Masons—builders of peace & development

“Haring Gangis!”—I overheard a brother Mason greet arriving fraternal guests to the 31st Public Installation of Officers at Glicerio Lim Memorial Lodge 222 (under the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines) in Bagong-Dawis, Baroy, Lanao del Norte last February 7. This greeting, usually used in addressing the master of a Masonic lodge, is an attempted Visayan translation to warmly welcome visiting fraternal dignitaries.

After an elaborate ceremony in welcoming and presenting the guests, a more intricate and lengthy process followed in installing the new set of elected and appointed officers of the lodge for MY 2009:

Worshipful Master - Resnol C. Torres
Senior Warden - George C. Paderanga, Jr
Junior Warden - Diego P. Limbaring
Treasurer - Marconi J. Lim
Secretary - Lino R. Penaflor
Auditor - Victory L. Demiar
Chaplain - Efraim S. Sanes
Marshal - Timoteo F. Carwana
Senior Deacon - James T. Espinosa
Junior Deacon - Alexander B. Mitmug
Orator - Casimero D. Tamparong
Almoner - Francisco B. Jagonia
Lecturer - Marconi J. Lim
- Diosdado V. Yap Jr.
- Nicolas J. Lim
Senior Steward - Laloy A. Pajiji
Junior Steward - Mark Anthony B. Gomez
Organist - Musa M. Sanguila
Tyler - Florendo B. Opay

Brother Macapado A. Muslim, the Mindanao State University President, as the guest speaker cited widespread poverty, armed conflict, and mal-governance as problems in our society that needed intervention. He asked the masons to get involved by taking a more active role in building peace and building development; he challenged everyone to operationalize the Masonic basic teachings.

In addressing the group, I committed my brigade to support the activities of the fraternity similar to what is being extended to the other NGOs and civil society organizations which are all pursuing peace and development in Lanao del Norte. I also openly pointed my interest to explore Brother Muslim’s suggestions with reference to Yohan Galtung’s triangle of violence (direct/personal, structural and cultural) as an approach to curb armed conflict.

My congratulations to the new and the outgoing sets of officers of Glicerio Lim Memorial Lodge 222. May all of you continue to live by the principles of Freemasonry of “brotherly love, relief, and truth” not only within the fraternity but for all of humanity.

"To make a difference"

"To make a difference" was how Ms. Marit Stinus-Remonde, District Governor of Kiwanis International, described the purpose of her visit at 104th Infantry Brigade area in Lanao del Norte last February 6. Her visit was long delayed due to the violent incidents that rocked the province.

It is then understandable that her husband, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, was seemingly reluctant to have her visit the place. After visiting Kiwanis in Iligan City, she insisted to see what life is in the land of the Maranaos particularly in the hinterland barangays. I then brought her Kiwanis group to visit Barangay Delabayan of Kauswagan. The barangay had served as a model of interfaith activities with starting with the “Project Islam.” (Islam meant “I Sincerely Love All Muslims.”) At Delabayan, she met with its traditional leader—Sultan Moner—who explained their condition; talked to the local folks; and visited the schools. She also conferred with Musa Sanguila, director of Pakigdait Inc, an interfaith NGO which was doing civic work at Barangay Tacub. Her last stop was at the brigade headquarters where she took time to engage with my officers. And in several instances, I noticed her quietly taking notes. At one point, she turned to her fellow Kiwanians saying that Delabayan was a doable place for their initial community projects outside Iligan City.

I first met Marit when I was still the Chief of Staff of the 10th Infantry Division based in Davao City. I have noted her active participation in several civic activities, and in many occasions partnered with Army units to deliver assistance to the communities. Hence, I was then quite glad when she volunteered to extend the same assistance within my area.

Indeed, more civic projects should be directed towards the hinterlands communities—where small things can “create extraordinary life-changing moments.”

To the Kiwanis and the other NGOs, thank you all in behalf of the people here! Your civic activities and even just your plain visits to the remote communities show that we care for them. Surely, this will go a long way “to make a difference.”