THE TRESTLEBOARD

For a while, Model Masonic Lodge No. 373's 15th installation rites hang in the balance as the Omicron Variant made its presence felt but in a display of resilience and brilliant adaptation and with the guidance of its Past Master's Council, WB Wilfredo Pagay and his officers for the ensuing Masonic year were duly installed into their respective offices by VW Installing Officer Val Santos (PDDGM) with VW Master of Ceremonies Rhomel Martinez and VW Assistant Master of Ceremonies Aquilino Valino Jr. (PDGL).  With the incoming Secretary down with COVID-19 and three more of the brethren testing positive during the mandatory pre-meeting antigen testing including outgoing WM Dean Barry Lao, a decision was made to shift to a Tyled installation form with just the Lodge's members who have tested negative participating. Thus was how WB Wilfredo Pagay established some sort of record by occupying the Oriental Chair as mandated by his obligation as Senior Warden, presiding over the recep...

As the Omicron Variant surged, DDGM Hossain Shamsoddin Vostakalaei led the subordinate Lodges of Masonic District RIII Nueva Ecija East and Aurora in remembering the 125th year of Bro. Jose P. Rizal's ultimate sacrifice with strict health protocols in place. The event was held where else but in the Municipality of Rizal that was named after the National Hero and hosted by WB Ricardo Yerro and the brethren of Pantabangan-Bonari Masonic Lodge No. 203.   After feting Kuya Pepe, the attending Three Lights of the District's 8 subordinate Lodges proceeded to the Masonic Temple of Pantabangan-Bonari Masonic Lodge No. 203 for their proficiency examination which is a required for their installation as the Worshipful Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden of their respective Lodges. The examination was presided by PDDGM VW Rhomel Martinez under the guidance and authority of DDGM Hossain Shamsoddin Vostakalaei who presented the certicates of proficiency to each officer who passed both w...

As the pandemic eased, Ate Jasmin Shamsoddin Vostakalaei and DDGM Hossain treated the much better halves of the Worshipful Masters and officers of Masonic District RIII Nueva Ecija East and Aurora to a sumptuous pre-Christmas dinner at the Waves Bar and Grill in Cabanatuan City where the chilly December breeze was tempered by an abundance of premium whisky, luxurious cognac, anejo tequila and Australian wine that was enjoyed as well by their accompanying Kuyangs.   The dinner was originally intended by Ate Jasmine to celebrate her birthday last September with the spouses of the District's officers as a way of getting to know the ladies behind the Kuyangs, and promote friendship and camaraderie among the First Ladies of Nueva Ecija East and Aurora. The pandemic, however, got in the way with the suspension of Masonic activities in the August-September period.  And indeed, the Atengs enjoyed every moment and every nibble of the generous Charcuterie Board stand that accompani...

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...