MY HOMAGE TO THE MASONS

A speech delivered by the Hon. Arthur Dodo Y. Pingoy, Jr., M.D., representative of the 2nd District-South Cotabato and Chairman of the House Committee on Health on the 11th Masonic Multi-District Convention of the Masonic Districts of Southern Mindanao on October 23, 2008 (Awarding Night), 7:00 p.m., Celemas Place, Koronadal City

History will not move us unless it speaks to both the head and the heart.
Worshipful Master Orlando N. de la Cruz, District Deputy Grandmaster Adonos Agreda, officers and members of this world-renowned brotherhood organization, guests, ladies and gentlemen, this is the main kernel of my

thoughts today as I address your assembly once again, as the first was sometime in 2003 during my first term as congressional representative of South Cotabato. I thank all of you for inviting me again to be a part of your assembly.
Ladies and gentlemen, at a time when our nation is about to be gripped by

a debilitating economic recession that now has crawled at the very doorsteps of advanced and wealthy nations and the dreaded spillovers to Third World economies are said to be just a few months away, I remember that way back in 1997, our country was not spared from the world financial crisis. But we rolled, parried and survived the heavy blows. History, and our history, in particular, had always taught us that we are a resilient race, and although we may not be as mighty as the others, we have always survived and withstood the myriad challenges of the times. Here at the homefront, in South Cotabato and in so many other frontiers in Mindanao, our forefathers had unfailingly demonstrated that same spirit. With strength, perseverance and an indomitable spirit, they converted what were once marshlands and barren soil into one of the countrys most fertile plains and valleys. They repulsed all marauders and bandits who comes their way to rob them of the fruits of their labors, ever oblivious of the scorching heat and backbreaking and never-ending toils, so that the lands will be kind and productive for their families to enjoy for many years and for the next generations where we all belong. Indeed, ladies and gentlemen, we need not go far to be both impressed and guided by the many precious lessons of our history. The history of Philippine masonry tells us of the same, but more than that, may I state that it spans far many more decades of selfless dedication and involvement for our country.

I know you know this by heart, but it is of paramount importance that I mention this veritable fact for the benefit of our guests and other friends who are also with us in this momentous gathering. Who would not know Rizal, Del Pilar, Lopez-Jaena, Mabini, the Luna brothers, Aguinaldo and even the revolutionary Bonifacio and many more who were the primemovers of the intellectual ferment and national uprising in 1896 that led to the downfall of the Spanish empire which held us by the throats for more than three centuries? In so many books and schools through time, they are called nationalists and heroes and martyrs. Not many, however, do not know that they are masons and worse, it is not taught that they were the ones who established the first Masonic lodges of the country to respond to the colossal challenges then of the colonial times. No one teaches that publications like La Solidaridad and many other illustrious writings were made by the masons in clamoring for reforms and which would later break the Spanish colonial rule. No one teaches that Bonifacios organizational skills and the secret codes that he employed were copied from the Masonic secret rules and procedures. No one teaches that it was through the masons that the Noli Me Tangere and the El Filibusterismo were distributed among Filipinos here and abroad. The equilateral triangle of our Philippine flag was put there to honor masonry, according to Aguinaldo, who once said that the first Philippine Republic, of which I was its humble President, was an achievement we owe largely to Masonry and the Masons. It is also said that the Philippine Revolution of 1896 was masonically inspired, masonically planned and masonically executed. Truly, our masons who fought and put an end to Spanish tyranny are believers of liberalism and enlightenment. During the American occupation, Claro M. Recto and Jose P. Laurel sponsored a bill for all students to study these banned Rizal books. They were both masons. The man who virtually fathered the public elementary school system in the country was a member of the Sinukuan Lodge. His name is Isauro Gabaldon. He authored and sponsored the Gabaldon Act of 1907 which appropriated a huge

amount of money for the construction of public schools all throughout the archipelago. The first Labor Union, the Union Democratico Filipino, was founded by Isabelo de los Reyes, a mason. In 1902, Dr. Dominador Gomez led the first Philippine Labor Day. Act No. 1818 was passed six years later declaring May 1 Labor Day. Gomez was a mason, too. No one also teaches that we have many past presidents and high-ranking officials of government in all the three branches of government who are masons. Chief Justice Reynato Puno, a few years ago, was a Grandmaster of Masons. At a recent tribute given to him, he said that being a mason is a tradition of his family----his father was a mason, his brother and sons are all masons. Not many know that yours is an institution having for its foundation the practice of social and moral virtues, independence of mind and fearless defense of justice, human rights and democratic principles. In due time, this will be addressed by our educational system to further honor your patriotic and humanitarian legacies as we always learn and value the lessons of history. Let us all find guidance and inspiration to the words of former President Carlos P. Garcia, in a speech before a gathering of masons: I cannot help but take cognizance of the great and noble work which your grand fraternity had done and is still doing for freedom of thought and conscience, for democracy and equality. In our country and in the United States, members of your brotherhood led in the fight for the sacrosanct cause of liberty, equality and fraternity. Four years ago, President Macapagal-Arroyo also said: I learned about your dedication long ago and that is your dedication to the service of others---the very characteristics which are very much needed in our country at this time. The President also mentioned that she is inspired by the values of the masons in reaching out, and that she is calling on all Filipino masons to build a strong Republic together. Truly, masonry is in the heart of great men in our country, and I am certain, history will always move on in our side and in our favor, as long as there are masons like you and as long as your brotherhood will remain strong as before. I stressed earlier that History will not move us unless it speaks to both the head and the heart.

With you and because of you, my dear friends and allies, the masons of South Cotabato and in Southern Mindanao, there is not an iota of doubt that History has always spoken in our heart and minds as it was from the very beginning. #