The Cabletow The Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the Philippines Volume 92 Issue 4 November - December 2015 Past Grand Masters’ Day IN THIS ISSUE.. I. From The Grand East VII. Feature Article Our Vision – Job’s Daughters International The Better Option By MW Tomas G. Rentoy III VIII. Recent Events Grand Lodge Activities II. Masonic Education Edict No. 278 Library in a Box Guidelines/Rules Governing The Election and Attendance Report on the XIV World Conference Apppointment of Officers of Subordinate Lodges of Regular Masonic Grand Lodges By VW Alexander B. Madamba, III. Special Feature Assistant Grand Secretary TGR III SPEECH - Tribute to PGMs December 19, 2015 Masonic Charities For Crippled Children, Inc. Views from an Outsider Inauguration of MCCCI Legazpi Unit Mason By Janica L. Caldona, MCCCI Staff By Emeterio Barcelon MCCI Christmas Party 2015 Realization of Oneness By Janica L. Caldona, MCCCI Staff By VW Jesse D. Alto A Crimson Past By VW Guillermo B. Lazaro THE CABLETOW IV. Homage to Masonic Heroes EDITORIAL BOARD Father of Philippine Masonry MW Reynato S. Puno, PGM, GMH Ka Selo “KUPANG” del Pilar MW Rudyardo V. Bunda, PGM, GMH By MW Jaime Y. Gonzales, PGM MW Danilo D. Angeles, PGM MW Santiago T. Gabionza, Jr., PGM Paciano Rizal, The Secret Hero VW Samuel P. Fernandez, PGC By Gemma Cruz Araneta VW J. Ermin Ernest Louie R. Miguel, SGL V. Open Lodge VW J. Flor R. Nicolas, PSGL An Open Letter to a Brother-to-be By MW & Ill Carl H. Claudy, PGM EDITORIAL STAFF Caesar M. Ortega, GH, Editor-in-Chief A Revitalized Relevant Revered Freemasonry, Bro. Florante P Leaňo, Asst. Editor-in-Chief Our Commitment, Our Covenant VW Emmanuel J. Diesta, Circulation Manager By VW Armando G. Cazzola, JGL VW Carlo Pacifico U. Aniag, Layout Artist Bro. Edwin P. Calayag, Photographer VI. Views from the Floor Ms. Jennifer C. Magallanes, Secretary Two Modest Proposals By VW Jesus Flor Nicolas The Cabletow, the official organ of the M.W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, is published bimonthly for and in the interest of the members of the subordinate Lodges of this jurisdiction, who are regular subscribers thereto. A member of the Craft belonging to another jurisdiction who wants to subscribe Just Thinking Aloud to The Cabletow should pay an annual fee of US $40; he should send the corresponding check to: The Cabletow, Grand Lodge of F.&A.M. of the Philippines, Plaridel Masonic Temple,1440 San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila, D 2801, from Kuya Emer P Aviles, PM, DGL, NCR-D Philippines. Readers should send all correspondences to the Cabletow Office at the address given above. To help the editorial staff promptly deliver to them their own copies of Cabletow issues, subscribers are advised to inform the Cabletow Office of any changes and corrections in their respective addresses. Original articles are subjected to editing and, when published, become the property of The Cabletow. Any article published in The Cabletow may be Terraces reprinted in full, or excerpts thereof reproduced, provided proper attribution to the author is made, the source is given due credit, and the Cabletow Office is furnished with a courtesy copy of the reprinted material. By Bro. Dennis C. Uy Paid advertisements are accepted for printing in The Cabletow. The Cabletow | Vol. 92, No. 4, November-December 2015 1 MESSAGE FROM THE GRAND EAST OUR VISION – THE BETTER OPTION From the Grand Oriental Chair, a joyous From what we have achieved, 2015 has given Christmas to all brethren, their families, and loved us hope - hope anchored on firm ground. We have ones. May the New Year bring you all good health and succeeded in planting the seeds of reform which are happiness, prosperity and peace. now taking root. However, 2016 challenges us with this question: “Have we planted these seeds on fertile 2015 is finally behind us. For your Grand ground?” Lodge, it has been an exciting, challenging, and very fulfilling year. We have accomplished much. None of Let us pause for a while to contemplate on which could have been achieved without each worthy this question. Our answer will determine whether brother lending his toiling hands. Thank you, my the reforms we have introduced will thrive or wither dear brethren. away; whether they will flourish or flounder, and whether they will fulfill or frustrate our vision of By marching off the Three Guards to Reform, a Revitalized, Relevant and Revered Philippine we have revitalized our Fraternity and set it firmly Freemasonry. on the path towards our vision. We have secured the West Gate by adopting a more reliable document- Yes, indeed 2015 had given us enough reasons based vetting process and setting in place measures to pat ourselves in the back and relax. But 2016 is that ensure the wellbeing of petitioners in the hands challenging all of us to sustain and institutionalize of the brethren. The Lamp shines brighter with a our reforms. Lest they fizzle out like just another blue lodge-friendly, technologically advanced IMES. ningas cogon, let us all ratify and vote to retain all The selection of the next Junior Grand Warden is the edicts issued implementing these reforms in the no longer an auctioneer’s market with the adoption forthcoming ANCOM. Let us all prove that we all are of the best features of democracy, aristocracy and fertile ground for the seeds of reforms planted in our theocracy into our electoral process. jurisdiction. By reorienting our civic projects to the more Soon I shall step down from the Grand timely and timeless areas of public education and Oriental Chair. Then the challenge intensifies as the the environment; and by strengthening our ties with temptation to backslide becomes more appealing. foreign jurisdictions while reinforcing our own, we My beloved brothers, keep the faith and laser in your have made our Craft relevant once more. We even sights on our ultimate vision – a revered Philippine managed to qualify for ISO Certification making the Freemasonry. It is the better option. processes in the several Grand Lodge staff offices at par with world standards. Moreover, by formally May the Great Architect of the Universe bless honoring our brethren serving in government, we us all. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! have encouraged them to commit themselves to labor for our citizens to the best of their abilities. And, by paying homage to our elders, we have enshrined their Fraternally yours, invaluable wisdom for posterity. Yet there remains so much more to be done even as we must endeavor to sustain whatever we may have accomplished so far. MW TOMAS G. RENTOY III Grand Master, 2015-2016 The Cabletow | Vol. 92, No. 4, November-December 2015 2 MASONIC EDUCATION The Cabletow | Vol. 92, No. 4, November-December 2015 3 MASONIC EDUCATION Guidelines/Rules Governing The Election and Apppointment of Officers of Subordinate Lodges. Prescribed Masonic Education for the Month of December 2015 Brethren, this lecture consists of three parts: (1) The (c) Part III (Uniform Code of By-Laws for legal basis for the conduct of elections and appointments of Subordinate Lodges), Article II (Of Election officers in the subordinate lodges of the Most Worshipful and Appointments), Section 1, which Grand Lodge of the Philippines (MWGLP); (2) Definition provides: “Sec. 1. The Master, the Senior and of important & relevant terms; and a brief explanation and Junior Wardens, the Treasurer, the Secretary discussion of “electioneering, canvassing or soliciting of and the Auditor shall be elected by ballot on votes”; and (3) Practical considerations in the conduct of the stated meeting of the Lodge in December. elections in subordinate lodges. The other officers shall be appointed by the Master, except the Junior Deacon, who may be Legal Basis. appointed by the Senior Warden, Any Master Mason in good standing, whether or not a 1. The legal bases for the conduct of election and the member of the Lodge, may be appointed by the appointment of officers of subordinate lodges are Ty l e r.” found in the following provisions of our Masonic Law Book (MLB): 2. However, Part III (Uniform Code of By-Laws for Subordinate Lodges), Article II (Of Election and (a) Part II (Ordinances), Article X (Officers Appointments), Section 1, should be read together of Subordinate Lodges), Section 1, which with, and should be considered rectified or clarified by, provides: “Sec. 1. The Master, Wardens, Part II (Ordinances), Article X (Officers of Subordinate Treasurer, Secretary and Auditor of each Lodge Lodges), Section 12. shall be elected annually at the stated meeting in December. A majority of the votes of 3. Thus, as far as APPOINTMENTS are concerned, and members present shall be necessary to elect.” considering the prevailing practices of the different (b) Part II (Ordinances), Article X (Officers lodges in our jurisdiction; plus the fact that Section of Subordinate Lodges), Section 12, which 12 is more specific in its terminology and intent, it is provides: “Sec. 12. The Chaplain, Marshall, the latter provision that must be applied and observed Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and Junior and not the former. Hence, the Chaplain, Marshall, Stewards, Almoner, Orator, Lecturer, Organist Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and Junior Stewards, and the Tyler shall be appointed by the Almoner, Orator, Lecturer. Organist and the Tylers shall Master-Elect and installed at the same time be appointed by the Master-Elect and installed at the as the elective officers not later than March 31 same time as the elective officers not later than March of the same year.” 31 of the same year. The Cabletow | Vol. 92, No.