Masonic Emblem

Letters and Figures
by RmOlano
26Dec05

“Masonry is a progressive moral system, veiled in allegories and illustrated in symbols."---Albert Pike response to Mackey's Ancient Landmarks.

The Lessons of Freemasonry are often presented through the use of representation of something close to the subjects. What the students see or hear are not to be taken literally. The system is designed to challenge our "corporeal and mental faculties to their fullest energy." And just like a good teacher, the Order will make the serious student to ---Think. Often times, we hear voices of concern regarding this method of instruction and that the Craft as a whole needs to change and adapt to the present time. In my own myopic view, we should return to the basic or more traditional way in place of the contemporary system. Quality rather than quantity. A simple question of the reasons behind the indirect way of conveying the message through the use of symbols or allegories sounds a reasonable. However, the other or direct way might take away the one feature which makes the study of Freemasonry unique. Resembling an attempt to define beauty, the meaning of symbols and allegories will depend in the eye of the beholder.

Almost everybody recognizes the Square and Compass as the popular symbol of the Fraternity. Along with All-Seeing Eye, beehive and other emblems mentioned in our lectures, the hourglass is also a symbol of the Order. To non members, the hourglass is always a primitive watch use to approximate time. And as the modern era advances from mechanical to digital age, the hourglass is relegated as a museum artifact. For Masons, the hourglass does not represent time rather; it is a symbol of life. It reminds us that we, as mortals have only limited amount of sand within the glass. As each particle passed through the portal that determines the speed of passage, one had to reflect that in spite of the accomplishments, accolades and future hopes, those sands will continue to pour regardless. And when the last grain falls out, then life as we know it in this world will be over. The hourglass represents man's limitations of his mortal existence. It is an emblem of Life not of Time since the former is finite while the latter will always outlive and consistently beyond the reach of our mortal life.

In this short Lesson of Freemasonry I hope to convey that in the study of our Craft which you are so interested, one should be really careful on what you read or see for they could mean something else. Veiled in allegories and illustrated in symbols. Not because we don’t understand things meant it is wrong or in need of change. If I am be allowed to whisper a soft counsel to brother ears---don’t be frustrated since a number of our own brethren who joined the Craft for their own personal ambitions do not even ask half of your own questions. For further reading: Masonic Symbols.

*** *** *** HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL *** *** ***

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Printed in The California Encompasser (The official publication of Grand York Rite Bodies of California) March 2006.

About Philippine Masonic History

RmOlano
16Dec07

“Originally attached to the Grand Lodge of Spain - the Philippine archipelago is a former colony of Spain - the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of The Philippines became autonomous on 19 December 1912.”

I thank the WB for his research however, allow me to adjust his article and hopefully fill in some void in between. The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines (GLP) was NEVER been “attached to the Grand Lodge of Spain.” In order to make a balance presentation, the following materials were taken from history pages of two Lodges under the GLP, an equal number from Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI) and a Lodge under Gran Logia Nacional de Filipinas (GLNF). Furthermore, a short quote from official statements from both Grand Lodges:

First from GLP:

“Logia Isarog No. 378 in Nueva Caceres remained under the jurisdiction of the Gran Oriente de Francia until the early part of 1915. On September 16, 1915, Logia Isarog No. 378 was constituted as Logia ISAROG No. 376 under the Gran Logia Regional de Filipinas (Grand Regional Council) under the Gran Oriente Español. In spite of the protest made by the Regional Grand Lodge, the Mother Lodge of England and the Grand Lodges in the world maintained the legitimacy of the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands. In order to prevent disharmony and discord between the Spanish speaking and English speaking Lodges, the lodges then existing under the Regional Grand Council were fused or unified with Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands." History of Isarog Lodge No. 33, F&AM.

“On February 14, 1917, as a result of the fusion of the lodges in the Philippines, and in part due to the changed political climate, SILANGANAN LODGE NO. 305 under the GRAN ORIENTE ESPANOL became SILANGANAN LODGE NO. 19, under the jurisdiction of the GRAND LODGE OF FREE & ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE PHILIPPINES, MW W. H. Taylor, the Grand Master, presiding.” Silanganan Lodge No. 19 History.


Second from IGLPI:

“Cavite Lodge was constituted in 1902 under the Grand Lodge of California. Later it joined other 2 Lodges in the Philippines to form the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands. Later it was joined by other 27 Filipino based lodges under the Grand Logia Regional de Filipinas of the Grand Oriente Espanol in 1917. On September 10, 2007, it joined the other ancient, very old, and old lodges to form the Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (IGLPI)." Cavite Lodge No. 2 History.

"When the 29 Lodges under the Gran Oriente Espanol, two under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, two under the Grande Oriente de Espana, one under the Grande Oriente Lusitano de Unido, and 11 under the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands were finally united, Bagong Buhay Lodge listed 115 Master Masons as members and after the union, it was originally agreed that a Filipino Grand Master alternates with an American Grand Master in heading the unified Grand Lodge." Rechartering and Renumbering of Bagong Buhay Lodge.

Third from Grand Lodges:

“Invariably, confusion ensued. The Americans kept membership in their lodges to themselves; the Filipinos clamored for recognition, until, finally, the three American lodges that were chartered under the constitution of the Grand Lodge of California sought dispensation from their Mother Grand Lodge to form their own and thus established in 1912 what came to be the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands. Their respective Lodge numbers were also changed and became Manila Lodge No. 1, Cavite Lodge No. 2 and Corregidor Lodge No. 3, respectively.” Brief History of Freemasonry in the Philippines (GLP).

“Our research showed that the 27 lodges under the Gran Logia Regional de Filipinas , under the Gran Oriente Espanol, BROKE OFF and AFFILIATED with the Americans - Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands with their 10 lodges in 1917 under the reason of FUSION. When the FUSION did not happen, the lodges REVERTED back to the Gran Oriente Espanol." A History of Philippine Masonry.

Finally, a statement from Freemasons of Gran Logia Nacional de Filipinas.

“The history of masonry in the Philippines was marked, however, by a period of growth pains, when in 1912 American masons in the country formed the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands. This brought two Grand Lodges – the other one being the Grand Regional Lodge under Gran Oriente Espanol – face to face in the question of territory and jurisdiction.” Magdalo Lodge No. 79 History.

The history of the formation of Freemasonic bodies in the Philippines is akin to reading the history of the nation. There are so many names that can be found in both versions that in Philippine History classes one question that is always been asked --- Why there are so many Freemasons in the history books? A question not specifically related to the Philippines but also elsewhere including the history of United States of America. Freemasons can be found in both sides of the aisles standing on the checked pavement doing their civic duties in face of adversities.

For additional tool for research see: Katipunan ng mga Mason. A compilation of Filipino Freemasonry websites.

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Peace On Earth

by RmOlano
05Dec05

The following paragraph was taken from my email response to a Brother from Brazil. I pasted it in here to give the readers one of the reasons and an idea of why even a great concept such Freemasonry is facing tremendous resistance world-wide. In an article "Universal Masonry," the Past Grand Master Hahn was quoted about the notion of a better world through the influence of our Craft. The concept was grand and I support it however, the reality where the whole world would embrace the our system and live in a "Masonic world" is unfortunately will continue to be a nebulous dream:

" As one of the world oldest and largest fraternity, our Craft comes in multitude of flavors. This is the result of being a part of an "independently operated and owned" units. As you already know that there is no single world-wide governing body which could actively enforce rules or standards. Each Grand Lodge reign supreme in their own territory and no one can dispute its decisions. A Grand Lodge can declare blue as black or orange as yellow and there is nothing other Grand Lodge can do to change that decision except to withdraw its recognition. Breaking off fraternal relations and ordering individual Lodges to cease visitation and communication is not consistent in keeping harmony within the temple but at times the only way to disassociate one opinion from the other."

Even our Craft has its own problems. Peace on this earth will come when everyone living on the planet decided to bring it about. Individual governments, world organizations, religious bodies or even a concept as great as Freemasonry does not have the power to convince mankind the insanity of hurting each other. As long as man is walking on the face of this earth, man will continue to display this weakness or fault. We cannot help it simply because we are mortals and not gods. Various religious dogmas are clear about the prerequisites for entering a place with different names as Christians known it as Heaven. Depending which belief you are subscribing, the requirements could be as easy as just "believing in Him" or carrying out deadly tasks in behalf of religious order. Then there is another hard way --- by trying to live as a better man, to practice a moral science known as Freemasonry. Work not just Faith. Master Masons often heard the words "all perfect, glorious, and celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe forever presides." This is where my Brethren, we will find the real Peace.

*** May your days be merry and bright --- Happy Holidays ***

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