The Lodge Official Seal

100th Year Anniversary

The description and depiction of the new official seal of the Lodge

The boarder is an endless double-looped knot of a rope or cord represented in circular shape with colored black and red.

The name of the Lodge, location and the year 5907 - 6007 Anno Lucis all written in black color are inscribed inside the boarder and outside of the circle with gold background.

The shield is vertically divided in two sections are portrayed at the center of the circle with apple green background.

The first section consist of two segments of the same size shown at the inside upper portion of the shield while below is the second section of one bigger segment.

The first segment feature the City standard with blue background, the second segment inscribed the letters KKK adorned with laurel leaves and with a yellow background, above the third and bigger segment depicted the All-Seeing Eye and below the Square and Compass with red background.

Outside the boarder are depicted the words “100th Year Anniversary” written in black color

- ama-

A Message from the Worshipful Master

Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 F&AM

“Bagong Buhay”

The Bagong Buhay Lodge celebrated its centennial year last August 11, 2007 with the most unforgettable affair in the history of the Lodge.

It again reminds me of the sacrifices of the brethren who first established the Lodge and up to now live to its expectation of having a “New Life”.

Sa nakalipas na mahigit na isang daang taong buhay ay nanatili at patuloy na namayagpag ang Logia Bagong Buhay sa pagsunod sa mga alintuntunin ng Masoneriya.

Bagama’t ang Logia Bagong Buhay ay dumanas ng maraming pagsubok ay nanatili pa rin itong nakatayo at patuloy na lumalaban.

Sa kadahilanang naniniwala kami na ang makulay na kasaysayan ng Logia Bagong Buhay ay dapat na manatili at maging bukas na aklat sa mga kapatid sa Masoneriya ay minabuti naming buhayin at muling itayo ang pundasyon ng mga kaalaman.

The New Life Newsletter was revived, and this time, we exerted more effort to collate historical and educational materials for the benefit of the members of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 and the brethren whithersoever dispersed.

Harinawa sa maliit naming kakayahan ay maipaabot namin sa lahat ng mga kapatid ang hangaring mapalawak pa ang dunong ng kapatiran sa pamamagitan ng maiaambag ng “New Life Newsletter”.

To my dear brethren, let us join hands and keep steadfast, move on and march forward.
May the G.A.O.U.T.U. bless and keep as always!

Masonry in the History of the Philippines


By Nicolas G. Ricafrente, GM


Masonry has existed in the Philippines since 1856, when the first Masonic Lodge was established in the country. This lodge was called “Primera Luz Filipina” established by a Spanish naval officer, Jose Malcampo in the province of Cavite. Although organized under a Portuguese Grand Orient and exclusively for Spaniards, its formation marked the introduction of Masonry in Philippine soil.


Philippine history is rich in the contributions and role of Masonry and Masons in the country. The propagation of the ideals of democracy is perhaps their biggest contribution. Our heroes Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Emilio Aguinaldo, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini and many other Filipino patriots were all Masons.


It may be ironic, but significant that it was in Spain itself where Jose Rizal and his fellow Filipino expatriates internalized the idea of democracy. They joined Masonry and realized for the first time that they were treated as equals by their Spanish brothers. Rizal, del Pilar, Mariano Ponce and others saw the liberalism pervading in the very seat of colonial power, in stark contrast to the manner in which the Philippine colonial government was being run by the friar-influenced Spanish governors. They formed a propaganda movement and published a newspaper, La Solidaridad that exposed the anomalies in the Philippines and advocated reforms.


Jose Rizal wrote the novel Noli Me Tangere that exposed the abuses and avarice of the friars in the Philippines. In 1892 he and other ilustrados organized the La Liga Filipina to actively work for reforms. Rizal was arrested and exiled in Dapitan in Mindanao. The call for reforms repeatedly rejected and violently suppressed, later transformed into more militant actions. The Katipunan was organized; highly Masonic in structure and in its system of admission of members. It advocated total independence from Spain. It plotted a revolution.


Katipunan founders Andrés Bonifacio, Ladislao Diwa and Teodoro Plata were all members of La Liga Filipina and were influenced by the nationalistic ideals of the Propaganda Movement in Spain. In the last week of August 1896, shortly after its discovery by the Spanish authorities, the Philippine revolution broke out.
The influence of Masons and Masonry on nationalism was not confined in Spain. Once the Filipinos were allowed access to lodges established under the Grand Spanish Orients, Masonry flourished and nationalistic fervor grew. Filipino Masons found support and protection even from colonial governors and Spanish government officials.

The history of Masonry in the Philippines tells us of the liberal regime of a Mason, Governor General Carlos Maria dela Torre, who was sent to the country in 1869 during the age of liberalism in Spain. It was after Queen Isabela II was deposed and King Amadeus of Savoy, a fellow Mason was installed. Dela Torre became a friend of the Filipinos; encouraged free speech, abolished censorship of the press and fostered free discussion of political problems. He displayed benevolence by pardoning rebels who spearheaded an agrarian uprising in Cavite. He supported the Filipinization of the parishes.


Governor General Carlos dela Torre implemented the educational decrees of another Mason, Minister of the Colonies Segismundo Moret, providing for the secularization of education and government control over certain educational institutions in the Philippines. Fearing that his attitude would promote nationalist tendencies among the Filipinos, and encourage the duplication of the Masonically led revolt in Spain, the friars conspired to remove him in 1871.


In 1885 Emilio Terrero y Perinat a 33rd degree Mason, was appointed Governor General to the Philippines. He revived the liberal measures started by Governor General dela Torre and together with fellow Masons Jose Centeno, acting Civil Governor of Manila and Benigno Quiroga, Director General for Civil Administration, tried to cleanse the government of friar dictates and influence.


When Rizal returned to the country on August 5, 1887, after his five-year stay in Spain, copies of his explosive novel Noli Me Tangere were already being circulated. The Archbishop of Manila had asked Terrero to ban the book immediately but the Governor General instead summoned Rizal for interview. After two meetings, Rizal earned the admiration of Governor General Terrero who, believing that he was in extreme danger assigned a lieutenant of the Civil Guards, Jose Taviel de Andrade as his bodyguard.


The novel continued to circulate and even enjoyed immense popularity especially after Terrero ignored the recommendation of the Permanent Commission on Censorship that it be absolutely prohibited. Governor General
Emilio Terrero’s three year term ended in 1888 and was not renewed.


The impact and influence of Masons and Masonry in the struggle for freedom can not be denied. This is probably even more evident in the fact that our heroes were descendants of Continental Grand Orients; nurtured in the same brand of Masonry that inspired the Masonically led 1789–1799 French Revolution and the Spanish uprising of 1868. Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio and General Emilio Aguinaldo were said to have studied the history of the French Revolution. Aguinaldo’s revolutionary theme, Equality, Fraternity and Liberty was definitely inspired by the French revolution.


General Emilio Aguinaldo rose to become the principal rallying personality of the revolution; united the erstwhile divided forces and succeeded in liberating the key provinces and cities in the Archipelago. Independence was declared on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite, followed by the creation the first republican form of government in Asia. The national flag was unfurled and the national anthem, the Marcha Nacional was first played by a brass band. The first Philippine Constitution was subsequently drafted by an assembly largely composed of Masons in Malolos, Bulacan.


Filipinos were however, denied the fruits of freedom when the United States which had declared war against Spain on April 21, 1898 signed the Treaty of Paris with Spain on December 10, 1898 which was ratified on February 6, 1899. In this treaty, Spain ceded the Philippines for $20,000,000.


The Philippine-American war erupted on February 4, 1899. Aguinaldo was captured in 1901; the Americans declared total victory, and the Philippines became a colony of the United States.


Emilio Aguinaldo, made a Mason at Pilar Lodge in Imus; founder of Magdalo Lodge in Kawit, and first president of the Philippine Republic, looking back at the revolution said:

“The successful Revolution of 1896 was Masonically inspired, Masonically led, and Masonically executed. And I venture to say that the first Philippine Republic, of which I was its humble president, was an achievement we owe largely, to Masonry and the Masons.”

Released and posted: Monday 01-28-2008
IGLPI Research and Information Center
BBL4 Masonic Center, Cavite City, Philippines

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty”

- Winston Churchill-

NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS:


CENTER FOR MASONRY IN FILIPINO ESTABLISHED

Grand Master Nicolas Ricafrente, attending the January 2008 District Council meeting in Mendez, Cavite announced the designation of Pintong Bato Lodge No. 9 as the Center for Masonic Studies in Filipino, the national language. Aside from compiling and translating foreign language Masonic literature, the Lodge was also tasked to review existing rituals already written in the national language and to start translating other rituals and ceremonies. Once translated, each ritual shall be exemplified by Pintong Bato Lodge for approval of the Committee on Works and the brethren.

Pintong Bato has been known for its efforts to promote the use of Filipino in Masonic rituals. It has rendered funeral services and installed its officers in Filipino. It also has a translated version of the ceremonies for a Lodge of Remembrance. With the special function designated for the Lodge, it is expected that Filipino rituals will soon get official recognition in the Grand Lodge as an alternative to the existing ceremonies in English. It is also expected that Masonic literature would be enriched with the addition of Filipino essays and lectures in the national language.

Translation of Spanish language Masonic historical records still existing in the archives of some century old Lodges of the IGLPI will be the next task of the Center. Filipino Masonry has its roots from the Spanish Grand Orients. Heroes like Rizal, del Pilar, Bonifacio, Mabini, Aguinaldo and other patriots were all members of these Orients.





IGLPI ESTABLISHES DISTRICT CENTER FOR RESEARCH, OTHER CENTERS FOR MASONIC ACTIVITIES

The Independent Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. of the Philippine Islands recently designated several Lodges as District Centers for special Masonic functions. Given the status as sponsors and lead lodges to conceptualize and coordinate specific Masonic programs were: Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 as Center for Research and Information, Cavite Lodge No. 2 as Training Lodge and Pilar Lodge No. 3 as Center for Masonic Formation and Community Services. Mendez Nunez Lodge No. 8 was assigned as lead Lodge for Family Oriented activities while Emilio Aguinaldo Lodge No. 5 was designated to lead and coordinate participation in Masonic historical commemorative events. These Lodges were given latitude to partner with sister Lodges and to form their respective core groups.
The assignments are aimed to create greater focus in the planning and implementation of projects and enhance Lodge collaboration within the District. A comprehensive district program is expected to be completed by the Grand District Supervisor by February.

FILIPINO MASONIC HEROES:


WB LADISLAO NOCON DIWA PM (1918)
(The Unknown Angle in the KKK Triangle)
- Masonic Name “Baguio” -

WB Ladislao Nocon Diwa, a Filipino patriot, prominent propagandist and revolutionary leader. He was born on June 27, 1863 in the district of San Roque, Cavite. He was one of the founding members of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 291 and became the Master of the Lodge in 1918. He was among the founder of the Katipunan that initiated the Philippine Revolution against Spain in 1896. He was the third of ten children of Mariano Diwa and Cecilia Nocon. He was tutored at home and later under the supervision of Fr. Perfecto Manalac, recommended him for admission “capista” to the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Manila where he devoted his time to the study of priesthood and to studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts. But after 14 years, when he was ready to be ordained, he had abandoned his ecclesiastical studies because of his father’s strenuous objection.

The Cavite Mutiny of 1872 and the execution of Frs. Gomez, Burgos and Zamora also changed his plans, and studied law instead at the University of Sto. Tomas and it was while he was studying law that he met Andres Bonifacio inside the university campus who often distributed propaganda materials authored by Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. del Pilar during the propaganda movement in Spain. The two became close friends and WB Diwa later boarded with Teodoro Plata at Bonifacio’s house in Tondo, Manila. After finishing law, he was named a clerk in District Court of Quiapo, Manila.

On July 3, 1892, together with over 30 trustworthy men, Masons as well as Non-Masons, aside from Dr. Jose Rizal, Pedro Serrano Laktaw and Timoteo Paez at the house of Doroteo Ongjungko of Lusong Lodge in Ilaya St., Tondo, Manila, WB Diwa (Masonic name Baguio) joined the La Liga Filipina and became the Council Secretary in Trozo, Tondo. On July 5, 1892, after Diwa visited Rizal, he was apparently convinced that an armed uprising was the only way to attain independence from Spain.

On July 7, 1892, in Tondo, Manila, Diwa, Bonifacio and Plata, founded a secret society, the Katipunan patterned after the “Black Mask” of Italy wherein members were grouped in threes or triangles so that not one of the members would know more than three other members of the whole organization. The meeting was also attended by Deodato Arellano, Valentin Diaz and Jose Dizon. WB Diwa adopted the symbolic name “BALETE” in the Katipunan wherein he also became the treasurer, then fiscal, and lastly, councilor of the Supreme Council of the Katipunan. Later, he formed his own triangle with Roman Basa and Teodoro Gonzales.

As more and more members were eager to join the society, Diwa’s plan proved too slow in implementation. Thus, in October 1892, the organization discarded the triangle system and adopted “MASONIC PROCEDURES” in getting new members.

In 1893, WB Diwa contributed much to the Katipunan’s expansion to the countryside because of his transfer to the Court of Justice of the Peace in Pampanga. Katipunero’s in Bulacan, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija have been inducted to Katipunan by WB Diwa himself and one of the most notable was Francisco Macabulos, who became one of the successful Filipino generals of the revolution.

After the Katipunan was uncovered in August 1896, he was arrested in Betis, Bacolor, Pampanga and was imprisoned at Fort Santiago, Manila in the same cell as Bro. Teodoro Plata.

On February 6, 1897, Bro. Plata was executed at the field of Bagumbayan and four (4) days later, the Pack of Biak Na Bato resulted to his freedom. He was released in a prisoner exchanged between the Spanish authorities and the Filipino revolutionists. He joined the troops of Gen. Mariano Trias in Cavite and became active in combat and became instrumental in the surrender of the Spanish forces under Leopoldo Garcia Oeoa on May 28, 1898.

Because of this, he was promoted to Colonel in the revolutionary army. When the First Philippine Republic was organized, he was elected First Civil Governor at Cavite, establishing his seat of government in San Roque, Cavite, where he served for eight months. When the Philippine-American War broke out in 1898, he rejoined the group of Gen. Trias. He reestablished the local government in Naic, and thence to Alfonso, Cavite. But when Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was captured at Palanan, Isabela on March 23, 1899, WB Diwa and Gen. Trias surrendered to the Americans in March 1901 at Indang, Cavite. He became the Clerk of Court of First Instance of Cavite under the Americans new civil government.

Bro. Diwa was a member of the Grand Regional Lodge of the Philippines during an assembly in 1906 and originally member of Sinukuan Lodge of Tondo and on September 4, 1906, together with Bro. Jose A. Reyes, Bro. Juan N. Santos and the Cavite Masons, met and signed a resolution to form the Bagong Buhay Lodge. In the election of the Bagong Buhay Lodge (UD), he was elected Senior Warden. In 1918, he became the Worshipful Master of Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 291.

He was married to Dona Honorata Crescina and blessed with children, Guadalupe, Heraclito, Edna and Cecilia. He died of nephritis on March 12, 1930.

The Caridad Elementary School in Cavite City was renamed Ladislao Diwa Elementary School in his honor in November 1964.

On November 30, 1996, his remains were transferred from the Cavite City Cemetery to a mausoleum Shrine and Museum as the government through the National Historical Institute honored a forgotten great Filipino Patriot, a Mason and a Hero.

Bro. Ric Alvarez
Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4
August 21, 2007


References:

1. In Memory of Ladislao Diwa – The Unknown Angle in the KKK Triangle by A. B. German p6-11;
2. In Memory of Ladislao Diwa – Retracing the KKK’s origin, a hundred years hence by Fr. Virgilio Saenz Mendoza p12-15;
3. The Masonic Life of Dr. Jose Rizal by MWB Reynold S. Fajardo p39-40;
4. Bagong Buhay Lodge 73rd Annual Masonic District Convention Souvenir Program, November 28, 2005;

The Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands

Constituted 2006 A.D.

GRAND LODGE SEAL : The Grand Lodge Seal contains symbols used to exemplify Masonic teachings: the square and compass which is the Universal Emblem of Freemasonry; and a graphic representation of the sun and stars arranged in a triangular formation. These are laid out in four alternating quadrants of blue and red forming a rectangle. The red and the blue colors are of a hue similar to the colors of the Philippine Flag. The Slogan “Kapatiran (Brotherly Love), Kalinga (Relief) and Katotohanan (Truth)” is written on a representation of three (3) steps below the rectangle. On top of the rectangle are the letters I G L P I. Two graphically represented columns are located on the left and right sides to frame the whole composition. The words “Constituted 2006 A.D.” are written below the Grand Lodge seal.