Region 11 Conference: 30-31 May 2009

Just a reminder to all regarding RWBro Rey Porras' invitation to attend Region 11 Conference and Charity Dinner on 30 May 2009. The working conference will end 31 May, with the theme: "Working Together".

Start of the conference is 9:00 AM of 30 May at Lodge Kiama No 35, Collins St Kiama NSW 2533.



For those just attending the Charity Dinner and Concert, it will start at 6:30 PM [for 7:00 PM] at Kiama Leagues Club, 109 Terralong St Kiama NSW 2533. There is a nominal charge of $35.00 per person.

The Amasons will be performing in this Charity Dinner and Concert along with professional performers.

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Last dance practice for the ladies is on Friday, 29 May [6:00 PM] at Bro Manny and Sis Odeng Santos' residence in Woodcroft.

Congratulations FilMasons Victoria!

The brethren and ladies of the FilMasons NSW Association [Club] Inc, wish to congratulate the incoming officers of our "sister FilMasons Club" in Victoria on their forthcoming induction of officers this 6 of June 2009:

PRESIDENT – Wor. Bro. CESAR SOLIS

VICE PRESIDENT – Wor. Bro. REG DE LEON

SECRETARY – Wor. Bro. FIDEL ORAY

ASSISTANT SECRETARY – Bro. RONAN COLOBONG

TREASURER – Wor. Bro. JHUN CARREON

ASSISTANT TREASURER – Wor. Bro. BONG FLORES

AUDITOR – Bro. JHUN DE LA CRUZ

P.R.O. – Bro. RODEL DIMAUNAHAN
– Wor. Bro. MANO GAMAT
– Bro. ABEL SAMBAT

CHAPLAIN – Wor. Bro. JOHNNY DIMABUYU

PUBLIC LIAISON OFFICER – Bro. ROY ESAGUNDE

WELFARE OFFICER – Wor. Bro. JHUN CORTEZ

Representing the FilMasons NSW in the induction are no less than four past Presidents of the Club and their ladies: WBro Romy and Sis Ellen Nieto, Bro Manny and Sis Odeng Santos, Bro Manny and Sis Do Placido and WBro Manny and Sis Remy Maniago.

Lodge Balmain Celebrates 150th Founding: 16 May

Photo shows [from left], Past Grand Master [1969-1972], MW Bro Robert Hammond, Worshipful Master-elect, Bro Jason Plumridge and Bro Ian Jarrat, Lodge DC. [photo by Sarah Nixon from Cumberland Courier].

Lodge Balmain No 23 [UGL NSW & ACT] will be celebrating it’s 150th founding this Saturday, 16 May at a reconsecration ceremony and banquet at Laurelbank Masonic Centre [87 Penshurst St Willoughby NSW 2068] starting at 4:00 PM.

As one of the oldest lodges in the jurisdiction, Lodge Balmain has its share of other lodges that amalgated with it; like Lodge Waratah-Pacific, which also amalgated with Lodge Pacific and Lodge Biloela in the recent past.

According to a news item by Eleanor Pearson in the Cumberland Courier,

"The lodge was founded by a shipwright at Balmain in 1859 when sailing was the only way to cross the Pacific.

About 40 sea captains have been members and even now membership includes a shipwright and navy personnel.

When the lodge meets each month members toast their seafaring forbears, ring a bell from an old ship, Westralia, and sing a seafaring ditty."

Filipino members of this lodge are VWBro Vergel Valderamma, WBro Bobby Briones, WBro Romy Nieto and WB Nep Reyes.

The FilMasons Association, Inc congratulates the officers and members of Lodge Balmain No 23 on this momentous occasion; especially members with Filipino heritage.

May events Update and Reminder

Hello all,

I do hope that you had a grand Mother's Day celebration with your families.

Time fly too fast, it is now mid May and the onslaught of winter and flu season is here again. Please take care and if you want, see your doctor for that very important flu vaccine shot.

Just reminding you of our following May events, please update your calendar:

1. 16 May - Saturday - FilMason Membership Meeting, 6:00 PM at Bro Manny & Sis Odeng Santos' residence in Woodcroft.

2. 24 May - Sunday - [RSVP 15 May] Manna and Julius Maniago are inviting us thru WBro Manny & Sis Remy Maniago. Party for their grandsons; Isaac Miguel's dedication and Joshua Emmanuel's 3rd birthday; 1 PM at Alford's Point Community Centre, 48 Coachwood Cres, Alford's Point NSW.

3. 30 May [to 31 May] - Saturday - [RSVP 18 May] RWBro Rey Porras' Region 11 Conference [opens at 9:00 AM, Lodge Kiama No 35, Collins St Kiama NSW 2533] and Charity Concert, $35 per head [starts at 6:30 PM at Kiama Leagues Club, 109 Terralong St Kiama NSW 2533].

The Amason [Asawa ng Mason] ladies will be performing in the Charity Concert. I have received from Bro Rey pre-paid tickets 8 [discounted] for the ladies and 6 for the brethren who previously RSVP'd.

Hope to see you in our nominations meeting this Saturday.

Bro Mario

President

Happy Mother's Day to all!

This is "dedicated to our mothers, whose love never fails. You may rise to positions of great influence in commercial, political, or professional life, but you can never reach the heights of your mother's secret hopes for you. You may sink into the lowest depths of infamy and degradation, but never below the reach of her love. The memory of it will always stir your heart. There is no man [or woman] so entirely base, so completely vile, so utterly low, that he does not hold in his heart a shrine sacred and apart for the memory of his mother's love.

Were I to draw you a picture of love divine,
it would not be that of a stately Angel,
With a form that is full of grace.
But a tired and toilworn mother
With a grave and tender face.

It was your mother who loved you before you were born--who carried you for long months close to her heart and in the fullness of time took God's hand in hers and passed through the valley of shadows to give you life. It was she who cared for you during the helpless years of infancy and the scarcely less dependent years of childhood.

As you have grown less dependent, she has done the countless, thoughtful, trouble-healing, helpful and encouraging things which somehow only mothers seem to know how to do. You may have accepted these attentions more or less as matters of course, and perhaps without conscious gratitude or any expression of your appreciation.

You are rapidly approaching the time in life when you will be entirely independent of your mother. The ties with which dependency has bound you to her may be severed as you grow older, but the tie of a mother's love can never be broken.

Thinking back upon the years of your life when you have reached the threshold of manhood, your mother might well say in the words of the poet:

My body fed your body, son,
But birth's a swift thing
Compared to one and twenty years
Of feeding you with spirit's tears.
I could not make your mind and soul,
But my glad hands have kept you whole.
Your groping hands
Bound me to life with ruthless bands.
And all my living became a prayer,
While all my days built up a stair
For your young feet that trod behind
That you an aspiring way should find.
Think you that life can give you pain
Which does not stab in me again?
Think you that life can give you shame
Which does not make my pride go lame?
And you can do no evil thing
Which sears not me with poisoned sting.
Because of all that I have done,
Remember me in life, O son.
Keep that proud body fine and fair.
My life is monumented there.
For my life make no woman weep,
For my life hold no woman cheap.
And see you give no woman scorn
For that dark night when you were born."

[Excerpts from the Order of DeMolay's Flower Talk ceremony.]

Maniago's Grandsons' Party - 24 May

According to an email by our Treasurer, Bro Manny Santos; the invitation by VWBro Manny and Sis Remy and the Maniago family is extended to all members of the Club.

Please RSVP to Bro Manny or Sis Remy if you and your lady will attend.

May Events

Just a reminder regarding scheduled month of May events:

1. Tonight, Friday, 8 May - Lodge Alpha No 970 Installation, 6:15 PM tyling, [$20 charge for the south] Blacktown Masonic Centre, corner Boys and 1st Avenues, Blacktown.

Worshipful Master Russell Dobsen

Senior Warden Les Coombes

Junior Warden Carlos San Juan

Senior Deacon Sherwin Lim

Junior Deacon Fred Sese

Inner Guard WBro Hannaford

2. Association Meeting, Saturday, 16 May, 6:00 PM - Residence of Bro Manny and Sis Odeng Santos at Woodcroft. This is our nomination month and hopefully all would show up. A big thank you to Bro Manny and Sis Odeng for hosting this meeting, fellowship and dance practice for the ladies. As always, please if you can bring a plate of dish/food/dessert to share and drinks.

3. Region 11 Charity Variety Concert, Kiama Leagues Club, 109 Terralong St, Kiama NSW 2533; Saturday, 30 May, 6:30 PM, tickets $35.00 per head [includes dinner and show]. Dress: clean casual after five.

This is RWBro Rey Porras, PJGW, last term as Regional Grand Counsellor for Region 11; and we will be supporting him by performing a couple of dance numbers as well as by attending this charity event.

Congratulations to the new officers of Lodge Alpha No 970, especially to Bro Carlos San Juan, Bro Sherwin Lim and Bro Fred Sese!

FilMasons Vic Induction: 6-7 June

The Filipino Freemasons Association of Victoria, Inc., through their Secretary, WBro Fidel Oray, invites all FilMasons NSW and their ladies to their Induction of Officers this coming 6 June 2009 [Saturday] at 6:00 P.M. at Polish Hall, 6 Helene Street, Ardeer, Victoria 3020. Attire is formal and the cost is $40.

According to WBro Oray, "Family barbeque will be on the following day, June 7, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. Proposed golf activities can be arranged if brethren wishes to play. It would be great if you could attend this memorable day."

Easter 2009 Outing Photos: Day 1

Just some pictures on our recent Easter outing at WBro Manny and Sis Vivian's residence at Tomerong. Above picture shows what greeted us, an expansive land with a newly built house.

What is spectacular about this farm property is that it is "green", Bro Manny has a 1Kv solar electricity with a back up generator. There is a large rain water tank at the back of the house [not shown in the above photo], a man made dam nearby to take care of the overflow and Bro Manny erected the small water tank, shown above.


The brethren [from left], WBro Vince, WBro Manny M, WBro Manny R and WBro Rudy; taking a breather after the long drive, with WBro Manny R's favourite drinks. At the background, WBro Jack practising his golf swing.

While some of the ladies [from left]; Sis Mila, Sis Irene, Sis Elvie and Sis Vivian preparing the banana leaves that we will be eating on. Sis Remy is inside the house preparing food.

Just to make sure that not only the ladies doing the cooking, WBro Vince is seen here cooking his papaitan!

Happy Easter to all!

If we don't see you this Holy Week, have a Happy and Blessed Easter to you and your family!

Don't forget to drop by or come at our Tomerong [NSW] Easter "Camping"!

Easter 2009 Outing: 11-12 April

Photo shows, from left: our host, Sis Pen, Bro Manny P, Bro Sec Dan, WBro Vince, Sis Irene, Sis Odeng and WBro Manny Reyes; our Easter outing host. Photo taken last 21 March meeting.

Brethren & Ladies,

WBro Manny Maniago suggested we visit our sick brother, WBro Manny Reyes this Easter to coincide with our Easter Outing at his residence at Parnell Rd Tomerong. Our WBro Manny Reyes gladly accepted to host us at his farm property, and even attended last meeting to confirm the details.

The Easter Outing will be on Saturday and Sunday, 11 to 12 April.

Please bring some linen, food [potluck], drinks [Bro Manny R fav drink!] and if you are camping on his vast property, bring camping gears. As his residence uses solar energy [1KV] and rain water tanks, these will be in limited supply for the numbers of attendees. There is however a gas heater for hot showers and cooking and stores are nearby.

Tomerong is located 15 minutes south of Nowra, follow the Princes Highway, take the Tomerong turnoff and follow the signs. It is about 188 kilometers and 2.5 hours by car from Woodcroft.

WBro Mat, Bro Rick & Sis Gene

It seems bad news come in threes. First, I've learned that Bro Rick has a blood disorder, and then the following day at McDonald's, WBro Mat nonchalantly announced that he will be operated on for colon cancer. When I've visited WBro Mat at the hospital, I've learned from Sis Cora [WBro Mat's better half], that Sis Gene Canicula is also suffering from kidney cancer.

Fortunately for Bro Rick, his PET scan and other tests revealed that his lymphoma is not as serious as first diagnosed. He and his family are taking a well earned rest and recreation in the Philippines as we speak.

With WBro Mat, it is the same, the cancerous colon has been taken off, and photo above shows him [on the left] taking a breather after walking and exercising just a couple of days after he was discharged from the hospital [with Bro Nomy [on the right], a perennial exercise companion at Woodcroft Lakes].

I just hope that with our prayers and well-wishers, Sis Gene will also get better. According to Bro Butch, she still goes to work from time to time and enjoys the visits from her siblings from the US.

21 March Meeting, 4 PM Woodcroft

Brethren and ladies,

Just a follow up and reminder regarding our stated/scheduled 3rd Saturday General Membership Meeting:

21 March, Saturday at 4 PM

IPM WBro Fidel and Sis Pen Pamplona's Residence in Woodcroft

This was originally scheduled in my house but the ladies reminded me that they will be practising the dance numbers for VWBro Rey Porras' District Meeting, so I requested WBro Fidel to host. While he won't be there since he is on Grand Lodge duty, I will be there early to set up the place. Thanks in advance to Bro Fidel and Sis Pen for graciously hosting this meeting.

Main agenda is the proposed Easter outing at the Reyes' Ranch at Tomerong [WBro Manny "Manoy" and Sis Vivian Reyes retirement house]. This was suggested by WBro Manny Maniago and is scheduled for the weekend of 11-12 April [Saturday and Easter Sunday].

Hope to see you all in this meeting and please bring a dish and your favourite drinks to share.

Regards,

Bro Mar and Sis Irene

Ladies Night Photos 2

Bro Mar and Bro Manny practising and jamming on the drums while waiting for the others to arrive.

The ladies posed for another picture, from left: Sis Marilyn, Sis Do, Sis Pen, Sis Sen, Sis Remy, Sis Ellen and Sis Irene. You'll notice that some of the other ladies and our invited belly dancer, Zafira has not arrive yet. What better way to wait by taking more pictures!

The "brods", from left: VP Bro Louie, grandson Jaylen, Bro Rudy, Bro Fidel, back is "Bro" Daniel, son of our hosts; Bro Manny and Sis Do and Bro Pres Mar.

Will post more photos in the coming days (or weeks)!

Middle Eastern Night

Brother Vice President Louie called me up to remind me to update and post the Ladies Night pictures. I can understand his eagerness for everyone had a great time, especially and most importantly - our ladies.

I guess the highlight of the night is the belly dance performance of the ladies, after an hour and a half belly dance instruction. Surely, the brethren and the ladies managed to build an appetite for the chicken and beef kebab [shawarma] ordered by Bro Louie and Sis Marilyn.

Above photo shows the brethren taking time out to pose with our invited belly dance instructress. Even Bro Manny P's son, Daniel had a good time with the "oldies" and especially practicing belly dancing with the ladies!

Thank you to Bro Manny and Sis Do for hosting the Ladies Night, and painstakingly decorated their house to suite the Middle Eastern Night; as well as organising the rose flower arrangement and our belly dancer instructress.

Thank you to VP Bro Louie and Sis Marilyn for organising the main meal and all those who brought extra food and drinks.

To those who attended and supported this event, thank you as well. I believe everyone enjoyed the night, which makes organising an event like this theme night a joy.

I will publish more pictures in the coming days, so watch for this space.

Ladies Night: 21 Feb 2008

After the very successful Christmas Party at WBro Bobby and Sis Nanette Briones, we will have our traditional Ladies Night on Saturday, 21 February at Bro Manny and Sis Do Placido's residence. Start time is 5 PM and all visitors welcome.

The suggested theme is Middle Eastern Night so don your middle eastern attire and feast on middle eastern menu. For catering purposes, please email Pres Mario or Vice Pres Louie.

Christmas 2008 Activities

Dear Brethren and Sisters,

First of all let me and Sis Irene wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous and safe 2009 New Year!

Just a reminder that if you are in the area or in the country, please attend the following activities:

1. For tonight, Thursday, 18 Dec at Bro Manny and Sis Do Placido for a Christmas Carols practice as organised by Sis Remy (I believe), or just another excuse to meet before Christmas. Please bring desserts or snacks, drinks if you can.

2. Friday, 19 Dec at Oatley Masonic Centre, Letitia Street Oatley. From 7:45 PM, Tyling for lodge meeting at 7:15 pm but will be only of short duration (as promised by VP Bro Louie!).

Dining fee: $10.00 per person, partners, children, and friends welcome.

Masons, usual black dinner jacket or perhaps Barong (summer??).

Please RSVP to Louie Reyes or Manny Maniago by next Tuesday, 16 December 2008. I am sure they may accomodate late bookings.

3. Saturday, 20 Dec - FilMasons Christmas Party at WBro Bobby and Sis Nanette's residence.

Starting at 4 PM onwards.

Please bring a gift $10 or more for a unique Christmas exchange "barter" gifts!

Also bring desserts, food, snacks, drinks, or whatever you wanted to share to the Club, but not required as long as you and your family can come. If ever we are short of food (but hopefully not of company!), we will order pizza so our hosts are not pressured to cook or order tons of food.

4. Tentatively, (subject to approval of Sis Irene): After Christmas Party at my place on Saturday: 27 Dec at lunch and onwards: some BYO food and drinks, but Sis Irene and I will cook and prepare a special meal!

Thanks to all those who have sent Christmas cards (am still waiting for my gift!) and those who earlier communicated their apologies and responses. This gives us a very good feedback that a: you are receiving our emails and communication; and b: that we may know attendees for catering purposes.

So even if you can't join now for various reasons, we appreciate your honesty and feedback. Unfortunately we can't schedule every event to suit all our schedules, but we do hope that you will set aside even one meeting to be with us!

Again, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year!

Fraternally,

Bro Mario & Sis Irene and family
and on behalf of the rest of the officers and members of FilMasons

Golf Fellowship - Sunday, 30 Nov 2008 Sefton Golf Course

Picture taken a year ago after one of the FilMasons' Victoria and NSW golf social games.

According to VP and acting President, Bro Louie Reyes the November FilMasons Golf Social and fellowship game will be held Sunday, 30 November at Sefton Golf Course, 160 Rose Street, Sefton. Tee off time is 1 PM, but there is lunch/snack before tee off at 12:30 PM, FilMasons at 11:30 AM as hosts.

According to Bro Louie: "Format is two-man Ambrose best-ball, maximum double-bogey on any hole.

Bro Manny Maniago is chief umpire but I [Bro Louie] will be enacting his decisions since I will not be playing because I will also be organizing the putting/chipping competition for the non-golfers.

Bro Manny Maniago [He] will make the pairings and decide handicaps, assisted by Freddy Ramos and myself.

[I suggest] top three prizes with handicap and top three prizes for scratch scores.

Also, one mystery hole in the front nine and one in the back nine and we will give a prize of a golf ball to each of the pair who score birdie or better on these holes. Ladies all get a prize.

Putting/chipping competition will be free golf balls to the first two places. I haven't really decided on the full format of this one yet because I do not know how many takers there will be for this one.

We are anticipating around five squads of four so we will send three squads off from hole one and the other two from hole ten to move things along faster. There will be four ladies, at most, so they will comprise the sixth squad and will have a competition of their own."

Thanks to all, especially to Mr Freddy Ramos, Bro Manny Maniago and Santos and VP Louie for organising and helping with this fellowship/social golf.

Egyptian Room Guided Tour: 14 Nov

"The United Supreme Grand Chapter (USGC) of Mark and Royal Arch Masons of NSW & ACT wishes to remind you of the:

Annual Egyptian Room Open Night

Petersham Royal Arch Temple - 23-25 New Canterbury Road, Petersham
Friday, 14th November, 2008 - 7 for 7:30pm
Full Lecture on the Egyptian Room Frieze
Light Refreshments available after the Lecture.
Cost : Free of Charge

All Non - Masons and especially Families, Friends, Brethren and Companions are welcome. Children are also welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult."

According to USGC of Mark and Royal Arch Freemasonsy: "The Egyptian Room originally formed part of the Royal Arch Temple in College Street, Sydney, until removed prior to the building's demolition in the late 1960's.

In 1979 the present Egyptian Room (at Pertersham) was classified and registered by the National Trust and is maintained under the responsible and dedicated care of the United Supreme Grand Chapter of Mark and Royal Arch Masons of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

As a working Lodge and Chapter Room it is much admired and greatly respected by the Masons who regularly use it, as well as those who frequently visit."

"Through a series of scenes, the frieze around the walls of the Egyptian Room at the Royal Arch Temple in Petersham, provides a fascinating insight into one man's relationship with the ancient Gods.

In a combination of brilliantly coloured vignettes, amazing columns and gold leaf, the frieze depicts scene from the papyrus Scrolls of Ani found at Thebes in 1888, which protrays Ani's interpretation of the life hereafter."

"3,400 years ago "Ani The Scribe" lived and breathed and wrote a letter to his god. You can meet him in the Egyptian Room.

Ani the Scribe actually lived during the 16th dynasty (1500-1400 BC). He was an important and well to do man who, as well as being a Veritable Royal Scribe, was the Governor of the Granary of Abydos."

Bro Noel M Quiroz Installation as WM Lodge Star of Australia: 22 Nov 2008

On Saturday, 22 November 2008, Bro Noel M Quiroz, Worshipful Master elect of Lodge Star of Australia 200 will be installed as Master.

Installation will be at Hurlstone Park, 67 Duntroon Street Hurlstone Park NSW 2193 . Tyling is 5:00 pm, 5:30 pm for visitors and 6:00 pm for Grand lodge officers and representatives.

Other incoming officers are Bro Jet Ednalino, Senior Warden elect and Bro Joseph Cassar, Junior Warden elect.

Secretary is VWBro Brian French and Treasurer/DC is WBro Mark Prats.

All FilMasons are cordially invited, RSVP for catering purposes to Bro Quiroz at noelq16@hotmail.com (0416 673 152) or to the Secretary, bafinoz@yahoo.com (02 9831 1879).

Our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the officers and members of Lodge Star of Australia No 200, especially to Bro Quiroz and elected Wardens on the occasion of their installation as officers of Lodge Star of Australia.