Masons install new officers

In a ceremony rich in tradition and full of pomp and circumstance, the local chapter of the Masonic movement in the CNMI held its 26th installation of officers last Saturday at the Saipan World Resort.

The Susupe hotel’s cavernous Royal Taga Hall was transformed overnight into a Masonic chamber. The close to four-hour event saw Wilfredo “Boy” G. Ching installed as worshipful master of Emon Lodge No. 179’s Free and Accepted Masons for Masonic year 2017-2018.

Also installed to senior posts were Lito Espino, senior warden; Arnel Metran, junior warden; Romeo Malasarte, secretary; Casiano Bostre, treasurer; and Daniel Banez, auditor.

Malasarte was installed in absentia as he is off-island recovering from an undisclosed medical operation.

Appointed officers that were sworn in were Carlon Eslaban, chaplain; Isagani Benoza, marshal; Wendell Posadas, senior deacon; Joel Subang, junior deacon; Pepe Cristomo, lecturer; Pete Reyes, orator; Saturnino Alciso Jr., almoner; Victor Brana, organist; Joselito Arce, tyler; Val Bolivar, senior steward; and Leo Canedo, junior steward.

Retired generals Juanito B. Vaño, Dennis J. Peña, and Romeo G. Gan and businessman James A Olayvar served as installing officers.

In his message, Ching thanked his fellow Masons for their confidence in electing him. Ching has been a Mason for 25 years.

“With your absolute support to realize our righteous goals, this lodge will succeed despite the effects of the challenging times,” he said.

The previous worshipful master, Pepe R. Crisostomo, thanked his brothers for allowing him to lead them the past year.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served this lodge as a worshipful master and pledge my support to my successor and to this lodge in the continuation of our efforts to achieve our shared Masonic goals,” he said.

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines grand master Voltaire Gazmin, who was the 35th secretary of the Philippines’ Department of National Defense, wasn’t able to attend last weekend’s installation but sent a message, which was read by Danilo E. San Pedro, a past district grand lecturer.

“I cannot underscore enough the importance of your lodge in the propagation of the Masonic light in this part of the world. Your installation ceremony marks your continuing commitment to the ideals of our craft in this little Pacific paradise. This is testament to the universality of freemasonry and shows that indeed in every country and in every climate Masons are to be found,” read his letter.

More than 50 of Emon Lodge No. 179 members’ family and friends attended the installation.