Amid the daily distractions, Senator Cynthia A. Villar told Freemasons to always have the fortitude to pursue the good in all their work.
Speaking during the induction of the officers for 6023-6024 of Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar (Las Piñas) Lodge No. 332 of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, Villar told them to continually be inspired with their masonic duties.
She urged them to continue to be the builders of kindness, charity, fairness and hope for our communities.
Throughout the centuries, the lady lawmaker noted that Freemasons remain a significant and robust institution. Its membership was estimated to be around six million worldwide now.
"It is not a secret society, but described as “a social and philanthropic organization meant to make its members lead more virtuous and socially oriented lives," Villar said.
She acknowledged that the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines conforms to this.
According to the senator, she's very pleased to be in the company again of the mason brothers of her father, the late Mayor-Dr. Filemon Aguilar.
Villar said she finds it interesting that Freemasonry has a long standing history, belonging to the oldest fraternal organization in the world.
It was formed in Europe during the middle ages (that is around 5th to 15th century) first as a guild of skilled builders, popularly known as masons, who were responsible for constructing some of the finest gothic architecture in Europe, mostly cathedrals like the Notre Dame in Paris and the Westminster Abbey in London.