Happy New Masonic Year!!

Auld Lang Syne

By Bro. Robert Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And day of auld lang syne!

Chorus.-For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.  

For those who didn't know auld lang syne literally means "old long since" - but a more idiomatic English translation would be something like "long ago", "days of long ago", "in olden days", or even "once upon a time" -

and the poet Robert Burns was also a Freemason

Happy New Year, 2011 Brethren. May the year bring you peace, happiness, and light.

IF, YOU WILL MY BROTHER BE

If you believe in
A Great Architect,
And only if;

If you are a man
Good and true
And live God's chosen paths;

If you weep at a man's woes
And his pain is your pain;
His anguished needs
You carefully soothe:

If the moons no more
Your ambition keep
Or at least the direction know;

If the hard and stony path
Is but behind
And not ahead of you;

If your job, its satisfaction done,
And life's a plateau,
Life its stillness bore:

If you have loved
And all the joys of love,
Mellowed to its highest heights;

If life's eternal lesson learned
And have been rewarded
With God's gifts of joy and blessings;

If you have the heart and soul,
And the precious hours
To share this joy with other fellowmen:

If within you, lies a heart
That stirs for more,
And you know not why;

If you ask questions
That gives no answers;
Why, what or who am I:

If you ask,
Is life a tireless search
With no end!

Then, Time is right,
My good fellow,
You are
And you will, my brother be.

Masonic District NCR-A Joins Kara David's Project Malasakit

Masonic District NCR-A under VW Paul Ibasco, with Jacques DeMolay Memorial Lodge No. 305 and Macario Ramos Memorial Lodge No. 355 visited Sitio Dyangdang in Conrazon, Bansud, Mindoro Oriental on Dec. 4-5 2011, to help distribute medical supplies, Shool supplies, slippers and toys for the children of the Mangyan community in the area. This was also the day when the solar panels installed for the community center and homes were to be turned on for the first time.

Manuel A. Roxas - The Fifth Prsident

The Masonic life of Manuel A. Roxas began on August 14, 1920. Barely 28 years of age, he was already Governor of his province.

Manuel was born on January 1, 1892 to Gerardo Roxas and Rosario Acuna in Capiz, Capiz, a town which has since been renamed Roxas City in his honor.

He lost his father before his birth but his maternal grandmother took charge of his education. Sent to Hongkong to study, he returned to Manila after a year and enrolled in the Manila High School. Thereafter, he studied law at the newly-opened University of the Philippines, then under the presidency of a noted Scottish Rite Mason, Murray Bartlett. As a law student, Roxas studied at the feet of another Scottish Rite Mason, George A. Malcolm. He graduated valedictorian in 1913 and topped the bar examinations given in the same year.

Roxas immediately went into law practice in partnership with his only brother, Mamerto. Shortly thereafter, however, he accepted an appointment as private secretary to Chief Justice Cayetano S. Arellano. He also taught law in the Philippine Law School and the National University. After a few years stint with Chief Justice Arellano, the political bug bit Roxas. He resigned and returned to his home province to accept an appointment as municipal councilor. In 1919, he ran for governor and won.

MRRML 355 Family Day 2011 - November 13, 2011

Bro. Smokin’ Joe Frazier (Jan. 12, 1944 – Nov. 7, 2011)

Joseph William "Joe" Frazier also known asSmokin' Joe, was an Olympic and Undisputed World Heavyweight boxing champion a New Jersey Freemason, died Monday night after a brief battle with liver cancer at the age of 67.  Once a heavyweight champion, Frazier knocked down Muhammad Ali in the 15th round becoming the first man to beat Ali at Madison Square Garden in March 1971.

Joe Frazier petitioned MB Taylor Lodge #141 in Hammonton, NJ on January 28, 2008. 

History of Philippine Freemasonry

3rd Degree Conferral - October 18 ,2011

Raised to the third degree of Masonic craft, our congratulations to our newly raised brother! 


Bro. Benjie Camandang

SO MOTE IT BE

How familiar the phrase is.  No Lodge is ever opened or closed, in due form, without using it.  Yet how few know how old it is, much less what a deep meaning it has in it.  Like so many old and lovely things, it is so near to us that we do not see it.

As far back as we can go in the annals of the Craft we find this old phrase.  Its form betrays its age.  The word MOTE is an Anglo-Saxon word, derived from an anomalous verb, MOTAN.  Chaucer uses the exact phrase in the same sense in which we use it, meaning “So May It Be.”  It is found in the Regius Poem, the oldest document of the Craft, just as we use it today.

Masonic Sharks Tooth

During the 19th century and the great Age of Sail, many Masonic Brethren "went down to the sea in ships."  Their maritime professions ranged from ship builder, or ship's Master, to simple mariner.   Wherever they traveled, Masonry traveled with them.  A number of duly constituted Masonic Lodges were created in the East Indies, South and Central America, the Mediterranean and other ports around the world where seafaring Brethren could meet and enjoy fellowship.  Traveling certificates, often printed in three or four languages, attested that they were Master Masons in good standing and eligible for admittance to these foreign Lodges.  During long voyages, there were other opportunities to reaffirm the dual bonds that bound them to the sea and Masonry.  Without official sanction, Freemasons seldom lost an opportunity to hoist Masonic flags and pennants while underway, or in port, in efforts to recognize one another.  These displays often resulted in meetings where brotherhood and good fellowship could be more thoroughly enjoyed.  In a number of countries, the Papal bull of 1738 continued to prevent the conduct of open Masonic meetings ashore, but probably gave rise to their safe retreat aboard sovereign ships lying at anchor in the harbor.  Life at sea was hazardous in the 19th century, and necrology published in Grand Lodge Proceedings often grimly announced "death at sea" of many mariner Brethren.  Despite the hazards of life on the briny deep, Freemasonry proudly rode the waves as the legacy of the above sharks tooth will testify.

THE REGIUS MANUSCRIPT (Year: 1390) One of the oldest Masonic Documents known to date.

The Regius Manuscript
"A Poem of Moral Duties"

The text of the Regius Manuscript states that Freemasonry was brought to England during the reign of King Athelstan from 924 to 939 but this connection was not realised until 1840 when it was translated and featured in an article on Freemasonry by James Halliwell.

Some of the Old Charges in these ancient documents that have come down to us date from the 14th century. Some of their rules, legends, and regulations are now incorporated into traditional Masonic history.
Normally these documents are in the form of handwritten paper and parchment rolls, each one comprised of hand-written sheets which have been sewn or pasted together or bound in book form.
Incorporated into the Minute Books of lodges some of these Old Manuscripts range from 1390 until 1714. While a few are in Gothic script, most are in the British Museum, United Grand Lodge of England and the Masonic Library of West Yorkshire, England.

MD NCR-A Tree Planting ( La Mesa Eco Park) - Sept. 3, 2011

Why Do People Wear Mason Rings?

If you own a masonic ring, chances are you or someone in your family is a Freemason. The masonic ring, along with the signet it bears, is symbolic of a vow of fellowship shared by every member of the Freemason fraternity. Wearing the ring serves as a badge of authentication of your membership and a daily reminder of your obligation.

3rd Degree Conferral- August 16 ,2011

Raised to the third degree of Masonic craft, our congratulations to our newly raised brother! 

Bro. Michael Aduviso

G.A.O.T.U.

 The Masonic abbreviation G.A.O.T.U. meaning the Great Architect of the Universe, continues a long tradition of using an allegorical name for the Deity.

G.A.O.T.U. means the Great Architect of the Universe. In some Masonic jurisdictions the abbreviation is considered to mean Grand Architect. Also, sometimes the abbreviation includes, at the beginning, a capital T meaning The. The abbreviation can also mean Grand or Great Artificer of the Universe. According to the Mentor's Manual published by the Grand Lodge of Indiana, "In any event, these are titles under which Freemasonry refers to Deity."

G.A.O.T.U. has been used by members of religious groups to attack Freemasonry. Some of these critics have claimed that this is a false god worshipped at our altar; other critics claim that G.A.O.T.U. "makes God seem like an abstract being."

MW Juanito P. Abergas Grand Master MY 2011-12

Capsule Biography of the Grand Master

I.PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

a.Born on June 24, 1942 in San Anton, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija

b.Married to EUGENIA “Jenny” B.Tabora, a businesswoman.

c.Blessed with four children:

Jefrey, male, born on October 17, 1972, finished college at the Dela Salle University in 1993

with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Married to Kathleen Kristina Salazar, a

graduate of Industrial Engineering also at Dela Salle University and blessed with four (4) children

named, Joaquin Karlo, Joshua Kaleb and twin daughters Julia Kasandra and Jeannine Kayla.

Joderick, male, born on October 22, 1974, finished college at the University of the Philippines,

Diliman, Quezon City with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Economics.

Jertie, female, born on May 12, 1977, finished college at the University of the Philippines,

Diliman, Quezon City with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts and an aspiring

professional photographer.

Jacklyn Anne, female, born on November 5, 1980, finished college at Ateneo de Manila University

with the degree in Interdisciplinary Studies on 2002, pursuing her Masters in Arts Degree (Motion

Picture and TV), major in script writing at the Academy of Arts University, San Francisco,

California, U.S.A.

3rd Degree Conferral- July 26,2011

Raised to the third degree of Masonic craft, our congratulations to our newly raised brother! 

Bro. Romeo Abuyuan

3rd Degree Conferral - July 19, 2011

Raised to the third degree of Masonic craft, our congratulations to our newly raised brother!
Bro.Marsolito Cruz

Masons on the Moon

Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin

On July 20th, 1969 Aldrin followed Armstrong down the ladder to be the second man on the moon because he was farthest from the door of the Lunar Module "Eagle".  Aldrin was a member of Montclair Lodge No. 144 of New Jersey 

Brother Leroy Gordon Cooper

Was an Astronaut in the Mercury Space Program and was "raised" a Master Mason in Carbondale Lodge No. 82 in Colorado, April - 1960

Bro. Edgar D. Mitchell

Mitchell was a Demolay Chevalier and member of Artesta No. 29 in New Mexico

Brother Virgil I. Grissom 

was made a Master Mason in Mitchell Lodge No. 228 at Mitchell Indiana

Bro. James B. Irwin

was made a Master Mason at Tajon Lodge No. 104 Colorado Springs

1st Mason on the moon

3rd Degree Conferral - June 21, 2011

Raised to the third degree of Masonic craft, our congratulations to our newly raised brother!
Bro.Danilo Perez

Happy 150th Birtday Kuyang Pepe!

Rizal was made a Master Mason on November 15, 1890 at Logia Solidaridad 53 in Madrid, Spain. He affiliated with a lodge under the jurisdiction of Grand Orient of France on October 14, 1891, and was made honorary Worshipful Master of Nilad Lodge No. 144 in 1892. There he delivered a lecture entitled “La Masoneria”. Influenced by Miguel Morayta, a history professor at the Universidad de Madrid, Rizal joined Masonry, under the Gran Oriente de Español, adopting the Masonic name, Dimasalang. He was automatically excommunicated, expelled from the Catholic Church, a fate decreed for all Catholics becoming Masons since 1738 and reaffirmed by the CBCP in 1990. Rizal had plenty of illustrious company including Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Ladislao Diwa, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Juan Luna, Deodato Arellano, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, H. Pardo de Tavera, and so many others in the Propaganda Movement and La Liga Filipina.

Rizal As A Mason: Never Retracted But Remained One

"Masonry will teach and advocate the noble principles of independence, brotherhood and equality among peoples and inherent within them are the values that will cease the conflict among men, correct the abuses and bring about the reign of righteousness which has been the dream of all great men of the world," remarked Dimasalang, who is likewise considered one of those greats he was referring to in his statement. Simply because we recognize him as our National Hero and a staunch member of the controversial fraternity of the French Masonry. Rizal’s membership in the fraternity was deemed of significant importance to him, as its values sustained his principles and beliefs such as the separation of the Church and State, education for the youth and religious freedom.

Philippines Celebrates 113th Independence Day

Mabuhay Shriners Phils. Grand Parade

95th AnCom Davao City

MD NCR-A Courtesy Call to GM Juanito Abergas

Lodge No. 1 : Manila Lodge

Lodge No.14: Dalisay Lodge

This building is situated at the intersection of Tayuman Street &
Governor Forbes Street, very near the San Lazaro Race Track. (Now SM San Lazaro)

As shown in the illustration, it has two stories,
the lower being used for rooms,
and the upper as a Lodge Room.

Solidaridad No.23 & Modestia No.83 also hold their meetings in this Temple.

The building is owned by the Dalisay Corporation founded by
and exclusively for the members of Dalisay Lodge.
It is understood that as soon as financial conditions permit,
the lower floor will be converted into a recreation hall.

- Article accompanying this photo in the early issues of the Cable Tow.

15 Qualities of a Master Mason

Adapted and condensed from Don Bradley, Freemasonry in the 21st 

Century, ISBN 1-888298-00-6.

1. Master Masons do not have selfish interests.  All they do, say, and think is for the welfare of others.

2. Vanity is dead for them.  They see themselves as they are and do not pretend to be something other than what they are.

3. Anger is no longer their master.  They have found that anger is a defense mechanism of the ego.

"Masonic Mystery" Game

"Masonic Mystery," a locked room puzzle game,  play it online here.

3rd Degree Conferral - April 19, 2011

Raised to the third degree of Masonic craft, our congratulations to our newly raised brother!

Bro.Rolando delos Reyes
Bro. Andy de Vera 

Bro. Richard Dabalos 

WORLD'S OLDEST MAN DIES... A FREEMASON.......A Philantropist

It is with great sadness that we must report that at the age of 114 Years, 205 Days our Brother Walter Breuning was called to the Celestial Lodge at 3 p.m., Thursday, April 14, 2011.

Brother Walter was a 33° Scottish Rite Freemason in the Valley of Great Falls, Montana. He had been a Master Mason for 85 Years, 333 Days.

more story about Bro. Walter read here

Lodge No.16: Sinukuan Lodge

Article accompanying this photo from the Vol.IV (1926-1927) of the Newsletter

 Cable Tow reads:

Located in the Tondo District at 1001 Bilbao.
Known as the TEMPLE OF SOLOMON,
a big wooden building which for a time served the purposes
of legitimate Masonry but subsequently fell into the hands
of clandestine lodges.

This building was erected by Sikatuna, Inc. a corporation formed
in 1916 by members of Sinukuan Lodge No.16. was consecrated
on February 24, 1917.

While it was held by regular Masonry, the upper story was used
by the Lodge and the ground floor was occupied by the
Tondo Montessori Class.

The Lodges that met there were: Sinukuan No. 16,
Walana Lodge No.13, Dapitan Lodge No.21,
and Batong-Buhay No.27.

In this building the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands,
on December 8, 1920 held necrological services
over the remains of Bro. Marcelo H. Del Pilar
which had been brought back from Spain.

3rd Degree Conferral - March 29, 2011

Raised to the third degree of Masonic craft, our congratulations to our newly raised brother!

Bro. Jupiter Tajonera
Bro. Eric Petalber

MRRML355 Annual Outreach Program

Knights of Templar

The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (Latin: Pauperes commilitones Christi Templique Solomonici), commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple (French: Ordre du Temple or Templiers) or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders. The organization existed for approximately two centuries in the Middle Ages.

Officially endorsed by the Roman Catholic Church around 1129, the Order became a favoured charity throughout Christendom, and grew rapidly in membership and power. Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with a red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades. Non-combatant members of the Order managed a large economic infrastructure throughout Christendom, innovating financial techniques that were an early form of banking, and building many fortifications across Europe and the Holy Land.

The Templars' existence was tied closely to the Crusades; when the Holy Land was lost, support for the Order faded. Rumors about the Templars' secret initiation ceremony created mistrust, and King Philip IV of France, deeply in debt to the Order, took advantage of the situation. In 1307, many of the Order's members in France were arrested, tortured into giving false confessions, and then burned at the stake including its last Grand Master Jacques DeMolay. Under pressure from King Philip, Pope Clement V disbanded the Order in 1312. The abrupt disappearance of a major part of the European infrastructure gave rise to speculation and legends, including Freemasonry which have kept the "Templar" name alive into the modern day.

MRRML355 8th Public Installation of Elected and Appointed Officers for Masonic Year 2011

Officers and Members of Macario R. Ramos Memorial Lodge No. 355

together with Grand Lodge Officers MD-NCR-A

 and Ill. Eugenio S. Labitoria Past Grand Master

Antique Masonic Valentines PostCards

Happy Heart's Day to all 
Postcard printed Circa 1906-1910

The Sublime Paralytic

Apolinario 'Poly' Mabini y Maranan (July 23, 1864 - May 13, 1903)

Apolinario Mabini was born on July 23, 1864 in Barangay Talaga in Tanauan, Batangas. He was the second of eight children of Dionisia Maranan, a vendor in the Tanauan market, and Inocencio Mabini, an unlettered peasant. Mabini began informal studies under his maternal grandfather, who was the village teacher. Because he demonstrated uncommon intelligence, he was transferred to a regular school owned by Simplicio Avelino, where he worked as a houseboy, and also took odd jobs from a local tailor - all in exchange for free board and lodging. He later transferred to a school conducted by the Fray Valerio Malabanan, whose fame as an educator merited a mention in José Rizal's novel El Filibusterismo.

Filipinos and Freemasonry

by Manuel L. Quezon III      

Talk for the Annual 2010 Multi-District Convention for All Masonic Lodges in the Philippines

Plaridel Masonic Temple, San Marcelino St., Manila

November 27, 2010

FREEMASONS, n.  An order with secret rites, grotesque ceremonies and fantastic costumes, which, originating in the reign of Charles II, among working artisans of London, has been joined successively by the  dead of past centuries in unbroken retrogression until now it embraces all the generations of man on the hither side of Adam and is drumming up distinguished recruits among the pre-Creational inhabitants of Chaos and Formless Void.  The order was founded at different times by Charlemagne, Julius Caesar, Cyrus, Solomon, Zoroaster, Confucius, Thothmes, and Buddha.  Its emblems and symbols have been found in the Catacombs of Paris and Rome, on the stones of the Parthenon and the Chinese Great Wall, among the temples of Karnak and Palmyra and in the Egyptian Pyramids -always by a Freemason. —Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary

Masons and Magicians

In the world of professional stage magic, few names resonate with such acclaim as:
Bro. Harry Keller, 
Bro. Howard Thurston, 
Bro. Harry Houdini, 
Bro. Charles Carter, 
Bro. Harry Blackstone, 
In addition to being brothers in the fraternity of American magicians, each was also an active Freemason. Nearly amazing as the magic acts these great illusionists are famous for is the fact that all of the great magicians made time in their busy lives for Freemasonry: Despite the extensive travel entailed in their careers and all the allurements to the vices of the world, each recognized the value of the Masonic brotherhood.

Bro Jose Rizal's Masonic Speech delivered in 1883 at Solidaridad Lodge No. 53, Madrid, Spain

When we…knock at the portals of the Temple to be initiated into the mysteries of Masonry…three reassuring words are dinned into our ears: Science, Virtue, and Labor...

”Science?” You may ask, what science is found in the Masonic Temple? Science might have taken refuge in it during barbarous epochs in order to erect the sublime architectural monuments of the past centuries, just as the fine arts did in the quiet peaceful cloisters of the monasteries, but today science is free, open to all…Science is free as the light which is its inspiration! Masonry has been its wet nurse, has guarded it like a sacred flame while the storm raged, and when calmness returned, it surrendered it to the world to illumine it with its rays!...
“Virtue, Virtue! You are nothing but a name!” said Cato nineteen centuries ago…let us see what we understand by virtue, because it embodies an idea which is on the lips of everyone and on which not all peoples are agreed.

To the Chinese, virtue is respect for the elders…To the Indian it is…considering a saint one who can remain in a fixed posture for months…To the Persians it is purity of life…To the Hebrews it consists of fear of Jehova…To the Greeks virtue consists of stoicism…and for this reason the Spartan consecrated to it all his dearest sentiments…To the Buddhists it is kindness and love for one’s fellowmen. On the other hand, to Rome virtue is integrity…to die for the laws, the name, and the glory of Rome. Christianity, the essence and sum total of all religions, reflected in her virtues all the merits of the others and sanctified humility, stoicism, purity, adding to these, like a true Oriental, charity – a virtue that later Mohammedanism elevated to a sublime height.

MRRML355 Annual Gift Giving 2010