Barasoain Lodge U.D. of Malolos, Bulacan hosted a commemorative program for the 161st birth anniversary of Marcelo H. del Pilar, Father of True Filipino Masonry,  at the patriot’s shrine in Cupang, San Nicolas, Bulacan.  The program was highlighted by a lecture given by Bro Francis A. Gealogo, professor of History at the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila, Senior Warden of Bagong Buhay Lodge No 4.  The activity was coordinated with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines by Masonic District 1 Supervisor Camilo Tabulinar.  
Grand Master Cesar Go led the grand officers  in a wreath-laying ceremony at the MH del Pilar monument.   

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A five-panel exhibit titled "Marcelo H. del Pilar, Father of True Filipino Masonry" was donated by IGLPI  to the MH del Pilar  Shrine in Cupang, San Nicolas, Bulacan, during the observance  of the patriot's 115th death anniversary on July 4.  The exhibit was prepared by the Philippine Center for Masonic Studies, in cooperation with the National Historical  Commission of the Philippines, Bulacan-Zambales Cluster.  

Click here to view exhibit slides

Grand Officers, Past Grand Masters, Officers of Masonic District One, Lodge Officers, Ladies of IGLPI and the brethren joined the nation in celebrating the 113th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence on June 12 at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite.  Guest speaker was President Benigno S. Aquino III.

The Fifth Masonic District One annual convention, hosted by Freedom Lodge No. 10,  was held at Xevera Mabalacat in Mabalacat, Pampanga on May 21, 2011.  Welcome ceremonies were held at the subdivision’s main plaza.  Guest speaker was Mabalacat Mayor Marino P. Morales who spoke on the role of Masons in nation building and the programs being undertaken by his municipality on its way to cityhood.  A short parade was held to the Xevera clubhouse, venue of the plenary session. 

Masonic District Supervisor VW Camilo Tabulinar called the convention to order at nine o’clock in the morning.  In the ensuing proceedings a proposal to redefine the term “suspension for non-payment of dues”,  amending section 3,Article XIV; Section 9, Article IV of the Uniform Code of By-laws for Member Lodges and their corresponding provisions in the Administrative Code was received for submission to the Legislative Council.  Another proposal, this time to revise the format of monthly lodge reports was remanded to the District Council for further study before it is endorsed to the Executive Council.  

The assembly also received  an update from MWB Manuel Carranza, Jr. PGM, chairman of the special committee on rituals.  MWB Carranza announced the assignments of Lodges chosen to exemplify the rituals of the three degrees, prior to their final approval during the Grand Assembly in November.  He also distributed soft copies of the proposed Manual of Works to all Masters of the Lodges.  In another development, MWB Joseph Capuyan, PGM briefed the delegates about his proposed Manual of Protocol which was likewise, subject for approval during the November Grand Assembly.  Grand Master Cesar Go concluded the proceedings with his short message and closed the convention at one in the afternoon.  Next year's convention host is Cavite Lodge No. 2, Cavite City.

A seminar on family life, titled “The Advocacy of Men Loving their Wives” was organized by Bagong Ilaw Lodge No. 6 with the sponsorship of Revicon Max, on May 13, 2011 from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.at the Naval Training Facility at Sangley Point, Cavite City.  Part of  the lodge’s health and family advocacy programs, the seminar was attended by more than 150 navy personnel as well as brethren from IGLPI lodges in Cavite. 

Masons and their families celebrated IGLPI Family month with a two-day summer outing at the Hardin ng Postema Resort in Tanza, Cavite from April 9 to 10. The affair was highlighted by friendly competitions in darts, chess and tug-of-war.  There were also parlor games for children and parents. Another highlight was a surprise program for  Bro Evaristo and Sis Nene del Mundo who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary,  and Bro Nicolas and Sis Cecil Ricafrente who celebrated their 38th, on April 9.   

Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Lodge No 5 led Grand Lodge and District 1 officers; brethren and Ladies of IGLPI in simple commemoration rites for the 142nd birthday of Gen Aguinaldo on March 22, 2011 at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite.  A mass was celebrated by Rev  Fr Romeo Ner, parish priest of Kawit who in his homily defined the need for moral and spiritual change in the context of present day world events.  Grand line officers and Past Grand Masters joined the Aguinaldo family, provincial and local officials in the wreath laying ceremonies at the General's tomb.  Gen Aguinaldo  was made a mason at Logia Pilar No 203 in Imus, Cavite and later founded Logia Magdalo No 371 in Kawit, both lodges under the Grande Oriente Espanol.  Logia Magdalo is now the Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Lodge No 5, IGLPI.  General Aguinaldo was the first president of the  Philippine republic.  

The First Cavite 3 and 5 kilometer Fun Run,  organized by Bagong Ilaw Lodge No 6 was held in Cavite City on March 13, 2011.  Participants included masons, children from lodge-adopted public schools, Ladies of IGLPI, naval personnel from the Philippine Navy, guests and city officials led by Cavite City Mayor Romeo Ramos.   The project was for the benefit of Porta Vaga  Elementary school and other Bagong Ilaw Lodge  charity projects.

Republic Day was celebrated in Malolos City, Bulacan on January 23, 2011  with a civic-military parade and program held at the patio of Barasoain church.  The observation marked the anniversary of the official inauguration of the Philippine Republic after the promulgation of the Constitution by the Malolos Congress   112 years ago.  Posters depicting  major events in history that led to independence and birth of the first republic were paraded by the lodges of IGLPI.  The posters were later donated to the Barasoain History Museum, Malolos City, Bulacan.

Grand Line officers led by MW Cesar Go offer wreath at the tomb of General Aguinaldo  during the commemoration ceremonies at the Aguinaldo Shrine on February 6, 2011.

The Fifth Annual Grand Assembly of Grand Lodge was held from November 25-27, 2010  at Victoria Ville Clubhouse, School of Life compound in Panapaan, Bacoor Cavite.  Deputy Grand Master Cesar de Leon Go  opened the Grand Lodge in due form and presided over the reception of Grand Master Joseph Capuyan and other dignitaries.  After an invocation rendered by VW Erlino Raqueño, Jr, Grand Chaplain, WB Manolo Contreras, Immediate Past Master of Pilar Lodge No 3 delivered Tribute to the Flag.  A grand oration was delivered by VW Petronilo Bulanhagui, Grand Orator. 

In the succeeding plenary sessions, the assembly approved the IGLPI Mutual Aid and Benefit plan amendments, and the incorporation of the Temple Builders Association which was established in 2009 to raise funds for the proposed Grand Masonic Center.  A resolution submitted by Cavite Lodge No 2, proposing the annual Masonic observance of January 23 as Republic Day was approved. A resolution which sought to amend certain portions of the closing ritual for lodges was referred for further study to the Committee on Rituals. 

In a separate meeting on November 27, Past Masters formally approved the establishment of an association  of Past Masters and formed  a board of trustees among member lodges.  The board will formulate the association’s by-laws and elect  the first set of officers.

New Master Masons were given a seminar on the history of Filipino Masonry and the IGLPI; symbolisms of the opening and closing of a Masonic lodge and basics of Masonic etiquette and decorum.

Election of grand officers was held in the afternoon of November 27.   Elected were MW Cesar de Leon Go, Grand Master; RW Roberto Landas, Deputy Grand Master; RW Amorico Alvarez,  Senior Grand Warden; RW Javier del Rosario, Junior Grand Warden; RW Reynaldo Generillo, Grand Treasurer; RW Armando Quion, Grand Secretary and RW Roxy Sarmiento, Grand Auditor.  They were installed by MWB Joseph Capuyan.

  Amity Lodge which has been under dispensation for two years under Past Grand Masters Nicolas Ricafrente and Manuel Carranza, Jr was chartered as Amity Lodge No 11, the second lodge established in the IGLPI jurisdiction.  The dispensations  issued by MWB Joseph Capuyan, to two other lodges, Barasoain Lodge U.D. in Malolos, Bulacan and Navotas Lodge U.D.  in Navotas, Metro Manila were  extended until November 2011 by MW Cesar de Leon Go.  Under the Grand Lodge administrative code, a lodge under dispensation may only be constituted after it has raised fifteen Master Masons. 

The Annual Grand Assembly goes to Clark Freeport Economic Zone in Angeles, Pampanga next year, 2011, to be hosted by Freedom Lodge No 10.