A Basic Handout

for Candidates

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Instructions to the Candidate
Your application has been accepted by Santiago L. Chua Commemorative (SLCC) Lodge No. 336 and
will be processed at the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons the Philippines (or Grand Lodge of
the Philippines). Your name as a petitioner will then be published for general information throughout
the country.

Your petition for degrees of Masonry will then pass through the body of this lodge for unanimous
approval to which it was presented.

You are about to embark on your journey in Freemasonry. If you have not already been informed, the
ceremonies of which you are about to take part are not intended to embarrass or demean you. They are
solemn rituals of great antiquity, which are used to impress upon your mind the tenets of the Mason's
profession: Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. You will witness a course of symbolic instruction
intended to enrich your character and explain the customs of the society of which you are about to
become a member. Just like any course of instruction, a certain amount of responsibility rests upon the
student to rightly understand the concepts which it presents.

Masonry is often described as a craft. Like any craft, it requires that work be done in order to become
proficient in its skills. As you are now the candidate and will soon be the initiate, it is important that
you understand the work that you are now agreeing to undertake. The Mason is a life long student.
While at the end of the day you will be received as a Master Mason, no Brother is ever truly a master of
the craft. It is expected that you will give your most devoted attention to the lessons of the degrees
presented to you today. In between the degrees, you will have an opportunity to ask questions about the
concepts presented in them, discuss these subjects, and take notes for your future review. You will not
be able to learn everything there is to know about the craft today, but it is a great opportunity to make
the first step in your Masonic travels.

Once your petition has been approved, it is your duty to seek out instruction from your lodge. You
should ask to learn the proficiencies for the degrees. These proficiencies are a set of examinations
which help you to understand the ceremonies of the degrees as well as correctly identify yourself as a
Mason and therefore enable you to solicit the benefits of the fraternity. However, the journey does not
end there. A variety of resources exist to improve your Masonic knowledge and you will have
opportunities to become active in your lodge and improve yourself in Masonry. A Masonic lodge is not
a building, but a living organism which is only as strong as its individual members. Therefore, it is only
through the self improvement of its members that the lodge can grow and flourish.

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Who are Freemasons?
Many of the United States founding fathers were Freemasons. George Washington was the first of 14
Presidents of the US to be a member of the fraternity, as well as 13 signers of the Constitution. In more
recent US history members of the fraternity include President Truman, General Douglas McArthur,
numerous astronauts, entertainers, and sports figures.

Among the most prominent members in the Philippines, we have Dr. Jose P. Rizal, President Manuel L.
Quezon, President Manuel Roxas, Preseident Jose P. Laurel, Andres Bonifacio, General Emilio F.
Aguinaldo, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Apolinario Mabini, General Antonio Luna, Artist-Painter Juna Luna,
Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos, Chief Justice Reynato D. Puno, General
Vicente Lukban, Graciono Lopez Jaena, Chief Justice Reynato D. Puno, etc. More importantly,
thousands of other men, such as those found in Masonic lodges of the Philippines.

Freemasonry enjoys over four million members worldwide and draws to it's ranks men from every
profession and occupation, all meeting on the "Level." While each man may have his own religious
and political views and opinions, they all share one common bond, the belief in one God, and the need
to treat each man with brotherly love and affection.

What are the qualifications?

It is the internal and not the external qualifications that should recommend a man to be a Mason. It
does not consider any man for his worldly wealth or honor as a qualification for membership. Nor does
it place any requirements on a man's political or religious affiliations. Masonry seeks to "make good
men better." It therefore looks to those men who have already demonstrated strong moral background,
and exemplary character. Here in the Philippines, a candidate for Masonry must also be at
least 21 years of age, and must profess his belief in God as no atheist can be made a Mason.

Seeking Membership
Anyone seeking membership into Freemasonry should first seek out a Masonic friend to recommend
him. He must first sign a petition on which he states his name, age, occupation, and place of residence,
as well as his belief in a Supreme Being. This petition will be investigated and brought before the
members of the Lodge who will vote by secret ballot. To be accepted, the results of this ballot must be
unanimous. In the event that you are not yet familiar of the names and members of this lodge (the
Santiago L. Chua Commemorative Lodge No. 336), we would like to suggest that you get their names
first, and as much as possible, get to be acquainted with them. It is recommended that you approach
your recommender, or contact anyone of us or other members of this lodge to assist you.

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Is Freemasonry a Religion?
Absolutely not, it is the oldest and largest fraternity in the world, and only a fraternity -
Freemasonry requires a belief in a benevolent and beneficent God to become a member, and accepts
men of any faith. It does not try to compete with religion. Instead, the fraternity strongly encourages
you to be active in the church of your choice, and pursue your own religious beliefs. The prayers we
use to open and close a Lodge meeting are non-denominational as we have members who embrace
different faiths.

Concluding Remarks:
The degrees are serious and are not of a trivial nature. They are in no way a worship service, but they
should be observed with the same reverence that you would show for such an event. Laughter and
jocularity is generally inappropriate, but in the case of a truly humorous event it is permissible to react
to it with the proper amount of amusement. The Brethren who have assembled to present these degrees
have worked hard to learn the ritual in order to provide you with an excellent experience and you
should provide them the same courtesy that they have shown for you by giving them your respect.
Outside of the ceremonies, you are encouraged to engage in conversations and enjoy the company of
your new Brethren, but you should refrain from using coarse language and discussing subjects of an
unwholesome nature.

Enjoy the subsequent masonic events, because receiving the degrees of Masonry is certainly cause for
celebration. Relish the opportunities presented to you and make the best of them for every Mason
receives the degrees but once. Learn as much as you can, meet all of your new Brethren, and enjoy
your first step in our great fraternity.