A Tribute to a Friend and a Brother

How can one forget the friendship and the goodness of a person ?

I came to know him sometime in 1984 during the peak of the EMT hiring. I was a member of Batch 3 and he was Batch 6. We became close to each other and developed a bond. We attended the same church; had a common circle of friends; and practically were involved in the same social and community activities in Iligan City.

What struck me most about his personality was that he was a nice person, jolly and easy to go along with. He was the kind of person who loved to share and to give. But don't get me wrong - he could make a stand on any issue and beat you in any argument. I would consider him my greatest debate opponent during our memorable and unforgettable social sessions. I will always have a very high opinion of him and a great respect for his beliefs and political stand.

I could still remember him sweetly calling me "Do" or "bro". When he needed company, he would invite me for lunch or merienda at the JY Dimsum along Badelles Avenue, in front of the former Maratel. I had spent lots of my time in his company, enjoying each other's camaraderie and brotherhood, and exchanging esoteric topics.

NSC was just one of our ties. The other greater bond that we had was that we were fraternal brothers - twofold tie; and we called it the "mystic tie that binds". I know that he will be sadly remembered by the many people whose lives he had touched and influenced them with his positive outlook in life.

How will I ever forget the good 'ol days that we spent together? Farewell to you, Jed Malayang... You will always be my friend and my brother! (by: eRviN)

This is one my last pictures taken with Jed on March 1995 during my Installation as WM of Iligan Lodge No. 207. Ben Malayang III was the Guest Speaker when he was then the USec. of DENR. Shown in the picture from L to R - Christopher Chua Tek-an, Jed Malayang, Audwin Garzon, me, Ben Malayang, Manoling Reyes, Gig Emperado and Danny Gonzaga.

Pictures below were extracted from Jed's photo website...

Brother from the US

In the picture: counterclockwise - Maning Gaite (standing), Charles and June Dudgeon, Dennie So-Chua, Fely Advincula, Jane Gaite, Inday Dy, Loloy Tan, Tek-an Chua and Felix Advincula. Photo was taken by Henry Dy.


Picture shows Henry Dy with Charles Dudgeon (a consultant who worked with the NSC) and Al Cañete. Taken at the Pidugangan Golf and Country Club in Iligan City.

Signs and Peace

Masonic Education
“Signs & Peace”
Delivered at Iligan Lodge No. 207 stated meeting
last October 18, 2008.
By: VW Warlito M. Sanguila

The topic suggested by the GLP for this month was on signs and peace. I have to mention this or else, VW Anong Alagao will complain. I don’t exactly know whether they wanted us to relate the signs in our search for peace or peace as exemplified by the signs and symbols. As everybody feel, since the 1970’s some of the young Masons are not born yet, peace has been the quest of everybody, but very elusive. Although I would like to believe that to understand the peace in Masonic parlance we have start within ourselves. I refuse to deal with that topic this time for it will take most of the time to do it.

A discussion on the meanings whether operative or speculative of signs and symbols its exemplification to our daily activities started in the formal establishments of speculative Masonry in 1717 with the formation of the Grand Lodge of England. I listen t countless lectures, read them every month about signs and symbols, beginning October 1, 1976, when I was initiated in this Lodge up0 to the present for period of more than 30 years. Most of these signs and symbols would refer to the improvement of personal development of Masons, how to use them asked me one question that caught me: What Masonry have done to my life and its influence with my works?

I have never meet any Mason in this jurisdiction who asked me that sort of question for it seem to summed up what you learn from Masonry and probably that question should be asked to all of us in Iligan Lodge 207.

Is it the feelings of being part to an elite organization of supposedly upright men satisfied my being a Mason?

Is it with proficiency of our rituals and lecture with the admiration of the brethren makes us happy, although this proficiency is sometimes if not most of the time associated with memorizing our lectures and rituals, delivering them fluently like parrots without internalizing them?

When Masonry presented to us the Holy Book of our faith as a rule and guide, have we become good Christians, a good Muslims or a good Buddist?

When Masonry gave us the square and the compasses, have we learned to circumscribe our desire to achieve what we wish to be. Plans have been made by lodges, some dreams to be at the top armed with these signs (I met some of these dreamers), but all the notions of improving ourselves from the exemplification of these signs and symbols must start within ourselves. And that is where the battle should begin.

In 1999, I was fortunate to be requested by the South Pacific Fisheries Forum as a member of a ten man committee of the Pacific Consortium to establish policies of acceptability of seafood processed product from the Pacific area to the world market, especially Europe. This brought me to the world market, especially Europe. This brought me to visit Christchurch in the south island of NZ. I was requested to look into the Salmon industry. I stayed in a motel, which I eventually learned to be owned by a Mason, who I met. I learned eventually that he was a PM of his lodge. We spent time of discussing Masonry when time warrant, especially when we realized that we were both listed member of the United Grand Lodge of England. I visited his home, met his family, once have dinner with the family. Our discussion on Masonry went back to 1717, esoteric and what I call exoteric masonry, rituals, signs and symbols. One evening before my departure from the area, he told me that my mother lodge must be a very strong lodge, with members knowledgeable of their masonry.

As we progress from being EAM to MM, we were presented various working tools which we have to master in an ideal setting to direct us or have it become just symbols for Masonic lecture of abstraction of thoughts?

How far the three tenets our institution and the four cardinal virtues change our perceptions as we look at our brethren, our friends or mankind in general?

Have you my brethren expounded on these lessons to help in the search for a peaceful and harmonious society as Mason, we have been taught to bring lights to many people, uplift their sufferings. But have you my brethren made changes or yourself? Have you asked yourself the biases and prejudice hidden in your heart or are you still one of the three ruffians?

Let me share to you a story about a young Mason who acquired a habit of praying before going to sleep to the GAOTU for the blessings he had given and asked God to grant him what he needed to do what was required of by duty and by the good of his fellow, country and mankind. One night he ended his prayer with a query LORD WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU. HE hears GOD saying BUILD A BETTER WORLD. The young man said LORD, How could I do it, the world is such a large complicated place, so divided, so materialistic that I CAN’T DO ANYTHING FOR ITS BETTERMENT. The GAOTU in his wisdom simply told him JUST BUILD A BETTER YOU.

My Brethren Masonry bound us by duty to improve and strengthen our character that through us that of the society in which we live. By its teaching and precepts endeavour to find light that will direct our steps in life.

We all received them that light with different degree. Others only two (2) watts and others ten (10) watts and all lessons based on our mental capacity to perceive and understand. But no Masons will see the lights until the light of his mind and soul illumines it. The inner light of Masons is that creative and regenerative power that dispels darkness of ignorance, prejudices, errors, sin and even death.

Our enemies are within ourselves. Our enemies we figure on a battle where there is no ceasefire, no peace talks probably a battle that will never end in our lifetime. It is a battle against the enemies within us. These enemies hide in our heart and minds. Some says that it is really difficult to liberate people from poverty, oppression and injustices, but it is more difficult to liberate ourselves, our hearts and mind. This is a battle we continuously fight with square of morality, level of equality and the plumb of rectitude. Our enemies are situated within our heart ego, greed, intolerance, hypocrisies, lust and ignorance. These enemies are difficult to defeat because many of us set up a number of screen and built-in filtration in our minds.

With the difficulties we are facing now. We should strengthen our conviction, a Masonic conviction that could not be change by the corruption of comfort. We should cling to this Masonic conviction because it is given by the GAOTU. With this conviction we fight intolerance, ignorance and vices with it strengthen and enlighten our minds and heart that we may be able to enlighten the minds of our friends and foes.

Al all of us continue to wear this apron we are continuously reminded the purity or our intention our life and action. It is a badge of honor and with it we go to battle to free ourselves from the enemy within. We should never disgrace it for it will never disgrace us, as have been told Masonry never fail us, it is us that fail Masonry.

Salamat po at Mabuhay ang Masons!

Installation Night in 1995

Brethren greet the newly installed WM Ervin Aspiras (circa 1995).
He was 33-years old at the time of his installation.

Victor Mariano, Installing Officer and Outgoing WM
gladly turns over the Master's Chair to Ervin Aspiras.

Ervin Aspiras receives the Working Tools and
implements of a WM.

Master of Ceremonies, Fem Calio
presents the Constitution and By-laws
to the new WM.

Ben Malayang who is a Senior DeMolay was the
Guest Speaker for the evening. Shown in the picture
composed of Senior DeMolays,
L-R: Tek-an Chua (DeMolay Advisor), Jed Malayang,
Audwin Garzon, Ervin Aspiras, Ben Malayang,
Manoling Reyes, Gig Emperado and Danny Gonzaga

Ronnie Albulario pins the PM's jewel as Ike Gaite, WM looks on.
This presentation was done after my term as WM.

Remembering My Days with Iligan Lodge No. 207

Above picture was taken on April 26, 1997 during the
Annual Communication in Tacloban, Leyte.
L-R: Melanio Siao, Bobby Marzo, Edmund Peñaranda,
Tek-an Chua, Rizal Aportadera (Grand Master at that time),
Ervin Aspiras, Audwin Garzon and Henry Dy.

Annual Communication in Tacloban, Leyte - April 27, 1997.
Taken in front of the hotel.
L-R: Audwin Garzon, Henry Dy, Ervin Aspiras and Tek-an Chua

Annual Communication in Tacloban, Leyte - April 23, 1997.
After playing a round of golf.
Standing (L-R): Ervin Aspiras, Eddie Cueto,
Arthur Padilla, Tek-an Chua, Henry Dy, Francis Chua,
Kneeling (L-R): Bro. Madarang (+), Victor Mariano
and Audwin Garzon

Taken in one of the meetings of Iligan Lodge No. 207. (Circa 1995)
L-R: Raul Laman, Henry Dy, Gerardo Padilla and Rene Bontol

The Pennsylvania Freemason

This was an article published in the May 2006 issue of The Pennsylvania Freemason, the official magazine of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

On Sept. 8, 2005, four Pennsylvania Masons traveled to Scarborough, Canada, to witness the installation of Bro. Ervin Aspiras to the chair of Worshipful Master of Coronati Lodge No. 520 A.F.&A.M. GRC. Bros. Charles S. Dudgeon, Edwin C. Farrington, Jr., Barry G. Minnicks, Sr., and Joseph Gray, all Past Masters of Duquesne-McKeesport Lodge No. 731, made the trip. Bro. Dudgeon was sent to the Philippines Islands in 1985 to help in the building of a rolling mill. It was there that he became friends with Bro. Aspiras, who is a Past Master and Past Member of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. They have communicated ever since. Bro. Aspiras and his family are now citizens of Canada. The four Pennsylvania Masons agree that the Lodge meeting was very enlightening and enjoyable.

Left to right: Edwin C. Farrington, P.M.; Barry G. Minnicks, Sr., P.M.; Ervin Aspiras, W.M. of Coronati Lodge No. 520 in Canada; Charles S. Dudgeon, P.M.; and Joseph Gray, P.M.

Votaries of Honor

Today, I made a search in the internet for "Votaries of Honor", a book written by the late M.W. Bro. Reynold Fajardo, PGM of the GL of the Philippines. I found this interesting Masonic article which made reference about the book.
Click on this link... to go to the site.
(Ill. Reynold S. Fajardo, 33°, was Chief of the Public Attorney’s Office under the Department of Justice, Republic of the Philippines, before he retired in October 1997. Recognized by many awards in the field of law, he is also known as an outstanding historian and the author of numerous works relating to Philippine Masonry. Among them are: Historical Perceptions, Votaries of Honor, and The Brethren. Long associated with The Cabletow, official organ of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, and The Far Eastern Freemason, the quarterly magazine of the Supreme Council of the Philippines, of which he was Editor-in-Chief, he was recognized in 1992 as the "Most Outstanding Mason" in the field of public works by the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. A recipient of the Legion of Honor by the Philippine Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay, he became in 1997 the first and so far only recipient of the "Gold Medal of Honor," the highest honor within the gift of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. He is a Past Master of Quezon City Lodge No. 122, a Past Grand Master of the Philippines, and a Past Grand Royal Patron of the Grand Court, Order of the Amaranth. Ill. Fajardo is the S.G.I.G. for the Orient of Manila, a lecturer of the Supreme Council, and an Active Member of the Supreme Council of the Philippines.)

I am posting the said article.

The Masonic Spirit Must Live On
by: Bro. Thomas W. Jackson
R.W. Grand Secretary

My Brothers:

I have recently read a book entitled Votaries of Honor ("votaries" meaning devoted or ardent persons to a cause or ideal), which is essentially a history of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. I have been aware of the major influence of Freemasonry through our early leaders in the development of the United States of America and assumed that no other country has been impacted by Masonic precepts any more than has our country. When reading this book, however, I became more acutely aware of the magnitude of the influence of the Craft in the development of the Philippines. I also became more aware of how much Freemasonry meant to those men influenced by its ideals.

Complacency and ignorance unfortunately have dulled much of the respect for the Craft that it justly deserves in North America. This is probably the result of most of the present generations having lost the need to struggle to have what we have. For the Filipino, the time span is not that great when they were still struggling to gain the freedoms which we take for granted -- practicing Freemasonry being one of those freedoms.

We point with pride to our past brothers who played an integral role in creating this magnificent country of ours, but let me quote the first president of the Philippines, Emilio Aguinaido, to show how much the Craft meant to them: "The successful Revolution of 1886 was Masonically inspired, Masonically led, and Masonically executed. And I venture to say, that the first Philippine Republic of which I was the humble president, was an achievement we owe largely to Masonry and the Masons." Speaking of the revolutionists, he added, "With God to illumine them, and Masonry to inspire them, they fought the battle of emancipation and won." What an inspirational statement from one who should know.

There were two observations I made from this book amongst many which should be foundation stones for the Craft wherever it exists. The first referencing of the Craft is: "Peace and harmony prevailed in the Fraternity. Men of different races, nationalities, religions, and political beliefs mingled together in the spirit of true brotherhood." The second relating to the occupation during the war stated: "It was only the outward manifestations of Masonry -- the conduct of meetings and the holding of ceremonies -- which the Japanese succeeded in disrupting. The Masonic spirit, the very essence of Masonry continued to live on in the hearts and minds of Masons."

Freemasonry in the world today has its greatest appreciation where struggle is continuing; i.e., the emerging former communist-dominated and third world countries. It always has been at its strongest when adversity has been at its strongest. Perhaps the strength lies in direct proportion to the challenges. Perhaps this is what is needed in North American lodges to strengthen it today. If complacency can weaken it, challenge should strengthen it. If the challenge does not come from without, then it must be provided from within, and realistically, it is already here. Apathy is just as prevalent within the Craft as it is outside of it. We are as guilty of taking Freemasonry for granted as are those outside of it in taking for granted all that we do for serving mankind. Indeed, that attitude may be the major cause of our decline in numbers.

Those of us who are leaders must shoulder the responsibility to accept the challenge, to strengthen the Craft, to regain its influence, to retain its quality, and to destroy the apathy. We owe it to our past brethren and to the world. Our goal must be to reinforce those two foundation stones observed in Voltaries of Honor. Peace and harmony must prevail, and the Masonic spirit must live on.

In Memory of W.Bro. Larmingo "Minggoy" Tam

I received news today that W. Bro. Larmingo Tam, a Wor. Master in 1986 who was suffering from a lingering ailment dropped his working tools. Brod "Minggoy" as he was fondly called by the brethren was a pillar of the lodge.

He was knowledgeable about Masonry and has given lectures on certain controversial Masonic topics.

To read an article which he delivered as a lecture in some of the lodges, click on this link: Freemasonry and the Catholic Church

Surely, the members of Iligan Lodge No. 207 will truly miss a well-respected dear brother!

Lodge's Official Logo

This is the official logo of Iligan Lodge No. 207, F. & A.M.
It is composed of common Masonic symbols representing the lodge's character and aspirations.
About our Lodge:
ligan Lodge No. 207 is composed of good men from all walks of life, with different trades and professions, diversified in faith and beliefs. In spite of these differences, its members have endeavored to live up to its Motto – “Harmony is the Strength of our Lodge.”
The Lodge has a relatively strong membership that relies on its very active Past Masters for strength and support. The average age of its members is between 47 and 50 years. The Lodge has continued to implement programs to improve the quality of its meetings and to advance the interest and welfare of its members.

1st Blog Entry - Aug. 26, 2006

This is the first entry of our blog site. As webmaster of our Lodge Web site, I decided to create a blog for our lodge so that the members may post bulletins, announcements and even their Masonic reflections about the craft.