PGM Suan’s Speech

friend of all virtuous men, and ready to assist his fellows by all means in his power."

All these, he can be. MW BRO. AGAPITO S. SUAN JR., the first Grand Master of Masons in the Philippines to have served two Masonic years after World War II, passed the litmus test of this critical time with flying colors. Up from dire strait in youthful past to finish school and do more than good in business, catapulting in Masonic career through hard work and perseverance under the direction of the Supreme Grand Master, is done with distinct finesse as Grand Master.

He will now be back home to his loved ones for the first time after more than a year since the pandemic set in, in the brink of his original term. His homecoming is deservedly exalted with exceptional, great stories to tell, for sure, unbelieving himself how he did it: accomplishing a job in zero pain and strain of loss beyond the length but within the strength of his cable tow, a Masonic feat compleat. A shining pride of Macajalar Lodge No. 184 and Cagayan de Oro!

AnCom ‘20 – ‘21 had to undergo two reconfigurations because of the surge of covid contagion. Under gloomy clouds of uncertainty and solicitude, nevertheless, activities of the Blue Lodges are gradually coming back to normal all over the grand jurisdiction, except for health protocol of social distancing and use of the face mask.

We are not, as we said, without the puissance to transcend limits.

But the closing sound of the gavel in the East, etched in memory not soon to be forgotten, may only symbolically signal the end of the labors of this outgoing Grand Master jolted by an unprecedented catastrophe in history too odd and, rather, in a manner of expression -- somewhat tectonic in impact to hurdle -- to beckon another year of hardships of a new occupant in the grand chair . . . Under threat of, perhaps, God forbids, even worse for Freemasonry in human lethality.

Congratulations and good luck to you, Most Worshipful Rolen C. Paulino sir!

The following is the transcript of the first speech of MW Agapito S. Suan, Jr. as a Past Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the Philippines.

Thank you very much, MW Reynato Puno, PGM, for that mesmerizing and touching tribute of my services for our beloved Grand Lodge. I am truly humbled and honoured for being bestowed this beautiful ring and jewel. And also to my youngest daughter, Mary, my beautiful and caring angel, for bravely coming and joining me here so she can pin this marvellous and symbolic PGM jewel. While I’m away from home, she was sent by her mom to guard me, to protect me from temptations - from eating so much of the savoury food offered by our brethren.

MW Rolen C. Paulino, GM; RW Johnny T. Pimentel, DGM; RW Don Teng Ramas-Uypitching, SGW; MW Juanito G. Espino, Jr., PGM, Grand Treasurer, MW Danilo D. Angeles, PGM, Grand Secretary, MW Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., PGM, Installing Officer; MW Santiago Gabionza, PGM, Grand Master of Ceremonies; MW Abraham Tolentino, PGM; MW Reynato Puno, PGM, the president of the BGP during my term; MW PGMs, VW Sirs, Worshipful Sirs, Brethren, Sisters, and Guests, Good Afternoon. Ang sarap ng feeling! This indeed is one of the most emotional moments of my entire life. It is a mix of both honor and humility; of both gratitude and relief; of both happiness for the appreciation you have all showed me and, at the same time, sadness, for the realization that all of your support during my term as grand master – all of your kindness, your cheers, and all of your visits to my office – are now but a fond and soon-to-be distant memory. To MW Rolen C. Paulino, our charming and down-to-earth Grand Master, I congratulate you on your ascension to the Grand Oriental Chair. I am confident that you will live up to your rank and position, and serve this grand jurisdiction in the same dedicated manner that you have shown as a very capable

and well-loved public servant of the city of Olongapo. Thank you for finally relieving me of my post. At least pagkatapos ng term mo, dalawa na tayong tatawagin na PPGM - Pandemic Past Grand Master. My congratulations as well, to the other installed Grand Officers. I hope you will all carry on what we have started, and serve our Grand jurisdiction with dedication to the fraternity and honor to yourselves. Let me also express my everlasting gratitude to the following brethren whom I consider as the pillars of our team while serving in the GLP. In my daily office work and functions, I was ably assisted by my set of Grand Lodge officers. You are too many to mention one by one but know that I truly appreciate your help. For brevity, let me just cite my core group: Composed of VW Oliver Yabut, AGS, VW Teodoro Kalaw UV, SGL, VW Dennis Cunanan, COS, VW Diosdado Melegrito, JGS, MW Jun Espino, GT, sina VW Lini Hernando, VW Junjun Gevero, VW Charles Agar, Ronnie Del Beirut, VW Jimmy Pacanan – for they were very instrumental to me and to the Grand Lodge during those two years in office. Also, MW Franklin Demonteverde, MW Boy Aniag, John Narisma, VW Harold Santiago, Joey Villegas, Joey Pangilinan, the IT team, VW Rudy Ong, VW Allan Quebral, and most especially to the Board for General purposes headed by PGM, MW Reynato Puno, and the members, MW Boy Gabionza, MW Peter Lim Lo Suy, MW Jun Ebdane, MW Danny Angeles, MW Pablo Ko Jr, and the late MW Bunda – for their guidance and advise. I can’t imagine myself making it through 2 masonic terms without their unselfish advice and support. Napakalaking bagay talaga ang tulong ng Board for General Purposes. And to the Grand Line officers, District Officers, and members of subordinate lodges, THANK YOU for the appreciation you have all shown me, for supporting my actions, but most importantly THANK YOU for keeping the fire of Freemasonry burning bright in your respective jurisdictions! It has been a thrilling and incredible roller coaster ride, not just for me but for all of us. It has been a journey of both slumber and reawakening of our beloved institution; of both labor and precaution in helping our brethren and our communities; of both discovery and rediscovery of how we conduct ourselves in this post-pandemic world and under the new normal. It has been a journey of both sickness and healing, and the realization that, whatever happens – whatever obstacles, tragedies, or calamities, challenges that misfortune attempts to heap upon us – we are still here. Masonry has survived. We will survive. The responsibilities over a great disaster that our nation in general and our fraternity in particular have faced, fell on my lap at a time when a lot of things are unknown. And for the many calamities that occurred during my time – the Taal volcanic eruption, earthquake in Mindanao, typhoons, floods, and now this COVID-19 pandemic, I hope I will never be known or remembered as the Grand Master of disasters. I just did the best I could during my watch. I saw things that needed to be changed and tried to change them; I saw things that can still be improved and tried to improve them; I saw sagging structures and tried to beautify and strengthen them; I saw infractions by the brethren and tried to correct them; and I saw the Craft about to go dark but tried to keep its flames burning. I just hope that in hindsight, I was right most of the time. And I just wish that in all these, I shall simply be noted as the Grand Master who came through in the midst of great difficulties ever faced by the fraternity in modern times – all because of your support. Last year, everything was already set for a long vacation with my family months before the scheduled AnCom, until the inevitable happened and we had to maintain the status quo in the grand lodge. Despite the limitations and restrictions faced by your Grand Lodge, we tried our best to serve the Craft as best we could, the best way possible. During those times, I firmly resolved to never let the fraternity be overcome by the terrible storm of the pandemic,