Brethren,

September. The month of Labor day and Autumn.

On Labor Day, several Brothers in the Mira Mesa area hosted a Masonic fellowship for the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Philippines, Jimmy Gonzales and entourage at the residence of Brother Jack Villanueva of Silver Gate Three Stars (SGTS) Lodge. The following day, we treated them lunch at the Crazy Buffet on Miramar Road.

On the home front, first let us congratulate Brother Oscar Velasco for his successful conferral of the Sublime Degree of Masonry on September 04, 2007. During the reception Brother Oscar, introduced his wife Becky and daughter, Michelle who did all the picture-taking. Abundant food was served for us hungry Members. After the conferral Brothers Romy Quinto, PM, Bill Byous, PM, Christopher Gunn, Michael Jacinto and yours truly met with the Grand Master  Gonzales in Paradise hills at the house of  Ed Aransanzo, PM of C.H. Morrison Lodge.

On the September 11th Stated Meeting, after tiling the Lodge, I asked all the Brethren present to gather around the Altar and held hand together and Brother Daniel Macaraeg read a special Prayer I made to commemorate the 911 tragedy. The applications of Regalado Tiongson, Arsenio Sy and Edwin Abad, son of Eufre Abad, PM, were read as candidates to receive the degrees of Masonry in our Lodge. Later on, Romy Quinto, PM and yours truly attended a farewell party at the residence of Fred Marti of SGTS Lodge for Brother Lauro ‘SJ’ San Jose of Baguio Lodge in the Philippines, a neuro-surgeon and the Founder of Shunt for Life Foundation. This foundation treats children with hydrocephaly (enlarged head due to the abnormal accumulation of fluids) for free. Surgery includes the implanting of a device in the head to drain the fluid thru a hose connected to the intestine. Donations are welcome. Brother SJ comes here twice a year. Let us practice charity within the length of our cable tow.

On the September 12th Masonic Information Night, about 10 Brethren from BML and wives together with their candidates enjoyed the free dinner and later on proceeded to hear Worshipful Brother Robert Winterton,Sr. talk about Freemasonry. In the open Forum Session, it was beholden to see our candidates, Mr. Tiongson and Mr. Sy asked the Speaker some questions about Freemasonry .

September 18, we successfully conferred upon Brother Christopher Pineza the Second Degree of Masonry. Let us all congratulate him as he is now a Fellowcraft and given the Staircase Lecture, the entitlement to receive the wages, the three precious jewels of a Fellowcraft, and the ‘G’ Lecture.

Our September 22 Jam Session Fund Raising Drive was successful and we made more than $341.00 from it. Food was aplenty and lots of music and dancing. DJ music was provided by Bros. Ernie Bautista and Tony Bersamira of SGTS Lodge at a discounted price. Yours truly, with his RMX club members performed an Argentine Tango and western line dances. I would like to thank all the Brothers who financially and physically helped in this endeavor but particularly: Bros. Chris Pineza, Ron Badua, Reggie Oca, Tony McGill (for buying meatballs and vegetables),  Fil Garcia (cutting the fruits and clean up)  and, Tony Abad, PM ( who despite his recent eye operation attended to give us moral support)and  Ben Cueto (who tapped his wife, Anna’s cooking expertise to prepare the meatballs) and Romy Quinto, PM (who stayed with me until the end and helped in the clean up). On the side, I am glad to say that my youngest daughter, Michelle took part by the selling of water for extra revenue and my eldest daughter, April, for the control of the cover charges. Thanks also to the candidates and potential candidates for their attendance and support. Herewith, I would like to quote Past Grand Master Melvyn Stein message on our 100th degree conferral ‘When the Master, Officers and Brethren join together for the benefit of our Craft, there is unlimited success in their future’.

Brethren, let us stretch forth our hand in welcoming Bros. Ted Galvez and Benjamin Cueto for their successful initiation into our fraternity on September 25. We had about 37 Brothers and guests in attendance and lots of food during the reception and the leftovers which some Brothers and yours truly gladly took home.

I would like to take special recognizance to Romy Quinto, PM for his continued participation in different roles in our Rituals as well as in our Lodge’s activities. He is gearing up to be Bill Byous’ assistant coach next year. Let us give him our utmost support.

September 28, at 10:00 o’clock p.m., on Gene Goldman’s RAV4, with Cris Santa Maria, Master of Normal Heights Lodge drove to San Francisco for the 158th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of California. WBro. Gene took to himself most of the driving. We checked in at the Nob Hill Hotel which is within easy walking distance from the Grand Lodge. We went thru the usual routine of registering, buying Masonic paraphernalia from sellers’ booths, meeting Brothers from San Diego and all over California. Inside the Auditorium, which was designated as the Grand Lodge, the Grand line of Officers tiled the Lodge, foreign Dignitaries were introduced, business conducted, decisions and resolutions balloted on. The new Grand Line of Officers was elected and the following day installed. I had the pleasure of listening to Bro. Chris Hodapp, the author of the Freemasonry for Dummies and the Solomon Temple Builder in a seminar provided by the Grand Lodge.

The September 29 Mira MesaStreet Fair was a big success, despite the absence of the Lodge 3 pillars. Kudos to Bros.  Bill Byous, PM, Tony McGill, PM, Bernie Gapuz, Gilbert de Perio, Chris Pineza, Dan Macaraeg and the two sons of Bro. Fil Garcia, Monchito and Mike for doing such a good job in selling nachos and chili as well as issuing about 250 child I.D.s to the public.

October Schedule of Lodge Activities

       02, Tuesday- 6:30 p.m., First Degree upon Mr. Bruce Christensen and Mr. Brian Brigham.

      09, Tuesday – 6:00 p.m. - Dinner ($12 per) call Bro. Jim Desquitado (619)274-6321 for reservation
                              7:00 p.m. – Lodge Opening. Bro. Chris Pineza Fellowcraft degree Proficiency
                              7:30 p.m. - Stated Meeting.

     16, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. - Third Degree upon Bro. Chris Pineza .

     15, Monday  - The 10th Anniversary of Black Mountain Lodge Charter Dispensation
           
     20, Saturday - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Potluck Picnic at Admiral Baker’s Field on Friars Road.
 
     23, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. – Third Degree upon Bro. Medardo Alonzo.

     30, Tuesday, - Degree/practice.

WM Rudy Alquero

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