Rizal 113th Death Anniversary - 30 Dec 2009

NHI: Rizal’s dying wishes unfulfilled 

By Jerry E. Esplanada [Philippine Daily Inquirer]

First Posted 02:05:00 12/30/2009
 
MANILA, Philippines—Unknown to many Filipinos, most of Dr. Jose Rizal’s wishes on his death remain unfulfilled, including the nonobservance of his execution on Dec. 30, 1896, according to National Historical Institute (NHI) Chair Ambeth R. Ocampo.

Speaking at a recent Metrobank Foundation lecture series on best teaching practices, Ocampo said the national hero left the following instructions in an undated letter to his family, written in Fort Santiago before he was shot: ”... Bury me in the ground, place a stone and a cross over it. My name, the date of my birth and of my death. Nothing more. If you later wish to surround my grave with a fence, you may do so. No anniversaries. I prefer Paang Bundok [where Manila’s North Cemetery now stands, as my burial place].”

These final instructions were not followed, except for the construction of a fence around his grave—the Rizal Monument at Luneta Park in Manila.

“There is no cross on his grave. Instead of the simple piece of stone above his grave we have a whole obelisk topped with three gold stars and a statue of him. The simple inscription with his name and dates of birth and death may be there in elaborate bronze, but you have all sorts of other inscriptions around the grave,” said Ocampo, who writes a column for the Inquirer.

Neither was Rizal’s request to be buried in Paang Bundok complied with, “so there he lies in Luneta close to the spot where he was shot,” Ocampo said, adding:

“Worse, every year there are two anniversaries celebrated there: his birthday on June 19 and his death day on Dec. 30. On the latter, the president of the Philippines leads the nation in a Rizal Day celebration, when Rizal didn’t want any.”

The same information was presented by Ocampo in his book “Rizal Without the Overcoat,” a collection of essays on the national hero.

Day of mourning

The observance of Rizal Day goes back to the decree issued by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on Dec. 20, 1898, declaring Dec. 30 as a “national day of mourning” for Rizal and other casualties of the revolution against Spain.

The first-ever commemoration of Rizal Day was held in Manila by Club Filipino on Dec. 30, 1898, which coincided with the unveiling of the Rizal Monument in Daet, Camarines Norte.

On Feb. 1, 1902, the Philippine Commission enacted Act No. 345, which set Dec. 30 of each year as Rizal Day.

Today, President Macapagal-Arroyo is scheduled to again lead Rizal Day rites at the Rizal Monument in Baguio City.

Vice President Noli de Castro, on the other hand, will lead wreath-laying rites at the Rizal Monument at Luneta Park.

Other wreath-laying ceremonies will be held simultaneously at the Rizal Shrines in Calamba, Dapitan City, San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte, Davao City, and Cebu City, among other places nationwide.

Pending legislation

Early this year, Ocampo expressed full support for the proposed transfer of Rizal Day from Dec. 30 to June 19. It was believed that the move would give Rizal the prominence he deserved instead of the seeming afterthought squeezed between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

In June, the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading House Bill No. 5408 seeking to move Rizal Day to June 19.

The Senate, however, has yet to approve the proposal, which seeks to amend Executive Order No. 292, or the Administrative Code of 1987 which covers the commemoration of Rizal’s death anniversary.

Manila Rep. Jaime Lopez, who sponsored HB 5408, said June 19 was the appropriate date to mark Rizal Day because it was the hero’s writings, and not his death alone, that triggered the 1896 revolution and that roused Filipinos to unite in order to win independence against foreign domination.

Why Rizal Day on Dec. 30

But last year, Dr. Pablo Trillana III, former NHI chair and Knight Grand Officer of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, wrote a piece in the Inquirer stating what he described as the “compelling reasons why we should continue celebrating Rizal Day on Dec. 30.”

Said Trillana: “Rizal’s death, not his birth, is the greater event... The newborn Rizal, like any newborn, held nothing more than the promise of a life that could be filled with meaning. His death, on the other hand, summed up his life, held the record for what he had become, and defined its meaning.

“Births, deaths or days of great achievements can be milestones for commemoration. The fundamental objective is to choose an event which locks the lives of the hero and his nation in a tight embrace of context and meaning... Rizal’s death, more than his birth, embodies that spirit.”

Practical reason

In his Dec. 21, 2006, column in this paper, Ocampo wrote: “While it is traditional and proper to celebrate the national hero’s martyrdom, there is a more practical reason for a change.

“Each year, Rizal Day passes by almost unnoticed because the official ceremonial wreath-laying in Rizal Park takes less than half an hour and even if it is aired live on TV, radio or the Internet, almost everyone is asleep at 7 a.m., enjoying the holiday and the cold December weather...

“One would think that moving Rizal Day to June 19 would provide a logical excuse for reflections on nationhood by having a weeklong celebration that begins on June 19. Unfortunately, people are so comfortable with the present setup to even consider change.”

25-volume of hero’s writings

In his Jan. 9, 2009 column, Ocampo wrote: “There are people who think we should wear long faces and commemorate Dec. 30 with somber thoughts of death and martyrdom and ‘Ultimo Adios.’

“I would rather that people read Rizal’s novels and discuss them instead of repeating stock phrases and praises that have numbed our youth. Better yet, try and read Rizal’s other writings, those that were not forced on you in school,” including the little known volumes in the complete 25-volume compilation of the hero’s writings.

Further readings:

A Biographical Sketch

On Wikepedia

Management Meeting: 27 Dec

Brethren,

A Wonderful Christmas to you and your family and May the New Year brings you Health, Wealth and Happinness.

We will have a Management Meeting at 5:00PM, Sunday, 27 December 2009 at Castle Hill Masonic Centre. Please make an effort to attend. Thanks.

Agenda: Consecration: Program, Tickets, Raffles, Souvenir, Barong, Presentation, Other Business.

Together Brethren,

Bro Manny Maniago

LJR Family Christmas Gathering: 12 Dec

Brethren, ladies and friends,

Please mark off 12 December, Saturday for LJR Family Christmas Gathering at the Castle Hill Masonic Centre starting at 4:00 PM.

We would like to meet each extended family members and basically to have fun and share the spirit of Christmas. More details will follow first week of December.

Thanks and we' ll see you all there!

Together Brethren,

Manny Maniago
WM-Designate

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Note re logo above: This is the official monochrome logo of our new lodge. Thank you for WBro Bob Briones and daughter, Nichole for helping us design this logo.

Sunday BBQ & Golf Day: 29 Nov

Brethren, Ladies & Friends,

This morning [Saturday 21 Nov] I went to Sefton Golf Links and booked the barbeque area and golf next Sunday, 29 November 2009 [tee-off after lunch, about 1:30-2:00 PM].

Kerrie, the Pro in the Golf Shop mentioned that there are four hot plates to be shared by attendees and we could occupy empty tables in the shaded area. First come best dressed. We intend to have the barbeque lunch at 11:30 AM and have fellowship onwards. Please donate $5.00 for the barbeque and cold soft drinks.

We can tee off after lunch [between 1:30-2:00 PM] and just pay the Green Fee of $14.00. I booked for 3-4 groups, but Kerrie said they can accomodate more or less groups as this is public course. We hope to see as many brethren and ladies, even if you are not golfer, please join the fellowship. All welcome!

Address: Sefton Golf [Links] Club
160 Rose Street, Yagoona NSW 2199
Phone: 9743 9436

Thanks,

Bro Manny Maniago
WM-designate

District 32 Meeting: 26 Nov

Representatives of Lodge Jose Rizal No 1045 will attend the District 32 meeting as scheduled by VWBro David Keelty this Thursday, 26 November at 7:30 PM at the Castle Hill Masonic Centre.

According to VWBro Manny Maniago, WM-designate: "Invitations and flyers [of the Lodge Jose Rizal Consecration] have been made and copies were distributed to several lodges already. A number of brethren would like to attend the Distict 32 meeting on Thursday, 26 November 2009, to represent Lodge Jose Rizal 1045, meet the other members of the district and distribute the invitations and flyers for the Consecration.

Consecration will be on Saturday, 30th January 2010, at 3:00PM. An Occasional Lodge will opened by the Grand Master of UGL NSW & ACT to consecrate the new lodge; and around 4:00 PM, reinstallation and investiture of officers will follow. Consecration banquet will be held at Castle Hill RSL Club at 6:30 PM for 7:00 PM. Cost for the banquet will be $50.00 per person."


Occasional Lodges are traditionally convened by a  Grand Master to make Masons at sight:

"The prerogative of the Grand Master to make Masons at sight is described by Dr. Albert Mackey as the eighth of the Twenty-Five Landmarks of Free Masonry. To quote Dr. Mackey:

"It is a technical term, which may be defined to be the power to initiate, pass and raise candidates, by the Grand Master, in a Lodge of Emergency, or as it is called in the Book of Constitutions, 'an Occasional Lodge,' specially convened by him, and consisting of such Master Masons as he may call together for that purpose only; the Lodge ceasing to exist as soon as the initiation, passing, or raising has been accomplished, and the Brethren have been dismissed by the Grand Master."

Foundation Members Meeting: 14 Nov

Brethren,

    VWBro Manny Maniago, WM designate; announced a members meeting, Saturday 14 November 5 PM at WBro Rudy Romerosa's residence in Doonside.

   Please bring a plate/dish or drinks to share. All welcome.

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Important Update: LJR 1045 Approved by Grand Master

Brethren,

I am pleased to announce that the Grand Master, MW Bro Greg Levenston; on the recommendation of the Board of Management has approved the granting of Charter to our Lodge Jose Rizal No 1045 in terms of Regulation 12.6.5 of the Book of Constitution [UGL NSW & ACT]. I have received this letter of confirmation from RW Bro Peter Court.

Consecration ceremony as planned on the 30th of January 2010 at Castle Hill Masonic Centre, followed by a banquet at Castle Hill RSL Club. RWBro Doug Grigg, the Grand Director of Ceremonies [GDC] will coordinate with us in regards to the ceremonial proceedings.

Please make all the efforts to attend our meeting on Saturday, 14th November at 5:00 PM at "Lodge Romerosa" at Doonside.

Together brethren,

Bro Manny Maniago
WM Designate

Afternoon Recital - Victor Valdes: 20 Nov

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Lodge Excalibur Number 737 (Lodge of Excellence)

with

The United Grand Lodge of NSW and ACT

assisted by

The Sydney Masonic Centre (SMC)

proudly presents

'An Afternoon Recital celebrating the multiculturalism found within Freemasonry' with:

Victor Valdes and Associated Artists
performing music traditional to South America
victor@therealmexico.com.au

Friday November 20th, 2009
commencing at 5.30 p.m. concluding 6.30 p.m.


Level One
Sydney Masonic Centre
corner of Castlereagh and Goulburn Streets

Admission Free

Masonic Ceremony Course: 31 Oct

The venue

Brethren,

      There is a Masonic Ceremony Course scheduled this coming Saturday, 31 October from 9:00 AM till 1:00 PM. Venue is at the Bulli Masonic Centre, 286 Princes Highway, Bulli NSW 2516.

Please bring $20 which will go towards the cost of tea & coffee, certificate, and training materials.

Lunch will be at your own cost at the Leagues Club across the road.

I have attended this course three times and this time I will be attending again.

The course is coordinated by the Regional Education Officer for R11, VWBro Brian Mackander, OAM.

The Grand Lodge Demonstration Team headed by the Chairman of the Private Lodges Committer, RWBro Bruce Munro will be the course leader.

I strongly encourage & recommend this course to all the foundation members of the new Lodge Jose Lodge 1045 so that by the time the lodge will be consecrated, we all will be well versed with our degree works.

Brethren, kindly make time to attend this very important and enjoyable training course.

Interested brethren please send your name, lodge name, & contact phone to me.

Kind regards,

Rey Porras

A group photo of both participants, course coordinators & demonstration team; after the course.

Foundation Members Meeting: 25 Oct

Brethren,

Lodge Jose Rizal  No 1045 will have a  Foundation Members Meeting at Castle Hill Masonic Centre, corner Old Northern and Showground Roads on Sunday, 25 October 2009 at 4:00 PM.

We also welcome new members wishing to join us. Your ladies are also welcome to attend the fellowship.

There is an optional dinner planned at Castle Hill RSL, for those wishing to join us.


Together brethren,

Bro Manny Maniago

FC Passing of Bro Mic Fidel: 21 Oct

Bro Mick Fidel is the first on the left. Taken in one of fellowships.

To All LJR Foundation Members,

Our fellow foundation member, Bro Micvi Fidel will be passed to the Fellow Carft Degree at Lodge Seymour on Wednesday evening [21 October].

The said lodge tyles at 7:30 PM at the South Windsor Masonic Centre [731 George St, South Windsor].

Micvi is also a member of Lodge Alpha.

I look forward to seeing as many LJR members there as possible to support our brother.

Kind fraternal regards,

Russell Dobson, WM
Lodge Alpha No 970

Lodge Jose Rizal No 1045, UGL NSW & ACT

Worshipful Master -elect, VWBro Manny Maniago announced that VWBro Peter Court accepted [on behalf of UGL NSW & ACT] application of Lodge Jose Rizal for consecration in this jurisdiction.

As the application as a regular constituted lodge will have to go through further discussion with The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory's [UGL NSW & ACT] committee on new lodges; it was issued with number 1045.

Hopefully, come 30 January 2010 Lodge Jose Rizal will be officially known as Lodge Jose Rizal No 1045, UGL NSW & ACT.

Freemasons hail Dan Brown's latest novel as "good fun"

Article by Pauline Askin, Reuters

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Author Dan Brown may have outraged the Vatican in "The Da Vinci Code," but his new book, "The Lost Symbol," is being welcomed by his latest subjects, the Freemasons.

Brown's novel, released on Tuesday, again features the fictional, mystery-solving Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, with the story taking place over a 12-hour period in Washington.

But while the fictional story lines about conspiracy and the Catholic Church in "The Da Vinci Code" caused an uproar among some Catholics and drew censure from the Vatican, a senior representative of the Freemasons in Australia called "The Lost Symbol" the work of a "terrific novelist."

"We are very pleased, there is nothing in this book that will offend my organization. It does give us the opportunity to open it up a bit," said Greg Levenston, Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory for the Freemasons.

Levenston said the Freemasons were so excited about the book that they started a book club which will meet next week. "Of course the first book we are reviewing is The Lost Symbol, I think it's a wonderful start," he added.

Levenston was speaking to Reuters at a launch event in Sydney for the book, which will have a global English language first print run of 6.5 million copies -- the largest ever first print run by Random House, a unit of German media group Bertelsmann AG.

Some booksellers are hoping "The Lost Symbol," and other new releases from bestselling authors such as Michael Crichton, will help revive an industry hit by the global economic downturn. Brown's "Da Vinci Code" has more than 81 million copies in print since its 2003 release, topping international bestseller lists.

Levenston said modern Freemasons are not as secretive as their predecessors, but said secret handshakes and special words are still used to help identify members as "men of trust."

"The secret handshakes certainly do still exist, but we don't roll up one trouser leg any longer. In the old days it was seen as a symbol of humility not for anything else," Levenston said.

Levenston revealed 10 of Australia's prime ministers were Freemasons, as well as legendary cricketer Sir Donald Bradman and veteran actor Charles Tingwell, who died earlier this year.

The history of Freemasonry, a fraternal organization, dates back to around the 16th century. There are approximately four to five million members worldwide.

(Editing by Miral Fahmy)

Dates and Events to Remember

Brethren,

Just to remind you of the following important dates:

Friday, 26 June 2009 - 7:00 PM - Lodge Visitation at The Cedars Lodge No 1041 14th Regular Meeting, Punchbowl Masonic Centre, 29 Arthur St, Punchbowl NSW. Cost $30.00 pp South.

Friday, 10 July 2009 - 7:00 PM for 7:15 Tyling - Lodge Alpha 970 Double Initiation & 493rd Meeting, Blacktown Masonic Centre, First and Boys Avenues, Blacktown.

Saturday, 8 August 2009 - Grand Lodge Proclamation Ceremony - 4:00 PM [Cost $5.00 pp]

To follow Freemasons' Association (NSW & ACT) Disaster Relief Fund Charity Dinner - 6:30 PM for 7:00 PM start [Cost $90.00 pp], Sydney Masonic Centre, Castlereagh St, Sydney.

Dress: Tails/Dinner Suit, Ladies formal/after five wear. RSVP: 3 August 2009.

Saturday, 22 August 2009 - 5:00 PM Tyling - Lodge Blacktown Kildare Installation, With WBro Rudy Romerosa as Installing and Outgoing Master. Blacktown Masonic Centre, corner First and Boys Avenues, Blacktown. Cost $15.00 pp, ladies are most welcome to attend and support outgoing First lady of Blacktown-Kildare, Sis Mila.

Saturday, 29 August 2009 - 7:00 PM for 7:30 PM start - District 32 Dinner & Charity Presentation Night, Sovereign Room, Castle Hill RSL, 77 Castle St, Castle Hill. Cost $38.00 pp. Dress: Lounge suit for men and after five for the ladies. RSVP: 21 August 2009.

Saturday, 26 September 2009 - 6:00 PM - Filipino Freemasons Association [Club] NSW, Inc. FilMasons Ball, Concord RSL. More details to come.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 - Lodge Jose Rizal Consecration and Banquet, Castle Hill Masonic Centre, Castle Hill NSW. Details TBA.

Mission and Vision - Lodge Jose Rizal

OUR VISION:

To unite with the Grandmaster in promoting Freemasonry as being at the heart of life.

OUR MISSION:

To use the vehicle of a lodge founded primarily by, but not limited to Filipino masons to:

- Provide a place where the ideals of Freemasonry are practised and guarded and ultimately lead to the development of good citizens of Australia.

- Achieve excellence in the performance of the rituals and charges practiced under the constitution of the United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT.

- Enrich the education of masons by practices such as the exemplification of the rituals of the constitution of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines.

- Demonstrate to the wider community that Freemasonry is an organization of excellence and value.

- Actively dispel and refute the fallacies that are attributed to the fraternity through malice or lack of information.


Our members are made of "... friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree."

"Brotherly Love, Relief & Truth"

Seneca on things difficult...

“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is

because we do not dare that things are difficult.”

~ Seneca, Lucius A [4 BC - 65] from Letters from a Stoic

------------------------

"Good morning, bro. Did you put that last posting on LJR blogspot? The one on Seneca. If so, what's it about?"

Above is an email comment I received from a brother. In hindsight the post must have been a bit hazy, at best cryptic; but definitely it is not just a filler.

Without much going into the history of FilMasons NSW, it is written in our constitution that some of our principal aims [aside from fellowship and charity] are:

1. To encourage those who have been raised in other countries [mostly from the Philippines] to affiliate in Australian lodges.

2. To organise a Filipino Lodge to gather all like minded brethren [and their ladies], with similar culture and aspirations into one Lodge.

Those were written more than fifteen years ago, and aside from numerous talk and "plan" to organise a "Filipino organised"* lodge nothing came out of it. Not because it is difficult nor there were no use or relevance; but simply we didn't dare to.

Now, with much support from both the NSW & ACT Grand Master, Most Worshipful Bro Gregory Henry Levenston; and District 32 - in the person of DGIW Bro David Keelty; as well as from our sponsor - Lodge Cedars No 1041, and various lodges within District 32 and elsewhere - this dream will come true. We managed to "dare" to make it come true.

And that is the long version of my reply to the brother - motivate ourselves so we can make this lodge come true.

Jose Rizal: A Biographical Sketch by Teofilo H Montemayor*

DR JOSE RIZAL, the national hero of the Philippines and pride of the Malayan race, was born on June 19, 1861, in the town of Calamba, Laguna. He was the seventh child in a family of 11 children (2 boys and 9 girls). Both his parents were educated and belonged to distinguished families.

His father, Francisco Mercado Rizal, an industrious farmer whom Rizal called "a model of fathers," came from Biñan, Laguna; while his mother, Teodora Alonzo y Quintos, a highly cultured and accomplished woman whom Rizal called "loving and prudent mother," was born in Meisic, Sta. Cruz, Manila.

At the age of 3, he learned the alphabet from his mother; at 5, while learning to read and write, he already showed inclinations to be an artist. He astounded his family and relatives by his pencil drawings and sketches and by his moldings of clay. At the age 8, he wrote a Tagalog poem, "Sa Aking Mga Kabata," the theme of which revolves on the love of one’s language.

In 1877, at the age of 16, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree with an average of "excellent" from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. In the same year, he enrolled in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas, while at the same time took courses leading to the degree of surveyor and expert assessor at the Ateneo. He finished the latter course on March 21, 1877 and passed the Surveyor’s examination on May 21, 1878; but because of his age, 17, he was not granted license to practice the profession until December 30, 1881.

In 1878, he enrolled in medicine at the University of Santo Tomas but had to stop in his studies when he felt that the Filipino students were being discriminated upon by their Dominican tutors. On May 3, 1882, he sailed for Spain where he continued his studies at the Universidad Central de Madrid. On June 21, 1884, at the age of 23, he was conferred the degree of Licentiate in Medicine and on June 19,1885, at the age of 24, he finished his course in Philosophy and Letters with a grade of "excellent."

Having traveled extensively in Europe, America and Asia, he mastered 22 languages. These include Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Malayan, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, Tagalog, and other native dialects.

A versatile genius, he was an architect, artists, businessman, cartoonist, educator, economist, ethnologist, scientific farmer, historian, inventor, journalist, linguist, musician, mythologist, nationalist, naturalist, novelist, opthalmic surgeon, poet, propagandist, psychologist, scientist, sculptor, sociologist, and theologian.

He was an expert swordsman and a good shot. In the hope of securing political and social reforms for his country and at the same time educate his countrymen, Rizal, the greatest apostle of Filipino nationalism, published, while in Europe, several works with highly nationalistic and revolutionary tendencies.

In March 1887, his daring book, NOLI ME TANGERE, a satirical novel exposing the arrogance and despotism of the Spanish clergy, was published in Berlin; in 1890 he reprinted in Paris, Morga’s SUCCESSOS DE LAS ISLAS FILIPINAS with his annotations to prove that the Filipinos had a civilization worthy to be proud of even long before the Spaniards set foot on Philippine soil; on September 18, 1891, EL FILIBUSTERISMO, his second novel and a sequel to the NOLI and more revolutionary and tragic than the latter, was printed in Ghent.

Because of his fearless exposures of the injustices committed by the civil and clerical officials, Rizal provoked the animosity of those in power. This led himself, his relatives and countrymen into trouble with the Spanish officials of the country. As a consequence, he and those who had contacts with him, were shadowed; the authorities were not only finding faults but even fabricating charges to pin him down. Thus, he was imprisoned in Fort Santiago from July 6, 1892 to July 15, 1892 on a charge that anti-friar pamphlets were found in the luggage of his sister Lucia who arrive with him from Hong Kong. While a political exile in Dapitan, he engaged in agriculture, fishing and business; he maintained and operated a hospital; he conducted classes- taught his pupils the English and Spanish languages, the arts.

The sciences, vocational courses including agriculture, surveying, sculpturing, and painting, as well as the art of self defense; he did some researches and collected specimens; he entered into correspondence with renowned men of letters and sciences abroad; and with the help of his pupils, he constructed water dam and a relief map of Mindanao - both considered remarkable engineering feats.

His sincerity and friendliness won for him the trust and confidence of even those assigned to guard him; his good manners and warm personality were found irresistible by women of all races with whom he had personal contacts; his intelligence and humility gained for him the respect and admiration of prominent men of other nations; while his undaunted courage and determination to uplift the welfare of his people were feared by his enemies.

When the Philippine Revolution started on August 26, 1896, his enemies lost no time in pressing him down. They were able to enlist witnesses that linked him with the revolt and these were never allowed to be confronted by him. Thus, from November 3, 1986, to the date of his execution, he was again committed to Fort Santiago.

In his prison cell, he wrote an untitled poem, now known as "Ultimo Adios" which is considered a masterpiece and a living document expressing not only the hero’s great love of country but also that of all Filipinos. After a mock trial, he was convicted of rebellion, sedition and of forming illegal association. In the cold morning of December 30, 1896, Rizal, a man whose 35 years of life had been packed with varied activities which proved that the Filipino has capacity to equal if not excel even those who treat him as a slave, was shot at Bagumbayan Field.

*Reposted from http://www.joserizal.ph/bg01.html

Related post: Veneration Without Understanding [A critical view of Rizal] by Renato Constantino

Letter of Invitation

Photo shows the facsimile of the letter of invitation for Foundation members for Lodge Jose Rizal being sent out by Secretary-designate, Bro Louie Reyes.

Minimum requirements are Certificate of Good Standing [CGS] from current lodge and AU$350.00 foundation member fee; which covers first year's dues and banquet fee. An interview and meeting with the officers of the lodge is also a requirement.

One of the main themes: "...friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree."

If you are interested to become a Foundation member, please feel free to contact us via this web [use comment page]. Remember there is a limited number of brethren that can be Foundation members as per Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT requirements.

Cedars Lodge Receives Sponsorship

Bro Fidel Pamplona, Bro Rudy O'laco, and I [Bro Louie Reyes] attended The Cedars Lodge No 1041 meeting last night [Friday, 24 April] . The work was a first degree which was very enjoyable and in correspondence, our petition to them for sponsorship was read out.

Later, in general business, their secretary, Bro Gerry Semaan; read out the lodge response to us, very happy and honoured, and ready to assist if called upon.

Bro Fidel responded at the first visitors' response in the south, and thanked the Worshipful Master, VW Bro Garry Sayed, PDGDC; and brethren of The Cedars Lodge for their kind support and then gave a short but very informative biography of Jose Rizal for the benefit of the hosts and the other visitors.

The banquet was typically sumptuous, a Cedars tradition, and sets a benchmark for how festive boards should be conducted. An excellent evening with excellent results.

As emailed by Bro Louie Reyes

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One person can set goals;
it takes a team to achieve them. – Saab ad

Tips for success:

· Plan ahead
· Share your enthusiasm
· Be persistent
· Start small
· Seek members who have something in common
· Be sure members are committed
· Think long term
· Be patient – most successful ventures wasn’t built in a day!
· Encourage positive and constructive discussions

Foundation Officers Elected: 19 April

Photo above shows the suggested logo [in different formats] of Lodge Jose Rizal as designed by Sis Sen O'laco with the inputs of the brethren.

The organising committee of Lodge Jose Rizal, District 32 under the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory [UGL NSW & ACT] elected their Charter or Foundation Officers last 19 April at a meeting at Bro Manny and Sis Lourdes Santos's residence at Woodcroft.

The Immediate Past Master [IPM] and Installing Master elect is RWBro Rey Porras, the present Regional Grand Counsellor of Region 11.

While the Worshipful Master elect is VWBro Manny Maniago, Senior Warden elect is WBro Fidel Pamplona and Junior Warden elect is WBro Rudy Romerosa. Both VWBro Maniago and WBro Pamplona are United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT officers [ceremonial team], while WBro Romerosa is on his second back to back term as sitting Master of Lodge Kildare.

Secretary is Bro Louie Reyes and Treasurer is Bro Manny Santos. Other officers are Bro Manny Placido, Senior Deacon; Bro Mario Baylon Jr, Junior Deacon; Bro Dan Elizes, Inner Guard and Bro Rudy O'laco is the Membership Officer.

Congratulations

Brethren,

My congratulations for selecting Lodge Jose Rizal. Like our national hero and brother mason, Lodge Jose Rizal will play a great role in the United Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT. It is our intention to be involved in the operational and ceremonial activities of our grand lodge.

Jose Rizal Lodge members will be urged to excel through training and education. We are trying to be selective on our membership because we would like HARMONY, PEACE and LOVE prevails in our lodge . We would like commitment not only from our members, but also from our wives, partners and children, it will be an extended family for every member.

More power to Lodge Jose Rizal!

Together Brethren.

WBro Manny Maniago
Chairman

Lodge Jose Rizal in the making

Finally, the brethren decided a name for a new Lodge, under the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory [UGL NSW & ACT] - that name is Lodge Jose Rizal, a name synomous with Filipinos, Freemansory and intellectuals.

The committee have also found a new home for the new lodge under District 32, and will be meeting at Castle Hill Masonic Centre, corner Showground and Old Northern Roads, Castle Hill.