The UGL of NSW & ACT delegation, headed by Most Wor Bro Levenston [3rd from left], next to him is VW Bro Manny Maniago and Rt W Bro Rey Porras. Beside the GM is PGM Brooke [2nd from left] & flanking them is the Assistant GM & Deputy GM. [Photo courtesy of WBro Steve Markovic].
[Below was an article published in the District 32
website.]
"Countless hours of preparation and fine tuning went into the planning of the Consecration of Lodge Jose’ Rizal No 1045, long before the thirtieth of January 2010 arrived, and in anticipation of the huge numbers expected, which included The Most Worshipful Grand Master and ‘The Team,’ when the day finally arrived, the Castle Hill Masonic Centre was a hive of activity from early morning.
The foundation members were not disappointed, as long before the day arrived, tickets amounting to over two hundred and sixty were sold for the Banquet being held at the Castle Hill RSL Club. On the day Brethren began arriving at the Centre well before the scheduled tyling time of three P.M. and as the hour approached the centre was filled to full capacity. Somehow, over one hundred and seventy crammed into the Lodge Room including The Most Worshipful Grand Master, the Deputy and Assistant Grand Masters and in excess of Fifty Grand Lodge Officers and at three o’clock precisely, the ancient ceremony of Consecration got under way.
The Lodge Room was very colourful as the members of Jose Rizal had special shirts [Barong Tagalog or Tagalog shirt] made and imported from their homeland, very light blue in colour, with the Square and Compasses embossed in several places on the front, a photo of Joze Rizal himself embroided on the left breast which looked very symbolic, smart and dressy.
Gavels were presented to the Re Installing Master RW Bro Rey Porras by W Bro Greg Todio, the Worshipful Master of a sister Filipino-Masons [Lodge] Association in Victoria and a goodly number of brethren traveled up from our Southern State to both see the presentation and to witness the Consecration Ceremony, these brethren were both well received and recognized by the Installing Master.
The traditional age old ceremony of Consecration and the dispensing of corn, wine, oil and salt and the blessing with incense was soon completed and The Most Worshipful Grand Master declared Lodge Jose Rizal, a consecrated lodge, and duly placed the brand new Charter, bordered boldly in gold, in front of the Master’s pedestal.
The Lodge was then called from labour to refreshment and all retired for a welcome comfort break and a bite to eat before returning to the Lodge room where the Lodge was called back to labour and the ceremony of Re-Installation of VW Bro Emmanuel Maniago and the Investiture of the Foundation Members of Lodge Jose Rizal began, with RW Bro Rey Porras as Re Installing Master. The Investiture of officers was a colourful presentation as was said previously, all were wearing their especially made shirts which is the traditional formal Masonic dress in the Philippines, and to further enhance the ceremony the addresses to the Worshipful Master and to the Brethren were expertly delivered by the Deputy and Assistant Grand Masters respectively.
In his address to the brethren the Most Worshipful Grand Master warmly congratulated the members of Jose Rizal and all who aided and assisted in making it such a successful day and went on to say there were many more Lodges planned for consecration in the months ahead, all then retired and made their way either by shuttle bus [courtesy of Castle Hill RSL Club] or their own means to the Castle Hill RSL Club where the ladies were waiting in the huge [Lyceum] auditorium and the Consecration & Installation banquet got under way.
Whilst eating and between toasts all were entertained by musicians and singers [Del & Bona] and in the latter part of the evening, all had their breath taken away by the lavish and patriotic costumes and dancing of the ladies of Jose Rizal members and as the evening continued, the Grand Master and Judith Morrice joined in with great enthusiasm, the dancing and the fun.
The book ‘Real Men Wear Aprons’ was on sale and both the Most Worshipful Grand Master, the Senior and Junior Grand Warden signed each copy purchased and all copies were sold. W Bro Russell Dobson, the Worshipful Master of Lodge Alpha proposed the visitors toast which was responded to by three visiting brethren, W Bro Bill Casley, W Bro Read and W Bro Cesar Solis from Victoria.
We applaud the foundation members and all those who aided, assisted and took part in some way in the Consecration and Re- Installion of Lodge Jose Rizal No 1045 which I am sure will quickly become a leading Lodge within our Fraternity and we wish them well."
Our special thanks to VW Bro David Keelty, District 32 District Grand Inspector of Workings.
