Remembering MW Rudyardo Bunda, PGM

By VR Samuel P. Fernandez, PGC, HA

While recuperating from my COVID-19 ordeal, I humbly pay tribute to a beloved Past Grand Master (1982-1983). A titan and stalwart in masonry, whose dedication and devotion to the craft speak volumes. A Past Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite (1994-1999) and Past Grand Treasurer (1985, 1986, 1988 to 1990, and April 2005 to 2017), MW Bunda was an untiring mason.

MW Bunda reminisced thus: “My first exposure to Freemasonry was through my Lola, who used to take me to Uncle WB Cenon Trias. I knew all the time that my uncle was a mason. But what impressed me most was his living up to the principles of masonry, which, at the time, of course, I had only a vague grasp of. But this I knew; He was a disciplinarian, one who stood pat unto his avowed principles, and one whom people in the community had much respect for. “When I told him in 1965 that I was already a mason, he looked at me in a quizzical look. Then he told me in no uncertain terms, ‘It is easy to become a mason, but difficult to be a true one.’ “

His masonic life was influenced by father-inlaw, Marcelo Alvarez, one of the organizers of Bagong Ilaw No. 97. In his observations “I have never seen a group so closely knitted

as that group. When somebody was sick, they went to the house of the brother and literally offered their services. When there was a funeral service, all of the officers and the majority of the members showed up, expressing their concern, condoling with the family and giving the last rites up to the cemetery.” Masonic Life

In 1965, MW was initiated in Bagong Ilaw No. 97. It was in that Lodge that he was passed and raised in the same year. There he became Worshipful Master for two consecutive years. But unlike other Past Masters, he did not vanish into thin air after his term.

MW Bunda’s involvement in the appendant and allied bodies is as awesome as his involvement in other civic organizations. An IGH of the Scottish Rite Freemasonry, he served as Senior Warden and Master of its Lakandula Lodge of Perfection and Council of Kadosh, respectively. York Rite mason, he was a member of the Commandery Knights Templar, Kalayaan Council No 4, R&SM, and the Cavite Chapter No. 13, RAM. The High Shereef of the Cavite Shrine Oasis and the President of the Philippine Shrine Oasis Association, AA.O.N.M.S., for the year 1982, he was also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland and one of the founding fathers and first Royal Patron of Ilang-Ilang Court No. 20, Order of the Amaranth. Also, he was a member of the XIII Martyrs of Cavite Chapter No. 6, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Widows Sons Fraternal Charity Association. As such, he was instrumental in organizing the Emilio Aguinaldo Chapter of International Order of DeMolay and the Magdiwang Lodge No. 238, F&AM.

MW Bunda was an active lay leader of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP). When he was Chairman of his church council, he donated a lot and church building in Noveleta, Cavite.

Donation

MW Bunda donated a sizeable land and personally financed the putting up of a masonic building in his hometown. Apparently, whenever MW is challenged, there is no stopping his ambition to make good his promise of expressing his concern in a most concrete way.

MW Bunda loved to listen to the Scottish Rite Chorale composed of Brothers of Harmony and Ladies of Melody. He invited the whole chorale to his place in Noveleta, Cavite. He also invited the Luzon Bodies drama group to perform “Aguinaldo and the Hongkong Junta,” a dramatization of how our national flag evolved.

MW Bunda wore his 50 years Golden apron for the first time as he stood with the other Grand representatives to be recognized during the last AnCom in Davao City in 2018.

Like Illustrious Mason Apolinario Mabini, he has not allowed his humble beginnings to be a stumbling block to his reaching the height of success. One thing we are very sure of: where there is challenge, he was made alive.

Now that he has met his Creator, MW Rudyardo Bunda is still very much alive in our hearts.