Ben Contreras THE truth is that I didn’t knock on my own volition. I was invited, like many of us who would be willing to admit it anyway. But that should be not reason enough to make us less Masonic, whatever it connotes. And that was 42 years ago when it was mystical to go through the rituals, or so it seemed. Young at 24, I tried to be what it takes to be a Mason, not just by attending meetings and special meetings 100 percent but also by living within the tenets of the Craft, one of which is to make us better men. But the Craft, like life, is not perfect. Along the way, my marriage went awry and ended up in a split. I took a voluntary reclusion, not wanting to drag the name of the Craft. All emblems and tokens associated with the Craft were destroyed except for a small Masonic ring. It became an emblem of a new found love. It was the most challenging years of my life--a broken family, jobless and penniless. It was a time when you get to know who your friends are and a time to face the reality of who among the brethren are true to their oath. After the rain, there is sunshine; after the storm, a clear day. Thrice, I tried to be reinstated but fate had been unkind. As a “consuelo de bobo,” there is such thing as “once a Mason, always a Mason.” Thus, I remained a Mason, wore a ring of the Craft, and still get recognized by many. Yes, my mother is Macajalar Lodge 184 and I was initiated, passed and raised within 30 days and scaled the ladder to the 32nd degree after three months. After two years in active service to the Craft, I went into a self-imposed reclusion for reasons stated above. Watching Brethren who came after me but had risen to the top sometimes makes me wonder what I could have become if... but at the side line, I am proud of my mother Lodge for producing two Grand Masters and another slated for 2019, namely GM Pete Guerzon, GM Peter Limlosuy (who have great achievements hard to equal) and (GM 2019) Agapito “Jun” Suan. On July 15, 2016, Macajalar Lodge 184 celebrated its 50th charter anniversary. A phone call made me an invited guest and I thought, why not? There were as many unfamiliar faces as brethren whom I have not seen for quite a while--Bro. Rene Parilla and Bro. Danny Mendoza among them. Unlike when I was invited to the installation of Bro. Robert Tiu as Master of Macajalar Lodge 184, this time I was more comfortable moving around and mingle with the brethren. Even those who are strangers to me were very cordial. Bro. Henry Ching Tiu took the initiative to get me a T-shirt commemorating the event. Thank you, Bro. I will treasure it. As a Lodge, Macajalar 184 has a litany of great achievements but not without the usual ups and downs any Lodge would encounter along the way. While there would be some who would unwittingly shake its foundation, more would rock the cradle and put the baby to a sound sleep. Without mentioning names, allow me to make this humble suggestion that the Craft put more emphasis on Masonic education. My son told me once that he would like to be a Mason. Since it was for the wrong reason, I said “Don’t.” Congratulations to everyone but most of all, the golden Master Bro. Leoncio Limlosuy. May the tenets of Masonry guide us all to be what we should be.