair!

Easter Outing 2008

Group Picture of the "Happy Campers"

The rain has not dampened the FilMasons' Easter Outing and meeting at WBro Jack and Sis Elvie Sta Maria's Mannering Park holiday house (background of photo above).

First to arrive on Saturday was Bro Mario and Sis Irene, who got the "first prize" of selecting their own bedroom. Followed by VWBro Manny, Sis Remy and son Joseph. Then by President & First Lady, VWBro Fidel and Sis Pen. Late to arrive (around 9:00 PM), were Bro Manny S and Sis Odeng, who has to work that day. While Bro Butch and Sis Jean, arrived Sunday afternoon.

After Saturday's lunch, VWBro Fidel, VWBro Manny and WBro Jack and the ladies accompanied VWBro Manny's son; Joseph for a round of nine-hole golf, while others took a much needed rest and nap.

The brethren and the ladies at the deck, by this time the weather cleared.

Sis Irene, Sis Elvie, Sis Odeng, Sis Remy and Sis Pen with Pres Fidel, munching the spicy "dilis" pulutan.

After Saturday's dinner, some of the ladies watched TV and talked while most of brethren partook some beer, wine, scotch and the favorite drink of the night: Tequila. The Club's first "midnight meeting" was held and was over at 1:15 AM Sunday! The brethren and some of the ladies could not help but wait for Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday morning walk: Bro Mario, Bro Fidel, Bro Manny S, Bro Manny M and Bro Jack.

After a sumptous Easter Sunday breakfast, most of group went to play golf, some went sightseeing of the surrounding areas and the Hunter Valley Vineyards.

Most went home after lunch to join with other family members for Easter Sunday. While Bro Butch and Sis Jean turned up to keep the Sta Maria's company till Easter Monday.

Another happy Easter Outing, and according to the Sta Maria's this is the first of the many open invitation to their holiday cum-retirement house.

The club wishes to thank Bro Jack and Sis Elvie for their generosity and hospitality!