Hon. Edison Abella, Grand Master of the Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay, led the unveiling of the marker and blessing of the only DeMolay Chapter Room in the Philippines, naming it in honor of Most Worshipful Dad Rosendo C. Herrera, a Past Grand Master of Masons, and a Past Grand Master and Grand Master Emeritus of the Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay, last December 8, 2018 at the Philippine DeMolay Youth Center in Manila.
In his speech, Grand Master Abella noted that December 8th marks the 100th day countdown moving towards the 100th Year Founding Anniversary of the International Order of DeMolay on March 18, 2019, wherein the different Supreme Councils around the world, together with their respective DeMolay chapters and members, will conduct various parallel events to celebrate this significant historical milestone of the Order of DeMolay. He added that December 8th is also another important milestone of the Order of DeMolay in the Philippines, which is the dedication and blessing of the newly repaired, renovated and refurbished MW Dad Rosendo C. Herrera Hall.
GM Abella stated that the Supreme Council would like to honor the man, who is the heart and soul of the Philippine DeMolay Youth Center or PDYC. Dad Herrera initiated and implemented the idea and concept of securing a land donation in perpetuity from the Grand Lodge of the Philippines and, subsequently, raised the needed funds for the construction of the PDYC building, thus, established a permanent home for all DeMolays in the Philippines. GM Abella sincerely thanked Dad Herrera for always sharing his timeless wisdom and important lessons on character development and nation building to our young DeMolay boys.
VW Edwin P. Costes, a member of A. Mabini Chaper, Order of DeMolay, represented MW Romeo S. Momo, Grand Master of Masons, who was the Guest Speaker of the affair. Also, VW Wharton Chan represented MW Abraham N. Tolentino, Past Grand Master of Masons, who formally handed his personal cheque as a member of the Grand Master Centennial Knight under the DeMolay Crusades to MW Herrera and GM Abella.
The affair was also witnessed by Dad Herrera’s family, including Mom Ching Herrera and his children, Brother DeMolay Legionnaire Ramon with wife Ma-an, and Legionnaire Antonio with wife Kathy, and daughters Cynthia and Agnes.
Also present in the affair were the other Grand Line Officers of the Supreme Council, namely: Past Grand Masters Hon. Evaristo A. Leviste, currently the Grand Secretary; Hon. Rodel Riezl S.J. Reyes, currently the Grand Treasurer; and Hon. Victor Antonio T. Espejo; Leg. Adriano B. Durano III, Deputy Grand Master; Leg. Edward Y. Chua, Grand Senior Councilor; and Leg. Michael Francis M. Perez, Grand Junior Councilor.
The following notable dignitaries were also in attendance: MW Jaime Y. Gonzales, Past Grand Master of Masons and Honorary Grand Master, SCOD; Hon. Van Cornelius D. Luspo, Honorary Grand Master, SCOD; Illustrious George L. So, 33o, Grand Secretary General, Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty Third and Last Degree, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry; Sis Eleanor Roque-Redor, Supreme Inspector in the Philippines, Supreme Assembly, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls; WB Jose S. Redor, Deputy to the Most Worthy Grand Patron in the Philippines, Order of the Eastern Star in the Philippines; Brother Chevaliers Angelo A. Mangao, National President, DeMolay Alumni Association of the Philippines; Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu, National Master Councilor, National DeMolay Congress, among others.
Also present were the Jurisdictional and Executive Officers, SCOD; Advisory Council Members of DeMolay Chapters and Knighthood Priories; National and Jurisdictional Officers, DAAP; Worshipful Masters and Master Masons of Masonic Lodges; Sisters from Job’s Daughters and Rainbow for Girls; Senior and Active DeMolays, including the Officers and Members of the other Masonic appendant bodies.
Credits to Bro. Barry Poliquit, Chevalier
