THE TRESTLEBOARD

After being sidelined by a pandemic-induced 2-month suspension of Masonic activities as ordered by the Grand Master, DDGM Hossain Shamsoddin Vostakalaei resumed his disrupted visit to the subordinate Lodges of Masonic District RIII Nueva Ecija East and Aurora. And his first official activity after the lifting of the suspension is to visit Model Masonic Lodge No. 373 where he was warmly received and given Grand Honors by WM Dean Barry Lao and members of the Lodge at their regular stated meeting on October 30.    On November 27, DDGM Hossain Shamsoddin Vostakalaei and his entourage travelled to Baler, Aurora to grace the regular stated meeting of Kasigurahan Lodge No. 423 where he presented a P10,000 cash gift each to WM Alfredo Ocampo and WM Sherwin Amatorio of the Manuel L. Quezon Masonic Lodge No. 262 for their respective Lodge Christmas parties. All 8 subordinate Lodges of MD RIII Nueva Ecija East and Aurora received the same cash gift from the District Deputy Grand Master i...

The second Annual District Convention of Masonic District RIII Nueva East and Aurora was convened by DDGM Hossain Shamsoddin Vostakalaei on November 26 at Talavera Masonic Lodge No. 273 with strict health protocols in place including mandatory antigen testing for all attending delegates.    At the Convention, the delegates from the District's subordinate Lodges and incumbent District officers unanimously adopted Resolution No. 01-2021 "supporting the request of Deputy Grand Master RW Johnny T. Pimentel to extend term of office of all elected and appointed Grand Line officers for one year with the caveat that Subordinate Lodges shall be allowed to elect and install their officers for the ensuing Masonic Year". The Convention also unanimously elected VW Emil Andrew Dela Rosa II, a past DDGM of then Masonic District Nueva Ecija South and Aurora, as its official Junior Grand Warden nominee. The Convention was graced by the presence of VW Judge Trese Wenceslao, also a past DDG...

As he turned 43 in the time of the pandemic, DDGM Hossain Shamsoddin Vostakalaei feted his subordinate Lodges to a birthday party like no other, which is virtual and by gifting all 8 Lodges of Masonic District RIII Nueva Ecija East and Aurora with P10,000 each to celebrate with him in a way that is compliant with the current restrictions on mass gathering.      The Big Man of Nueva Ecija East and Aurora is indeed that, soft spoken with a generous heart and a big smile, a humble person who would serve the brethren their drinks in post-Lodge visitation fellowships depsite being the guest of honor, down to earth to the max that few knew that he actually holds a PhD (Doctor of Philosopy) on Educational Management and is in fact the president of the Dr. Gloria D. Lacson Foundation Colleges. Many wondered at his long foreign-sounding name which is a reflection of his Persian heritage --- his father, Engr. Massoud Shamsoddin Vostakalaei (Doctor of Education) was originally from ...

Amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic, DDGM Hossain Shamsoddin Vostakalaei persevered to visit the subordinate Lodges of Masonic District RIII Nueva Ecija East and Aurora to convey the Grand Master's program and message to the brethren,  taking into account the prescribed health protocols of the IATF and Grand Lodge of the Philippines  and bearing the proverbial "wine of refreshment" for the brethren to enjoy after their labors.   JULY 10, 2021: DDGM Hossain with WM Rick Yerro and the brethren of Pantabangan-Bonari Lodge No. 203 at the conclusion of his official visit. JULY 17, 2021: DDGM Hossain is received by WM Ernie Cortez and the brethren of Palayan City Masonic Lodge No. 331 during his official visit.  JULY 17, 2021: The gavel is turned over by WM Edwin Ubungin during DDGM Hossain's official visit to Ang Bagong Bayan Masonic Lodge No. 463 where he proceeded from Palayan City. JULY 23, 2021: WM Prudencio Elegado receives a temple building donation of P3...

After a long wait and several delays due to the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, Allium Cepa Masonic Lodge No. 453 was finally constituted as a regular Lodge in a ceremony that was presided by Grand Master Rolen Paulino at the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. VW Prudencio "Amang" Elegado thus lay claim to what can be a rare achievement of serving as Worshipful Master of four different Lodges --- Nueva Ecija Masonic Lodge No. 73, Zaragoza Masonic Lodge No. 263, Model Masonic Lodge No. 373 and Allium Cepa Masonic Lodge No. 453 --- as he received their charter from the Grand Master with DDGM Hossain Shamsoddin Vostakalaei and the officers of Allium Cepa who were also duly installed in their respective positions. On hindsight, the number 3 which is the smallest number needed to create a pattern and symbolizes the triangle which is an important Masonic emblem is a fitting lucky number for VW Amang and rightly so because it also represents the Trinity of God the Father, God the...

Pursuant to Edict 340-B of Grand Master Rolen Paulino providing for a "Special Communication for the Election of Junior Grand Warden", DDGM Hossain Shamsoddin Vostakalaei convened the subordinate Lodges of Masonic District RIII Nueva Ecija East and Aurora at the gymnatorium of the Dr. Gloria Lacson Foundation Colleges in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija to cast their votes for the next Junior Grand Warden of the Most Workshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines.  The election was held simultaneously across the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines through online and physical voting with MW Pacifico Aniag (PGM) presiding as Chairman of the Election Committee that was convened en banc at the Plaridel Masonic Temple under the autorithy of the Grand Master. After the election was closed, DDGM Hossain presided over the counting of votes cast by the voting delegates of MD RIII Nueva Ecija South and Aurora that were unanimously delivered in favor of V...

DDGM Hossain Shamsoddin Vostakalaei led the brethren of MD RIII Nueva Ecija East and Aurora in remembering the heroism of Bro. Jose P. Rizal on the occassion of his 160th birthday in a simple ceremony that was hosted by WB Rick Yerro and Pantabangan-Bonari Masonic Lodge No. 203. Immediately after the ceremony, DDGM Hossain turned over antigen testing kits to the District's subordinate Lodges to be used in compliance with Grand Master Rolen Paulino's directive requiring mandatory COVID-19 testing before any Masonic meeting or activity. Later in the afternoon, DDGM Hossain and his District officers were officially received by WB Alfred Leonard Domingo at the regular stated meeting of Talavera Masonic Lodge No. 273 to mark his first official Lodge visit.     PHOTO CREDIT: VW Dominador Matias (PDGL)