The Real Authentic Honor is Service Without End To Your Fellowmen
My most Illustrious and Poweful Brothers and Most Worthy Brothers:
I praise GAOTU for this special occasion. I continue to thank
Him for this Fraternity. I thank Him for all of you who have given me
the privilege to serve and lead the SCdG33pF for the last 4 years. More
than privilege, however, I consider it an honor, a great one.
This event, I believe, is unparalleled in the history of our Masonic jurisdiction.
It marks the investiture not only of an honorary title but one that is
characterized and invested in perpetuity. It is a lifetime achievement that
leaves a masonic legacy cast in stone and hopefully in the hearts of the
brethren now and forever.
Beyond gratitude and recognition, the conferment of the title
Soberano Gran Comendador Ad Vitam to MIPB Wilfredo Lalimarmo is
a testament of to all of us and the future generation of masons. More
than a strong pillar, this most worthy of our illustrious brothers born of
true masonic ideals and wisdom is a solid foundation upon which this,
our Fraternity, in this side of the world, is anchored. His leadership in
the past, his utmost dedication and unflinching loyalty, are evidence of
the highest order, the very exemplar and epitome of Hiramabi and King
Solomon. He remains a mortal, weak and imperfect as we all are, but I
salute him wholeheartedly for the highest glory of GAOTU and extend
to him my ABRAZOS FUERTES.
I now come to an equally important point. I step down now as your
SGC. This therefore is my final act. I thank you all for the support you
have shown. GAOTU knows you and your heart. In the measure you
have given, it will certainly be given back to you, and more besides.
Your reward as a true mason and brother to me will be rewarded in the
perfect time of GAOTU.
The storms and tempests I experienced in the past year, the shakes
and jolts, the humps and bumps, only gave me greater wisdom,
therefore, wiser. The human weaknesses and imperfections of some in
our ranks were unwelcome and bothersome to say the least. They served
me well, however, in practicing the values I have learned to live by, both
as a struggling Christian and as a struggling Mason. Reflection and
dwelling on the Word of GAOTU, my mortality, the love of neighbor I
profess, the humility I asked from Him, the patience I have been
pleading for from Him, a merciful and compassionate heart as His, and
seeing to it that the word remains my bond are mostly instruments to
discernment and wisdom, that filled up my heart and soul to overcome
those weaknesses and imperfections I know I have. That kept my
character intact. What others thought of me, my very reputation, did not
matter. By the immutable standards of GAOTU of what is true, what is
fair and what is just, I have been enlightened and guided. And I decided.
In all modesty, I believe that I served and served well, with honor and
dignity. TTGOTGAOTU!
GAOTU is a God of Law, a God of Discipline, a God of Order.
We are governed by rules. Noble ideals pervades us. If we must
put this Fraternity in order, GAOTU wants us, this very House, to be in
order, and we must establish order and exact obedience and discipline
from all, myself included.
In these lights, I end my term as SGC. As I do, I am asking IPB
Rudy Ordiz as the duly elected Lt. Grand Commander of the SCdG33pF,
in the presence of all SGIGs, with SGC Wilfredo Lalimarmo leading and
assisted by PSGC Geronimo Esguerra and GC Felix Ramos, to be
installed as our new SGC for the years 2017-2021 before the Sacred Book.
Salamat sa Diyos, salamat sa inyo. Tres abrazos fuertes. Salud,
Fuerza, Union.
by: SGC Ramon Esguerra
