The Travel of the GLP-ICT Committee

By Bro. Jonathan A. Paulo (122)

This is how the story of GLP Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Committee through the approval of Edict 335 started its journey.

But first allow me to express our thanks to MW Agapito S. Suan, Jr. (Grand Master) and VW Joey Pangilinan (Grand Cyber Warden), for giving the team the opportunity to serve the Grand Lodge. Special Mentions are also in order for VW Dennis Cunanan (GLP Chief of Staff) and VW Oliver Yabut (Assistant Grand Secretary) for their support to the Team.

During the pandemic the ICT Team was tasked by MW Suan to assist the Grand Lodge in its remote operation and communication dissemination through electronic communications by developing the following:

During the pandemic – when staying at home became one of our civic duties, the Grand Master requested to expand the GLP-GCash System to include not just Donations but other transactions like, Annual Dues, Petition Fee, Dispensation, Transfers, Supplies Payment, and others, to add more convenience for Lodges and Brethren. All that is needed is a smart phone and GCash application which is also available on both Android and IOS, navigate under “Payment Solutions” > select Grand Lodge of the Philippines > fill up the necessary information > then press SEND. Of course, ones GCash Account must have enough balance to complete the payment transaction.

GLP Announcement, Update, and Greetings is of great importance to all regular masons. Since not all brethren is into social media, the Grand Master requested some means of communicating with the brethren in just “one text”. By the assistance of WB Joel Manuel (Malolos 46) and Globe Telecom Masons, an SMS Solution or the text blast was developed for the Grand Master to be able to send important announcements on all Grand Line and District Officers including Birthday Greetings. This SMS platform can send multiple greetings “in just one text”.

As documentation and communication is vital even during the pandemic. The use of electronic email is improved by assigning an OFFICIAL EMAIL to each subordinate lodge, District, Grand Line, and GLP Office which will be continuously adopted by succeeding officers.

The circulars relieves the Grand Lodge of the laborious task of collecting the email addresses of lodge secretaries subject to change each Masonic Year. The new system induces each lodge, district, or office to maintain the same email address year in and year out. All that is required is for incoming officers to change the password of the account turned-over to them by their predecessors for security reasons. While tracking previous communication is difficult and cumbersome, the official lodge email which shall be used by the lodge secretary as the official communication platform between their lodge to the Grand Lodge Office.

As every company or organization needs to have a secure location or place where all the information is stored and readily available, GLP has given importance to its website which became the official source of communication especially

during the Pandemic. Our current website has been developed to keep abreast with the offer of technological advantages when masonic information can co-exist with what we have in our minds as imprints of our memory work from catechism to degree lectures.

In rebuilding a secure cloud infrastructure for the website, we used Drupal framework, one of the preferred web content management systems. Together with Bros. Glenn Anthony Locentes and Ryan Escares we were able to manage and maintain the website, were all edicts, circulars, and other updates can be viewed by the Brethren through their devices.

Tyled using a member login system. The Brethren are assured that only legitimate Master Masons in Good Standing have access to the official electronic archives of the jurisdiction.

The Foundation of digital connectivity is the Network, as the GLP is gearing up towards Digital Transformation, the Network should keep up with the new demands on new services, applications, and Cybersecurity threats. At the moment, GLP's network is capable of multi Internet link for redundancy to ensure maximum operational up-time, with a Next Generation Firewall capability to address and minimize the risk of successful cybersecurity attacks.

There are wireless connectivity for Employees, Guest and Brothers for more convenient user experience and CCTV's to ensure safety and security within the premises.

The roadmap shall be continuously enhanced as the team will discuss pressing matters like Data Privacy, Incident response, and Cybersecurity awareness trainings.

GLP has launched 3 Special Archive Apps unique to its history: issues of The Cable Tow Publications (1923 – 2021 – and beyond)

GLProceedings - an electronic compendium of all the Proceeding of Annual Communications (1912 – 2019 – and beyond)

GladKit - the Grand Lodge of the Philippines ANCOM Digital Kit or GLadKit, the first Application of its kind in GLP History that contains all the reports and communications during the term of MW Suan for Masonic Year 2019 – 2021.

Thanks to the expertise of Bro. John Paul Narisma who is a member of both The Cable Tow Team and the ICT Committee. The development of this Apps has catapulted the GLP among the Masonic Grand Jurisdictions embracing the power of technology.

Playing important role in ICT Team is the resource personnel stationed at the frontend of the GLP Website. Our Tech frontliner works full time at the GLP answering to any IT related problem or issue, assisting all members with their concerns or queries like website registration, login, password resetting, and making sure that GLP announcements are delivered through text blast and email.

Included in the job description is the writing and editing of GLP website content like uploading of Edicts, GL and GS Circulars, the most recent edition of the Cable Tow & ANCOM Proceedings, as well as other important announcements.

The GLP Helpdesk also installs, diagnoses, and troubleshoots defective computers and devices in GLP Office.

In the immediate future, the ICT Team would like to request for 2 servers to replace the old database servers (on-premises) and their own office space within the GLP premises.

Jose Abad Santos Masonic Lodge 333 1st Grand Cyber Warden

Globe Telecom – Senior Project Management Government Contractor, formerly from Huawei Tech Phils and Sun Cellular

Quezon City Lodge 122

Former Globe Telecom – ISG Implementation team, currently working as Cloud Administrator, I.T. for 17 yrs., Likes to travel with his Family as well as spend time with the Brethren, married for 13 years, and is a loving father.

Motto: mastery begins with humility.

Quezon City Lodge 122 Tech Lead

An application developer by profession for more than 13 years before entering the craft. Glenn has been an IT professional and has been working with various clients of diverse industries including: Banking, Mobile Wallets, HMO application, Cooperatives, ecommerce, and government projects. Glenn was raised as Master Mason in Jan 2020. He volunteered in assisting and maintaining the Grand Lodge website and he is a member of the team who spear headed the creation of the Mabuhay Shriner's website. For his efforts, he was recommended to join the ICT team.

Motto: "Nothing befalls a man that he can't endure if you believe in GOD."

Bro. Ryan "Rai" Escarez Quezon City Lodge 122 Technology Evangelist

Technology Head at Clear Mind Algorithmics Inc., providing system solutions for financial, transportation, logistics and healthcare. Love to join local endurance races such as duathlon and triathlon. Completed the Everesting 14hrs indoor cycling during the pandemic, a single activity until you climb 8,848m – the equivalent height of Mt. Everest.

Motto: “If you're focused only on the goal or the glory, you probably aren't enjoying the journey.”

Mandaluyong City Masonic Lodge #277 Network and Security

An experienced Cybersecurity Consultant for more than a decade, Currently Works at Cisco systems Philippines as Security Architecture leader. Graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. Happily married and loves biking on his free time.

Motto: "Pride makes us artificial; Humility makes us real."

Lodge Secretary, Shangri-La Lodge No. 196 GLP IT Support Member

Previous IT Experience: IT Systems Admin/ Manager (US Law Firm), Vice President (US online gaming company under the owner’s supervision one of the former MS Xbox Editors), HR (US online gaming company), Quality Line Staff (Electronics Company based in Prague, Czech Republic), owner UBN Solutions Philippines (online company 2005 – present) in logistics and online back-end office support before for US Architectural and Engineering companies, also into exporting), Keytah.com (founder, owner), some background in mobile app development, systems administration, networking and security testing, web app development, graphics, and basic programming (java, php, html), IDE a little of Xcode, Android Studio, MIT app Inventor and Google Cloud Platform (compute engine, storage, etc.).

Motto: "To think and reason make us men; compassion and kindness make us better."

GLP ICT Helpdesk Email: helpdesk@grandlodge.ph