Our member MW John L. Choa, PGM, PGT and President of Grand Guild of Past Masters of the Philippines, was invited to be the installing officer by IP VS Bashir of India as International President of Y’s Men International during the 68th International Convention at Herning, Denmark last August 1, 2008.
Likewise he was also invited by Ms. Rita Hettiarachchi of Sri Lanka as the President of Asia Area of Y’s Men International, MW John was a Past Asia Area President who later served as the International President of Y’s Men International in 2006. The affair was attended by more than 1,200 delegates coming from all the eight areas of Y’s Men International, Asia, Europe, India, United States, Canada, Latin America and Caribbean, South Pacific and Africa Areas.
The motto of Y’s Men international is to “Acknowledge the Duty that Accompanies Every Right”. It has existing clubs in 74 countries, and is an accredited NGO with consultative status of the United Nations.”
By VW Willy Ranaga
That is the new name of our scholarship assistance program. It started in 1977 when the then Manila Lodge No.1 & Mt. Lebanon Lodge No. 80 F. & A.M. were merged into one Lodge known as Manila-Mt. Lebanon Lodge No. 1 F. & A.M. under the stewardship of WB Domingo B. Sanchez in 1977. The Program was named after one of the distinguished member of the Lodge and was known as the Eduardo Gonzales Scholarship Fund. What started as assistance to a handful of scholars of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, steadily grew in numbers as the committee saw fit to benefit more scholars by spreading the budgeted amount to accommodate as much as possible. Its endeavors with PLM was successful that PLM acknowledged the effort of the Lodge with the awarding of a Plaque of Appreciation during its Foundation Day in 1986. With the rising cost of education, the committee decided to trim down the numbers of scholars so that each scholar will be benefited more. And later, the committee expanded its horizons to consider scholars from other State Universities and Colleges. In the year 2002, the scholarship grant was extended to the scholars of CITY COLLEGE OF MANILA where deserving students were ably assisted financially. The efforts of the committee spread that even foreign Lodges began to send its donations to participate in the works of the committee. Thus, the new scholarship grant was armed with more support to attain its objectives.
See the Grant Guidelines here.
By VW Robert P. Liao
MANILA-MT. LEBANON NO.1 hosted a golf fund raising campaign last May 8, 2008, at the Sun Valley Golf Club, Antipolo City, Rizal. It was a very successful affair with 24 brethren and guest players participating in the tournament, more than 35 members and their guests attended the awarding ceremonies. Specially crafted trophies were awarded to the winners and lots of prizes were raffled off to all participants, but the bottom line was that the Lodge achieved its target of raising funds to support and perpetuate the worthy projects of the Lodge.
In behalf of the golf committee, allow me to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the members who participated in the preparation of this event and the solicitation of sponsors for this campaign. Without you, my brethren this exercise would not have been a successful one. MARAMING SALAMAT PO.
by VW Willy Ranaga
Another feather was added to the cap of Manila-Mt. Lebanon Lodge No.1 F. & A.M. when our very own Harmony Officer/Almoner VW Benito T. Ty was recently crowned as a SUPREME GRAND INSPECTOR GENERAL (S.G.I.G.) of the 33rd and Last Degree Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite Freemasonry of the Philippines. VW Benny as he is fondly called in the Blue Lodges is addressed as Illustrious Benny in the Scottish Rite. He has been assigned as the SGIG for the Valley of Ermita, Orient of Manila covering Manila Bodies A.& A.S.R. Illustrious Benny is no stranger to Scottish Rite Freemasonry. He joined the Scottish Rite Freemasonry in 1984 and was capped an MRS on the same year. An active member in the rituals, regular attendances in stated meetings and conferrals, he steadily rose through the ranks and was elected to serve as the Venerable Master of Mt. Arayat Lodge of Perfection in 1993. He was conferred the degree of KCCH and later crowned 33° as an Inspector General Honorary (IGH). On March of this year, at the Annual Session of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite of the Philippines, VW Benny was elected and crowned as a Sovereign Grand Inspector General (SGIG). His accomplishments and desire to serve had not gone un-noticed for our “walking encyclopedia” Brother, on June VW Benny was appointed to serve as the Assistant Grand Secretary General of the Supreme Council. VW Benny is also the incumbent Provincial Grand Secretary of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Philippines, Royal Order of Scotland.
VW Benny is the eight SGIG from Manila-Mt. Lebanon Lodge No. 1, other SGIGs are Ill. Frederic H. Stevens 33°, Ill. Michael Goldenberg 33°,Ill. Harry E. Stafford 33°, Ill. Douglas MacArthur 33°, Ill. Howard Hick 33°, Ill. William C. Councell 33°, and Ill. Raymundo N. Beltran 33°.
Our VW and Ill. Bro. Benny, a true student of the mystic arts yet a humble brother!
by VW Willy Ranaga
June 12, a memorable day among the Filipinos; for it was on this day that the Filipinos declared their independence from the Spaniards in Malolos Bulacan. Made more memorable for the majority of the Filipinos at that time, who fought gallantly against foreign forces were Masons. Hence on this day, the present day Masons marked this day as a tribute to our elder brethren. Every year, on this day, the Grand Lodge of the Philippines has always been consistently joining the celebration, either in the parade or in the flag raising ceremonies and wreath laying offering at the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park.
This year was no exception. Led by our Grand Master, MW Pacifico Aniag and his Grand officers and brethren from different Lodges and Appendant Bodies, more than a hundred assembled at the Luneta Park to join the Philippine Government officials in the early morning flag raising ceremonies. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was there to lead the ceremonies. After the government floral offering, the entourage of Grand Lodge Officials and Brethren followed. Then, the whole party of brethren proceeded to the Plaridel Temple in San Marcelino to hold its own flag ceremonies and floral offerings. Past Grand Masters, Grand Line Officers, District Officers, Lodge Officers and members, Appendant Bodies such as Eastern Stars, Order of Amaranth, Shriners, Order of DeMolay, Rainbow for Girls, Job’s Daughters were also there to witness the august event. The Grand Master gave a short speech for the occasions extolling our Brethren who joined together and wielded the history of the country and freemasonry.
Amongst the Brethren from Manila-Mt. Lebanon Lodge No. 1 who participated in the occasion were WM Gregorio Arcangel Jr., Bro. Albert Manlulu, Bor. Marcelino Ong, VW Benito Ty, VW Richard Hart, Bro. Benlando Guevarra and VW William Rañaga.
Lodge Activities | admin | 
October 9, 2008 2:45 pm | 
Comments Off 
