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Meridian Lodge # 268, Km 123 Roman Hiway Central, Balanga (2026)

10/08/2026

Happy Birthday, WB Roy Allan "Boss Jim" Manago.
On this special day, We're wishing you another wonderful year of traveling the level and squaring your actions. Thank you for your steadfast fellowship and the light you bring to our Craft. May the Grand Architect of the Universe grant you good health, prosperity, and joy in the year ahead.

09/08/2026

Happy Birthday, WB Almario Sto. Domingo.
On this special day, We're wishing you another wonderful year of traveling the level and squaring your actions. Thank you for your steadfast fellowship and the light you bring to our Craft. May the Grand Architect of the Universe grant you good health, prosperity, and joy in the year ahead.

08/08/2026

Small Brother, Big Responsibility
WB Mark Joseph “Popet” Baluyot

“Sasali po ako.”

“Sige, ikaw ang taya.” 😂

I still remember that conversation like it happened yesterday.

’Yan ang unang narinig ko noong unang beses akong tumuntong sa Meridian Lodge.

Akala yata nila bata lang akong gustong makipaglaro.

Looking back now, natatawa na lang ako.

I was only 21 years old when I knocked on the doors of Freemasonry. Bata pa talaga ang itsura ko noon—and to be fair, sabi nila hanggang ngayon naman daw. Dagdagan mo pa ng height ko, kaya kapag bumibisita ako noon sa ibang Lodges, madalas akong mapagkamalang DeMolay.

I never took it personally.

In fact, it reminded me of something I would later understand.

In Masonry, your age doesn’t define you.

Your height doesn’t define you.

Your character does.

I didn’t join Freemasonry because I wanted a title.

I joined because I wanted to become a better man.

Hindi ko alam noon kung saan ako dadalhin ng journey na ’yon. Ang alam ko lang, gusto kong matuto.

Being the youngest in Meridian Lodge meant one thing…

Ako ang bunso.

At natural lang na ako ang laging inuutusan.

Mag-set up ng Lodge.

Magbuhat ng mga gamit.

Mag-run ng errands.

Magdala at magsumite ng documents sa Grand Lodge.

Honestly, I never saw those as chores.

Looking back, those were the moments that shaped me the most.

Lagi kong biro,

“Sa Masonry, walang maliit na trabaho… ako lang talaga ang maliit.” 😂

Pero may katotohanan sa likod ng biro.

Before you can lead, you first have to learn how to serve.

At doon ko na-realize na ang leadership pala hindi nagsisimula sa East.

Nagsisimula siya sa willingness mong gawin kahit ang mga simpleng bagay, kahit walang nakakakita.

Years passed.

Hindi ko in-expect na darating ang araw na ako ang magiging youngest Worshipful Master ng Meridian Lodge No. 268.

People see it as an achievement.

For me, it was a reminder that the higher your responsibility becomes, the more humble you should be.

Hindi reward ang pagiging Worshipful Master.

It’s a commitment.

It’s service.

At mas marami kang taong kailangang unahin kaysa sa sarili mo.

Isa sa mga bagay na pinaka-thankful ako ay kapag may nagsasabi,

“Kapag Meridian Lodge ang nabanggit… si Popet agad ang naiisip namin.”

Nakaka-humble marinig ’yon.

I just hope they remember me not because of the title I held, but because I was always willing to help.

Life eventually brought me here to Australia.

New country.

New opportunities.

New challenges.

But one thing never changed.

My commitment to Meridian Lodge.

Hanggang ngayon, member in good standing pa rin ako.

I continue to pay my dues.

I continue supporting our Lodge projects whenever I can.

I make it a point to stay updated with everything happening back home.

And whenever my schedule allows, I attend lodge meetings here in Australia.

Because for me, Masonry isn’t something you leave behind when you migrate.

You bring it with you.

Wherever life takes you.

Different country.

Same obligations.

Same principles.

Same brotherhood.

If there’s one thing Freemasonry has taught me, it’s this…

Leadership isn’t about being the youngest.

It isn’t about becoming Worshipful Master.

And it definitely isn’t about recognition.

It’s about showing up.

Keeping your word.

Doing your part.

And serving your brethren even when nobody is watching.

So if one day people remember me, I hope it won’t simply be because I became the youngest Worshipful Master of Meridian Lodge.

I’d rather be remembered as the young brother who never thought any task was beneath him…

…and as someone who never stopped serving, no matter where in the world life took him.

06/08/2026

Magkuwento Ka Lang…
The Advice That Changed My Masonic Journey
By: VW Ariel Q. Batungbacal, DGL

Serving as District Grand Lecturer has been one of the greatest challenges—and blessings—of my Masonic journey.

The truth is, I have never considered myself a public speaker. When I accepted the position, I did so with hesitation. I wanted to serve the District, but deep inside, I kept asking myself, “kaya ko ba yun? Paano ko sila mapapakinig?”

Every time I held the microphone, I felt overwhelmed with emotion. There were moments when I thought I wouldn’t be able to get through a lecture.

Then Very Leo gave me a simple piece of advice that changed everything:

“Kaya mo ’yan. Magkuwento ka lang.”

I took those words to heart. Instead of trying to be an exceptional lecturer, I simply spoke sincerely and shared from my own experiences.

After every lecture, many brethren would tell me, “Parang si Very Daddy lang magsalita ah.” Those words humbled me every single time. They made me feel proud, and I could only hope that wherever he is, he would be proud of the man I continue to become.

Looking back, every time I stood behind the podium, it somehow felt as though a part of Very Daddy was speaking through me.

During my last lecture at Meridian Lodge 268, something was different. The fear that once held me back was finally gone. I stood before the brethren with confidence. But the moment I mentioned Very Daddy’s name, I became emotional. It reminded me that while I had finally conquered my stage fright, I still deeply miss the man whose example continues to inspire me.

To Very Leo, thank you for believing in me when I struggled to believe in myself. And to Very Daddy, thank you for leaving behind a legacy worth aspiring to.

Once again, I am reminded that true leadership is not about speaking perfectly—it is about speaking sincerely, serving faithfully, and leaving others better than you found them.

06/08/2026

Brethren, stay tuned…

In the coming weeks, we will be featuring the personal testimonies of our brethren—their Masonic journeys, the challenges they have overcome, the lessons they have learned, and the experiences that continue to shape them into better men and better Masons.

Through these stories, we hope to inspire, encourage, and remind every Brother that while each Masonic journey is unique, we are all united by the same principles and the same pursuit of Light.

Every Brother has a story. Every story deserves to be shared.

02/08/2026

MONTHLY STATED MEETING / AUGUST 1, 2026

The Brethren of Meridian Masonic Lodge #268 gathered for a day of brotherhood, ritual, and service at our Stated Meeting led by WM Raul V. De Guzman.
The Lodge of Fellow Craft was opened for Proficiency Examination of Bro. AK Fernandez, Bro. Watek Batol, and Bro. Patrick Heras.

Raising New Light in the Craft

The heart of our meeting was the sublime degree of Master Mason, where we had the solemn privilege of raising Bro. Paulo Baluyut and Bro. Paolo Luna. Seeing these two worthy brothers take their steps into the full light of the Craft was a powerful reminder of the enduring strength and purpose of our fraternity.
Congratulations!

What a truly remarkable and spirit-filled day at our recent regular stated meeting! Meridian Lodge was filled with the irreplaceable warmth of Freemasonry as we gathered marked by sacred traditions, long-awaited reunions, and joyful fellowship.

We were honored to be joined not only by our own active brethren, but also by several visiting brothers whose presence added greatly to the warmth and dignity of our labor.

Beyond the work on the floor, the evening was made extraordinarily special by the return of a brother who had been away from the lodge for quiet awhile. Welcoming him back home to the lodge room was a heartwarming moment for everyone present.

Adding even more light and happiness to the room was the attendance of our cherished senior members. Seeing our "oldies"—the very pillars who built and sustained our lodge over the years—sitting among us brought immense joy, wisdom, and laughter to the evening. Their presence truly made the lodge feel complete.

Once the labor was finished, the celebration truly began! We transitioned to the harmony of the festive board, which featured a feast of incredible food, lively conversation, and fantastic live music provided by a band that kept the energy high all night long.

As the night came to a close, the evening ended the way all great Masonic gatherings should—with genuine smiles, grand fellowship, and our customary big fraternal hugs before everyone set off for home.

17/07/2026

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to our worthy Brothers, Bro. Leonardo Paulo. May your year be filled with peace, prosperity, and brotherly love.

13/07/2026

July 11, 2026: Meridian Masonic Lodge No. 268 Celebrates Family Day & Anniversary at Montemar Beach Resort, Bagac, Bataan. Part2.

13/07/2026

July 11, 2026: Meridian Masonic Lodge No. 268 Celebrates Family Day & Anniversary at Montemar Beach Resort, Bagac, Bataan.

Not even a relentless downpour could dampen the spirits of the Brethren of Meridian Lodge and their families under the dedicated leadership of our Worshipful Master Raul V. De Guzman. Over the weekend, the lodge celebrated its joint Family Day and Anniversary at the scenic Montemar Beach Resort in Bagac, Bataan. While the weather outside was resolutely grey and rainy, the atmosphere inside was nothing short of electric, marked by an incredible turnout, fierce but friendly competition, and a raffle draw that will be talked about for years to come.

Weathering the Storm Together.🌨

Despite the continuous rain forcing activities indoors and under cover, the Meridian family showed up in massive numbers. The packed venue was a testament to the strong bond of the lodge, proving that the warmth of Masonic fellowship easily outshines any storm.

The day was packed from start to finish with activities designed to bring everyone closer:

Games and Activities: Brethren and their families were split into teams, fostering a fantastic spirit of harmony and cooperation.

Games for All Ages: From the energetic kids to the young-at-heart adults, everyone got a chance to participate, laugh, and indulge their competitive streaks.

A Feast Fit for the Occasion: No Meridian event is complete without an abundance of food. Tables groaned under the weight of a massive spread, ensuring everyone stayed well-fed and energized throughout the day.

The Epic Raffle: A Roller Coaster of Cash

The absolute highlight of the celebration was the raffle draw. What was originally slated to be a standard raffle with just one grand prize quickly evolved into something legendary.

In true Masonic spirit of generosity, unexpected contributions and spontaneous pledges turned the draw into a never-ending roller coaster of cash prizes. Every time the crowd thought the raffle was wrapping up, another round of cash was announced, sending waves of excitement through the hall. It became a thrilling marathon of luck that left everyone on the edge of their seats and many families going home with unexpectedly heavy pockets.

"The rain may have kept us off the beach, but the joy, laughter, and camaraderie we shared inside made this one of our most memorable anniversaries yet. Seeing so many families come together reminds us of what Meridian Lodge is truly about."

A huge thank you goes out to the organizing committee, to the hardworking staff of Montemar, the generous sponsors who kept the cash rolling, and every member and family who braved the weather to make this milestone anniversary an overwhelming success.

Here’s to more years of strong fellowship, shared memories, and the unbreakable bonds of Meridian Masonic Lodge No. 268

Meridian Lodge # 268

10/08/2026

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06/08/2026

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