Lodge Activities
Kagitingan Lodge always has an active program of Lodge business, Masonic education, community projects, and social events.
Our activities in 2007 are outlined below (see Lodge History for details of activities
in other years).
Kagitingan Lodge: Review of the Year 2007
Officers and Members
The 19th Public Installation of Officers for 2007-2208 was held at the Philippine Navy Officers' Club,
Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on 10th February 2007. In the group photo (above) the Guest of Honor,
Group Captain R. M. Bailey (RAF) is seen in the exact centre of those seated, with Grand Officers,
newly-installed Worshipful Master Richard Stutely (left of center), other officers
and members.
During the 2007, eight candidates were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.
Attendance and participation of members continued to improve, and the finances of the Lodge continued to strengthen
(the bank balance of the Lodge tripled). As at December 2007 we have fifteen potential new members on the trestle board.
GLP ANCOM and District Activities
Kagitingan Lodge is active in its support for Grand Lodge of the Philippines and the Masonic District NCR-G in which
the Lodge operates.
We were well represented at the 91st Annual Communication (ANCOM) in Clark Field, Pampanga 26-28th April 2007,
at the DDGM Turnover Ceremony and Installation of GLIs on 7th May 2007,
at the Masonic NCR District Convention on 17th November 2007,
and at more than 20 other District Council Meetings and events in 2007.
Fundraising
In 2007 we funded most of our community projects through sponsorship and joint ventures, although in many
instances our own members and petitioners made donations or directly-enabled some activity or sponsorship. Our heartfelt
thanks are due to everyone who helped us.
Special thanks are due to our Junior Warden Wilson Amper for his outstanding work collecting donations, and to
the MFLMMADRIGAL Foundation, Strength and Support Charity, Inc, Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Inc, Frank Attwood
and many more. Please take a moment to view this more-complete
list of sponsors and donors – without
them we would not have had the great year that we had.
Community Projects
In keeping with the teachings of Freemasonry, our lodge is always involved in a large number of community
projects. Our activities in 2007 are summarized below (click images to view photo galleries)
Blood Donations
On 6th March 2007 we conducted a rewarding blood letting at NCRPO, Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City in cooperation
with NCRPO and the Rotary Club of Quezon City South West.
More than 400 police cadets, Masons, and friends of Masons were screened by the Philippine Red Cross. 111 were accepted and collectively
were able to donate 60 liters of blood.
This activity contributed to a worthy cause and helped promote good relations between Masons and the community.
It was filmed by and reported beneficially on local television news.
Tree Planting
On 19th May 2007, members of Kagitingan Lodge with their families met for breakfast at 7am and then proceeded to La Mesa
Watershed in Quezon City where they planted 100 mahogany seedlings. Among other things this helped:
- Support La Mesa Project for reforestation
- Conserve and develop our natural resources
- Set a modest example for the community
- Teach our children about the environment
- Provide an enjoyable experience for us all
Humanitarian Mission
Kagitingan Lodge held a very successful Humanitarian Mission in Barangay San Martin de Porres,
Parañaque on 25th November 2007.
The Mission was a joint venture organized by Kagitingan Lodge and Strength and Support Charity. Other major sponsors included:
- The Philippine Army HHSG - five dentists and dental assistant
- Parañaque City Mayor's Office and Parañaque City Health Office - two doctors, a dentist, a nurse and a midwife
- Barangay Captain Thelma Singson - premises and organizers
- Nestle Philippines - milk products
About 40 members of Kagitingan Lodge and their families participated together with more than 30 other volunteers.
During the Mission we:
- Provided free medical and dental treatment to 300 indigenous people, mainly women and children
- Donated over 3,500 antibiotics, analgesics, vitamins, and other medicines
- Donated 125 lidocaine anesthetic carpules, 100 sterile gloves, face masks, etc for use of the dentists
- Distributed food parcels to 100 families
- Gave clothing to dozens of people
- Fed 80 people with snacks and lunch on the day
Relief for Sick Children
Kagitingan Lodge's Relief for Sick Children project began as a quest to save the life of Dominador Noche, Jr., a
ten-year old boy with leukemia. His father died of a heart attack on 15th October 2007. His mother did not even have the
jeepney (bus) fare to take Dominador to hospital in November. She certainly did not have the ability
to pay for blood or medicines.
Dominador has to spend at least three days every month at the National Children's Hospital. He must have a
transfusion of three units of blood every month, and of course he needs medicines and special care.
On 4th December 2007 two brothers from Kagitingan Lodge together with a friend of Masons donated blood, and
other brethren and supporters donated funds, so that Dominador was admitted for emergency treatment. We
also started to establish a rosta of three blood donors a month.
At the time of writing, we believe that we have a charitable foundation which will take over this case and provide
Dominador's monthly blood transfusions, medicines and treatment for the rest of his life.
While investigating ways to help Dominador, we also able to provide life-saving medicines for two other children:
Christian Gallo who has rheumatic heart disease and Edwin Benito, Jr who had a blocked intestine.
We hope to be able to provide on-going relief for sick children.
Help for Bahay Ni Maria Home for Women
This project of Batong Buhay Lodge No 27 was designed to provide help for the Bahay Ni Maria home for
abandonded and aged women. The project was adopted by Masonic District NCR-G
and funds originally earmarked for the District Christmas Party were instead dedicated to this worthy cause.
Kagitingan Lodge donated P5,000 for essential supplies, and a further P10,000 on the day to pay for urgent roof repairs.
Gift Giving: National Children's Hospital
On 22nd December 2007, Kagitingan Lodge conducted a Gift Giving at the National Children's Hospital, E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue,
Quezon City. Organized by the Lodge and Strength and Support Charity, the principal sponsors were:
Blue Horizons Travel and Tours, Inc and Mr Frank Attwood.
We visited all the wards in the hospital and distributed festively-wrapped gifts to all the patients:
about 200 mainly-indigenous children from all over the Philippines. They are suffering from serious medical and
surgical conditions which cannot be treated at community hospitals.
The hospital is seriously short of funds, and in need of even simple equipment such as an x-ray machine.
Gift Giving: Parañaque Community Hospital
On 23rd December 2007, Kagitingan Lodge conducted a Gift Giving at Parañaque Community Hospital, Quirino Avenue,
Parañaque. Principal sponsors were Ms Rosana Co and Strength and Support Charity.
We visited all the wards in the hospital and distributed food, fruit, and useful gifts to all patients (the indigenous sick
from Parañaque), plus many of the medical staff, janitors and other employees.
Special thanks are due to Sis Lourdes Stutely for many hours spent wrapping presents.
Games and Gift Giving
Kagitingan Lodge held Games and Gift Giving (palarong Pilipino para sa bata, dalaga, binata at matanda)
on 26th December 2007 for about 50 indigent residents
and children in Palar Village on the border between Makati and Taguig City, south of the C5 road.
Heavy rain may have prevented the games from taking place outside, but it didn't dampen the party atmosphere on the day.
One of the residents later told us "You have made everyone so happy. Thank you all so much".
Lodge Social Events
Family Day at Eco Park
The Kagitingan Lodge Family Day at Eco Park, La Mesa Dam, Quezon City on 19th May 2007 was well attended by
over 60 members and families.
Lunch included lechon and many other delicacies. Activities included swimming, children's playgrounds, fishing,
boating, nature trail, butterfly house, orchidarium, flower terraces - and, of course, relaxing with friends
in a beautiful natural environment.
Lodge Anniversary
Past Masters' Night; Ladies' Night
We celebrated the 18th anniversary of Kagitingan Lodge No 286 on 12th June 2007 with a well-attended dinner and dance.
We also honored our Past Masters and Ladies. Click the image (right) to see some of our beautiful sisters
whose presence gave the night sparkle, and some of our Past Masters who helped build the wonderful Lodge which we share today.
Christmas Party
Our Lodge social events for 2007 were rounded off by a successful Lodge Christmas Party on 8th December.
It was attended by about 90 members, sisters and children. The program included dinner, children's games, a raffle,
exchange gift giving, dancing to a band, singing, and generally celebrating the festive season.
Our sisters were fully involved in the Party, and several of them helped organize the occasion and were active
buying and wrapping raffle prizes, and running the children's games, the raffle and the gift exchange, etc.
Special thanks are due to (alphabetically) Sis Imelda Amper, Sis Fatima Arias, Sis Carina Diapana,
Sis Judith Reyes, Sis Lourdes Stutely and Sis Kate Tayko.
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