A Tribute to the Philippine flag
Media
Part of The Cabletow
- Title
- A Tribute to the Philippine flag
- Creator
- Crudo, Manuel M.
- Language
- English
- Year
- 1966
- Rights
-
- Fulltext
- tribute to the (Philippine Jlag MANUEL M. CRUDO, PM Bagumbayan Lodge No. 4 WB. Crudo is Past Master of Ba gumbayan Lodge No. !>, F. & A. M. and Secretary, Board for General Purposes of the M. W. Grand Lodge of the Philippines. He spoke the fol lowing lines at the 33rd Annual Con vention of the Cavite Masonic Lodges, Masonic District No. If), held at Tagaytay City in. conjunction with the celebration of the National Heroes Day on November 30, 1965) No Caviteno Master Mason, and for that matter, no other man may consider himself a worthy member of cur beloved Fraternity unless his heart throbs with the emotion of lofty patriotism the moment he be holds his country's flag. The Philippine National Flag was conceived in Masonry and dedicated to the basic Masonic trinity:-Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. We saw for the first time our na tional emblem on May 28,- 1896 at the Battle of Alapan, Imus, Cavite, where it was used as the banner of the Magdalo Faction, a division of the Armed Forces of the Philippine Revolution which defeated the Span ish Marines. We saw it again on August 31, 1896 at the Battle of Malabon Grande (now General Trias), Cavite where General Mariano Trias led the Fili pino revolutionists against the Span ish Forces. We saw it again on November 11, 1896 at the Battle of Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite where the Filipinos won their greatest victory over the Span ish Forces and where General Can dido Tirona was killed. On February 13, 1897, we saw it again at the famous Battle of Zapote Bridge where General Edilberto Evangelista, that brilliant Filipino Engineer who had studied in Ghent, fought and died. On March 3, 1897, we saw our na tional flag at the Battle of Pasong Santol, Bacoor, Cavite where Gene ral Flaviano Yengko fought and gallantly died in action. On December 27, 1897 we saw our beloved flag cross the sea and land at Hongkong. There, the “Jun ta Patriotica”, a Council of promi nent Filipino national leaders, most of whom were Master Masons who had been exiled to that city met, de liberated, and from the various col ors, used as the banners of the dif ferent divisions of the Armed Forces of the Philippine Revolution selected and adopted this beautiful ensign as the standard banner of the Philip pine Revolutionary Government. On June 12, 1898, in the historic little town of Kawit, Cavite we saw our national flag being hoisted to the tune of the Philippine National An them which was played for the first time in order to proclaim to the whole world the birth of a new na tion, the Philippine Independence under the able leadership of a worthy Master Mason, Brother General Emi lio Aguinaldo. We saw our emblem atop the tower of the Barasoain Church where the Malolos Constitu tion which guaranteed to the people the enjoyment of their individual li berties, among which was the separa tion of the church and the state. Due to the intense love for Free dom by the Filipinos on August 23, 1907, the Philippine Commission passed Act No. 1696 which prohib ited the display in public of Philip 22 The Cabletow pine National Flag. For twelve lone ly years, we existed as a nation with out seeing our national emblem. On October 22, 1919 Act No. 1696 was repealed and once again our national flag was allowed to fly in the air, but this time side by side with the Stars and Stripes. On March 26, 1929 Act No. 2928 was passed declaring this beautiful national emblem as the official symbol of the Philippine Government both on sea and on land. During the last global war, we saw our flag, side by side with the Amer ican Flag, defending Democracy on the rocks of Corregidor, in the dug outs of Bataan, and in the foxholes of Zambales. On May 2, 1942. we saw our flag at Malabang, Lanao where our very own brother MWB Justice Jose Abad Santos, with splendid Masonic courage, preferred his martyrdom than betray the trust reposed in him. On October 20. 1944, we saw our national emblem when Brother Gen eral Douglas MacArthur landed in Leyte to redeem his pledge as a sol dier and as a Mason to return and liberate the Philippines. On February 2. 1945, we saw our beloved flag when the 11th Air Borne of the American Liberation Forces and the Filipino Guerillas passed through this beautiful City of Tagaytay and marched towards Manila. On February 3. 1945, we saw our national flag in its triumphal return to Manila. And on that memorable occasion, July 4. 1946, we saw our national flag at the Luneta, the ground hallowed by the sacred blood of Dr. Jose Rizal. There, amidst the wild jubilation of a grateful people, we saw our flag being hoisted alone by no other than President Manuel A. Roxas himself, a prominent Master Ma son, indicating that at long last the Philippines had regained her most coveted Independence, while another Master Mason, Brother Paul Vorries McNutt was hauling down the Stars and Stripes announcing that the American regime in the Philippines had come to an end. There, in mid air, by a twist of Fate, the two flags met and got entagled as if embracing each other and shouting to the four winds: “LONG LIVE THE PHILI P P T N E INDEPENDENCE1 LONG LIVE DEMOCRACY! LONG LIVE FREEMASONRY! Thus, for more than half a century, from May 28, 1896 to July 4, 1946, Freemasonry played a stellar role in the shaping of the political destiny of our beloved country, because “Ma sons, laboring for the improvement of the world and the great cause of human freedom, have always cham pioned the cause of the oppressed.” In fact, the history of the relentless struggles of the Filipino people for their political emancipation, the his tory of the creation and evolution of the Philippine National Flag, and the history of the birth and development of Freemasonry in the Philippines are isogenous. Behold our beautiful national em blem! Its three stars allude to the three big islands of our Archipelago: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The sun symbolizes the great light under which our people work and live. Its eight luminous rays represent the first eight (8) provinces that revolted against Spanish tyranny and oppres sion, namely, Cavite, Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Batangas, Pampanga, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija. Behold the splendid colors of our national ensign: Red, white and blue. Blue symbolizes Fidelity to Trust and Loyalty to convictions of right Turn to noxt page March 1966 23 and duty. White symbolizes light, purity and happiness — the desire of our people to live in peace and har mony with the people of the other nations of the world. Red signifies bravery — the bravery of Lapulapu, Leon Kilat, Diego Silang, Dagohoy, Plaridel, the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite and many others who died in the defense of our country. Brethren and Friends: Let us salute our beloved national flag. (May I request everybody to rise). It is the personification of all things Masonic, the apotheosis of all things patriotic. It is the symbol of FREEDOM for which countless thousands fought and died. Let us cherish with a devoted love our country’s national flag. And on this auspicious occasion, our 33rd An nual Convention, in conjunction with our National Heroes Day celebration, it is fitting that we rededicate ourselves to the same cardinal principles for which the Thirteen Martyrs of Ca vite, Generals Manuel Tinio, Mariano Llanera, Pantaleon Garcia, Vicente Lim and many other brethren fought and bled so that Freemasonry might live. Under the protective folds of our beloved national emblem, let us reit erate our solemn pledge: To protect the Constitution of the Philippines, because it is the repository of our civil liberties. During the recent national elec tions, the issue of compulsory reli gious instruction in the public schools became so explosive that it nearly threatened the wall that separated the church and the state. Irrespective of party affiliations, irrespective of our individual political leanings, as Brother-Masons all, let us forget petty differences and close ranks as before. Let us join hands and pool our re sources together. Let us guard and preserve the principle of the separa tion of the church and state, be cause without FREEDOM OF THOUGHT, the blessings of De mocracy and the principles of Free masonry might perish from this Pearl of the Orient Seas! A ORDER YOUR PAST MASTERS' JEWELS AND APRONS NOW. 10 Kt. Gold .... P150.00 Gold Filled ........ 75.00 P.M. Aprons .... 33.00 Now on Sale-. "Elementary Course of Masonic Study” .. 0.25 "The Candidate” 0.25 “The Entered Apprentice .... 0.25 “The Fellow Craft 0.25 "The Master Mason ................. 0.25 These pamphlets were prepared by the Committee on Masonic Education to help Lodges in giv ing effective instructions to their candidates and brethren going up the ladder. Other books for Sale: Masonic Law Book P3.50 Quantity orders of ten or more copies per order .. P3.20 The Builders by Joseph Fort Newton .. P14.00 Masonic Bible .... 23.00 Altar Masonic Bible .................. 80.00 PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW WITH THE . . . PLARIDEL MASONIC SERVICE SUPPLY c/o The Office of the Grand Secretary 1440 San Marcelino, Manila 24 The Cabletow WITH OUR YOUNG ONES Edited by PABLO MATATOUIN, JR. DEMOLAY RAINBOW JOB'S DAUGHTERS Tcodoro R. Yangco Chapter, Or der of DeMolay, Olongapo City, held a public installation of its officers on February 13, at the Lincoln Lodge Hall. The impressive DeMolay installa tion ceremony proclaimed Aquilino B. Arquero, Jr. Master Councilor; Oscar Moreno, Senior Councilor; and Enrique B. Arquero, Junior Coun cilor. Likewise installed to assist the councilors were: Tony Chan, Jr., Senior Deacon; Rodolfo Gamboa, Junior Deacon; Benjamin Macaraeg, Senior Steward; Jose de Leon, Jr., Junior Steward; Danilo Ramos, Orator and Almoner; Ernesto Ocam po, Chaplain; Gary Morford, Mar shall ; Antonio Ramos, Sentinel. Ely Ramos, First Preceptor; Ceiso Donato, Second Preceptor; Emma nuel Ramos, 'Third Preceptor; Ro meo Ramos, Fourth Preceptor; Fer nando Manglicmot, Filth Preceptor; Salvador del Rosario, Sixth Precep tor; Antonieto Meneses, Seventh Preceptor; and Standard Bearers Wilson Manglicmot and Arthur Navalta. Following a universal DeMolay in stallation tradition, Miss Frances Collins was crowned Chapter Sweet heart. Also chosen to charm the present term are Miss Josefina Ca bal, sponsor in the West, and Miss Esperanza Torres, sponsor in the South. The installation was also an occa sion that extolled another woman, the Mother of the DeMolay. Wil liam de Leon, PMC, rendered the Flower Talk expressing the virtue of Filial Love. Warmed by the protes tation of filial devotion, the officers of the Chapter's Mothers Club were installed by Mrs. Agatha Bishop, the club’s past president. Turn to noxt paga For better service and special prices SHOP & SAVE at LOYAL TRADING & DEPARTMENT STORE 553 Bizal Avenue, Manila - between Raon & Ronquillo Sts. Tel. 3-34-21 Contact Bro. Hotchand N. Murjani, Proprietor March 1966 25 Dad Nestor N. Niguidula brought to a close the installation with some words of compliment and counsel for the boys. The Loyalty Chapter, OdeM, made a flower and prayer offering to Dr. Jose Rizal at the Luneta on February 27 in observance of the Patriot’s Day of the Order. On that free and sunny morning the be-robed DeMolays led by Senior Councilor Marcelino C. Enriquez, Junior Councilor Emiliano T. De Guzman, Patriot’s Day Committee Chairman Melchor Vidal, and Chap ter Sweetheart Diana Kay McFar land paid tribute to our country’s foremost exemplar of patriotism. A week-long program to celebrate the DeMolay Week — March 13 to 20 — is in the making by the Lo yalty Chapter, Order of DeMolay. A devotional mass in the morning of March 13 followed by a pot-luck lunch at the Scottish Rite Temple grounds will open the celebration. Each day of the week, according to Samuel C. Crisologo, DeMolay Week Committee Chairman, will be devoted to the observance of each of the Seven Cardinal Virtues of DeMolay. On March 20, another devotional mass and an out-of-town picnic will culminate this year’s DeMolay Week. The officers and members of the Jose Abad Santos Chapter, Order of DeMolay, Manila, extend their heart felt thanks to all whose generosity made possible the benefit stage pre sentation of the “West Side Story.” —oOo— The officers and members of the Loyalty Chapter, O de M, and this column extend their profoundest sym pathy to Bro. DeMolay Armando and Sis. Rainbow Ermelinda Velasco for the untimely demise of their daddy, Dad Filemon Velasco. Dad Eugenio Padua, Associate Guardian of Bethel No. 2. has in vited the daughters and guardians of his bethel to a get-together at his of fice suite, Philippine Engineering Corp., M. H. del Pilar, Manila. It will be a merienda-meeting on March 20 to plan activities for the Jobies in the Manila area. Dad Padua has been so interested in the progress of the daughters and Bethel No. 2 that he has spared no effort and time to see that close ties between the guard ians and daughters are had through the sharing of the activities in which the daughters are engaged, the daugh ters doing them and the guardians standing behind them. Dad Padua will tender a luncheon at the Pent House of Bay View Ho tel on March 28 to welcome Mom Mary Etta Wright on her arrival that day in Manila for visitations to Bethels in Olongapo, Dumaguete and Manila. Mom Wright, is the Supreme Guardian of the International Order of Job’s Daughters with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. Daughters and guardians from Bethel No. 1, Olon gapo and Bethel No. 2, Manila, will be on hand at the MIA to welcome Mom Wright on her arrival by Pan Am Flight 841 from Guam. She is on the second leg of her visitation trip outside the continental United States, having visited bethels in Ha waii and Guam. After her visits to the three bethels in the Philippines, she will fly to Australia to visit the eleven bethels there which four years ago was organized into a Grand Bethel. After her visit to Australia, she will make a swing through Ma nila, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Alaska to visit the three bethels in that out lying state. A 26 The Cabletow