IGLPI Second Founding Anniversary

The brethren said, “The journey had began – a fresh start for true Masonry; but it is not over yet, we have to continue to move on and march forward, so let us put true Masonry in our heart to sustain more progress from a fresh start – as a Brother Mason once said, it is the journey that counts, not the distance we have traveled.”

On or about 4:00 P.M., September 7, 2007 (Sunday) at Tagaytay Tropical Green, Patutong Malaki, Tagaytay City, Philippines, the IGLPI celebrated its memorable second founding anniversary celebration. The unforgettable event registered more than two hundred fifty (250) brethren of the eight (8) member lodges and two (2) lodges U.D. The affair was also graced by more than one hundred (100) family members of Masons, including visiting brethren from other jurisdiction.

Program of Activities in the morning was also successfully concluded. The First VWB Rolly H. Sarmiento PDDGM Memorial Cup held at Royale Tagaytay Country Club, Inc., Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Hi-Way, Buck Estate, Alfonso, Cavite

The Ladies of the IGLPI, an organization composed of wives, sisters, daughters and relatives of Masons led by Sis. Estrella del Mundo, wife of Bro. Evaristo del Mundo, one of the pillars of Pintong Bato Lodge No. 9, a Master Mason with fifty two (52) great years of Masonic services, an outstanding Master Mason, once expelled without due process in the practice of Freemasonry because of his uncompromising stand showed their strong support in all undertakings of the Grand Lodge.

An instant theme for the night, “Give me some men who are stout hearted men who will fight for the right they adore. Start me with ten who are stout hearted men and I soon give you ten thousand more. Shoulder to shoulder and bolder and bolder we march together to the goal. All ten thousand men will march together man to man – The Journey of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands.”

The program proper started with the singing of the National Anthem led by the Master of Ceremony Bro. Waldo Carbonel followed by the invocation delivered by VW Bayani R. Leoncio Grand Chaplain and the welcome address of the Over-All Chairman of the affair RW Cesar L. Go JGW.

An interesting and notable performance, once more, the apples of the brethren, the Ladies of the IGLPI gracefully showed their talent in dancing side by side with the younger ones.

Thereafter the inspirational talk of RW Manuel L. Carranza, Jr. DGM, followed by the History of the IGLPI by RW Joseph A. Capuyan SGW prepared and played by Bro. Adlai and Dwight Jawid in the form of a film presentation.

After the sumptuous dinner, the Ceremony of Seven Toasts:

The first toast was proposed by MW Nicolas G. Ricafrente GM to the Republic of the Philippines

The second toast by RW Manuel L. Carranza, Jr. DGM to Freemasonry and Harmony of all Masons in the Philippines

The third toast by RW Joseph A. Capuyan SGW to the IGLPI

The fourth toast by RW Cesar L. Go JGW to the District and Lodges Brethren

The fifth toast by VW Bernardo E. Marges GIG to the Newly Raised Master Masons of the IGLPI

The sixth toast by VW Aldo G. Olaguer in tribute to the Sisters, the Ladies of the IGLPI

The seventh toast by VW Eduardo V. Bayot GL to All Masons Withersoever Dispersed

Special toasts were also proposed by the Master of Ceremony, from father to the son and son to the father toasts.

Bro. Waldy Carbonel of Mendez-Nunez Lodge No. 8 IGLPI proposed a toast to his son and to the GLP

WM Walden Carbonnel Master of Araw Lodge No. 18 proposed a toast to his father and to the Brotherhood – On the Level.

The last toast by RW Roxy H. Sarmiento GAud and Sis. Baby Sarmiento in Memory of the late VWB Rolly H. Sarmiento PDDGM

The message of the Guest of Honor and Speaker, VWB Ruperto S. Sangalang PDDGM Masonic District No. 2 GLP was delivered very interestingly because it connotes the history of Philippine Masonry during the time of MW Ambrosio Flores. The message was familiar and quite similar to the situation when the Cavite brethren formed and organized the IGLPI. The Grand Officers then headed by MW Nicolas G. Ricafrente presented a Plaque of Appreciation to VWB Sangalang as the Guest of Honor and Speaker of the IGLPI second founding anniversary.

It was then followed by the Grand Master’s Message, and finally the highlights of the affair, at the darkness of the night, side by side, the brethren, the Ladies of the IGLPI, wives, sisters, daughters, relatives of Master Masons, the orphans and the visiting brethren from other jurisdiction with lighted candle on one hand, sang “IF WE HOLD ON TOGETHER.”

“Don’t lose your way with each passing day
You’ve come so far don’t throw it away
Leave believing dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story, faith, hope and glory
Hold to the Truth in your heart.

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by for you and I

Souls in the wind must learn how to bend
Seek out a star, hold on to the end
Valley, mountain, there is a fountain
Washes our tears all away
Words are swaying, someone is praying
Please let us come home to stay.

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high as souls can fly
The clouds roll by for YOU and I”

The essence of the song was felt, touched every one’s heart, carried away, some still with tears, shook hands, embraced each other… and suddenly a burst of laughter, and the feelings are mutual, the IGLPI, the Ladies of the IGLPI, the relatives of Masons, the visiting Brethren from other Jurisdiction, The Moment of Truth… A ONE WHOLE FAMILY, gathered together…

The brethren’s great effort and meritorious commitment extended to Freemasonry serves as an inspiration to the members of the IGLPI and other brethren whithersoever dispersed.

Congratulations, IGLPI!!!

SOUVENIR PHOTO.....FIREWORKS…..FELLOWSHIP…..BALLROOM DANCING…..