Brethren,

Our July 4th Breakfast Fun Raising did not come up to our expectations. Fewer patrons were there and therefore we had less revenues than last year. Let us learn from our experience and point out the problems and do better next time. My thanks to Jim Desquitado, our Junior Warden, for assembling such a fine team for the Kitchen and dining room. Our Parade participation was well attended and I would like to thank those who joined, namely: Brothers  Fil Garcia, Jim Desquitado (driving the truck that pulled the Float), Reggie Oca, Ron Badua, Simeon Alonzo, Cristopher Gunn, Englebert Montemayor, Mervin Lansangan, Eddie Isaac, PM, Tony Abad, PM. Our guests from Southwest Lodge, WM Bob Astudillo and  Sal  Pagdanganan and Joey Baluyut from Claude H. Morisson. These Brothers are proud to be Masons and willing to show it. Special thanks too to Bro. Ron Badua for sleeping the night before (he did too last year) to secure a good place for our booth and for setting up those big blue canopies.

Congratulations to Bros. Oscar Velasco and Bro. Kaeo Griffin for their successful conferrals of the Fellowcraft Degree on July 17 and 24 respectively.

Congratulations too to Bros. Joseph Rojas and Edwin Buenafe for their initiation into the Apprentice Degree on July 31. My appreciation to Bros. Fil and Jim for taking charge in the degree conferrals, while I was at the Past Masters Night at the Coronado Lodge.

On August 10, 2007, Brothers at Silver Gate Three Stars will have a Hawaiian Night, cost is $12.50. Let us support them in this endeavor. Their Lodge is a great supporter of our Lodge in degree conferrals and other activities.

On August 28, we will confer our 100th Sublime Degree of Master Mason upon Brother Michael Jacildo. Arrangements have been made for this special event of our Lodge in her eleventh year of existence. It is my will and pleasure that every Brother who had been raised in our Lodge should attend this event to reconfirm their allegiance and fidelity to our Mother Lodge. If you cannot come, please send your Greetings to Bro. Jacildo.

On August 31, 2007, the 494th Masonic District which our Lodge belongs, will be hosting the Mason of the Year Awards. Our Grand Master Melvyn B. Stein will present the awards. Cost is $20.00, entrée- Prime Rib, entertainment by Brother Bernardo Bernardo. Make your reservation early as the venue can hold only 400 persons. Call me to make your reservation, pay me and then just check in at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center that day . They will issue you an entrance ticket, present it to the door and be cut in half.
The other half would serve as your dinner ticket. It is my will and pleasure to pick Eufre ‘Tony’ Abad, PM as our Mason of the Year. Let us congratulate and celebrate with him this prestigious Award.

On Saturday, September 22, 2007, we will host a Fun and Fund-Raising Jam Session to be held at 13242 Pomerado Rd., Poway, CA 92064. Cost is $15.00. Some of you might not be good dancers but come , enjoy the food, dance exhibitions, the camaraderie and fellowship among Brothers. Call me, Bro. Fil Garcia or Jim Desquitado for more info.

I had the chance to be the host for Brother Lorenzo Detran, DDGM from Jose Abad Santos Lodge in the Philippines. Brothers Ben Doria and Romy Quinto, PM were able to meet him at a BBQ party tendered by Bro. Rey De Vera of Southwest Lodge. His Lodge hosted the Annual Communications last April. He is the Police Superintendent in the Philippine National Police in Angeles City. I had the chance to discuss and compare our Lodges set up. He, being the Deputy District Grand Master is in charge of several Lodges in a District. Those Lodges have their own Inspectors who keep an eye on the operation of their Lodge. The Inspectors report to him and he reports directly to the Grand Master. Lodge interactions, support and common projects, such as medical missions, tree planting, etc. are greatly encouraged by these DDGMs to foster Masonic ties and bonds among Masons in their jurisdictions and spread the message of Freemasonry.