Rare Periodicals

The Cabletow

Media

Part of The Cabletow

Title

The Cabletow

Issue Date

Vol. XXXVIII (No.4) October 1962

Year

1962

Language

English

Rights

extracted text

ZXJPZZ'ZZZXXZZZZZ'ZZXZZZ1 'S/Z/////ZZ//ZSZ//ZZ OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE GRAND LODGE OF THE PHILIPPINES SINCE 1913. GRAND LODGE GOLDEN JUBILEE PROGRAM IN THIS ISSUE In this issue . .. GRAND DISTRICT DEPUTY GRAND MASTERS Message ................ p. 93 Editorial: Lodge Members and Religion in Life .... p. 96 By JIWB Camilo Osias, PGM Does Democracy ' Work in the Philippines? .......... p. 101 By Bro. Ilex D. Drilon Fragments from Masonic History . . p. 107 Breaches in Brother­ hood ...................... p. 110 By Bro. Ignacio Nabong Masonic Etiquette and Decorum .... p. 112 By VWB Hermogcnes Oliveros Education and Public Service .... p. 116 Official Section p. 117 Golden Jubilee Program ................ p. 121 Grand Master’s Visitations ............ p. 123 The Grand Lodge of F. & A. M. of the Philippines will celebrate its Fiftieth Anniversary with The Golden Jubilee Communication on December 19-20, 1962. This is in accord­ ance with the will of the brethren as expressed at our last Annual Communication. When I was installed as Grand Master, I immediately ap­ pointed M. W. Bro. Cenon S. Cervantes, P. G. M., as General Chairman. In that capacity, he wrote letters of invitation to the Grand Masters of all 95 Grand Jurisdictions with whom we have fraternal relations. Thus far, we are certain that the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California, M. W. Bro. Ira W. Coburn, and the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Japan, M. W. Bro. Nohea 0. A. Peck, will attend. As they are our Mother and Daughter Grand Lodges, respectively, .ve are very delighted that they will be with us. I had the pleasure of meeting M. W. Bro. Coburn last year when I at­ tended the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of California and, of course, M. W. Bro. Peck is an old friend and a former member of our Grand Lodge. In addition, we are informed that the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts will send a representative in the person of R. W. Bro. Milton J. Segal, District Deputy Grand Master of Chelsea Third Masonic District. -He will be accompanied by Mrs. Segal, an Eastern Star. The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kansas has indicated that he is trying to arrange for a representative to be present. General William C. Kingsbury, of Guam, who is a brother, will be present. We have decided to hold our meetings at the Philamlife Building Auditorium which is located at the corner of Isaac Peral and Florida, not more than a minute and a half by car from the Grand Lodge. It is air-conditioned and has excel­ lent acoustics. We are arranging to use the banquet hall of the building for lunch and dinner on both days. An outside 93 caterer will serve the meals. In this way it will not be ne­ cessary for the brethren to leave the building during the time we are in session. V. W. Bro. Hermogenes P. Oliveros, our Senior Grand Lecturer, is in charge of accommodations. This includes housing. Our Program Chairman is M. W. Bro. Antonio Gonzalez, Sr. Invitations have been extended to President Diosdado Macapagal and to the Hon. William E. Stevenson, American Ambassador to the Philippines to be our Guest Speakers on the 19th and 20th of December, respectively. All visiting dignitaries will be called upon to deliver short addresses. The ladies of the Eastern Star will be called upon again to look after the wives of the delegates, and all brethren are encouraged to bring their ladies. The brethren are asked to commence registration (the fee has not yet been decided upon) at 8:00 A. M. at the Philamlife Building. Wor. Bro. Dominador R. Escosa, the Chair­ man of the Credentials‘Committee and the members of his Committee expect to be able to register all delegates by the time the Communication opens at 9:30 A. M. As this is rather a large order, I ask that all Masters see to it that the names of all delegates who will attend are filed not later than December 1, 1962. In this Way, Credential Cards can be prepared in advance. As you can see, we are leaving no stone unturned in order to have an interesting and productive Communication. Nevertheless, in the final analysis, it will be up to the brethren to make this affair a success. Those who live in Manila are asked to extend the same hospitality that the provincial and overseas brethren extend to us when we visit them. To our overseas and provincial brethren and their wives, we extend a most hearty invitation to be with us so that we may enjoy each other’s fellowship and celebrate what we hope will be a grand and glorious occasion. WILLIAM H. QUASHA Grand Master 94 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 Editorial. . . LODGE MEMBERS AND MASONS “Our finances are low, Brethren,” a Worshipful Mas­ ter announced in his lodge one evening, “ we must get busy securing candidates.” By “securing candidates,” of course, he meant getting people to join his lodge who will be known as Masons. So, the good Brother in effect said, “We need money for our lodge; let us make more Masons.” But for the fact that remarks like this are now frequently heard from well meaning Brothers genuinely concerned with the welfare of their lodge, comments seem unnecessary. We fear that for all their sincerity, these brethren miss completely the true meaning of Masonry; for to confer the title of Free­ mason on any one merely to raise money is repugnant to the character of the Order. In the first place, we cannot “secure candidates” without violating one of the ancient traditions of the Order, namely, one who seeks membership comes of his own free will and accord. A fervent advocate of liberty, Masonry would have every neophyte realize that he is entering the portals of the Order without inducements or inv-itation from any one. Be­ sides, Masonry needs no mass support or numerical power — as do those who have to campaign for membership to achieve their ends — because its province is morality and its task, the search for perfection. Incidentally, we cannot make Masons. Men make them­ selves into Masons from the lessons of the Order. Joining a lodge makes one a member of it but not necessarily a Mason. This he must do for himself. Degrees conferred especially under the circumstance stated above, more often than not, (Continued on inside bael; cove) ) 95 RELIGION IN LIFE By MWB CAMILO OSIAS, P.G.M. An address delivered under the aus­ pices of the Men’s Club, Knox Memorial Church, Manila, September 30, 1962 Gentlemen and Fellow Christians: I accepted your invitation on the assumption that you are believers of Christ and Christianity. Let me state at the outset that religion is essential and necessary in the life of the individual, jn the life of the nation, in the life of mankind. Humanity has need of education and religion. What is the central thought in both? The answer is: Life, the good life. If we are in­ terested in education and religion, and we must be, we must see that they function in our lives and in the lives of our fellowmcn. As you know I have long served in the field of education. Recent­ ly I was chosen President of the Educational Center of Asia which my co-workers and I hope to con­ vert into the University of Asia. It is my purpose to serve the cause of education to the end of my earthly existence. My philosophy of edu­ cation is outlined in several books the latest volume being one with the title Life-Centered Education. In the Preface this paragraph ap­ pears: ‘ The main thesis is that life is central and it is the business of education to enrich and elevate life — life of the individual in its intirety, life of society as a whole. The contention is that what is important o life is what chiefly concerns educa­ tion and conversely whatever does not touch or affect life is of little or no consequence to education." If the good Lord will give me more years and strength I hope to write a companion volume to be entitled Life-Centered Religion. In religion as in education life is cen­ tral. We who arc Christians believe in life everlasting. It must be axio­ matic to all thinking persons that religion is a way of life; that reli­ gion must take effect in conduct; tliat religion to be of real value is life itself; that its goal is the good life now and hereafter. There is a group of people in the world known as Masons. They form a nucleus of leaders in every civilized country who preach and live the eternal doctrine of the Fatherhood of God and the Broth­ erhood of man irrespective of race, nationality, or creed. They exem­ plify the good life, temporal and eternal. Masonry is not an organ­ ized religion seeking to proselyte or to fight any church, but it is in a very true sense spiritual or, if you please, religious. The founder of the Christian re­ Jigion was sent to our planet to save man and mankind. The mis­ sion of Christ was to establish a faith rooted in salvation and resur­ rection. These are among the prime essentials of the Christian religion. Sermons and Sunday School classes and gatherings in the Christian churches should center upon the simple message that Christ can and docs save. Christ Himself voiced the prin­ ciple of a life-centered religion when He said, “I am come that ye might have life, and have it more abun­ dantly.” Life, abundant and rich, was and is the great objective of the leachings of Christ and His disci­ ples. By disciples I mean not only those close to Him when He was on earth but all who believe in salvation and in life everlasting. Religion has for its mission the conversion of the bad and indif­ ferent life into a life that is good and active. It seeks to make a good man a better man. Perfecti­ bility is the guiding principle, per­ fection is the goal. A high com­ pliment was paid by Jesus to man in the Sermon on the Mount when He said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matt. 5:48) With God as our guide we may approach, even attain, perfection. The good life is not the exclu­ sive prerogative or patrimony of any man or group of men. It is a boon to all who zealously will to achieve the good life. It is not 1 eserved for people of any parti­ cular epoch. In the Old Testament days the Lord showed man what is good and what he must do to at­ tain it. We have this in Micah 6:8: “He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” The good life and the salvation of souls have not been vouchsafed to people of a particular faith -- not to people who embraced the Chris­ tian religion only. It is not logical nor reasonable to think or to be­ lieve that none before the coming of Christ to this earth was saved. Does it make sense to consider all who do not belong to a particular church have been denied the good life and the boon of salvation from the beginning of time to this good hour? Did not Jesus give to one of those sinners being crucified with him on Mount Calvary who had faith that Jesus “hath done nothing amiss” this assurance of salvation: “Verily I say unto thee, Today shall thou be with me in paradise”? (Luke 23:43) It does not comport with sound reason for any group of Christians to believe that only they are eligible to be saved to the exclusion of all others even other fellow Christians. I do not share the belief that sal­ vation is reserved exclusively lor a specified body of church commun­ icants. Under a just God and an understanding Savior there must be salvation or at least hope of salva­ tion and heavenly life for men and tvomen who have faith and love, children of Our Father in heaven RELIGION IN LIFE 97 who are good and Godly, whose lives are serviceable and holy. Religion which teaches the good life and seeks saved lives is not limited by creedal, geographical, or racial boundaries. It is universal. It is also multicolored. As the Creator in His infinite wisdom created men of varied colors. He must have intended the good life and the salvation, which both mo­ rality and religion hold forth, for His human creatures regardless of place of birth or pigmentation. Christianity, as one of the great religions, fosters not only the good but the best in a human being. Religion and morality have been held precious and priceless by pro­ phets and seers, thinkers and phi­ losophers, bards and writers, artists and artisans, savants and tlie un­ lettered, — by all men of noble impulses from time immemorial. They are indeed eternal verities. People and peoples have exalted and will ever exalt what is moral and spiritual because morality and religion inspire lives to be purpose­ ful. They cultivate the human and the divine in life and in living. Moses left the legacy of the Ten Commandments. Buddha prescribed what have been styled as “The Right Rules of Life” and “Five Commands of Uprightness.” Confucius taught a great princi­ ple when he said, “Do not do unto others what you do not wish others do unto you.” Jesus gave the positive Golden Rule, "Do unto others what you wish others do unto you.” Deuteronomy records what has been deemed “Israel’s testament of faith in which the redemptive love of God and the whole duty of man in God’s service is nobly and con­ vincingly proclaimed.” The words ascribed to Moses need not be con­ fined to the Israelites. They hold meaning for other peoples of other times and climes. Said Moses: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord Our God, the Lord is One. And thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; and shall teach them diligently unto thy children ...” The present world it seems, has dime upon evil times. Many peo­ ples, our people included, have not taken this divine message seriously to heart. Our generation has failed to love the Lord Our God in the sppit of the heavenly command. And parents are not teaching God's words diligently to their children. The essence of God’s message has been transmitted from place to place and from generation to gen­ eration. In the course of the years it reached these shores and found lodgment in the hearts and minds and consciences of at least some of our people. It is highly significant that the greatest of our race, Jose Rizal, paid heed to the divine man­ date and believed in God and lived the religion of his choice. Other KiJIipino leaders, Mabini, Jacinto, Bonifacio and others likewise exem­ plified the faith and in the dcca98 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 logues and ethical codes which they fashioned for life’s guidance they avowed love of God. In our country there are evidences of moral decadence. In the olden days the bamboo ladder of the or­ dinary house in town or barrio sym­ bolized the honesty of our people. When the ladder which was attach­ ed to the house by a rope was tilted, all passers by respected it. Nobody dared enter the dwelling place though all the occupants were away. Now, houses with locks and iron bars are invaded and much of their contents arc carted away. And the moral blight is general. The me­ tropolitan papers display in bold head lines cases of robbery in plain daylight; pedestrians held up on the city streets; churches and cemeteries desecrated; malversation of funds, falsification of public documents, padding of payrolls and expense accounts, influence peddling, plain graft and corruption. Cheating in the classrooms and in bar or civil service examinations, undergrading and upgrading of the prices of com­ modities bought and sold, pilferages in the most unexpected quarters, and other forms of perversion swell the proofs of the prevalence of vice and sin and crime. These are a challenge to moral leaders and religious institutions, and civic organizations. Churches have to fight and church leaders and members must be active and militant. One wonders whethci we have become soft and we are too ready to compromise or be callous and indifferent; whether it is in the direction of right to be silent on the fear of God and the danger of eternal damnation. It is admitted that appeal to man’s better nature is commendable, that the emphasis on righteousness and virtue is cor­ rect, that it is good philosophy to teach a person to do what is right not because of fear of punishment or expectation of reward but sim­ ply because it is right. True reward is inherent in a good deed. The good and righteous way of life here and now is the means to bring about a new heaven and a new earth. The times verily call for reform. Our society calls for crusades and crusaders for morality and religion. The Philippines demands enlighten­ ed religionists. Church leaders and ordinary members have to make their religion vital and living by habitual reading and studying and thinking. What shall we read? Of course, lead religious books of your choice. But one book is indispensable — the Bible. The Bible is matchless as a source of inspiration. It is a multipurpose book. It is rich as history', biogra­ phy, literature. It contains beau­ tiful prose and inspiriting poetry. It’ teaches truth and beauty. It is replete with philosophy and there­ fore it enriches, ennobles, and elev­ ates life. Church men such as you can do much to diffuse the Bible. One of the great achievements of our gen­ eration is the translation of the Bi­ ble and its popularization. Many homes unfortunately are without books. Let us begin with the Bible. In the United States there is a group of good and Godly men who RELIGION IN LIFE give their lime and substance to sec that every hotel room is fur­ nished with a copy of the Bible. Such men are real ministers and evangelists. What a blessed thing it would be if the Bible goes to the hut of the peasant and to the palatial home of the rich and the iniellecual! The truths of the Bible and the riches of a life-centered religion can serve to awaken a desire for a great­ er and better Philippines, yes a greater and better world. Let us sec to it that as we glow in num­ ber we also rise in stature and deep­ en in our devotion to the quest of the good life and salvation. AAA SIGN OF CORRECT LUBRICATION MY ANSWERED PRAYERI asked for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might obev. I asked for health that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I received nothing I asked for — all that I hoped for. My prayer is answered. I am blessed. —Anonymous Makers and Marketers of Mobil Automotive Products Mobil Industrial Olla and Greases Mobil Oil Philippines Inc. MANILA • CEBU • ILOILO » DAVAO 100 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 Does Democracy Work In The Philippines? By REX D. DRILON Rafael Palma Lodge No. N7 To the question — Does democ­ racy work in the Philippines? — the answer could well be yes and no, probably more no than yes. Or a belter answer might be, su­ perficially yes. And very seriously, no. If the question were phrased dif­ ferently — "Can democracy work here?” — the answer would have to deal with the “ability” and "power” of the people to make it work. That ability and that power are shaped and limited by the framework of the prevailing institutions. There­ fore, the answer in essence could well be the same, “Democracy doesn’t work here because it can’t.” It can’t, because of the character of the frame­ work. Our traditions, habits, and tem­ perament are against the very spirit of democracy. This judgment may seem to be too sweeping, for a good case can be made in support of democratic gains in the past 60 years. However, a counter-case can be made that the “gains” were superficial and were mostly concerned with “forms,” "mo­ tions,” or "words" rather than sub­ stance. But first let us attempt to frame our own working definition of de­ mocracy. Although there are many definitions of democracy and none is all-inclusive enough to be satis­ factory, it seems to me that democ­ racy in its pure essence is the aspi­ ration of the human spirit to attain the highest fulfillment in dignity, self-respect, and freedom through the use of legitimate techniques, methods, and tools consistent with this aspiration. Note that the em­ phasis is on the quality of “fulfill­ ment” and on the quality of "meth­ ods.” The term "highest fulfill­ ment” could spell the difference be­ tween a people stirred by what the poet calls divine discontent on the one hand and a people self-satisfied, self-complacent, and self-righteous on the other.. "Methods” could spell the difference between lights of civil­ ization and darkness of unciviliza­ tion. Democracy, therefore, is more than a • “form” or “structure" of govern­ ment with the familiar mechanics and appendages of a constitution, separation of powers, popular suf­ frage and representation, periodic elections, public debate, party sys­ tem, and all the rest. We may have all these, and more, and yet miss the spirit of democracy. The spirit is deeper than any and all of these. The spirit is more than can be for­ mulated in creeds, structural forms, or techniques. 101 At this writing, strictly speaking, in the Philippines democracy docs not work and cannot work because we have the wrong kind of social institutions. Maybe it is more ac­ curate to say that nothing is wrong will our social institutions, but some­ thing is wrong with the people who man these institutions, because they distort their functions and veer them away from the democratic orienta­ tion. The people who distort the functions of democracy cannot help doing so because they operate under a different value-system. And, too, while individuals powerful enough shape the institutions, in the long process as the institutions become established and rooted, they tend to grow more rigid and in the end they shape the individuals. This inter­ action goes on forever and it is not easy to locate the exclusive lines of demarcation and to determine where to detect and arrest the retrogression and where to encourage the desir­ able growth. Our folkways and mores (the whole gamut of our liabits of think­ ing and doing) arc expressions of these institutions. There are deterministic limits im­ posed by his culture, in which the I-'ilipino moves without his being conscious that he is in a psychological prison-house, fasliioned by his pecu­ liar social structure, within which he develops a deceptive feeling of freedom of choice and dignity. Hence his naive faith that, because he was handed on a silver platter a democratic ‘‘form” of government by the United States, he has auto­ matically a democratic society. To change the figure, a simple fact is often forgotten that transplantation produces transmutation. Democracy as a social and psycho­ logical acquirement is learned and appropriated only after a long lesson in first-hand experience. One can learn it by rote, it is true, but this kind of learning does not have much meaning and cannot last. In order for it to be meaningful and lasting, it must become part and parcel of the crystallized traditions extending back to the long past. We have had no such traditions. All we had was the experience revolving around the tiibc, the barangay, the feudal land, colonialism, and of course the scries of revolts, revolutions, and invasions. For example, we make much of our democracy because we have a "democratic constitution,” which shows how significantly we miss the point. Constitutions are not diffi­ cult, to write, especially if there are models galore to copy from, and can be only so much paper if their spirit is not understood, respected, and implemented. Any people can have the most democratic constitution in the world and yet act and think most undemocratically. Thus, in this sense and for this reason, are the “demociratic” constitutions of the SSviets and off many republics in the world mere “paper constititions.” I have said that we have the wrong kind of social institutions here, so wrong or so wrongly manned and implemented that democracy doesn’t work and can’t. The most puwer102 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 ful and pervasive social institution we have is our exclusivistic and au­ thoritarian religion. The merits of this great religion have been given a monolithic twist by its ruling elite at the lop, and its unhappy historical record in this country is an open book for all social scientists to ana­ lyze. There is no one factor that has socially conditioned the Filipino people in such profound and seem­ ingly irretrievable manner as this particular version ol the Christian religion. This is at once its chief merit as well as its heavy respon­ sibility. To a people so conditioned by high authority to think alike, uni­ formity in thought is no surprise as a hallmark of their "unity” as a na­ tion. A phenomenon so common as censorship in all its forms - di­ rect and indirect, subtle and lrontal — is accepted without question. Censorship, for example, as to what ’ right” movies to see, what “sale" books to read, what “correct” ideas to write, what "acceptable” schools to attend on pain of “ex-communi­ cation,” the sterile indoctrination and meaningless memorization in the leaching and learning process, etc., etc. — all this is accepted and taken for granted because of the long years of social conditioning. To think, to question, to follow wherever truth leads — why, this is unpardonable heresy. 1'rue democracy which took long and painful centuries for the AngloSaxon peoples to learn is not com­ patible with our kind of social con­ ditioning. Totalitarianism and au­ thoritarianism over the whole ga­ mut of life, encompassed in the words, “faith and morals,” which a leligious-political church says by im­ plication arc no less than the words of God as interpreted by an infal­ lible monolithic source, do not en­ courage the nurturing, much less the maturing of democracy here. It is worthy of note that this same ver­ sion of religion, developing as a minority in truly democratic lands where the social climate is benign, such as in the United States, is a far cry from the kind we have span n­ ed. 'Flic Spanish aims and the Fil­ ipino responses, as discussed by Phelan (The Hispanization of the Philippines), are in instructive stu­ dy to an extent. I hc success or failure of any hope for democracy here will depend much upon the behavioristic record of our majority religion. I think the eas­ ing of the pressures is possible only if the ruling religious elite will re­ vise its strangle-hold upon the mas­ ses and allow the energies ol thought to reach and permeate all possible levels. There is no guarantee, how­ ever, that if the Iglcsia Ni Kristo or Protestant or Moslem religion should take the place of the present major­ ity religion, there would be a mark­ ed change in our social outlook favorable to democracy. For, as de­ veloped by the Filipinos in the very ecology of their habitat, these differ­ ent versions of religion could b< as authoritarian as any we have known. Another institution responsible lor the inhospitable reception of the democratic idea is our authoritarian home. Except for a very few eman­ cipated families, our people in genDOES DEMOCRACY WORK IN THE PHILIPPINES 103 cral, especially in the far-flung bar­ rios where 75 per cent of them live, do not question the authority of the parents and elders, on the one hand, and the almost sacrosanct customs and traditions that have shaped our lives, on the other. In such ovcrdictated homes, it is considered bad manners to differ with one's elders, and it is good breeding always to accord neighborhood (public) opin­ ion due respect, no matter how tyran­ nical or backward. Disobedience, deviation, or variety exacts a high price. This is an unconscious ex­ tension of too much church author­ ity. Industrialization may change the authoritarian character of our home. With industrialization will come in­ creased economic independence for individual persons and the conco­ mitant loosening of too much fam­ ily dependence and control. There will be a re-examination of old val­ ues and a consequent change of at­ titudes. If this should happen, then democracy may have a chance. But that industrialization — the real one -- is far off, very far off in the future. Our schools are in the main still authoritarian in spite of the com­ munity-type education, which is of scry recent experimental vintage. From the primary grades to the uni­ versity, there is still plenty of in­ doctrination and preaching going on and there are still many tyrants and many bigots. It has been rightly observed that teachers tend to be set in their ways, and in their think­ ing they are inclined to be more bi­ goted than the bigots they criticize. Free discussion and sharing of views, disagreements with authority, ques­ tioning of dogmas — these arc still very much an expensive luxury. Our curricula are still generally strait-jacketed and are constructed by legislative fiat. On the admin­ istrative levels and at faculty meet­ ings and forums — all over the coun­ try — ideas are still the monopoly of school superiors, and as for the rank and file of teachers or profes­ sors, their safety lies in the discrct use of silence and conformism as the better part of valor. Our economic institutions, rigidly “structuralized” for centuries, find the country without a middle class, which is the base of any meaningful democracy. If there are 28 million Filipinos today (estimate) and if 75 per cent of them live in rural areas, that means more than 21 mil­ lion live in the most backward por­ tions of the country, cconomicallv speiking. But this enormous figure of 21 million can still be swelled to, say, 21 million, out of our popu­ lation of 28 million, because most of our towns not officially classed as ‘‘barrios” are in fact barrios (rural areas) due to their isolated geogra­ phy, backward culture, and neglected economy. No wonder, therefore, that a coun­ try like ours, with a few rich people at the top owning too much, and with so many poor people at the bottom owning too little or nothing, cannot understand democracy. The middle or in-between position is a vacuum and will take long years to 104 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 fill, if at all. The land tenure sys­ tem is hardly scratched for all the legislative attempts at relief. Strong resistance by the "haves” is to be expected, and social change on the land-tenure front is going to be deathly slow. And yet a paradox stares us in the face and mocks us, for there is right now plenty of land to be had — jungles and non­ jungles rich and waiting to be hus­ banded. But no capital, no know­ how, no venturesomeness, no incen­ tive. Our tragedy, as f have repeatedly pointed out on many occasions, is tltat the Philippines, resources-wise, is one of the richest countries in the world for its size and yet is actually, also for its size, one of the hungriest countries in the worid. There is going to be no political democracy in this country unless and until there is economic democracy first, which, for us Filipinos, is still in the womb of the unforeseeable future. The dignity and self-respect, therefore, of the Filipino in terms of his present economic condition are so low as to mock the democra­ tic requirements. The economic development of this country cannot be entrusted wholly to the responsibility of the government, but our people, again through a wrong social condition­ ing for centuries, lean upon the government for many, many tilings, including those that they themselves can do and ought to do. In the political realm, we do many things against every rule in democ­ racy's book. We make so much of our popular elections. We can have as many elections as we like, but that does not mean a thing until we can make those elections clean and representative and enlightened — and so peaceful that we do not have to call out the army and the constabulary to prevent bloodshed. Imagine having a population of 28 million and the registered voters arc no more than seven million at the most and the actual votes cast are a little over five million only. (These are round figures, and the difference in estimates above or be­ low these figures is not significant enough to alter the point.) Even if we assume, generally, that wc have seven million votes actual­ ly cast in our elections (which is only one-fourth of our total popu­ lation), has anyone asked where those votes come from? From the provinces, of course. When wc say "provinces,” we mean our towns and barrios. How enlightened, therefore, arc those votes? I.et us stop kidding ourselves. ..And so we arc called the "show window of democracy in Asia” and we like it very much, but a window indeed whose contents arc really "showing.” For, haven't we in the past, in many places, finished our elections before election day, as ty­ pified by the classic performance of 1949? Don’t we consistently aiert the armed forces and the police during elections, and shortly before? Don't wc move with ease from one party to another on mere personal peeve and become “guest enndiDOES DEMOCRACY WORK IN THE PHILIPPINES 105 elates”? Don’t we discourage oppo­ sition parties and forge “allied ma­ jorities"? Don’t we place party in­ terest above national interest (“what are we in power for?”), and feather our personal nests in such a way as to provide amply for our future, thereby giving us a license to raid a public office with all the resource­ fulness of our private lust? Don’t we carry political hatreds to the grave? Don’t we brandish religion as a shield to hide our scanty vir­ tues and make it a subtle test for employment and use it without con­ science to bolster our eleclioneciing stock? Etc., etc. In short, aren’t we behaving politically in a manner to prove that democracy simply does not and cannot work in the I’Jiilippines? We reveal our immaturity in many unconscious ways, and wc revealed ii last November in a most classic manner when wc kept repeating from the housetop a shollow scllserving pronouncement that in the presidential elections of 1961 the 1 ilipino people had attained mat­ urity. As it maturity, instead ol being a process of centuries, were merely a matter of periodic political elections in which almost no holds were barred. Is not the very lack ol insighi in the pronouncement eloquent of our immaturity? We have yet to find another coun­ try which can compete with us in the serious preoccupation of making politics a veritable industry'. Our image in this regard is reflected faithfully in Latin America, where the social conditioning is strikingly similar, but even that part of the world, which is reportedly full of "banana republics,” has nothing on us when it comes to the intensity and crasstiess of our politics. The habits and attitudes men­ tioned in this brief article resist the growth of democracy. When and how they can be changed to create a different value-system is hard to say. Our only guide is history. Other societies, historically, have changed their social institutions, through revolutions, peaceful and armed. Armed revolutions, aside ftom being expensive in lives and treasure, create more problems than they solve, but they have happened in every clime ami age with a re­ lentlessness of a destiny, as if to impress a hard-learned lesson that ir. any developing society conditions have to become worse before they can get better. If ways can be found to use the evolutionary method as an engine of change, provided people and in­ stitutions know how to be resilient enough to reshape themselves and reorient their spirit, democracy in this country may have a chance ol growing. Otherwise, we have indeed a very long way to go, or if we are going and moving at all, it may be in authoritarian directions which seem most natural, because after all wc really only had sixty years of America here, which is not even a drop in the ocean of Spain’s 400. 106 THE CABLE TOW October, J 962 Fragments From Masonic History The husband of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, the Duke of Lor­ raine, was a Mason. On March 7, 1713, the Empress ordered the Ma­ sonic Lodge in Vienna closed and IS of its members imprisoned. The Duke narrowly escaped capture. Notwithstanding her order and the hostility of military authorities, Ma­ sonic meetings were being held privately. It was reported that Em­ press Maria Theresa herself disguised as a man, together with one of her ladies in wailing similarly attired, through a clever ruse, succeeded in entering a lodge meeting. The pur­ pose was to find out if women were attending these meetings, probablv suspecting that they served as illicit rendezvous for men and women. Being satisfied that her doubt was baseless, the Empress became lenient to Masonry. Garcia Moreno, the Dictator ol Peru, applied lor membership in Freemasonry in I860, but being re­ jected, he joined hands with the Jesuits to crush till Masonic lodges in the country. Although he was killed in 1875, another year had to elapse before the grip of priesthood was removed. By way of supplement to the article "Women Masons of Record" in our July 1962 issue, we reproduce this interesting paragraph from Mackay's History of Freemasonry (quoting Theo S. l’aivin): "During the reign of Napoleon, the First Emperor, a woman was made a Freemason, he being Grand Master at the time. She was a colonel and a very brave and distinguished officer in his army; served with dis­ tinction for many years, and her sex w;ts not discovered until she was severely wounded when, upon her recovery, the Freemasons prompted by a spirit of gallantry, conferred upon her the three symbolic degrees. Within the past decade the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge ol Hun­ gary, a symbolic Grand Lodge.... himself conferred the degrees of Freemasonry upon his wife.” On July 10, 1751, Charles III being influenced by the Bull ol Benedict IV, prohibited Freemasonry, but so soon changed his views that in the following year he entrusted his son’s education to a Freemason and a priest whom he appointed his own confessor. In 1738 the Bull of Clement XII was issued and the edict was con­ firmed on January 11, 1739 by ano­ ther decree forbidding Freemasonry in the Papal States under penalty of death and loss of property. But even the severe measures failed to end all meetings of Freemasons. A lodge was set at work in 1787 at Rome but on December 27, 1789 it was sur­ prised by the Inquisition. Although the brethren escaped, the property and records were seized. 107 John Coustos, a son of a Swiss sur­ geon, joined the Fraternity in Eng­ land and then emigrated to Portu­ gal. Here, with two French brethren, Moulton and Brasle, he founded a lodge on March 14, 1743. Arrested by Inquisition agents, Coustos was ordered to renounce his faith as a Protestant and to reveal the secrets of Freemasonry. For three months he was tortured, nine times stretched upon the rack, scourged with whips, branded, and otherwise abused, then sentenced to four years of servitude at the galleys. His two companions being Roman Catholics, were sub­ jected to five years of exile, but both were tortured and Brasle died from injuries. Coustos was claimed as a British subject and thus was set at liberty with Moulton and proceeded to London. Masonry had its ups and downs in Portugal. After the Jesuits . were exiled from the country in 1761 the Craft was revived but soon the Inquistion went to work against the Masons who were forced to go under­ ground. Lodges were held on ships at anchor and in the upper halls of houses while dances and enter­ tainments went on below to mislead agents of the Inquisition. When Dom Pedro, eldest son of King Joseph II, was in power eight lodges in Lisbon elected a Grand Master for Portugal, but the revolution of 1824 resulted in a proclamation promising death and destruction to the Freemasons and led to the scat­ tering of the brethren. In Belgium, Emperor Charles VI issued an edict against Masons in 1730 because of the rapid multipli­ cation of Masonic lodges. King Leopold I was initiated at Berne, Switzerland, September 1813. He was friendly although not active and the Craft prospered in the country. The undesirable effect produced by lodges mixing in politics and religious controversies was well illus­ trated in Brazil. The Grand Orient in this country was split twice by differences of opinion first in 1863 and again in 1873 when one side, the Lavradios, arrayed itself with a political party supporting the Ro­ man Catholic Church; while the other, the Benedictinos, opposed priest-craft and Papalism. In 1873, liowevcr, 38 lodges of the Lavradios joined the Benedictinos. The Bishop of Pernambuco, at the bidding of the Jesuits, tried to enforce the Pa­ pal Bull against Freemasonry, but lie was mobbed in his palace and the military had to be called to protect him. For this interference the Gov­ ernment went after him and he was sentenced to four years in prison. The reaction against this on the part of the Bishops in six other cities was in the form of "vicious curses in priestly fashion" resulting in turning public opinion against Masons who comprised the greater part of the whole inhabitants of Brazil. As a consequence of this, the two factions laid aside their rivalry and united early in 1883 into the Grand Orient of Brazil. A case of duplicity happened in Russia: The Grand Master in 1820 was named Kuschelery. He wrote a letter to the Emperor saying that the 108 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 Craft was a possible means of danger to the Government and suggested modifying it or abolishing it altoge­ ther. Result: an Imperial edict in 1822 to close every lodge, forbidding any of them to re-open. Another instance of duplicity hap­ pened in Spain where one Father Joseph Torrubia, through some trickery, was able to get himself initiated in order to better betray the Craft. He got from Ferdinand VI on July 2, 1751 an order reviving a former decree that Freemasons could be sentenced to death without trial. But not withstanding his Masonry in Spain thrived in secret and on October 1809 a Grand Orient of Spain was founded in the very dungeons of the Inquisition in Madrid. It was the Grand Master Riego who led a popular movement which on July 1826 compelled the king to re-establish the constitution and expel the Jesuits. But foreign troops came to the assistance of the king, and Grand Master Riego was shot. In the ensuing era of repres­ sion a new edict was issued ordering the Masons to yield their records and renounce the Craft or be hanged without trial in 21 hours upon dis­ covery. Seven members in Granada were hanged on September 9, 1825, and in 1829 one I.ieutenant-Colonel named Galvez was hanged for being a Mason. It seems that Spain had many alternating periods of repres­ sion and tolerance of Masonry. In die early 18th century in France, each lodge was owned by its Master as his property and he governed it according to his will and pleasure. King Louis XV of France, when informed that the Freemasons were about to elect a Grand Master, de­ clared that if the choice fell on a Frenchman who would consent to serve, he would send him to Bastille, the dreaded prison house, without trial. Duke d’Antin, a zealous Free­ mason, was chosen (June 1738) and accepted the Grand Mastership thereby daring the King, but the latter did not carry out his threat. As a matter of fact, the Duke, by being active in Masonry, was defy­ ing the King’s orders forbidding courtiers to join the Order. Notwithstanding the fact that the bull against Freemasonry of Pope Clement (whose real name was Lo­ renzo Corsini, elected Pope in 1730), had the effect of intensifying police attacks against the Order, the latter could not be suppressed in France. On the contrary, its membership grew although the Order suffered relentless persecutions by the Church, the Court and the Police. 'Fhe (hand Mastership of Freema­ sonry in France was held successively by three members of the nobility. The Duke d’Antrin was succeeded by the Count of Clermont who be­ longed to the royal family of Orleans. He was succeeded by his nephew, the Duke of Chartres who was later known as Duke of Orleans and who was the father of Louise Philippe. The latter became the popular King of France. FRAGMENTS FROM MASONIC HISTORY 109 Breaches In Brotherhood by Icnaci.o Nabonc Cabaiiatuan Lodge No. C.ubanaltian Cilv Present rivalries among Christians portray an unhappy episode in the story of the Gospel. They are a menace to the Universal Brother­ hood of Man. The inherited jeal­ ousies among ministers will defeat man’s ideal of Faith, Hope and Charity. Evidently the Brotherhood of Man under God staggers under the impact of the bickerings of those who preach the Holy Scriptures. And the worst is that religious sects take de­ light in sowing hate and throwing stones against other denominations. Such an unholy attitude is charac­ teristic of some Iglesias and lhe Ro­ man Catholic Church. The latter stands irreconcilable to such organ­ izations as Masonry and YMCA: Masonry gets the worse. This how­ ever, should not be the case because both Masonry and the Catholic Church stand for the Universay Bro­ therhood of Man and the Father­ hood of God. With such a common ideal, they will be better off if harmony and co­ operation is observed; and if this cannot be done at least no hostility should exist. It will be irrational for one to hurl dislikes to the other; and Masons harbor no hate to any religion. In fact Masonry thrives on many religions; its members come from diverse sects. In the PI it is not surprising to find that a great number of Masons are Roman Catho­ lics. The frontiers of Christianity can­ not advance as long as part of the Catholic clergy will remain hostile and preach that Masons have no God. Akin to lhe present situation an incident took place in the life of Christ, where John said: Master, wc saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not; for he that is not against us is for us. Luke 9:19. Since Masonry professes Faith. Hope and Charity its mission cort elates with that of the Roman Ca­ tholic Church: and the latter has to follow he lesson given above. We, as Christians, need a spiritual rebirth to give future generations a blight vista of hope and promise; we must be assertive to accelerate lhe advent of a modern Utopia, geared on the im­ peratives of morality and reason. The leaders of the Holy Books, to be true to their mission, must eval­ uate present world conditions and detach themselves from bias, selfish­ ness and greed to create new rules that will make us fit to a life of peace and sanity. The fragmentation of mankind into rival groups and sects is a chal­ lenge to the conscience of the clergy for a united and purposeful efforts if society is to be reshaped; they must practile sympathy and tolerance for the harmony of the whole. 110 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 Most people put religion as first in importance in their life. So, the divi­ sion and rivalry among Christians cannot be less than tragic. When things fall apart, the center cannot hold. Social cohesion is possible only when the units dividing mankind can be bound together. The lifeblood of our religion will stay poisoned as long as present conditions do not change. The clergy is responsible lor this state of things; disintegration is fast at work, and collapse may come. When all men have the same origin, the same nature and the same end: when all Christians profess to live under the ideal of Love of Neighbor, it is a calamity that that ideal will remain more in the breach than in the observance. No. Greed and jealousy must go; our present-day religious life must ac­ cord with truth and reason; our Faith with truth and charity; and all serv­ ants of God, to be worthy of him. must lead the ignorant to light. Ig­ norance and fanaticism must not be taken advantage of. The clergy, enlightened as its mem­ bers are, cannot ignore the truth about Masonry. That belief in God is lhe master key to its membership, the keystone on which it rests, and lhe fulcrum on which it operates. It will be unpardonable for any minis­ ter or preacher to tell others that Ma­ sons have no God; because such is an unmitigated lie. Many of lhe problems ol mankind to day will be solved if there is unity and understanding among the follow­ ers of Christ. This will never be ac­ complished as long as his servants choose to remain wolves in sheep s clothing. True Christianity is that which accords with his precepts in the Bible. Ministers and pastors will do better building themselves up to­ gether, instead of tearing each other down. And in Masonry, the believers of one Universal Creator are building a Faith that will be a salve to the many ills of mankind today. AAA YOUNG QUASHA AWARDED PRIZE POTTSTOWN, Penna., Oct. 2 - Wayne G. Quasha, son of Attv. and Mrs. William II. Quasha, 22 Molave Place, Forbes Park, Makati, Rizal, Phil­ ippines, recently was awarded a prize lor English VIII, Bible VIII, Latin VII, and an honorable mention in Math VIII. Wayne, born in Ma­ nila in 1917, was graduated from the American School in 1961. He was an Eagle Scout in tlu American School Troop 1, Boy Scouts of the Philippines and attended the Second Boy Scout jamboree at Zam­ boanga in I960. He was the captain and pitcher of the Giants, one of Manila Polo Club Little League baseball teams, which won the Manila Bay Little League Championship. BREACHES IN BROTHERHOOD 111 Masonic Etiquette And Decorum (Last of four installments) VWB HERMOGENES P. OLIVEROS Senior Grand Lodge Lecturer In our Jurisdiction the Inspector of a lodge is an assistant to the District Deputy Grand Master. As such, he shall assist the latter in the performance of his duties. He shall visit the lodge to which he is ap­ pointed Inspector or whenever he is requested by the said lodge, or the DDGM, or whenever he deems it necessary to visit the lodge. As an important officer of the Grand Lodge, every honor or token of res­ pect due to the DDGM should be accorded him. When visiting the lodge, he should be escorted to a seat in the East. Emblems and Symbols The lodge should see to it that the Emblems and Symbols are of correct designs, well taken care of and properly placed in correct posi­ tions. The Altar should be in the cen­ ter of the room; its sides parallel to the sides of the room. The Great Pillars should be placed on each side of the Inner Door. The Pillar bearing lhe Celestial Globe stands at the right of the candidate as he enters. The Ashlars should be on the Master’s plat-form, or on one of the steps; the perfect Ashlar is placed near the Southeast corner and the Rough Ashlar is placed toward the Northeast. The letter G should be of tasteful design and placed above the Mas­ ter’s chair. The appurtenanses used in the Middle Chamber Lecture of the Second Degree should be adequate in size, dignified in appearance, cor­ rect in design, and replaced when worn out from use. Slides should not be used in the Middle Cham­ ber Lecture as a substitute for the physical participation of the Can­ didates. The Holy Bible should be han­ dled with care and reverence. When any of its pages become soiled, it should be cleaned; if some pages are torn, a new Bible should be pro­ cured and used. The marker should be removed after the Bible is open­ ed and replaced before closing. Nothing should be placed on top of an open Bible, except the Square and Compasses. Jewels, regalia and aprons should be kept in good order. Aprons should always be laundered if they become soiled. After using them. Masons should not just throw them scattered about the Lodge room. In liling out of the lodge room, every member should see to it that the 112 aprons are neatly stacked in their proper place. No individual Mason who has his own theories concerning the Em­ blems and Symbols should be per­ mitted to violate the requirements and time-honored usages, customs and traditions of the Craft. Applause To break into applause because a Degree Team has made an im­ pressive work, or a brother has been raised, destroys the mental panora­ ma formed in the mind of the can­ didate. Further, it reduces the ri­ tual to the level of a play, an empty ceremony without meaning or sig­ nificance. Any form of levity will ruin the effect of the work. A team or a brother does not take part in the degree work in his own person or name. Individuality should be put aside, lest the Mason concerned intrude himself between the candi­ date and the ritual. A brother raised has done nothing to merit lhe applause. He and the Degree Team can be congratulated when the lodge is called from labor to refreshment. Gifts The presentation ol gifts to the newly made Master Masons imme­ diately after they are raised seems Un-Masonic, except if such presen­ tation is given by the lodge itself to all the candidates. The lodge is not the proper place for the pre­ sentation of presents from the mem­ bers of the families of the candi­ dates, or even from the members of the lodge, unless each candidate is given a present by the lodge. Wc teach equality in Masonry. If there arc two wdio have been raised, and only one is given a pre­ sent, instead of imparting a sense of equality, we create a sense of dis­ crimination. The candidates may feel that such is not the fault of the lodge, but it is humiliating none­ theless for the one to stand with the favored broiler while lie receives nothing. Advancement There is neither law nor tradi­ tion which gives any officer of the lodge the right to be advanced. Just because a brother is the Senior Deacon, it does not become logical and fair that he should be the next elected Junior Warden. This may work for the advantage of the lodge, only if fitness is considered as lhe criterion for advancement. The sole and only general require­ ment for advancement is that the possible office holder does have the necessary fitness, especially with re­ gard to his having attained profi­ ciency in our ritualistic work. If such brother is found unfit or un­ qualified for advancement, he should not take offence if lie is not ad­ vanced to a higher position in the lodge. Some officers believe that if one of their members is absent, the of­ ficer occupying a lower rank should occupy the chair of the absent one. Apparently, this constitutes an ad­ vancement by right. If the SW is absent, the JW docs not ex-officio fill the West. Since it is the duty of the WM to set the craft at work, it is necessary that lie should have MASONIC ETIQUETTE AND DECORUM 113. lie active suppit and wholehearted cooperation of all the officers. If any officer is absent, the WM who has the full power to select from among those present, must pondcnlly appoint one whom he knows is competent in discharging the duties of the absent olficer. In closing, let me instill further in the minds fo our less informed brethren the absolute necessity of devoting sufficient time for reading and studying our Monitor. A good working knowledge of our rituals, laws, edicts and other pertinent in­ formation on Masonry would ena­ ble these brethren to have a clear idea or concept of the Masonic sys­ tem. Such knowledge and under­ standing would help them very much in the proper discharge of Masons. Too, they could be of great assistance in degree work. It is not amiss to mention here the fact that a Mason who is well pre­ pared to assume any position dur­ ing the exemplification of any of the three degrees could be truly a tremendous asset to his lodge and an invaluable member of our honorable fraternity. By and large a truly well informed Mason who lives and practices those noble moral virtues inculcated deep­ ly in his mind could contribute to a large measure in the creation in the public mind a beautiful pic­ ture of Masonry, an image that could reflect or bespeak of dignity, of honor, of gentleness, of gentle­ manliness, of respect, of decency, of tolerance, of humaneness and of humility! A A A HERE AND THERE WB Felix J. Torres, P.M., of Nilad Lodge No. 12, died of coronary thrombosis on October 6 at the Far Eastern University Hospital. Funeral services were held at Plaridel Maso­ nic Temple, Manila, by the Grand Lodge at 2 o’clock in the afternoon of October II, and internment look place alter the ceremonies. A large attendance of Brother Masons, rela­ tives and friends of the deceased was present at the services as well as at the North Cemetery where he body was interred. The Deputy Grand Master, RW Pedro Gimenez, is recuperating in Baguio after several weeks’ slay at lhe Veterans Memorial Hospital. He will soon be up and around to his usual tasks as Auditor General of the Republic, according to reports. Plans for the Golden Jubilee of the Grand Lodge are nearing com­ pletion. Lodges are earnestly urged to send delegates to the celebration which will be held at the new Philamlife Building at Isaac Peral St., Manila. The celebration promises to be a memorable event. It has been suggested that the participation of lodges in this celebration be one of the points to count in awarding the Grand Master’s Trophy during the Annual Communications. Makiling Lodge No. 72 of Calamba, Laguna was the victim of robbery and vandalism on the evening of September 21. Practically all the furniture, tools paraphernalia and 1 ecords were stolen while office 114 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 equipments, doors and windows of the Lodge were destroyed. The local police has been asked by Officers of ihc Lodge to apprehend the cidprits. Nucva Vizcaya Lodge No. I ll has sent to the Grand Master its pro­ jects under the Education and Public •Service program of the Grand Master. At the last meeting of the local com­ mittee the project was approved. Inspired by a verbal report of Bro. Joseph Howard, a member of the Education and Public Service Com­ mittee, who attended the last meet­ ing held at lhe National Offices of he YMCA, Manila, under the chair­ manship of WB Domingo C. Bascara, the Committee approved a project to honor annually outstanding Pub­ lic School teachers by subordinate lodges in their respective localities in order to dignify the profession. WB Venancio Trinidad has been request­ ed to set up criteria in the selection of the teachers to be so honored. Dispatches from Mexico City date lined September 25, report that the Masonic Temple in Havana, Cuba, was occupied by Castro’s govern­ ment troops Saturday, September 22, and arrested the officers of the Fraternity. The organization was outlawed and the Masonic Lodge with some 50,000 members, accord­ ing to the Grand Executive Secre­ tary of the Inter-American Masonic Confederation, General Eduardo Rincon Gallardo, was dissolved. Masonic Lodges throughout the hemisphere have been appealed to by the Secretary to initiate a move­ ment in their defense as the lives of the officers of the Fraternity are in danger. A meeting of the brethren was in progress when the troops des­ cended upon the Lodge. Samuel W. McIntosh, Executive Secretary of the Conference of Grand Masters in Washington, was requested by Gen. Rincon Gallardo to spearhead efforts in the United Nations on behalf of the Havana prisoners. It is believed that the action of the Castro government against the Ma­ sons was a result of the meeting of the Inter-American Masonic Confed­ eration wherein the dictatorial regime of “Communist Cuba” was condemn­ ed and the U.S. Alliance for Progress hailed. Complete Facilities and Effecient Service — The CHARTERED BANK 1 r.ide and Commerce Building Manila Tel. 2 69 93 HERE AND THERE 115 PROGRESS REPORT - Committees on Education & Public Service The movement within lhe Blue Lodges to further the cause of edu­ cation and public sendee to the com­ munity is definitely gaining momen­ tum. It is the desire of the Grand Master that ultimately there will be one hundred percent participation by the Committees on Education and Public Service among the Lodges in this jurisdiction. From Nueva Vizcaya Lodge No. 144, Santiago G. Bayaua, P.M., has the following to relate in connection with his committee on Community Projects. The community school building located in Nalubbunan, So­ lano, needed hollow blocks-Tor a foundation. Bro. Frederick Legare has contributed one hundred, and the Lodge hopes to be able to complete the project. At the suggestion of Bro. Emilio Tumaneng, the Lodge is consider­ ing the purchase of 30 Webster’s In­ termediate Dictionaries costing Pl 80.00. These will be distributed among the schools in the area. Bro. Tumaneng also proposed the purchase of 40 sanitary cement toilets costing Pl60.00 to be provided within the community where proper sanitary conditions arc now lacking. Bro. Francisco Tubban proposed they should allocate Pl00.00 for the purchase of breeding pigs. Under the guidance of the Lodge the pigs would be loaned to local farmers to help improve their stock through scientific breeding. It was suggested by Wor. Bro. Santiago G. Bayaua that the I.odge establish a scholarship for four stu­ dents attending the Nueva Vizcaya National Agricultural School located in Bayombong. These scholarships, to commence June, 1963, would cover the cost of tuition and matri­ culation fees amounting to a total of P88.00. From M.W. Bro. Taylor, District Deputy Grand Master, Masonic Dis­ trict No. 20, comes the following message: "We have purchased two TV sets (used) for the needy wards at Guam Memorial Hospital. A table and 8 chairs were made by No. 123 and painted by No. 44 for the ward at Guam Memorial Hospital. Two book cases were donated and we re­ paired a coffee maker for Guam Re­ habilitation Workshop. ‘‘A washing machine was obtained for lhe Brodie School for Retarded children. We are repairing two electric lamps for the Hospital and looking for two electric fans for the Workshop. A toy box I had made to deposit donated toys for the Chil­ dren's Ward is almost full. Finally, we have tentative plans for distri­ buting food baskets to the needy at Thanksgiving. “All of the foregoing is being done without fanfare.” The two above cited examples re­ present true Masonic charity. In the future this column will report on the further progress of our brethren as they continue to implement the plans and suggestions through the body of their Committees of Educa­ tion and Public Service. 116 OFFICIAL SECTIONS EDICT No. 44 THE FLAG CEREMONY To Masters, Wardens and Members of all Lodges in the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. Greetings: Edicts Nos. 32, 37 and 40 arc hereby amended. The following procedure shall be strictly complied with: 1. Usage — The Flag Ceremony is optional. It is within the sole discre­ tion of the Master of a Lodge whether or not a Flag Ceremony is to be held; nevertheless, all Masters are enjoined to have a Flag Ceremony at every meeting, particularly at public func­ tions. 2. The Flag — The Philippine Flag will be presented in all Lodges, ex­ cept that in those which are predo­ minantly of a nationality other than Filipino, the Flag of the country which represents the nationality of the majority of members may be pre­ sented. When a Flag other than that of the Philippines is presented, the Philippine Flag will be placed in a position of honor in the East prior to the opening of the Lodge. In cases of Lodges outside of the Philippine archipelago, protocol governing the relative position of Flags placed in the East will be observed; when in doubt, consult the government of the place where the Lodge is located. 3. Pledge — “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the country for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” This pledge is to be given when the Flag is retired, and at no other time. 4. National Anthem — When the Philipine Flag is presented, the Phil­ ippine National Anthem may be sung either in Filipino or in English, or played by band, piano, organ or recording. If the Flag of any other nationality is presented, the National Anthem of that country may be sung or played. It should be remembered that Masonry is international. Con sequcntly, when visitors who are nationals of other countries are present, wc should endeavor to use the language known to them if the National Anthem is sung. 5. General regulations: (a) The Marshal does not carry the baton during any part of the Flag Ceremony. (b) The right hand will be placed on the left breast only when the Flag is in motion or when the Pledge is being recited. (c) I'lie position of attention will be maintained at all other times during the Flag Cere­ mony. (d) When the Flag is at the Altar, it will be held perpendicular­ ly. At other times it may be carried at a slant forward not to exceed thirty degrees from the perpendicular; this is not considered dipping the Flag 117 but is the normal way of carry­ ing it(c) It is not considered good form to bow to the Flag. (f) Uniformity is essential. The brethren must take their cue from the East. (>. Presentation: (a) The Master says: "Brother Marshal, you will retire and present the Philippine Flag” (or other country, where ap­ propriate). (b) Marshal rises, but docs not give the sign. After the word "Flag” he goes to the Altar where he gives the sign. (<) The Deacons rise and take the rods when the Marshal rises. When the Marshal leay.es the Altar, the Senior Deacon pro­ ceeds along the North and West pavements to the North side of the door and lhe Junior Deacon proceeds to the South side of the door. (d) When the Marshal brings the Flag into the Lodge, the Deacons cross their rods over the Marshal. (e) At the moment the rods arc crossed, the Master brings the Lodge to attention, remove his hat and holds it over his left breast. (f) The Marshal and the Deacons proceed in a straight line to the Altar. (g) When the Flag arrives at tlie Altar (Deacons do not detach rods), the Marshal says: "Wor­ shipful Master, I have the honor to present the Philip­ pine Flag.” (h) Following the National An­ them, the Master says: “Bro­ ther Marshal, escort the Flag to its proper place in the East.” (On the right-hand side of the Master). Deacons disengage rods at the word “East.” They take two steps backward, ground the rods and drop them diagonally ac­ ross the body so that the lelt hand takes the rod (the butt of the rod remains pivoted on the floor); the right hand is placed on the left breast. (i) When the Marshal places the Flag in its stand, the Master puts his hat on; all others re­ sume the position of attention, The Master seals the L.odge. The Marshal and Deacons proceed to their respective places. 7. Retirement: (a) After all business is finished and before lhe closing of lhe Lodge, the Flag is retired. (b) The Master calls up the Lodge and says: “Brother Marshal, you will retire the Flag.” (c) The Marshal rises but does not give the sign. After the word “Flag” lie proceeds to lhe Flag (going West of, but not stopping at lhe Altar). He places lhe Flag in a bearer position, makes a graceful turn to the right until he faces West, (note: he docs noi execute an “about-face"). He proceds to the Altar, going behind the Senior Deacon (see next sub-paragraph), to 118 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 a point between the Deacons facing East. (d) At the moment the Marshal leaves his place to go to the East, the Deacons, with rods, proceed to a point three steps West of the Altar, placing the rods across the body as in the Presentation. (e) When the Marshal arrives at the Altar, the Master says: ‘‘The brethren will repeat the Pledge with me.” (see pars. 3 and 5 (b) above). (f) Following the Pledge, the Master says: “Brother Marshal, return the Flag to its proper custodian.” (g) After the word “custodian,” the Deacons cross the rods over the Marshal. All three make a graceful turn to the right, the Deacons moving in such a way as to remain abreast of the Marshal: all three proceed in a straight line to the door. (h) The Tyler receives the Flag from the Marshal, who does not go out of the Lodge. The Deacons disengage their rods, and all three proceed to their respective places. (i) The Master seats the Lodge when the Flag is received by the Tyler. Following this, he proceeds to close the Lodge. 8. Conclusion: Dignity, proliciencv and uniformity are absolutely essen­ tial in every part of the Flag Cere­ mony. Masters will see to it that the Flag Ceremony is adequately re­ hearsed until all members are fully familiar with every part of it. Given under my hand and the seal of the Grand Lodge, at the City of Manila, Philippines, this 12th day of September 1962. (Sgd.) WILLIAM H. QUASHA Grand Master EDICT No. 15 To the Masters, Wardens and Brethren of all Lodges in the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. Greetings: SMOKING The Constitution provides as fol­ lows: "All smoking within lhe Lodge is prohibited during the opening and closing ceremonies as well as during degree work, except while the lectures of lhe three degrees are being delivered. Smoking may be allowed while the Lodge is transacting business al its stated meetings, and while lhe Lodge is at refreshment.” Edict No. 6 modified this provi­ sion, the proceedings of 1928 provided for a liberalization of that Edict. It has been noted of late that there is some misundersanding as to when smoking is prohibited. Consequent­ ly, this Edict is issued to clarify the rules governing smoking in Lodge. At such times as smoking is not prohibited, it may be allowed bv the Master. These times are as fol­ lows: 1. During the transaction of busi­ ness at stated meetings. 2. During the lectures of the First and Third Degrees. OFFICIAL SECTION 119 3. During the staircase lecture of the Second Degree (but not during the lecture). 4. During the second section of the Third Degree. Given under my hand and the seal of the Grand Lodge, at the City of Manila, Philippines, this 12th day of September 1962. (Sgd.) WILLIAM H. QUASHA Grand Master -------- oOo---------EDICT No. 46 To all Masters, Wardens and Members of all Lodges in the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of lhe Philippines. Greetings: MONITORS It has been observed that our Monitors are being used- indiscri­ minately in some of our Lodges. For the purpose of regulating the use of these Monitors, the following rules are to be observed. 1. Only official publications (Mo­ nitors) issued by the Grand Lodge of F. & A. M. of the Philippines will be used. 2. Monitors are not to be used in the opening and closing of the Lodge, in conferring degrees or in examining candidates. 3. Only the Charges in the three degrees may be read, although it is preferable that these be committed to memory. 4. In view of the anticipated publit ation of the ritual in the National Language, certain special regulations have been promulgated for lhe care and use of the documents contain­ ing the degree work. These regula­ tions, which will appear on each document, are hereby incorporated by reference and shall have the same force and effect as if they were set forth in full in this Edict. 5. Violation of any part of this Edict shall be considered a Masonic offense. This supersedes Edict No. 21. Given under my hand and the seal of the Grand Lodge, at the City of Manila, Philippines, this 27th day of September, 1962. (Sgd.) WILLIAM H. QUASHA Grand Master ATTEST: ESTEBAN MUNARRIZ, PGM Grand Secretary A A A NEW YORK HARDWARE 348 Dasmarinas Manila Dealer in — Mills Supplies Steel Plates Steel Cable Plumbing supplies Paints Building materials Hardwares, etc. Brother Delfin Dy Tel. 3-41-26 120 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 Grand Lodge Golden Jubilee Communication OFFICIAL PROGRAM DECEMBER 19, 1962 PARI I OPENING CEREMONIES at 8:00 A.M., Plaridel Masonic Temple, by Grand Lodge Officers REGISTRATION COMMENCES at 8:00 A.M. at the Phil-Am-Life Building at Isaac Peral corner Flo­ rida RECEP TION of the Most Worship­ ful Grand Master, Past Grand Mas­ ters and Grand Lodge Officers at 9:30 A.M. at the Phil-Am-Life Au­ ditorium RECEP TION of Visiting Dignitaries ROLL CALL of (hand Lodge Ollicers, Past (hand Masters, Past Grand Officers and Delegates Re­ presenting Subordinate Lodges FLAG CEREMONIES INVOCATION by Very Reverend Marciano C. Evangelista, Grand Chaplain WELCOME ADDRESS by the Mom Worshipful Grand Master RESPONSE by M. W. Ira W. Co­ burn, Grand Master of California ROLL CALL of Grand Representa­ tives of Sister Grand Lodges near the Grand Lodge of the Philippines by M. W. Esteban Munarriz, P.G.M., Grand Secretary WELCOME ADDRESS to (hand Representatives of Sister Grand I-odges by the Most Worshipful (hand Master RESPONSE by Most Worshipful Ceiion S. Cervantes, P.G.M. GREETINGS to all Master Masons in the Philippines, Japan, Okina­ wa and Guam by the Most Wor­ shipful (hand Master RESPONSE by V.W.B. James Ta)lor. District Deputy Grand Master lor Guam SPEECHES by Visiting Dignitaries PARI II RECEPTION OF THE GUEST SPEAKER, His Excellence DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL, President of the Philippines at 11:00 A.M. ADDRESS by the President of the Philippines 121 RECESSIONAL PART III LUNCHEON at Phil-Am-Life Build­ ing GRACE by Rt. Wor. Charles Mosebrook PART IV RESUMPTION Ob' SESSION al 2:00 P.M. Contributions of Masonry to the Philippines: MAV. Conrado Benilez, P.G.Kl. Great Leaders in Masonrv: MAV. Ca­ milo Osias, P.G.M. PART V DINNER al Phil-Am-Life ’ Building 7:00 P.M. GRACE by Wor. Bro. Macario C. Navia, P.M. bassador of the United States to the Philippines at 10:30 A.M. ADDRESS by the American Ambas­ sador PART VIII LUNCHEON at Phil-Am-Life Build­ ing GRACE by Wor. Bro. Apolonio Pisig PART IX RESUMPTION of Session al 2:00 P.M. Our Fraternal Relations with the Masonic World; MAV. Werner P. Schetelig, P.G.M. Masonry vs. Communism in the Phil­ ippines; MAV. Francisco A. Delga­ do, P.G.M. Masonic Charity Work; MAV .Vicen' te Orosa, P.G.M. DECEMBER 20, 1962 PART VI RESUMPTION of the session at 9:00 A.M. IHANKSGIVING SERVICES to mark the 50th zknniversary of the Cirand Lodge PART VII RECEPTION of the Guest Speaker, Hon. William E. Stevenson, AmPART X DINNER at Phil-Am-Life Building at 7:00 P.M. GRACE by Wor. Bro. Escolastico Cuevas, P.M. BENEDICTION by Very Reverend Marciano C. Evangelista, Cirand Chaplain CLOSING OF THE SPECIAL COM MUNICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE at the Plaridel Masonic Temple 122 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 GRAND MASTER’S ITINERARY 1962 Aug. 4 — 9:00 A.M. — Constitution of Tagaytay Lodge No. 165 — Tagaytay City 2:30 P.M. — Meeting of District Deputy Grand Masters, Past (hand Mastcis and (hand Lodge Officers - Plaridel Masonic Tem­ ple 7:30 P.M. - Dinner Party for all District Deputy (hand Masters. Past Grand Masters and (hand Lodge Officers and their wives. —(hand Master’s home — \ug. 11 — Visitation to Bonloc Lodge No. 140 - Bonloc Aug. 18. — Visitation to Baguio Lodge No. 67 — Baguio City Aug. 25 — Convention — District No. 7 - (VW Bro. Pacifico C. Mai in) - (Lodges No. 16-18-96-105-116159) held at Clark l-'ield, Pampanga. Aug. 29 — Meeting — (hand Lodge Committee on Education and Pub­ lic Service. Sept. 1 — Scottish Rile Luncheon, Manila — Convention — District No. 9 — (VW Bro. Amando D. Ylagan) — (I .odges No. 19-89-119-122-1361 17) held at Parafiaque, Rizal — Bamboo Oasis Benefit Dinner Sept. <8 — Convention — District No. 11 - (VW Bro. Cirilo Constanti­ no) (Lodges Nos. 25-26-35-65-72-129157) held at Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Sept. 13 — Visitation — Lodge Nos. 1-3-9-80-93 at Sottidi Rite Tem­ ple. Manila. Sept. 18 — Lodge of Sorrow — (Grand Lodge Officers for MW Bro. E. E. Elser). Sept. 22 — Convention — District No. 6 — (VW Bro. Dorotco M. Joson) - (l.odges No. 53-73-90-Gral. I.lancDa Mem. UD — Gral. Manuel Tinio UD) held at Cabanatuan City. Sept. 21 — Meeting of Past Grand Mailers and (hand Lodge Officers. Sept. 26 — (hand Lodge Committeeon Education and Public Service. Sept. 29 — Convention District No. 12 (VW Bro. Gregorio B. Defeo) Lodges No. 20-28-37-13) held at Lopez, Quezon. 123 Oct. 2 — Manila Lodge No. 1 — Meet­ ing in honor of MW Bro. Howard R. Hick. Oct. 4 — Visitation — Camarines Norte Lodge No. 107 — Daet. Oct. 5 — Visitation — 9:00 A.M. — Isarog No. 33 — Naga. — Visitation — 7:00 P.M. — Mayon No. 61 — Bulusan No. 38 — held at Legaspi. Oct. 11 — Necrological Services at the Grand Lodge. Oct. 13 — Convention — District No. 8 — (VW Bro. Purisimo Ramos) - (Lodges No. 34-52-103-104-141) held at San Narciso, Zambales. Oct. 20 — Convention — Regional, consisting Districts No. 14-15-16 (VW Bro. Pantaleon A. Pelayo, Fidel Fernandez, Ramon Ponce de Leon) — (Lodges No. 11-64-47-9830-84-91-128) held at Iloilo City. Oct. 22 — Visitation — Mayon Chap­ ter No. 1, O. E. S. Oct. 23 — 12:30 P.M. — Meeting — Grand Lodge Committee on Edu­ cation and Public Service. - 8:00 P.M. - Meeting - All Ma­ nila Lodges Committees on Edu­ cation and Public Service. Oct. 27 — Convention — District No. 18 — VW Bro. Joseph Lim-So) — (Lodges No. 50-110-149-156) held at Dadiangas, Gral. Santos, Cotabato. Oct. 30 — Meeting — Biak-na-Bato No. 7 (Candidates from Saigon). Nov. 1 — Meeting — Luncheon for Nile Temple Divan. — Meeting — Lebanon No. 8 — (Grand Master’s Mother Lodge). Nov. 2 — Meeting — Biak-Na-Bato Lodge No. 7 — Lecture in 3° to candidates from Saigon. Nov. 3 — Convention — District No. 17 — (VW Bro. Aniceto D. Belisario) — (Lodges No. 40-111-130-153154-155-160-162-Apo Kahoy UD) held at Ozaniis City. Nov. 10 — Regional Convention — Districts No. 2 & 3 — (VW Bro. Leonidas Melendres, R. S. Roque, Sr.) — (Lodges No. 39-60-66-68133-144-163) held at Ilagan, Isabela. Nov. 16 — Older of Amaranth Tea at Scottish Rite Temple. Nov. 17 — Convention — District No. 5 — (VW Bro. Teofilo Guadiz) — (Lodges No. 56-67-70-75-140-158161) held at Dagupan City. Nov. 19 — Visitation — Rosario Vi­ llaruel Chapter No. 2, O. E. S. Nov. 30 — Convention — District No. 10 — (VW Bro. Fortunato M. Ejercito) — (Lodges No. 2-15-17-3149-51-69-97-115-165) held at Indang, Cavite. 124 THE CABLE TOW October, 1962 UNEL’S MACHINERY & SUPPLY You SAVE a lot When you call us up for your equipment needs Portable Electric Power Units — DIESEL & GASOLINE ENGINES, ELEC. MOTORS FLOOR POLISHERS, MAGNETOS, TV SETS, TRANSISTOR RADIOS, ELEC. FANS, WATER PUMPS, ENGINES FOR FISHING BANCAS Main Office & Store; 111 Evangelista, Manila TEL. 3-33-23 Machinery Work Shop; G3 South IL Diliman, Quezon City TEL. 70-02-60 EDITORIAL . . . (Continued from page 95) are worse than wasted because they prove to be mere trap­ pings that misrepresent the Order. Because of the belief that to be a lodge member is all that is needed to become a Mason, there are many lodge members but very few Masons. There is no denying that money is necessary to run a lodge. But there are many ways to bolster lodge finances when necessary. Many a lodge has successfully solved its financial problems without cheapening the Order. The fact, however, is that there would be no heed to tax our ingenuity and resourcefulness in that direction if members observe faithfully, as they must, their duties to their lodge. Our obligations bind us not only to the vows assumed at the altar but to all engagements entered into because a Mason’^ word must be his bond. The weakness of the Order in many places is due to the lowered appreciation of Masonic values on the part of many of our brethren; for only as we hold high an ideal and invest it with true devotion, can it become real, alive and strong. And so let us address this thought to our Brethren who are troubled by adequate financing and other problems of their lodge, “Seek ye first a proper appreciation of Masonic values and all these things shall be added unto you.” —N ACTIVE PARTS Your profits increase with the effi­ ciency of your operations — with the aid of Caltex Organized Lubrication. This service is a cost-reducing tool, not an expense item. Gives you important savings on maintenance costs, eliminates unnecessary pur­ chases of parts. Check with your Caltex Lubrication Engineer He will prepare a Caltex Lubrication Program to provide you with the right lubrication for each piece of equipment. For big cost-saving benefits of Caltex Organized Lubrication, write or call your nearest Caltex office. LUBRICATION IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN COST CONTROL CALTEX