Cable Tows to Catandunganons CIML 291 Much Grateful

By Bro. Angel Albert F. Lamban (291)

The Island Province of Province of Catanduanes also known as the Land of the Howling Winds faced off with five (5) typhoons, Quinta, Rolly, Siony, Tonyo, and Ulysses from October to November 2020, resulting to severe devastation of the Happy Island.

A concerned past Grand Master, MW Santiago T. Gabionza - a dual member of CIML 291 and a native of Bato, Catanduanes, together with VW Michael G. Co - Deputy District Grand Master of MD RV(A) reached out to Past Master Nestor M. Curativo of Catanduanes Island Masonic Lodge No. 291 to know their condition. MW Agapito S. Suan, Jr. having been informed of their plight immediately provided 20,000 php cash assistance to each of the 18 Lodge Brethren (360,000 php) stricken by the calamities.

Thanks to VW Diosdado Melegrito and VW Ariel T. Cayanan, Catanduanes Governor - VW Joseph C. Cua, received 100 sacks of rice and thousands of face shields for his Island constituents. VW Rudy Ong, also a native of Bato, Catanduanes sought support from Alfonso Lee Sin Memorial Lodge No. 158 to extend their cable tow to their Catanduanes Brethren. In response, the Dagupan-based lodge sent out a check amounting to Php 90,000 in February 2021.

The Grand Master intensified his efforts in asking for aid & assistance from different lodges. Bro. Billy Villamor, a native of Panganiban, Catanduanes, and a member of Pinagsabitan Lodge No. 28 asked the following Lodges: Alaminos Lodge No. 428, Malinaw Lodge No, 25, Unity Lodge No. 285, Sierra Madre Lodge No. 181, and Cabuyao City Lodge No. 442, and Order of the Eastern Star. They provided a generator for each brother of CIML 291 and a water purifier. Several Lodges and Organizations responded as well. Sogod Bay 337, Dr. Jose P. Laurel 325, Cupang 295, Isarog 33, Julian Ocampo 146, Mayon 61, Bulusan 38, Ma-Bu-Ti 329, Tabak 436, Masaraga Lodge UD, Traveller’s Tambayan International, NASWI _BAYOTS, Sorsogon Bodies and Central Bicol Bodies provided relief goods, construction materials for housing, medicines, used clothes, blankets, mosquito nets. Through the leadership of WM Aristotle V. Ramos, the brethren of CIML 291 distributed this relief items to their fellow Catandunganons. Truly, the help provided respite and gave hope to the people of Catanduanes as they begin the long and arduous task of rebuilding their homes.

“In these challenging times, the strong gesture of support and commiseration to the brethren of CIML 291 and the Catandunganons will always be remembered.” A grateful WM Ramos said. “Such masonic wages received from our brothers are much appreciated. Truly, the Masonic tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth are evidently alive as seen in the hands of the brethren that are ready to help their fellow brothers in distress….” He added.

Indeed, we the brethren of Catanduanes Island Masonic Lodge No.291 express our heartfelt gratitude to the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, MW Jun Suan, and all brethren whithersoever dispersed.