Brethren:

First, let me wish you all a great 4th of July. This day is very special event for the true American in Spirit but also for every Mason who celebrate it in a Masonic way, ever remembering that our own Brothers George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Paul Revere as well as the Mason-Signers of the Constitution were instrumental in making America as great and free as it is today.

As we regularly do it on July 4th, we will be hosting a Breakfast Fund Raising at the Epicenter (8450 Mira Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92126). Brothers Jim Desquitado, Junior Warden and Bill Byous, PM are in charge of this event. Later on, we will  participate in the Mira Mesa Parade with our Masonic Regalia. Other Lodges have expressed intent in joining us. A canopied place which Brother Ron Badua, who secured it last year and this time too by sleeping overnight where we can have a Pot Luck Picnic and Fellowship throughout the day will be available. Your presence and participation is greatly encouraged.

Congratulations to Brother Fidel Medina and Brother Christopher Pineza for their successful conferrals of the Entered Apprentice Degree on June 19. We had 8 first time visitors and several guests from other Lodges. Brother Charles Dustin of Missouri Lodge made a presentation on the Widow’s Son Masonic Motorcycle Club. I am really glad that our rituals are getting more populated and participated in.

We have seen a steady string of Brothers doing their proficiency in the long form and I am immensely impressed. To this I sincerely congratulate them and let us give a big round of applause to: Bro. Dan Macaraeg (M.M. Proficiency, on April 10, 2007)… Simeon Alonzo (E.A. on Nov. 28, 2006, F.C. on  Nov. 07, 2006 and M.M. on June 05, 2007)…Mervin Lansangan (F.C. on May 13, 2007)…Ramon N. (E.A. on Nov. 21, 2006, F.C. on Jan. 9, 2007 and M.M., June 12, 2007) and Kaeo Griffin (E.A. on  June 19, 2007). I would like to take particular attention to Brother Dan Macaraeg who was raised in our Lodge in 1999 and gave his Third Degree some 8 years after. So Brethren I encourage those who have not done their Third Degree Proficiency to do so. You may ask, for what? First, by doing it not only imbed in our minds the rituals we have gone thru and also the benefit of knowing the basic reasons of our conferral of the Degrees. Secondly, after being declared proficient by the Master in the Sublime Degree of Master Mason, you will receive a certificate from the Grand Lodge of California attesting to that.  

On June 9, Brothers Bernie Gapuz, Eddie Isaac,PM, Ed’s wife Sister Marilou and yours truly were at the Covina Masonic Homes together with several Brothers from other Lodges in San Diego and answered the call from Silver Gate Three Stars Lodge to do a Second Degree there as well as host a Luncheon for the residents there. There were about thirty (30) of us including our Brothers’ wives and kids. It was a wonderful trip because we not only got a tour of the Masonic home but also got a lot of information about it. It was our privilege to be with Past Grand Master Roy Henville who was with us during the Ritual and Luncheon and had a good fellowship with everybody.

On June 23, Brothers Dan Macaraeg, Eufre ‘Tony’ Abad, PM, Bill Byous, PM, Gerald Winstanley, P.M. and Chico Alvarez, P.M. and yours truly were at the Point Loma Lodge # 620 to attend the Sublime Degree conferrals on blood-Brothers Igor and Fidel Cepa. Their Father, who is also a Master Mason, journeyed from Brazil to be with his two sons at this very memorable moment. Every body profusely congratulated them on making such a history. Later on, we had Table Lodge ($20.00 per) and Bro. Winstanley, PM  served as the Master of Ceremonies who explain the process of doing a Table Lodge as his wife, Sis Joy, helped prepare food at the kitchen. Bro. Chico, PM was splendid in his role as the Guest Speaker.

On June 24, Brothers Bernie Gapuz, Gene Goldman, PM, Simeon Alonzo, Melvin Lansangan, Fil Garcia, Tony McGill, PM and yours truly were at the San Diego Fair in Del Mar to conduct the Child I.D. Program espoused by the Grand Lodge of California. Brother Tristan ‘Butch’ Poblete pledged to come but could not due to the death of his Father –in-Law. Let us extend him and his wife our condolences. In summary, let us give Brother Bernie a well deserved applause for chairing this full day event. We were able to issue 246 Child I.D.’s to thankful families.  

I would like to commend Brother Arnel Cayabyab,  who was instrumental in forming the Square and Compass Club aboard the ship USS BONHOMME RICHARD whereby encouraging the spread of the Masonic brotherhood. Brother Arnel has always been a big help and support in our Lodge whenever he is here in San Diego. Let us all give him a big hand of applause and support him in this worthy endeavor. You can see a couple of pictures he sent on our website.