THE TRESTLEBOARD

Amidst strict health protocols that included a mandatory COVID-19 antigen test for all attendees, Grand Master Rolen Paulino presided over the joint turn-over ceremony of Masonic Districts Nueva Ecija East and Aurora, Nueva Ecija South and Nueva West at the Crystal Waves Events Center in Talavera, Nueva Ecija.    By receiving the District Symbol from outgoing DDGM Rhomel Martinez, incoming DDGM Hossain Shamsoddin Vostakalaei formally assumes the responsibility of steering Masonic District R3 Nueva Ecija East and Aurora in complying with the Grand Master's theme of a "Clear Vision of Masonic Harmony" while guiding the District in adapting to the realities of the "New Normal".    The appointed Grand Lodge Inspectors for the three Masonic Districts were also installed after the formal turn-over including the following Grand Lodge Inspectors for Nueva Ecija East and Aurora: VW Fitzgerald Hierco for Pantabangan-Bonari ML No. 203 VW Artemio Valenzuela Jr. for Manuel L

On 29 May 2021, DDGM Hossain VC Shamsoddin Vostakalaei performed his first offcial function as the District Deputy Grand Master of Masonic District Nueva Ecija East and Aurora by hosting MW Rolen C. Paulino, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines, as he presided over the Rite of Constitution of the Ang Bagong Bayan Masonic Lodge No. 463. The ceremony was held at the Model Masonic Lodge No. 373 Masonic Temple in Baloc, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija where VW Edwin B. Ubungin was also duly installed as the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge together with its elected and appointed officers. The brethren's dream to establish a Masonic Lodge in the town of Llanera that was first conceptualized in September 2017 was thus realized, after overcoming several challenges, and amidst the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.     PHOTO CREDIT: WB Dean Barry Lao of Model Masonic Lodge No. 373