The Cable Tow Reader

When offered the chief position for our jurisdiction’s official publication, we did not accept it right away but humbly asked for time to contemplate on the task at hand and ponder the consequences. Another important consideration is being granted permission by the Approving Traveler Executive for Negotiated Governance (ATENG) - most Masons have One (and only).

As a writer, The Cable Tow is to me a beloved Institution. From the time that we read its Maiden Issue from 1923, it created a deep impact in our masonic journey, guiding this student of History upon the Level of Time. It is indeed a rare privilege to have been given the opportunity to help plot the course of our 97-year old periodical.

Running a publishing enterprise requires teamwork, as such we gathered brethren across our jurisdiction who are known for getting things done while working well with others. They should also have the necessary ATENG clearance. Allow me to introduce the Team behind the pages that is and will be Volume 97 of The Cable Tow:

Our Associate Editor is now on his 2nd Term while simultaneously serving as District Grand Lecturer for Masonic District RX –Bukidnon North. A seasoned writer, this Life Member of Don Camilo Osias Masonic Lodge No. 253 delivers his articles all the way from Mindanao.

The reliable Managing Editor is a pride of Logia Malolos No.46. This Architect’s performance in the East in 2018 helped prepare the oldest Masonic Lodge in Bulacan for their centenary by organizing relevant events and leaving behind a monumental edifice - the Malolos Maso nic Center which was drawn from his Trestle Board. WB Albert’s innovative ideas help extend TCT functions from print to online broadcast. His aesthetic taste can be seen in the pages of our issues.

This is the 4th opportunity that our Art Director lent his time and talents for the publication. Back in 2010 VW Gene ow n ni ht e PLG neC net n lai ogoL D se ngi oC n set .t His work was adopted as the Grand Lodge Centennial Logo in 2012. During his watch as Worshipful Master in 2014, Frank Reed Horton Masonic Lodge No.379 was recognized by the GLP as an Outstanding Lodge (AnCom 2015). Our brother designs the coolestmasonic shirts through his company - FRATSHIRT.

VW Charles has served The Cable Tow before as Managing Editor and Circulation Manager. The advice of this 40-year Master Mason from High Twelve Lodge No.82 is always heeded by the Team. For years now VW Charles has been laboring in the sidelights of most GLP Events by ‘’shooting’’ the Grand Masters with his lens as the publication’s Photo-Journalist.

A year ago, MW Suan issued Circular 9 –appointing all district secretaries as News Correspondents in their respective clusters. To facilitate the collection of Masonic News from the NCs as well as disseminate the latest TCT Issues, the followingbrothers have been appointed as Head News Correspondents (HNC):

VW Anthony leads our TCT Network as Circulation Manager. His efficient and systematic ways helped organized the network, dividing assignments between him and his 7 sub-team mem bers. This PDGL is one of the founders of the FB Group - Guild of Lodge Secretaries and shares his techniques in his column Lodge Secretarial 101.

The National Capital Region has 69 Lodges distributed into 8 Masonic Districts. News Coordination in the region is shared by two indefatigable Masonic figures of NCR namely:

One of the most charismatic Past Masters that have ever travelled from West to East. Kuya Pong’s sincere and simple attitude has endeared him to many as manifested in 2017 during his Installation as Worshipful Master of D apitan Lodge No. 21 which filled the GLP grounds to the last car (on a Monday afternoon).

Kuya Jojo was raised in Island-Luz-Minerva No.5. He is a good coordinator. A medical condition which led to the amputation of one of his legs did not hinder Kuyang Jojo to walk side by side with brothers in distress through Square & Compass We Connect. He is an advocate of bloodletting and blood banking and is the founder of SCWC-based Dugong Mason Program. Yet to be installed as Worshipful Master of Unang Sigaw Masonic Lodge No. 430 due to our current situation, our Worthy Brother has already done much in the lodge that he was called to preside as well as the publication that he was requested to assist.

While we are looking for a Head News Correspondent that will coordinate with 7 of our Lodges in Japan, Korea, Guam and the Marianas Islands, Kuyangs Pong & Jojo shall coordinate with them as well.

With 199 Lodges and 28 Districts, LUZON has the widest distribution of area assignments. To manage a large area, it is sha red among 2 Editors, the Circulation Manager and 3 Head News Correspondents:

Editors JHW Santiago and AC Dumlao shall assist in coordinating for RIII Pampanga and RIII Bulacan East & West respectively, while the Circulation Manager will cover for the Cordillera Administrative Regions of Mt. Province, Kalinga & Apayao; Benguet & La Union as well as Masonic Districts in Region I Pangasinan; Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur & Abra. Also under his scope are Masonic Districts in RIII - Bataan, Tarlac and Zambales.

Kuya Bryan is a former treasurer of Gen. Artemio Ricarte Masonic Lodge No. 322. With business acumen gained from I-Print Labels & Packaging Corp. –a family enterprise, we appointed Kuyang Bryan as TCT Business Manager –coordinating with potential TCT advertisers while doing News Correspondence with Masonic Districts in Region IV Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite West, Cavite East, Cavite Central, Quezon & Marinduque, and Mindoro.

Our enthusiastic HNC from Talavera Masonic Lodge No.273 can deliver the news as it happens and where it happened. His background as a Sports News Writer during his HS days explains his energetic work-ethic and light writing style which he applies to articles collected from five Districts of Region II Isabela North; Cagayan; Isabela South & Quirino; Nueva Vizcaya North & Ifugao; and Nueva Vizcaya South, as well as the four Masonic Districts of NuevaEcijaNorth, South, West, and Nueva Ecija East-Aurora.

A PDDGM from Isarog Lodge No.33, Kuya Erick has two notable traits: his humility and his poetry, both will come in handy within the circle of TCT. VW Butch readily accepted our request to coordinate for the entire Bicolandia which rolls out into the vast expanse of Region V –Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, & Catanduanes unto neighboring Albay, Sorsogon & Masbate.

Kuya Jeff was raised in Dr. Jose G. Hofilena, Sr. Masonic Lodge No. 153 in Pagadian City in 2011. He has recently earned his Past Masters Jewel & Apron from Leon Kilat Lodge No. 437 where he was also its Charter Senior Warden. An active DeMolay Alumni, WB Jedz follows the news beat from his home base in Cebu City and all throughout the 36 Lodges scattered in 5 Visayan Districts.

Our Indian-Filipino brother is an 8-Year Master Mason from Ka gay-an Masonic Lodge No. 385. Bro Goloo serves MW Suan as his Aide-de-Camp since 2017 and at the same time gathers news-worthy stories among the 85 Lodges and 14 Districts in the Mindanao Region which VW Bentulan edits for The Cable Tow. On the side, he assists Ateng in their pastry business in Cagayan De Oro City named SWIRLZ Desserts.

The Office of The Cable Tow is also indebted to its Team Support Group:

One of the new generation of Masons raised atPampangaMasonic Lodge No. 48. Kuyang Doc Louie’s timely and relevant inclusion to our TCT Team as a Medical Adviser prove invaluable as he shares through his articles, professional knowledge relevant during the Pandemic.

Kuya Don is a multi-awarded Kapampangan Artist from Leonard Wood Lodge No.105. With his acceptance of our invitation for him to draw Masonic Cartoons for Volume 97 our TCT pages are now accentuated with Kuyang Don’s Chess inspired concepts as well as his famous Pampanga Comic Strip –The Talibatab Chronicles.

VR Sam has honored the Team in accepting the role of Adviser Extraordinaire. The Hiram Awardee from Noli Me Tangere Lodge No.42 offers years of experience as the perennial Editor-in-Chief for The Cable Tow and The Far Eastern Freemason. His Treasure Trove of insights will surely benefit not just the Team, The Cable Tow office, and the Grand Lodge of the Philippines but Philippine Freemasonry itself.

These Brethren are The Cable Tow Editorial Team for Masonic Year 2020 - 2021, their assignments have been duly placed in their GLP records and they are ready to fulfill their mandate. Kindly extend all courtesies and privileges needed in the performance of their duties and obligations to the publication and the fraternity. With Charity & Humility –we are here to serve.

WB J. Harold W. Santiago, PM

Editor-In-Chief, The Cable Tow