A Continuing Legacy

GLP Documentary on Philippine Freemasonry

By VW Vladimir F. Pelaez, PSGD (8)

One of the lasting projects by MW Romeo S. Momo, Sr., PGM, during his journey in the Grand East two years ago is the production of a TV Documentary about the Craft. The undertaking required a working budget of more than 3 Million Pesos which was raised thru the help of the Brethren of the Plumb & Level Club. Production and editing took 5 months to complete. The documentary employs a family script between a Grandfather (played by actor Nanding Josef) informing his 2 grandsons (played by Chino & Chayil Noblesa) his utmost regret for not pursuing his life-long dream of becoming a mason. The initial conversation introduced what Freemasonry is, with a voice over narration by Paul Ralutin. The trio eventually found themselves going to Plaridel Masonic Temple itself of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the Philippines to see for themselves the main edifice that is the nerve center of the fraternity. Interviews of prominent masons were shown. Posted as resource persons in the closing credits were MW Romeo S. Momo, MW Danilo D. Angeles, MW Reynato S. Puno, MW Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr., MW Santiago T. Gabionza, Jr., VR Samuel T. Fernandez, VW Teodoro Alejandro Y. Kalaw IV, VW Joel Porlares, VW Jesus Lorenzo R. Mateo, VW Vladimir F. Pelaez, Illus. Potentate Roberto Fajardo, WB Delfin Lorenzana, WB Alfredo M. Andres, Bro. Elpidio ‘’Deo’’ Macalma, Bro. Cesar Virata, Bro. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, and Bro. Vicente Sotto III. There were actual footage of several Masonic Activities in public form. Animation was employed to present some of the History of the Craft. Among the most exciting moments of the shoot was when several mason volunteers dressed themselves in period costumes to portray National Heroes who were known members of the Craft. Directed by Arnold Santos Argaño under iStrat Marketing Services, Philippine Freemasonry is a TV documentary aired over at ANC last December 21, 2018, with the intention of informing and educating the general public of what freemasonry is all about including the social and community programs the organization has been doing. The documentary is 44 minutes and 30 seconds long and can be found on YouTube with the ff. link: https://youtu.be/RzemH6w9NlE or by typing the words Philippine

Freemasonry - A continuing Legacy of

Brotherhood & Service in the search button. ‘’We wanted a project that will remind masons and inform non-masons of the goodness of the fraternity and its members, something that Filipino Masons can be proud of and at the same time educate the people who we are and what we do.’’ Said MW Romeo S. Momo, the Executive Producer. Now a Past Grand Master, he fondly recalls the efforts extended by Mr. Andy Arespacochaga, VW Jose Avelino Magbanua, VW Alexander Madamba, VW Jose Roncesvalles, VW John Llamas, VW Atty. Mike Parado, VW Melvin Mallo, the whole Team RSM 2018, Buenas Suerte Corp., VW Joseph Harold Santiago, and MW Agapito S. Suan, Jr. incumbent Grand Master for their support back in 2018. The TV Documentary is indeed both inspirational and educational and can be considered worthy infomercial for those interested in or critical of Freemasonry. It can also be a staple video for the orientation of Petitioners, Candidates, Families, and friends of Masons.