Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 (F&AM)

IGLPI Third Annual Grand Assembly

Bagong Buhay Masonic Center

San Roque, Cavite City, Philippines

November 28-29, 2008

“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”

From September 10, 2006 Declaration of Independence and Constitution Ceremony of the IGLPI at Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s Shrine, Kawit, Cavite up to November 25, 2006 IGLPI First Annual Grand Assembly at Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Lodge No. 5 F&AM, Kawit, Cavite, “A fresh start for true Masonry” by MW Jaime V. Bantolo PGM; November 30, 2007 IGLPI Second Annual Grand Assembly at Cavite Lodge No. 2 F&AM, Caridad, Cavite City, “Sustaining progress for a fresh start by putting Masonry in the heart” by MW Nicolas G. Ricafrente PGM; and November 28, 2008 IGLPI Third Annual Grand Assembly at Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 F&AM, San Roque, Cavite City, “Bringing back harmony to Philippine Masonry” by MW Manuel L. Carranza Jr. GM. Another giant step for the fulfillment of important undertakings of that “Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth” intimately shared by the brethren of Member Lodges in the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands who keep on marching forward despite the rough and rugged journey, “Because We Know Our Dreams Will Never Die, If We Hold On Together”.

Relatedly, the song “If we hold on together” popularized by Diana Ross, one of America’s best female singer became the instant favorite song of the Grand Lodge since its second founding anniversary held on September 7, 2008 at Tagaytay Tropical Green, Tagaytay City, Philippines. The copy of the song was provided by the late VW Federico “Kid” Aquino, one of the pillars of Pintong Bato Lodge No. 9 F&AM to MW Nicolas G. Ricafrente.

On November 28, 2008 (Friday) at about 10:00 A.M. at Bagong Buhay Lodge No. 4 Masonic Center, San Roque, Cavite City, RW Manuel L. Carranza, Jr. DGM occupying the Grand Oriental Chair with his hat on declares the Grand Lodge duly open on the Third Degree of Masonry. The Grand Master MW Nicolas G. Ricafrente was received with Grand Honors, and RW Carranza presented the gavel and relinquished the Oriental Chair. The singing of the National Anthem and salute to the Philippine National Flag was rendered by Bro. SW Manolo M. Contreras of Pilar Lodge No. 3, the singing of the new Grand Lodge March, the invocation offered by VW Bayani R. Leoncio Grand Chaplain, the grand oration delivered by VW Reuben R. Vidallon, Grand Orator, and finally the roll call of Member Lodges by RW Armando L. Quion, Grand Secretary.

The annual grand assembly commenced with the approval of the minutes of the second grand assembly. And the plenary session started with the presentation of resolutions and amendments to implementing codes followed by the reports of the Grand Officers and Committee Chairmen and Corporate Meeting of the IGLPI, Inc. One of the important resolutions adopted is the IGLPI Mutual Relief Assistance for the benefit of elderly brethren of the Member Lodges.

The assembly was called to recess by 4:30 P.M. for the conferral of Installed Master’s Degree with VW Eduardo V. Bayot as the Conferral Master, thereafter the fraternal dinner.

On 29 November 2008 (Saturday), 8:00 A.M., the seminar and workshop entitled Lodge Management and Leadership Seminar, the Rituals and Floor Works for Marshals, Deacons, Tylers, Stewards and the Masonic Education for newly raised Master Masons were conducted under the supervision of the IGLPI Center for Masonic Studies.

After the fraternal luncheon, the election process ensued with VW Javier G. del Rosario assuming as Chairman of the Election Board with VW Bayani R. Leoncio and VW Albert C. Poblete as members. The Acting Chairman, Council of Elders VW Valeriano M. Espiritu PDDGM announced the nominees for election of Grand Officers for the ensuing Masonic year.

The Electoral Tribunal chaired by VW Ronulfo S. Saonoy, was sworn in. Election Supervisor, Marshals and Inspectors were appointed by the Chairman, Election Board. A recess was called and the hall was arranged for election. Upon resumption, a total of forty-five (45) electors were accredited.

The following were elected:

Grand Master - RW Manuel L. Carranza, Jr.

Deputy Grand Master - RW Joseph A. Capuyan

Senior Grand Warden - RW Cesar L. Go

Junior Grand Warden - VW Roberto J. Landas

Grand Treasurer - RW Reynaldo D. Generillo

Grand Secretary - RW Armando L. Quion

Grand Auditor - RW Roxy H. Sarmiento

The Grand Master-elect, RW Manuel L. Carranza Jr. delivered his remarks and announced the appointments of the Grand Lodge Officers. He also announced the appointments of VW Apolonio S. Toledo as the District Grand Supervisor, VW Venancio I. Cuvin as the Grand Lecturer, VW Virgilio H. Sarmiento as the Grand Inspector General among others.

The Grand Lodge was recessed and the incoming Grand Officers were briefed of the Installation of Grand Officers Ceremony.

Upon resumption of business, the Keynote Speaker Col. Jose Tony E. Villarete GSC, Wing Commander, 15^th Strike Wing, Philippine Air Force, a Past Master of Pampanga Lodge No. 48 GLP was formally received, thereafter the valedictory address of outgoing Grand Master MW Nicolas G. Ricafrente who was given a standing ovation for a job well done.

The Installation Ceremony for Grand Lodge Officers used by the IGLPI was adopted from the ceremony prepared by the GLP and the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin.

The current officers retired from the lodge and the incoming Grand Officers were formed. They entered in two (2) columns, stopped and faced inward as the seven (7) elected Grand Officers entered and proceed to their assigned seats and stations. Then the Grand Assembly was seated. The Grand Tyler and Grand Marshal were first charged and installed and started their duties. The Grand Marshal assisted the Grand Master by being the Master of Ceremonies. The group of Grand Inspectors, followed by the Grand Lecturers, and the District Grand Supervisor, thence the group of the Grand Senior and Junior Deacons and Stewards respectively; the Grand Legal Officers; Grand Bible Bearer; Grand Standard Bearer; Grand Sword Bearer; Assistant Grand Treasurer; Assistant Grand Secretary; Assistant Grand Auditor and Grand Organist; thence the group of elected Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary and Grand Auditor, thence followed by the Senior Grand Warden and the Junior Grand Warden were called, presented, charged and installed; thence the Deputy Grand Master was called, presented, charged, and installed. Finally, the Grand Master was called, presented, told to pray, charged, affirmed his ascent to the ancient charges and regulations, and installed as he kneeled at the altar and placed himself as a Master Mason. He was invested with the Grand Master collar and his hat. He proceeded to the East, was presented with the gavel. The Master of Ceremony made the Proclamation. The Grand Assembly saluted the new Grand Master with Grand Honors. The Grand Master MW Manuel L. Carranza, Jr. delivered his Inaugural Address then the mass singing of the IGLPI’s adopted song “If we hold on together”.

The newly installed Senior Grand Warden RW Cesar L. Go introduced the Keynote Speaker. WB Jose Tony E. Villarete delivered his Address. Thereafter, the newly installed Grand Master, MW Manuel L. Carranza Jr. awarded a Mug of Harmony to WB Villarete.

The Grand Assembly was closed at around 6:30 P.M, in short form by the Grand Master.

Fraternal dinner followed.

“It was something different from what we normally witness. It was well attended, with guest from other Grand Lodges, and the sisters of Brethren. It was a very solemn, inspiring, public ceremony. Indeed a new, better, fresh, beginning”.

IGLPI-Research and Information Center

Bagong Buhay Masonic Center

San Roque, Cavite City, Philippines