GM Suan & DGM Paulino visit newly renovated Capitol Temple

By VW Jonathan Amoroso, PDGL

February 17 - three days after Valentine’s Day, Most Worshipful Agapito S. Suan, Jr., Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Rolen Paulino, and the Grand Lodge entourage consisting of Senior Grand Lecturer VW Teodoro Kalaw IV, Chief of Staff and Illustrious Potentate VW Dennis Cunanan, Senior Grand Steward VW Lini Hernando, Junior Grand Steward VW Diosdado Melegrito, visited the Capitol Masonic Temple (CMT) at No.35 Matalino Street, Central Diliman, QC.

The CMT is being used for Masonic purposes by member Lodges of Masonic Districts NCRE and NCR-F. It stands on a parcel of land, which is wholly owned by Capitol masonic Corporation (CMC), a juridical person partly owned

by the Masonic Charities for Crippled Children, Inc (MCCCI).

Newly renovated through the initiative and leadership of District Deputy Grand Master VW Gerald Alan A. Quebral of Masonic District NCR-F, who gave the grand line a personal tour of the premises. “There are about 35 projects or items of repair and construction that were done so far. The improvements include the installation of water pump and overhead tank system, repainting of key areas in the place. Among the notable works is the construction of the big outdoor kitchen with sufficient kitchen equipment and utensils.” The DDGM said. “We also rehabilitated the dirty kitchen area, making it a better place for fellowship due to the ventilation. The whole of the Corcuera Hall was repainted, refurbishing its furniture and fixtures. Improvements were also made in the preparation room. We also had the ground floor and its mezzanine including the facade and sidewall of this building repainted.” He continued. The visiting brethren also saw the driveway and the parking lot illuminated by solar-powered lighting.

He went on to say, “We had the drainage system thoroughly cleaned to solve the baha problem. The building’s air-conditioning units were serviced as well. Repairs in the whole roofing system addressed the rain leak problems. Sound

proofing devices further improved the airconditioned fellowship room.’’

Moving on with the tour, VW Quebral continued. “The entrances were reconstructed to accommodate PWDs. We cemented this driveway and placed here a mural painting. We believe that this driveway is also a very good fellowship area because of the open air.”

As observed, dilapidated monobloc chairs were replaced with new sets of lifetime chairs as various indoor and outdoor potted plants were brought in to beautify the premises. Close Circuit Television (CCTV) was recently installed all over the premises and new office was even constructed for the incoming Building Administrator.

As stated in Circular 19 of MW Suan, the CMC represented by its President Lucas T. Ty and the GLP represented by MW Romeo S. Momo, executed a Deed of Usufruct on April 22, 2019 granting the latter the full right to the use and enjoyment of the property in accordance with the terms and conditions as set forth in the said document. VW Gerald Alan Quebral has been appointed Building Administrator of CMT with VW Beda A. Epres, DDGM (NCR-E) as Co-Building Administrator, directing both District Deputies to the Grand Master to reorganize the operative and administrative matters of the Capitol Masonic Temple.

Following his appointment as DDGM in 2019, VW Alan Quebral launched various fund raising projects which were originally intended for the construction of an additional lodge hall in CMT- the Filipiniana Hall. This project, in fact, already began and no less than MW Jun Suan attended the Cornerstone Laying Ceremony which took place on August 31, 2019. The construction of the said Hall did not materialize when the intended project did not get the nod of the Capitol Masonic Corporation - the owner of the CMT lot, which suggested that the proposed hall be built on another site within the CMT. VW Alan Quebral explained that, “The reason why we have planned to build a bigger lodge hall is because of the small size of the Corcuera Hall. If we accede to their suggestion to build the new lodge hall on top of the fellowship area, clearly it will not address the problem of size.” At present, CMT houses Masonic District NCR-F with 9 lodges and 1 lodge under dispensation, and Masonic District NCRE with 10 lodges and 1 U.D. And so, with these developments, MW Jun Suan shelved the entire project altogether.

As MW Jun Suan and RW Rolen Paulino inspected the newly renovated areas in the CMT after their arrival, they joined the Brethren and the Atengs in outdoor fellowship. RW Rolen Paulino even went to each table of the brethren saying that one’s position in the Grand Lodge is not really a block to maintain the closeness in the brotherhood, rather, it should be a bridge to hold them together. Renovation started in June 2020 and was finished 8 months later just in time for the Grand Master’s Inspection in February 2021. The Project cost more than 1.5 Million Pesos.

In his speech, VW Alan Quebral expressed his thanks to the lodges and brethren who supported the project and professed that the success of the undertaking was a product of the collective efforts of those generous and selfless men who dedicated their time and resources just to make CMT reflect the honor and dignity of Freemasonry which have long been basically and his-

torically equated with its name. He conveyed his appreciation to the following: DDGM of MD NCR-E VW Beda Epres, Bro SW Michael Feliciano, VW Ronald Fabian, VW Michael Benipayo, VW Juel Roldan, WB Willy Manahan, WI Neal Panaligan WM Jun Mago, WB Russel Valdez, WB Marvin Urmenita, WM Rhoan Purugganan, WM Boy Lopez, VW Sammy Trabajo, Bro JW Jerwin Bejec, Bro Arman Navales, Bro Richard Loo, Bro Jun Caloagan, and mural artists Ms. Tricia & Ms. Charlotte.

The next part of the program was for the brethren to offer a bouquet of flowers to their partners. It was a day where literally, love was in the air and equally significant, it was a testament that even if a door is sometimes closed to stall a worthy plan, unwavering souls would find new windows so that despite the odds, they could continue to offer their labors and services for the benefit of the many.

Just a few minutes earlier, and looking at the brighter, cleaner, homier, and “more decent” Capitol Masonic Temple, a brother joked, “Mahihiya ka na mag-mura dito.” Another brother replied to him in jest, “Hindi na talaga pagmumura ang dapat gawin dito sa CMT, pagmamahal na lang.” And these words were right. Brotherly love should prevail in any Masonic Temple as well as in every place where there are masons.

Circular 19-A of MW Suan states the New Rules and Regulations for the newly renovated Masonic Center. Among them are the mandates of the Co-Building Administrators, New Rental Rates / Fees, Policies against Smoking, Littering, and Vandalism including Sanctions and Penalties. The said rules have been in effect since January 1, 2020.