Pintong Bato Lodge No.9 Joins IGLPI 2nd Founding Anniversary

(With excerps from the IGLPI Information Center)

On September 7, 2007 (Sunday), the brethren of Pintong bato Lodge No.9 and joined the other brethren of IGLPI as they gathered for the celebration of the IGLPI Second Founding Anniversary.

Program of Activities in the morning was started at a tee off as the First VWB Rolly H. Sarmiento PDDGM Memorial Cup was held at Royale Tagaytay Country Club, Inc., Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite, and was participated on by many brethren both from IGLPI and other jurisdiction and by their families and by non mason guests who enthusiastically supported the event. There were raffle prizes distributed at the program while the brethren held its fellowship. Its was a great day and a fun activity as the brethren friendly compete on the greens of the golf course. The over-all championship was won by RW Manuel Carranza. The program ended after the awarding of the winners, and the brethren proceeded to the more important affair of the day which was the 2nd IGLPI Founding Anniversarry celebration at Tagatay Tropical Greens.

At around 4 o'clock in the afternoon, at Tagaytay Tropical Green, Patutong Malaki, Tagaytay City , Philippines , the Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands celebrated its memorable second founding anniversary. More than two hundred fifty (250) brethren from its member lodges and the two (2) lodges U.D. attended the great affair which was also graced by more than one hundred (100) family members of Masons, including visiting brethren from other jurisdiction.

"The journey had began “ a fresh start for true Masonry, and the continuation of that journey to move on and march forward, so let us put true Masonry in our heart to sustain more progress from a fresh start “. It is the journey that counts, not the distance we have traveled."

The Ladies of the IGLPI, an organization composed of wives, sisters, daughters and relatives of Masons led by Sis. Estrella del Mundo, wife of Bro. Evaristo del Mundo, one of the pillars of Pintong Bato Lodge No. 9, a Master Mason with fifty two (52) great years of Masonic services, an outstanding Master Mason, once "expelled" without due process in the practice of Freemasonry because of his uncompromising stand, showed their strong support in all undertakings of the Grand Lodge.

An instant theme for the night, "Give me some men who are stout hearted men who will fight for the right they adore. Start me with ten who are stout hearted men and I soon give you ten thousand more. Shoulder to shoulder and bolder and bolder we march together to the goal. All ten thousand men will march together man to man." The Journey of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands.

The program proper started with the singing of the National Anthem led by the Master of Ceremony Bro. Waldo Carbonel of Mendez-Nunez Lodge No.8, followed by the invocation solemnly delivered by VW Bayani R. Leoncio Grand Chaplain and the welcome address of the Over-All Chairman of the affair RW Cesar L. Go JGW.

An interesting and notable performance, once more, the apples of the brethren, the Ladies of the IGLPI gracefully showed their talent in dancing side by side with the younger ones.

Thereafter the inspirational talk of RW Manuel L. Carranza, Jr. DGM, followed by the History of the IGLPI by RW Joseph A. Capuyan SGW prepared and played by Bro. Adlai and Dwight Jawid in a film presentation was projected for all to watch.

After the sumptuous dinner, the Ceremony of After Dinner Toasts:

The first toast was proposed by MW Nicolas G. Ricafrente GM to the Republic of the Philippines

The second toast by RW Manuel L. Carranza, Jr. DGM to Freemasonry and Harmony of all Masons in the Philippines

The third toast by RW Joseph A. Capuyan SGW to the IGLPI

The fourth toast by RW Cesar L. Go JGW to the District and Lodges Brethren

The fifth toast by VW Bernardo E. Marges GIG to the Newly Raised Master Masons of the IGLPI

The sixth toast by VW Aldo G. Olaguer DGS in tribute to the sisters, the Ladies of the IGLPI

The seventh toast by VW Eduardo V. Bayot GL to All Masons Withersoever Dispersed

The eight toast by RW Roxy H. Sarmiento GAud and Sis. Baby Sarmiento in Memory of the late VWB Rolly H. Sarmiento PDDGM.

Special toasts were also proposed by the Master of Ceremony, from father to the son and son to the father toasts.

Bro. Waldy Carbonel of Mendez-Nunez Lodge No. 8 IGLPI proposed a toast to his son and to the GLP

WM Walden Carbonnel Master of Araw Lodge No. 18 proposed a toast to his father and to the Brotherhood “ On the Level."

And before everyone get drank with more wine toasts, the message of the Guest of Honor and Speaker, VWB Ruperto S. Sangalang, PDDGM Masonic District No. 2 GLP was delivered. His speech was very relevant and interesting as it talks about the early history of the craft in the Philippines, a sad part in the history of masonry when Bro. Apolinario Mabini wrote letters regarding the unequal treatment and injustices between Spanish and Filipino Lodges. The message was familiar and quite similar to the situation when the Cavite brethren formed and organized the IGLPI. The Grand Officers then headed by MW Nicolas G. Ricafrente presented a Plaque of Appreciation to VWB Sangalang as the Guest of Honor and Speaker of the IGLPI second founding anniversary.

It was then followed by the Grand Master's Message, and finally the highlights of the affair, at the darkness of the night, lighted by candles held by everyone, side by side, the brethren, the Ladies of the IGLPI, wives, sisters, daughters, relatives and friends of Master Masons, the orphans and the visiting brethren from other jurisdiction with lighted candle on one hand, sang IF WE HOLD ON TOGETHER.

Don't lose your way with each passing day
You've come so far don't throw it away
Leave believing dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story, faith, hope and glory
Hold to the Truth in your heart.

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by for you and I

Souls in the wind must learn how to bend
Seek out a star, hold on to the end
Valley, mountain, there is a fountain
Washes our tears all away
Words are swaying, someone is praying
Please let us come home to stay.

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high as souls can fly
The clouds roll by for YOU and I

The song was first sang at the Pintong Bato Lodge Ladies' Night celebration last July as wives of brother masons of Pintong Bato Lodge were honored and recognized for their active and unwavering support to the brethren of the lodge.
The essence of the song was felt, indeed touched every one's heart, carried away, some still with tears, shook hands, embraced each other, the IGLPI, the Ladies of the IGLPI, the relatives of Masons, the visiting Brethren from other Jurisdiction, A ONE WHOLE FAMILY, gathered together.

The brethren's great effort and meritorious commitment extended to Freemasonry serves as an inspiration to the members of the IGLPI and other brethren whithersoever dispersed.

Congratulations, IGLPI!!! and More power.