GM Suan Gavels His Closing Words a Mason Compleat

It may sound cliched, but great leaders of history are each finely defined in their character on how they respond to the conflicts of the situation on hand -- the war they are situated in -- through how they inspire courage in their people to believe in their own greatness and overcome in triumph. There has been a war of pandemic ongoing in mortal dimension with so much ruthlessness of enemies unseen confronting the whole of humankind everywhere. Headstrong, this man had, nonetheless, preferred to remain in our country's epicenter to face the crisis head-on, and right there, steered the Grand Lodge of the Philippines onward.

In some peculiar way this man was placed by accident in the middle of it, challenged to serve, rising above the deadly virus disease with quality of style and technology, somewhat just that, in hybrid of virtualcyber contacting and fleshly, face-to-face transaction, with no fire powers, no armaments, and under no material recompense, except the mystic wage of moral satisfaction to perform a duty to his Brethren. This one is beyond the call of duties. With brotherly love, relief, and truth as though the driving forces of his own 'Invictus' the English poet emblazoned in his heart, it can be said this leader succeeded to finish the job, unconquered and unbowed.

He came in, in ascent to the Grand Oriental Chair two years ago, easily getting his bearings on his new role. His initial ingenuous leadership iconized by his almost namesake of this powerful temperate, migratory bird, he gloriously soared up the sky with its fellows in flock of "V" formation, to metaphorize in purport not to build castles in the air, but to project his administration's faithful offerings of what VW Teodoro A. Kalaw IV, SGL terms: "classic lessons on charity, humility and shared value."

This propitious "V" formation, explains our SGL, keenly abhors, and taboos selfcenteredness and arrogance, such that those who are not humble enough to stay in their places during the flight, will be separated and left behind. Very rightly so, he went on with his dangerous journey through the maelstrom, so to speak, not separated, but in wieldy unison with his flock of Brethren.

He themed his flight at first with no idea of the precarious state the country would be in, with "Charity and Humility: Foundations of a True Mason." The bird's significance for self-transformation and the human soul which is the "higher self" in every person, he assumed to fly in allegory like them swans, collectively, to steer his flock of Brethren. The visions of Plato, Aristotle, and later Shakespeare in their respective works and time about character performer exiting a scene after wondrous feats, from where the metaphor 'swan song' itself originated, may have to add this as an enrichment to the significance of the phrase.

He is himself a warm personification of the virtues he has avowed to profess from his bosom. Brethren in Metro Manila who worked with him closely at 1440 San Marcelino grand premises during this extremely defining moment, shared their awing impressions of him.

"I can personally attest to his embodiment of both Charity and Humility which he espouses in his two years stay at the GLP," TCT EiC JH Santiago, no less, confided. "He lives frugally, enjoying simple meals with other GLP officers and staff." He personally attends GLP affairs in his office from Monday to Sunday, except when there are more pressing engagements outside the Plaridel Temple compound. EiC Santiago went on to divulge, his significant sacrifice in his extended term is indulging "to meet everyone" who comes to see him, "even petitioners."

"MW Jun is hardworking, exceedingly kind and accommodating, and also sensitive to the needs of the brethren," his buddy and closed executive aide VW Diosdado "Dado" R. Melegrito, Junior Grand Steward, had these to describe of him. Workaholic and time-conscious, he practices corporate-style of management. He is impatient for results and detests sloppy outputs and delays in works. He is terribly on-the-dot when it comes to appointment. (Yes, I, too, personally had my discomfiting ordeal on this.)

In his hands-on ways, GM Suan has been able to realize wonders for the Grand Lodge in several tangible beautification and physical upgrading and improvements of the halls and its premises. We now have a very conducive educational hall for IMES, and a multi-purpose building is undergoing construction as additional rooms for office and space for lodge meetings. What more, VW Melegrito proudly annunciated, you should try checking in when in Manila: the conversion of the old dormitory to a flashy hotel for traveling brethren and even friends of Masons!

In this very disturbing time, the practice of charity and humility here can be fittingly ratified in their exactitude of essence and meanings in our Craft. From the Grand Lodge of Illinois, one RW Michael H. Shirley opined, "Humility is the act of taking oneself out of the center of the universe and recognizing that others are as deserving of God's love as we are, which is to say, not all."

Not all can be deserving of God's love, RW Shirley could be in his modest contemplation. Broadly, charity means love and kindness. It is God-inspired, God-driven love. Shouldn't we speculative Masons, in the spirituality of our sense of these virtues, profess that we all do equally deserve His love? And, that we should never stop believing this?

In our basic, core humility, we are all on the level, before God. Only He should be in the center of the universe. In the "sentient force" of charity to love others and recognizing others' rights to the GAoTU's infinite capacity to love, sinners or saints, we practice both charity and humility. Just as we give help to one in need, thinking of nothing in return, a brother Mason or not. There has been, since this purity of intentions in our heart, where we were first prepared to become Masons.

In his characteristic devotion for self-introspection, this GM surely found a space to solace on the critical role he was in. Probably, this has been the most defining moment -- a poignant catharsis in our Masonic life -- that we bow down to recall our Obligations as Masons in total submission of humility before the greater altar of His creation. With pure love from our hearts to our fraternal brothers and our neighbors in the greater society, we embrace them in service of their needs they deserve.

Here, Bro. Albert Pike was even wont to be more instructional: "A Freemason should be a man of honor and of conscience, preferring his duty to everything beside, even to his life; independent in his opinions, and of good morals, submissive to the laws, devoted to humanity, to his country, to his family; kind and indulgent to his brethren,