Dissecting Modern Filipino Masons

Dissecting Filipino Modern Masons (an open and continuous reflection): The path of Masonic Cannibalism By: Ioannes Paulus III, SML 196 Brethren, please consider this as a “brain fart”, a personal observation and reflection, and not a masonic opinion or principle. This can be discarded like a trash in a bin. Two decades and 7 years (fifth year in PT) ago, was an eye opening about freemasonry, upon seeing a college frat Brod branded as “mason”. “Unsa d i ang mason tol?” (Ano ang mason tol?), I asked. The college brod replied, “Professional Frat ng mga may posisyon sa gobyerno, politiko at mataas ang antas sa lipunan”. I was then convinced that I will join masonry. At the age of 25, I was exposed to the inner rituals of masonry after my supervisor asked me to read something which he would answer the questions I read to him. Unknowingly, it was the first degree catechism. I was resolved and asked my late father’s permission of joining Freemasonry and he gave a “yes” by a nod without a word. Papa was a former Roman Catholic seminarian, My late Papa was a batchmate of Bishop Bacani of CBCP before; two years almost should he had not met my mom who was also an RVM (Religious Order of Virgin Mary) novitiate, I would not had been born. The union bore 7 sons, two priests, one another former seminarian. Fast forward, a decade ago, entering masonry was a little bit awkward and excited. Seeing the future brethren as having deep wisdom and understanding about life synonymous to a secluded monk who would understand his surroundings by mere observation. True, freemasonry’s sublime nature cannot fathom the human frailty. My expectations were a failure. True to the fact that the same character of a man who strives to be good. There are flaws, and probably far worst than a non-mason and more cruel than a lion’s wrath when attacking a prey. I have seen the worst among the good and those who strive to be better. They said, a man’s character is not the reflection of Freemasonry, but a man’s bearing and attitude will serve as Freemasonry’s outside view among the common and uninitiated. Some have touched the deepest realm of masonic principles, some have memorized the masonic law book, monitor and rituals that even the sudden sound of a brass or a gunfight cannot erase a single word uttered against fear or flight. True, there are “masonic geniuses”. But it fails the standards of manhood and freemasonry. Our standards and understanding about freemasonry, 90% of us, is as deep as half-filled glass of beer and as a thick as a one page monitor. One cannot teach equality and humility by invoking the teachings of masonry but propagates hatred and prejudice. One cannot invoke our masonic law book to suppress a brother’s masonic view who’s without any masonic references, or to silence a masonic idea for fear of becoming unmasonic against any masonic procedures. We embraced brotherhood, but each time we communicate a brother, there is always this tribalistic reference, as to college frat affiliation or masonic clubs, or the least savage having a lot of “masonic friends” entitles

a masonic influence. While we are taught about masonic titles to be left within the walls of our lodge temples, ironically, we longed to be addressed as Worshipful Master or Very Worshipful that even a guest relations officer in a bar would use the same title. Our culture and our society taught us to be this way; and our acceptance of this masonic behavior becomes the norm a Filipino mason: matibay, mabangis at macho (no better than a college fraternity). We are becoming a lesser brotherhood of man under the Fatherhood of God (if there’s anything left of it for the sake of belief in God). The only thing that is religious in nature is the presence of prayer before and after; without the prayer, ours become no better than any organization, probably worse. We are currently eating our own principles, belief and tenets…. While we constantly parroted our masonic law book, references to masonic writings of Albert MacKey and Albert Pike to sound a more learned master mason, we are destroying the sublime principles of Brotherly Love by hatred, instead of providing Relief, we “choked a brother’s neck”, and the obsession of seeking the Truth usually end up with lies - A subtle form of masonic cannibalism; we tend to feast on a brother(s)’ flaws, and like blue flies go crazy with the rotten flesh oozing with yellow pus. Though we maintain the royal act in our Philippine society, and the royal treatment we get among the communities branded as masons like a Knight in a shining armor, less the Catholics’ brand as evil worshippers…. of whom some of us undergo such metamorphosis of so much “masonic goodness” in the eyes of the brethren that we become a “masonic evil”. If we cannot transform ourselves from being a rough ashlar, Philippine masonry 100 years from now, will be tribalistic, harsh and unbounded. But again, the ability to see good in everything, will replenish that of masonic rules tend to patch-up of what is lacking. If we can silent our minds few minutes in a day, enough to listen the blows of the wind, we would have the chance to see how the grass and the leaves dance…. peace and harmony prevails.