SHORT TALK OF JMC-HL-8 CHRISTENING

May 7, 2010

WM, VW Carlos R. Ruiz, DDGM Dist. NCR-D, MW & Chief Justice R. S. Puno, PGM, Rev. and VW Samuel P. Fernandez, WB Brother Hiramites, Brethren All:

            Of my 42 years as a Hiramite, and my 20th year as Secretary of our HL-88, this is the happiest moment as a Hiramite. It was my long dream that our lodge should be one of the most harmonious, most proficient, and most progressive in our district if not in the whole jurisdiction; and lastly to have our own place- a descent office we can call our own; today my latest dream is fulfilled. To have our own HL-88 Office!

            Six or seven years ago, when the new GLP Bldg in front was constructed, the Incumbent MWGM Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr. then wrote  a letter to all Lodges but especially those lodges having their SM at the GL Bldg to come with a donation to have an office of their own. The plan of that bldg was a four story bldg. Very few responded, HL-88 responded and we wrote a 700 thousand pesos check, and through the guidance of late Bro. Benjamin So Si Hok, the Architect of that Bldg., we selected one office room in the 3rd floor very near to the comfort room- as the plan has only one common comfort room per floor of the bldg. But only the Order of Amaranth was able to give their share on time. Our 700 Grand, was given late because our Gencom can’t decide as yet at the time and when we finally released our check, the bldg plan was reduced to only two floors and our check was returned but only after six five months.

            That was 5 or more years ago. Last Masonic year, our IPGM, MW Peter Lim Lo Suy was so energetic in the improvement of the GL Bldg and its premises. He needed money to support his projects. I sent an emissary, WB Ringo Puno, then followed by WB Raymond W. Lee, both PMs to offer a P500,000.oo assistance to the MW GM coffer for his GL improvement, provided they will allocate the room in the 2nd floor in either side adjacent to the cabletow office which nobody are using. But we were informed that this could not be possible for the GL office will have an expansion, using the whole of 2nd floor as the GL offices. The MW GM told us to look for some place within the bldg. We saw the ground floor entrance in the Gen. Luna Side but very expensive to construct a mezzanine floor, and that it will cover the rear window of the Grand Secretary’s office, besides that when the entrance of this bldg is reactivated at the Gen.  Luna entrance, our office will be demolished.

            Until, WB Raymond and VW Enrique Y. Co, the confidante of the IPGM saw this place, the rear of the JASantos Hall, that during the time was full of dirt, the previous dormitory  full of garbage, that this office was being used as the SG Quarters but too much dilapidated, electric wires intermingled susceptible to fire, the flooring already burned due to the cooking done by some occupant of the dormitory, the two toilets are dilapidated with broken toilet bowls, and in short- this place is not worth to be a part of the GL Bldg.  This HL-88 offered to renovate, but requested the IPGM that we will used this place as our office. Many more happening during negotiations did happened, but due to our emissaries these became easier. We spent 396 Grand on its total improvement, and to include all the things purchased you now see here, plus the computer that will be soon delivered, cost us much less than the 500 grand offered in that room beside the cabletow office and in addition to that, we still have our own comfort room. Brethren this is the history of this office. Now we can call our own. But we have to pay rent here even though we renovated it. The rent is costly, and we hope that our MW R. S. Puno, PGM can assist us to get a good discount. I already wrote a letter about it, but the IPGM did not decide on it and he throws it to the GL Corporate Board of which we know MW & Justice Reynato S. Puno is the Chairman.   Brethren,  Cheers! For our new Office!

                                                                                    BY: JULIO M. CABALI, PM

                                                                                                   Secretary