Inaugural Message
WBJoel P. Libertino
ScottishRiteTemple, 1828 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila
February 27, 2014

Very Worshipful Sirs, Worshipful Sirs, Brethren, Sisters, Guests and Friends of Masons, good evening!

On behalf of St. John’s- Corregidor Lodge # 3, F&AM, I would like to thank you all for gracing this momentous occasion, the 107th Public Installation Ceremonies, of the elected and appointed officers of our Lodge for the ensuing Masonic Year 2014.

I also offer my deep gratitude to VW Isaac B. Arribas III PDGL, VW Elmer D. Garcia PDGL, and WB Zidney G. Zamora PM, for your willingness to be our Installing Team in today’s Installation Ceremonies. It was a job very well done. Brethren and Guests, how about a round of warm applause for all of them!

To our immediate Past Master, WB Billy De Guzman and his officers, you really did a great job. Well done, Worshipful Sir! It was indeed a wonderful year. With that, I offer you my sincerest and warmest congratulations!

I also would like to thank those outside the walls of the Craft. They are so near to my heart and their presence here tonight makes my installation all the more memorable. To my precious partner in life, my sweetheart, Yolly my two treasured sons – John Miguel and Ian Allyson; my darling daughter Jewel Vienne; my cherished mother Virginia; my dear Auntie Josephine, brother Jericho and sister Juliet; and close cousins Roy, Mariz and Hanzel. You have supported me with endless love and indulgence in my pursuit of serving the Craft. I cannot thank you enough, for your kindness and sacrifice.

At this point, I would like to personally acknowledge and thank, a select few, who made my life as a Master Mason, very meaningful.

● I thank WB Emerson Manibo PM. When I first knocked at the door of Freemasonry, five (5) years ago, he was the first Master Mason I met who belongs to this Lodge. He endorsed and signed my petition form. Yes Brethren, he patiently and unselfishly taught me many Masonic practices and usages, its Catechism and Rituals.
Truly, he imparted to me countless ancient wisdom with great affection. He will forever remain to be my mentor, and my source of inspiration. Salamat, Worshipful Sir!

● To Very Worshipful Ike F. Arribas and Very Worshipful Cris M. Fernandez, maraming salamat din po! You, my great Brothers, remain to be the strong pillars of our honorable Lodge. Your attendance and wise counsels have always been exemplary. You are a great source of Masonic knowledge and information. Fellow Brethren, I urge you to emulate Kuyang Ike and Kuyang Cris.

● To Very Worshipful Elmer D. Garcia PDGL, WB Sherwin SJ Enriquez PM, and WB Perry Espana PM: I thank you, too, for your invaluable assistance to me so many times during the last few years. You have always been a voice of sound reason especially in this Lodge. I know that the best interests of the Lodge are always foremost in your minds. As you have a much firmer grasp on the workings of the Craft than I, surely I will seek your advice and support from time to time this Masonic year.

● To all the elected and appointed officers, as well as the heads of the several Lodge Committees, who have agreed to serve with me, I thank you in advance for accepting your individual tasks. I count on you guys!

In February 2009, I submitted by petition for Masonic Degrees. After sometime, on August 27, I was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. It just occurred to me a few nights ago, that it was in February, and it was a 27th. Wow! That to me is symbolic because today is a February and a 27th — my installation day as Worshipful Master!

Brethren, I never imagined that the Master’s Jewel would hang on my honored shoulders someday. The Gavel, the symbol of authority, is now at my disposal. And the Master’s Hat is upon my head. Truly, these are marks of distinction that I, your Brother Mason humbly receive!

I am deeply honored and very thankful, for the trust and confidence you have reposed in me. I would like to assure you, that I shall be diligent and vigilant, in the discharge of the many important expected duties and responsibilities as Worshipful Master. I will perform the same to the best of my abilities.
In all humility, I seek to serve, and to serve well, with you as my support.
Brethren, I need your attention and assistance, to put to life the Masonic theme for this year: “Strive to Live the Masonic Values”.

Freemasonry’s mysterious language is hidden in symbols and allegories. We have (1st) the Book of Holy Writings, (2nd) the Lambskin Apron, (3rd) the Twenty-Four Inch Gauge, (4th) the Common Gavel, (5th) the Level, (6th) the Plumb, (7th) the Square, (8) the Compasses, and (9th) the Trowel. These working tools represent the values and teachings of Freemasonry.

Freemasonry is a Fraternity, working as a Brotherhood of Men, under the Fatherhood of God, with the Book of Holy Writings, as the rule and guide of our Faith. Masonry reminds us to aid and assist all poor and distressed worthy brother Masons, including their widows and orphans.

Would you believe that real men wear aprons? The working men of the operative masons wear aprons. Why do Masons wear apron? The beautiful lesson of the Lambskin Apron is an ever-present reminder of an emblematical or unblemished purity of life, a never ending argument for nobler deeds, for higher thoughts, for purer actions, and for greater achievements among others.

Freemasonry teaches us of the Twenty-Four Inch Gauge, where we are taught to value a balanced life by dividing the day into three equal parts: (1st) to find time for the service of God and a distressed worthy brother, (2nd) to take part for our usual vocation, and (3rd) for refreshment and repose.

The Common Gavel instructs us to value discipline by divesting our hearts and minds, of all vices and superfluous activities in life.
Masonry likewise reminds us of the valuable lessons of the Instructive Tongue and the Faithful Breast. It teaches us Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice. It builds in us Faith, Hope and Charity.

Freemasonry tells us to meet on the Level – to practice equality by being fair and just; to act upon the Plumb – by walking uprightly before God and Man, having rectitude of conduct in mind; and to part upon the Square- by being rational, impartial, fair-minded and respectful. The Square is also the symbol for Morality.

The Compasses guide us to temper ourselves, to circumscribe our desires, and to subdue our passions within due bounds.
Another symbol of Masonry is the Trowel, by which we are taught to spread the cement of brotherly love and affection. It binds us to become one sacred band that identifies who best can work and best agree.

Brethren, Freemasonry will not outlive its usefulness and relevance. The world needs us now. Therefore, let us do our share by marching an extra mile. Let us give Masonry a new lease of life through a united effort, in applying its moral and spiritual teachings. Let us amplify its good features with added vigor. Let us put meaning and values back to where they rightfully belong. The search for meaning continues in an expanded effort, to inculcate once more the basic acceptance and appreciation of the good things about Freemasonry in our daily lives.

Let us internalize and apply Masonry’s wonderful teachings! A good Grand Master wisely once said that, “By our acts shall Masonry be judged”! Truly, internalization, not only by precept but by example, is what is required of us. For what good are the lectures and teachings imparted to us if they will simply remain as such — lectures and teachings.
Our Masonic life is not about complacency, or inaction. It is about the journey of being the best person we can be, and being there to make people happy.We were even told to do good to everyone without any expectations nor rewards. If we could help, just remember the old proverb which says, “Fragrance always remains in the hand of those who distribute roses”.

To the Brethren of this Lodge, the Worshipful Master lighting a single candle can brighten a Lodge Hall, but a dozen or more, can illumine the World. I pray that we will keep the faith, and the spirit ever strong, and the Masonic Light to shine bright as ever. We can all work together in the building of the Temple not made with hands, but eternal in the Heavens! We can Dream, Think and Act together, my Brethren!

While our dreams may not necessarily be the same in every way, again I am sure, we have long dreamt together toward a lofty and universal Dream. We can all march and work together, and leave footprints of unity toward those common dreams, and put behind those that tend to divide and destroy.
Yes, we can Think as one big solid family of Masons with a commonality. But more importantly, we can Act, and move forward in unison as good Brothers, and as true Masons of the Craft, a must for humanity!

Surely you will agree that you cannot plough a field by simply turning and tossing it over in your mind.
Let us speak well of, act, and stand by the institution we revere so much. The opportunity for improvement, and the greater hope, of a brighter tomorrow remain with us. The serious responsibilities of providing that positive, impending and brighter next-day depend on us all.

So, let there be no question that what we do today, dictate the outcome of all things to come, for the betterment of the Craft. We shall be responsible and accountable for the choices we make. Yes, my Brethren, the choices, and not the chances we take, will determine our success as well as our future.

Let us be Champions of our Craft, by working under the banner of our Masonic theme: Strive to Live the Masonic Values. Let us accept that our lives as Masons are not necessarily a matter of milestones or successes, but of precious, intrinsic and spiritual moments. So, let us not try merely to be a man of success, but rather, try to be a man of value.

Brethren, let us stand tall with integrity, sincerity and loyalty. Let us be just and true in performing the sanctions found in our Obligations. Surely, there is no greater happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something worthwhile for our fellowmen.

Let us, harmonize so that when the day is done, we may enjoy a silent smile, a deep sleep, and peace of mind knowing that as Master Masons, we are truly Men for Others.

Masonry is a way of life. A bell is not a bell until we ring it. A song is not a song until we sing it. And our Fraternity is not Masonry until we live it.
Ring the bell, sing the song, and live our life with a purpose as true Masons! Strike a chord and bark back!
So, Brethren, hear well, and arise! Strive to Live the Masonic Values!

Again, my dear Brethren, I humbly ask you to stand by me as your Worshipful Master, and to support my thrust programs. Regarding our Masonic theme, “Strive to Live the Masonic Values”, let us collectively consider and motivate each other, and by its dictates, strive to regulate our conduct for the greater glory, not only of our revered Lodge, but of the Craft in general.

On behalf of the Officers and Members of St. John’s-Corregidor Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., Maraming Salamat at Mabuhay Tayong Lahat!