Regional Grand Counsellor Region 11 Letter

Dear Brethren of Lodge Jose Rizal,

My Regional Grand Counsellor R11, Rt Wor Bro Neil Atkins, PJGW sends his and that of the brethren from Region 11 the attached message to Lodge Jose Rizal officers and members on the occasion of its consecration.

Rt Wor Bro Neil Atkins, PJGW thank you so much for your kind greetings & wishes.

Fraternally,

Rey Porras

Rizal’s visits to Singapore

Looking Back By Ambeth Ocampo

[Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 02:08:00 06/20/2008]

SINGAPORE—If you care to explore beyond the shopping malls of Singapore, you will find two landmarks with reference to the Philippines, the most famous being an eye-catching bridge painted in the wildest colors by the late Filipina artist Pacita Abad. The other landmark, smaller and more dignified is one that commemorates Jose Rizal’s five visits to Singapore. The National Heritage Board of Singapore initiated a project in 2005 called “Friends to Our Shores” that commemorates visits by eminent personalities.

The original plan was to install a marker in the Botanical Gardens that Rizal had visited not once but thrice. President Macapagal-Arroyo was supposed to unveil the marker during her visit last year, but it was decided not to rush to do a better job. The Rizal marker unveiled by President S.R. Nathan yesterday is by a river near the Asian Civilizations Museum.

The National Heritage Board of Singapore provided the site and a setting for a bronze relief of Rizal’s profile by National Artist Guillermo E. Tolentino provided by the National Historical Institute of the Philippines. Our hero thus joins the other writers who visited Singapore, like Joseph Conrad and Somerset Maugham. I was wondering whether the emphasis on Rizal as writer rather than revolutionary was dictated by Singapore’s security concerns, but the fact that Ho Chi Minh has also been memorialized means that our embassy should begin negotiations to install a marker to commemorate Emilio Aguinaldo’s visit to Singapore in 1898.

Rizal’s visits to Singapore, and even that of Aguinaldo, underscore the fact that our relations go beyond the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between our countries. Our heroes and their visits to Singapore also antedate the independence of our countries. When Rizal and Aguinaldo were imagining a free and independent Philippines, Singapore was also under a foreign flag.

Rizal is a boon to Philippine diplomacy because he traveled a great deal and it is when we look back to a shared past with foreign countries he visited that we also get a glimpse into a shared future.

Textbook history tells us a lot about Rizal’s travels and how they resulted in an urbane and very cosmopolitan outlook. Yet in May 1882, it was Rizal’s first trip abroad and aside from the anxiety that accompanies all travelers then as now, Rizal had to cope with a pressing personal condition: he had left the country secretly, without his parents’ consent, without even saying goodbye to his fiancée Leonor Rivera. These emotions weighed heavily on him and we see a reflection of it in nightmares recorded in his diary, the first in Singapore. More significant is the admission that Rizal had precognitive gifts and he sometimes used it in school:

“It is true that I had a dream once that was fulfilled. Before the examination for the first year in Medicine, I dreamed that I was asked certain questions but I didn’t mind them. When the examinations came, I was asked the questions in my dream.”

Could this be the secret of Rizal’s genius that he was able to foretell exam questions before they were given? Wouldn’t that be cheating? If I were blessed with the same gift, I would probably be dreaming about winning lotto numbers and horse races. Rizal bought lottery tickets every week and actually won the second prize during his Dapitan exile.

During his tour around Singapore, Rizal saw the Maharajah of Johore and described him as “an old, stout man, respectable-looking and garbed in European style but wearing a sort of apron.” He didn’t like the food at Hotel de la Paix where he stayed. “There was neither order nor coordination in the service. I ate rice which was inferior to ours; the pineapples, though small, were sweet and tasted good; the banana, bad.”

Rizal also wrote about the Palace of the Rajah of Siam marked by “a small iron elephant and what-not on the pedestal placed in front of the building.” Today the Royal Thai Embassy is on Orchard Road and one wonders if this was the site of the Palace mentioned by Rizal, minus the elephant that is now in front of Singapore’s Parliament, now renamed Arts House. This elephant was a gift of King Chulalangkorn who visited Singapore in 1871. It used to be located in front of City Hall but has since been replaced by a statue of Raffles, founder of modern Singapore.

Many of the places and landmarks Rizal mentioned can still be visited today, and it is possible to retrace his footsteps in Singapore.

Rizal’s other visits were stopovers to and from the Philippines. These were short and seemingly uneventful because little is recorded in his normally detailed diaries and travel letters.

In 1896, he passed Singapore twice, first, en route to Cuba where he was to serve in the Spanish medical corps, but he was arrested in Barcelona. The second was when he was sent back to Manila. He was allowed to move around the ship freely when the ship was at sea, but each time the ship docked, he was detained in his cabin. Worse, 16 hours before they stopped in Singapore in November 1896, he was not only locked up in his cabin, he was chained to the bed to prevent him from jumping ship in the last port of call before Manila. Rizal’s friends lodged a petition with the Singapore Supreme Court for a writ of habeas corpus. This was rejected, Rizal returned to Manila, and the rest is history.

S'pore pays tribute to Philippine national hero Dr Jose Rizal

By S. Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia
Posted: 19 June 2008 2155 hrs

SINGAPORE: In an affirmation of the strong ties between Singapore and the Philippines, President S R Nathan unveiled a heritage marker dedicated to Dr Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines on Thursday, which marked his 147th birthday.

Dr Rizal advocated reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period.

The marker, at the Asian Civilisations Museum, is part of the National Heritage Board's (NHB) Friends to Our Shores series of historic markers.

They commemorate visits by eminent personalities by indicating the sites which were visited by them.

The initiative is also aimed at increasing Singaporeans' understanding of history and how they are intricately linked to the region.

Dr Rizal visited Singapore five times. His first was in 1882.

A Philippine Festival will be held in Singapore next year and it will focus on the country's art, artefacts and stamps. - CNA/vm

Rizal and the martyrs of our time

ROSES & THORNS By Alejandro R. Roces (The Philippine Star) Updated June 18, 2009 12:00 AM

Much has been said through time about Jose Rizal, the man we know from our history books to be the great Philippine national hero, martyred for defending the cause of the nation and its people during the Spanish occupation. He, to me, is still unmatched as the most remarkable Filipino in history, with his multiple skills and extraordinary intelligence and wit. Years after his execution, his story of heroism still echo, though sometimes, its significance lost in the repetitive stories commonly told about his life and death, and the recitation of important events and achievements surrounding his personhood.

Without mentioning his moving literary works like Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo and his indefatigable advocacy for freedom and democracy for his country that led to his martyrdom, the man that we came to know as Jose Rizal from history is a great person in himself — a man of character the likes of whom is hard to come by these days. In fact, his words and deeds became a stirring example and inspiration to other Filipinos who would later become enshrined in the pages of history as great heroes in their time. One of these heroes is Andres Bonifacio, who established the revolutionary organization called Katipunan from the civic organization La Liga Filipina that Rizal organized. Katipunan mounted a fierce campaign for independence from the Spanish colonizers and Emilio Aguinaldo, who later became the first president of the Republic, was one of the more prominent leaders who joined the spreading revolt waged by the Katipunan. We can count other great men and women who were inspired by Rizal’s selfless cause and with the same ardour advocated for the rights and liberty of the Filipino people.

His thirst for knowledge was so intense that, unlike frivolous young men born to wealthy families, he pursued varied fields of knowledge with no less than sobresaliente at a pace likened to a race. At 21 years old, he travelled alone to Europe to study medicine upon learning that his mother was going blind. Four years later at 25, he would complete his studies and practice in ophthalmology, during which time he also learned to speak German. And as his family’s funds dried up and away from his family, he persevered, not minding the sacrifices he had to make to finish his career. Until the age of 35 before his trial and execution, he continued to master various skills and subjects from the arts and letters to business and economics, to the sciences and sports, showing the high importance he gave to educating oneself. The ophthalmologist was also a sculptor, painter, educator, farmer, historian, playwright and journalist. He wrote his novels in Spanish, the language of the elite, at a time when there were less than 11 million Filipinos.

The greatest example he bequeathed to generations after him and up to the present was the peaceful but inspiring way that he awakened the consciousness of a people who were then nestled in a convenient but shackling colonial rule and how he, through the values and ideals he espoused in his writings, and a brilliant satirical way with which he described people and situations, instituted reforms in a society beholden to a religious culture that is at the same time foreign and repressive.

Rizal said, “It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice.” Hence, he made his life, not only a useful one, but one that excelled and shines brightly to this day. He is the cornerstone that served as a strong foundation of Philippine democracy.

To honor the memory of a great martyr, I dedicate this column to seven slain Marines who were killed last week during fierce encounters with the Abu Sayyaf group in Sulu. Sargeants Rafael Quinones and Wilhelm Alvarez, Privates First Class Randy Sacro, Marlon Quidep, Robert Fedochino, Willy Cabilite, and Dioan Tamayo were the frontliners in the military effort to rescue Italian Eugenio Vagni of the International Committee of the Red Cross still being held hostage after six months. These soldiers were also part of the team that rescued a popular TV broadcaster and her 2 cameramen last year. I salute them as martyrs and modern day heroes as well as the other military and police personnel who have sacrificed their lives to preserve the country’s honor and uphold the people’s peace and freedom.

More than a century after his death, the memory of Rizal’s life and works empowers and inspires Filipinos and even other nationalities to emerge as unique and outstanding people in a new and complex global village. Despite its many problems, our race stands proud and jubilant because it has a hero like Rizal.

A collection of writings about Rizal, for the benefit of Lodge Jose Rizal No 1045 members.

Charter Officers Designates for Masonic Year 2010-2011

VW Bro Emmanuel "Manny" Maniago, JGD - Worshipful Master

RW Bro Rey Porras, PJGW [33rd Deg] - Foundation Past Master

W Bro Fidencio "Fidel" Pamplona, SGD - Senior Warden

W Bro Rodolfo "Rudy" Romerosa, PM - Junior Warden

W Bro Vicente "Vince" Flores, PM - Chaplain .

Bro Manuel "Manny" Santos - Treasurer

Bro Mario "Mar" Baylon, Jr - Secretary

W Bro Godofredo "Fred" Enriquez, PM - Director of Ceremonies

W Bro Rolando "Rolly" Manarang, PM - Senior Deacon

Bro Manuel "Manny" Placido - Junior Deacon

W Bro Herminigildo "Hermie" Mateo, PM - Director of Music

Bro Renato "Rene" Ilaya - Organist

W Bro Jacinto "Jack" Sta Maria, PM - masoniCare Caring Officer*

Bro Eulogio "Butch" Canicula - Membership Officer

Bro Jose "Dan" Elizes - Inner Guard

W Bro Russell "Russ" Dobson, WM -  Steward

Bro Alfredo "Fred" Sese - Steward

Bro Numeriano "Nomer" Adriano - Tyler

Foundation Members:

Bro Joel Joseph Cabides

Bro Israel de Guzman

VW Bro Marcelino "Mar" Driza, PM

Bro Micvi "Mick" E. Fidel

Bro Roland Martinez

Bro Noelidestro "Noel" Obrero

Bro Solovin Paje

Bro Roy Purificacion

Bro Kristan Regalado

Bro Vedasto "Ved' Reyes

Bro Julio Roson

Bro Antonio "Tony" Saputil

Bro Roberto Urqueza

Appointed Officers for the Year 2010-2011

Assistant Treasurer - Bro Noelidesto "Noel" Obrero

Assistant Secretary - Bro Vedasto "Ved" Reyes

Assistant Director of Ceremonies - Bro Kristan Regalado

Education officer - RW Bro Rey Porras PJGW

Communication / IT Officer - Bro Mario "Mar" Baylon Jr

Auditor - Bro Jose Dan Elizes

Auditor - Bro Roland Martinez

Welfare Funds Representative - W Bro Fidencio "Fidel" Pamplona

Social Committee Representative - Bro Manuel "Manny" Placido

Executive Committee Members

VW Bro Manny Maniago JGD, PDGIW

RW Bro Rey Porras PJGW

W Bro Fidel Pamplona SGD

W Bro Rudy Romerosa

W Bro Vince Flores

Bro Manny Santos

Bro Mario Baylon Jr

Bro Manny Placido

W Bro Hermie Mateo

Bro Jose Dan Elizes

Trustees

VW Bro Manny Maniago JGD, PDGIW

W Bro Fidel Pamplona SGD

W Bro Rudy Romerosa

Bro Mario Baylon Jr

Bro Manny Santos

Ritual, Mentoring & Education Committee

Director of Ceremonies - W Bro Fred Enriquez

Assistant Director of Ceremonies - Bro Kristan Regalado

Senior Warden - W Bro Fidel Pamplona SGD

Education Officer - RW Bro Rey Porras PJGW

Membership Officer - Bro Butch Canicula

Other qualified members

Nominations / Benovolence Committee

Worshipful Master

Wardens

Secretary

Treasurer

Trustees

[Minimum of seven to form a quorum.]

masoniCare [Caring] Committee

masoniCare Caring Officer/s - W Bro Jack Sta Maria

Secretary - Bro Mario Baylon Jr

Treasurer - Bro Manny Santos

Other Interested Officers & Members

Social Committee

President - WM - VW Bro Manny Maniago

Secretary - Bro Mario Baylon Jr

Treasurer - Bro Manny Santos

Representative of the Ladies Committee

All Members & their Families are encouraged to participate in this committee.

Ladies Committee

President - Mrs Remedios "Remy" Maniago

Vice President - Mrs Pen Pamplona

Secretary - Mrs Mila Romerosa

Treasurer - Mrs Lourdes "Odeng" Santos

The Ladies of All Members are encouraged to participate in this committee.

*As announced at the Quarterly Communication [10 March 2010], all Lodge Caring Officers will be known as masoniCare Caring Officers [mCOs] from 31 March 2010. The role will be identical to the current Caring Officer's role except he will be have the full backing of masoniCare [the Grand Charity]. See the new masoniCare website.

Lodge Meetings

As per Lodge Jose Rizal 1045 [District 25, UGL of NSW & ACT] By Laws the following are the meeting nights:

1.  Regular Meeting Night is every 2nd [Second] Saturday of every other [odd] months in January, March, May, July and September Tyles at 6:00 PM; with November as Installation Month, Tyles at 5:00 PM.

At the moment, the Lodge meets every other month only, for a total of six months in a year. Except special or emergent meetings, which the Lodge WM can issue summonses at least seven [7] days before the day of such meeting.

2.  Management Meetings [6:00 PM] and Rehearsal Nights [7:00 PM] is on the 1st [first] Saturday of the above months; or at such time as the Worshipful Master may direct in advance.

Place of meetings:

Castle Hill Masonic Centre - corner Showground and Old Northern Roads, Castle Hill NSW 2154. Carpark entrance via Barwell Ave, just across McDonald's. Installation Banquets, at the discretion of the incoming WM and as agreed [at a previous Management Meeting] can be held at other venues.

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                        Lodges of District 25 Meetings                             Installation Meetings

Lodge Burnside 729                      1st Wednesday at 6:00pm   1st Wed APRIL at 6:00pm

The Parramatta City Daylight    1st Thursday at 10:00am     4th Thursday JUNE at 10:00am
       Lodge 1014 
Lodge Baulkham Hills 958           1st Friday at 7:30pm            1st Friday MAY at 6:30pm

Lodge Beecroft 359                       2nd Thursday at 7:30pm     2nd Thursday OCT at 6:30pm

Lodge Alpha 970**                       2nd Friday at 7:15pm          2nd Friday  MAY at 6:30pm

Lodge Jose Rizal 1045                  2nd Saturday* at 6:00pm    2nd Saturday NOV at 5:00pm

The Hills Lodge 1025                    3rd Wednesday at 7:30pm   3rd Wednesday SEPT at 6:30pm

Lodge Blacktown-Kildare 393** 3rd Friday at 7:00pm           22nd AUG Saturday at 5:00pm

Parramatta Hills District LOI    4th Monday at 7:30pm          AGM - 24 JUNE at 7:30pm     

Lodge Resurgo 223                       4th Wednesday at 7:00pm    4th Wed MARCH at 6:30pm

Lodge Star of Australia 200           4th Saturday at 6:00pm

*Lodge Jose Rizal meets only on odd months of the year [January, March May, July, September & November Installation Meeting. December mostly scheduled for Christmas Party/Fellowship, February - Ladies Night subject to change.

**Meets at The Blacktown Masonic Centre, corner 1st & Boys Avenue, Blacktown [near Blacktown Railway Station].

Lodge Axiom 1047                     3rd Monday at 7:00pm        25th JULY Saturday at 6:30pm
Meets at Guilford Masonic Centre, corner Kane & Calliope Sts, Guildford NSW 2161.

Other Masonic Centres:

Concord West Masonic Centre - 315 Concord Road, Concord NSW 2138

The History of Lodge Jose Rizal 1045

"It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal.

It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming part of any edifice."

 

                                               - Dr Jose P Rizal

 

 

 

The history of Lodge Jose Rizal is very much entwined with the history of the Filipino Freemasons Association of NSW Incorporated (or much better known as FilMasons Club).  It has always been one of the main aims of the FilMasons NSW Inc to organise a Lodge wherein the predominantly Filipino-Australian brethren can congregate and have fellowship.  The formation of a Filipino Lodge was a lifelong dream more than fifteen years ago by the founders of the “Club”.

On several monthly meetings and fellowship of the FilMasons, this idea was discussed, its merits debated and later on put into the “too-hard” basket.  Most of the members enjoy the social aspect, fellowship and informality of the Club.   They were  also active in their mother Lodges and other Masonic bodies; some  even  attaining higher rankings in their Districts and in the United Grand Lodge.

As they always do, great ideas resurface and on the early part of October 2008, there was “another” series of discussions regarding the formation of “Filipino Lodge” whose members would be predominantly of Filipino origin.  The FilMasons Association’s Immediate Past Presidents, WBro Fidel Pamplona and VWBro Manny  Maniago started the discussions on the possibility of a “Filipino Lodge”, under the  umbrella of The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and The Australian Capital Territory (UGL NSW & ACT).

Maybe it was the right time or maybe the brethren are more supportive and more open to this idea, thus the movement grew rapidly.  Since then, various follow-up brainstorming, informal discussions and e-mails have circulated.  On the 20th of December 2008, FilMasons Christmas Party at WBro. Bobby Briones’ residence, some brethren finally decided to pursue their commitments, with courage  and dedication to form  this new lodge into a reality.  A decision was made that after the festive season, an  organising committee would be formed and invitations sent out to interested brethren to form the first “Filipino Lodge” in New South Wales, and the first of its kind in Australia.

The first official meeting of the organising committee was held at 7:00 PM, Sunday, 1st February 2009 at Dooley’s Catholic Club at Lidcombe, NSW.  The following brethren were present:  VWBro Manny Maniago PDGIW, WBro Fidel Pamplona, Bro Louie Reyes, Bro Manny Santos, Bro Manny Placido, Bro Mario Baylon Jnr., Bro Dan Elizes and Bro Rudy O’laco; together with their ladies.

VWBro Manny Maniago was elected Chairman; WBro Fidel Pamplona, Vice-Chairman; Bro Louie Reyes, Secretary; Bro Manny Santos, Treasurer and Bro Mario Baylon Jr., Publicity Officer.

 

District 32, Castle Hill Masonic Centre was chosen as the meeting place of the new lodge since there is no lodge with significant Filipino-Australian members there.  The Cedars Lodge No. 1041 was approached as the sponsoring lodge being also newly formed lodge.  Lodge Woronora No. 414 and VWBro. Antoine Georges, DGDC of the UGL of NSW & ACT Ceremonial Team have donated Masonic paraphernalia, collars and jewels for the new lodge.  VWBro. David Keelty, DGIW of District 32 volunteered to donate Masonic Bible and the Director of Ceremonies baton.

The brethren of FilMasons Victoria also volunteered to donate the gavels for the Worshipful Master and Wardens.  Sis Sen O’laco creatively drafted the first logo with square and compasses on the breast of Dr Jose Rizal.  WBro. Bobby Briones and  daughter, Nicole artistically added to the original design the Philippine and Australian flags as backgrounds, with the cable tow and lodge name bordered around it, as suggested by WBro Fidel Pamplona, WBro Rudy Romerosa, Bro Manny Placido and    others.  WBro Romy Nieto volunteered his services as LJR photographer.  And, last but not the least were all the brethren and sisters to whom in many ways offered their moral support and words of encouragement that this new lodge will prosper from generation to come.

The committee decided on the Philippines’ national hero Dr Jose Rizal as the name of the new lodge in a meeting on 29 March 2009.  Dr Jose Rizal seems to be the logical choice, as he is a Freemason, a traveler and an intellectual.  He is one of the very few national heroes in the world who did not led his country into a war of independence but rather advocated the transformation of the individual to benefit oneself and thereby transforming the society he is in.  He values education over blind action and died by firing squad for his revolutionary writings exposing the evils of society.

Rizal joined Masonry and was made a Master Mason in 15 November 1890 at Logia Solidaridad 53, in Madrid, Spain under the Gran Oriente de Espanol, adopting the Filipino Masonic name, Dimasalang (Touch Me Not).  He affiliated with a lodge under the jurisdiction of Grand Orient of France on 14 October 1891, and in Manila was made honorary Worshipful Master of Nilad Lodge No. 144 in 1892.

The foundation officers elected were VWBro Manny Maniago JGD, Worshipful Master Designate; WBro Fidel Pamplona SGD, Senior Warden Designate; and WBro Rudy Romerosa, as Junior Warden Designate.  The Grand Master, MW Bro Dr Gregory Henry Levenston JP approved the application and a charter was issued on 21 November 2009.  Lodge Jose Rizal 1045 was consecrated on 30th January 2010 with thirty-one Foundation Members.

From now on, it is considered desirable, therefore, that in order to preserve the tradition of the Lodge, we should, at least once a year at every Installation, publish this summary of event to inspire the brethren of LJR worthy to belong to this unique Lodge from many more generations to come.