Fil-Can Cabletow Lodge No 189, EA Degree Conferral & Rizal Night

On June 22, 2012, the new set of Officers (2012/2013) of Fil-Can Cabletow Lodge No 189, led by WM Cris Alip, held their first Meeting. There was balloting and a Conferral of the EA Degree. The Meeting went very well and the Conferral was very, very impressive.
Bro Noel Regalado gave an excellent presentation of the JW's Lecture.
The Lodge also honored the Lodge Brethren serving as GL Officers for 2012/2013. These are: MWB Ted Jones, Grand Secretary; RWB Junn Manalang, Grand DofC; MWB Chibu Uson, IPGM; RWB Reyne Cruz, BGP; and RWB John Baptista, BGP.
After the Lodge was closed, the Ladies and other visitors were called into the Lodge for the first presentation of this year's JRC Evans Lecture by VWB Richard Lacoursiere, WM of Northern Light Prince Rupert's Lodge No1. The topic was "Freemasonry, whither are you directing your course?"

Listening intently were the newly obligated EA's, Bro Jopay Pelayo, Bro Bernie Llorente, Jr and Bro Tony Bantados. To their right, is Petitioner Dongs Golpe.

The Ladies and Brethren listening to the wonderful JRC Evans Lecture












Afterward, we had a Rizal Night celebration. Bro Peter Ching gave a very entertaining and informative talk about Bro Dr Jose Rizal. The Refreshment Hour was managed very well by our JW, Bro Noel Regalado.
There were various photo ops. Here are some of those.

I guess being senior has some benefits. You get to sit in front and you get a close up picture.

I wonder what world problem these Brethren are discussing. I hope they solved at least one.

Our newest addition to the list of RW's, RWB John Baptista. Congratulations on being elected to the GL Board of General Purposes. He will serve for a term of three (3) years.

One of our always-smiling Brethren, with his very charming smile.

Watch how many Brethren are added to the group.

Thank goodness that there were only two (2) cameras there. Otherwise, the group would have gotten much bigger with every picture taken.

The new EA's Mentor, Bro Rey Galapon, writing his contact info and maybe some instructions to the new EA's.

L to R: VWB Rudy Maraña; VWB Jun Pagunuran; RWB John Baptista; and VWB Ben Gasmeña

Did you notice that the group got bigger since the previous picture?

I hope they have solved at least one world problem.

WB Glenn Baggao indicating that they solved two (2) world problems.
Is WB Cris Alip indicating five (5) or is he just waving?

Our smiling WM, WB Cris Alip, with rolled up sleeves ready to lead the Lodge Brethren working in the quarries this year.

  

Our new EA's, L to R: Bro Jopay Pelayo; Bro Tony Bantados; and Bro Bernie Llorente, Jr.

Bro Rey Galapon (L) with Bro Dexter Lacanilao, who yesterday was called and admitted to the Bar of the Law Society of Manitoba. Congratulations, Bro Attorney Dexter! Well done!

Another wonderful evening, late as it ended, at Fil-Can Cabletow Lodge No 189.
The Lodge will be in darkness in July and August but there are some Lodge events during those months - the 4th Annual Lodge Golf Tournament on July 15; the 4th Annual Lodge Summer Outing/Camping from August 3 to 5. And, I'm sure, there will be impromptu picnics and social gatherings throughout the summer.

Last day in New York, Day 10, June 17, 2012

Our last day in New York was Father's Day, June 17, 2012.
We had a light breakfast at my cousin John's house. Then we went for dimsum at East Manor, one of the best Chinese restaurants in Flushing, NY.

The waiting list was quite long, specially since we were a big group (9). The young ones sat on the floor in the waiting room.

L to R: Anna, Mikey, Bianca, Justin and Josh

John (Anna's Ninong) joins the picture

People waiting for their tables

Finally, we got our table. The dimsum was excellent. We were not so thrilled with the congee though.
Overall, it was an excellent brunch.
A wonderful end to our 10-day sojourn in New York/New Jersey.

A shot taken of the very busy O'Hare Airport in Chicago, IL












A picture taken a few minutes after take off from O'Hare. On the way back to Winnipeg.
Our 2012 family holiday was about to be over.

Public Installation of Jose Rizal Lodge No 1172, GLNY, June 16, 2012

On June 16, 2012, Saturday, we attended the Public Installation of Jose Rizal No 1172, GL of F&AM of the State of New York.
This is the back entrance to the GL Building.

Mae in the corridor from the back entrance of the GL Building. Beautiful marble floors.

Gilded walls and staircases

The display cabinet on the ground floor.

A tour of the GL Building was given by RWB Alfred Dais.

L to R: RWB Gaddiel Gallardo; Bro Boy Calvario RWB Alfred Dais; MWB Chibu Uson; WB Edward Usita; RWB Val Basiga Jr

Arm wrestling with WB Edward Usita

Bro Boy Calvario trying out the SW's Chair

With RWB Alfred Dais, Past Trustee of the GL of NY. He was WM of Jose Rizal Lodge No 1172 in 1985 and is the most senior living Lodge PM.

Outgoing WM Jun Almiron

WB Edward Usita (C) presenting Grand Representatives of New York. RWB Val Basiga, Jr (R) is the Grand Rep of NY to the Philippines.

Distinguished PDDGM's of the 4th Manhattan District

Presenting RWB Cecil Abbott, Grand Steward of the GLNY

RWB Amado David (L), Director, Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, and WB Hernane Castro, Installing Master

L to R: MWB Chibu Uson; RWB Carlito Gallardo, DDGM, 4th Manhattan District; WB Hernane Castro, Installing Master

The color guard led by RWB Philip Hiolle

Presenting WB David Ignacio, Jr, Secretary

Presenting Bro Tom Benolearo, SW-Elect

WB Jose Bonoan gave the Charge to the Wardens

Presenting WB Ignacio (Ige) Abe, WM-Elect

WB Ige taking his Obligation as WM

WB Jun Almiron, IPM, passing on the Lodge Charter to new WM Ige Abe.

RWB Val Chua gave a very passionate Charge to the Master

WB Ige Abe being seated in the East

WB Ige Abe giving his inaugural address

One of WB Ige's daughter played wonderfully one of WB Ige's favorite musical pieces on the violin, as a presentation of the WB Mark Sexson Assembly No 15, Rainbow for Girls.

The Past First Ladies and Past Masters of the Lodge

Sis Melly Abe receiving the Lodge First Lady's Cup from Sis Jean Almiron.

Sis Melly Abe giving a Past First Lady's Cup to Sis Jean Almiron

RWB Cecil Abbott thanked the daughter of WB Ige with five (5) roses, with each rose representing a beautiful trait.

RWB Cecil Abbott, Grand Steward, gave a very entertaining and inspiring talk. He spoke about our chance meeting on the tour bus he was working on the past few days. He was an excellent tour guide.

RWB Cecil Abbott receiving the Manitoba GM's pins - this year's from MWB Al Hadley and last year's from me.

The Lodge PM's presenting a PM's Apron to IPM WB Jun Almiron.

WB Jun Almiron thanking the Lodge Brethren and Ladies for a wonderful year.

RWB Carlito Gallardo, DDGM, 4th Manhattan District, attaching the pin of MWB James Sullivan, GM, GLNY. The pin was from Ill Sir Tom Jacobsen, Past Potentate, who gave it. The pin was still to be officially released on the St John's weekend celebration on June 22 in Utica, NY.

The Brethren from the East march out of the Lodge Room.

The SW is made in charge of the Lodge while the WM and the Brethren in the East left the Lodge Room.

With newly-installed WM Ige Abe

L to R: WB Ige Abe, WM; MWB Chibu Uson; WB Jun Almiron, IPM

At the fellowship, Members of the OES were recognized.

Mae and Anna join the Lodge Ladies in this picture

Dance time

Mae with Lodge First Lady Sis Melly Abe

L to R: RWB Carlito Gallardo, DDGM; RWB Val Basiga, Jr, Grand Rep of the GLNY to the MW GLP; MWB Chibu Uson; RWB Ying Paderanga IV, PDDGM.











One thorn among the roses

RWB Val Basiga, Jr joins the picture to be the second thorn among the roses

WB Edward Usita presenting my Founding Member's Certificate from and a copy of the Charter of Maynilad Lodge No 1521, GL of DC. Thanks, WB Edward for bringing these from DC. He drove in from Virginia, where he is now based.

Members of Maynilad Lodge No 1521, GL of DC, L to R: WB David Ignacio Jr; MWB Chibu Uson; WB Edward Usita; and Bro Tom Bonelarao

With 2012/2013 Officers of Jose Rizal Lodge No 1172, GL of NY, led by WM Ige Abe

Take 2 - with the WM, Wardens and IPM seated

Take 3 - Standing again, with the Philippine flag

Take 4 - wacky shot!
What an excellent afternoon and evening with the Brethren and Ladies of Jose Rizal Lodge No 1172 and other Lodges in NY and NJ.
The Installation Ceremonies were conducted excellently, the hospitality was wonderful and the fellowship was extremely warm.
We hope to be back someday.