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Illustrious Honorio Balugay Alvarez, IGH, 33rd Degree, always reverts to Chico, his nickname. All the glorious Masonic titles and honors attached to his name, when he is addressed or introduced, merely tickle him. But call him “Chico” and he becomes your honest-to-goodness, amiable friend or foe. Chico had a humble beginning and Illustrious Alvarez has no intention to allow that beginning ever to end or even fade. He simply is the same as when he first crossed a plank to a Navy ship 47 years ago. In his present official and more formal capacity, Brother Chico serves as Senior Warden of the Valley of San Diego Lodge of Perfection and is slated to be the Venerable Master in 2002. These awesome responsibilities all come after he had been invested with the rank and decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour (KCCH) while serving as the Valley’s Assistant General Secretary in 1991. He was coroneted with the rank and dignity of Inspector General Honorary, 33rd Degree, when he was General Secretary in 1995. Brother Chico’s Masonic journey sails back with his long career in the U.S. Navy. He was conferred the Master Mason’s degree in May 1965 in Lincoln Lodge No. 34 (Olongapo, Philippines), while aboard the U.S.S. Towers (DDG-9). In 1967, while stationed in Cutler, Maine, he rose from the ranks to become a Chief Disbursing Clerk. Shortly thereafter, he took and passed the highly competitive fleet wide examination for Commissioned Naval Officer. In 1969, he was assigned as Funding Officer in Vietnam and, during an R&R, Brother Chico joined the Western Luzon Bodies, A&ASR, in Olongapo. While stationed in Yokohama, Japan, as Disbursing Officer, Military Sealift Command Far East (1970-1974), he served as Associate Bethel Guardian while a daughter was active in the International Order of Job’s Daughter there. He served as Worshipful Master of Far East Lodge No. 1 (Yokohama) in 1974. Again, another Disbursing Officer billet moved the family to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (1975-77), where he was elected Honorary Past Master of Whidby Island No. 15 in Coupeville, Washington. Brother Chico’s destiny drew closer as he took Navy assignments in and around San Diego. He became secretary of South West Lodge No. 283 (National City, California) in 1980, a position he held until 1989. In April 1981, after 28 years of colorful service, Brother Chico retired as CWO4 (Commissioned Warrant Officer), Supply Corps, United States Navy. What was with this man? As he pursued his Masonic career, Brother Chico’s journey shifted to high gear. He joined the York Rite Bodies, progressed through the lines, and served as High Priest, Illustrious Master, Commander, Sovereign Master (AMD), and Governor of York Rite College. The other ranks and distinctions that decorate his service with the York Rite include the Knight of the York Cross of Honour (KYCH), Order of the Purple Cross (OPC), and Associate Regent of York Rite Sovereign College of North America. He is currently serving in the progressive line of the Red Cross of Constantine, San Diego Conclave. In 1991, Brother Chico became Worshipful Master of Coronado Lodge No. 441 (Coronado, California). In the Shrine, he has been the Ambassador for Al Bahr Temple since 1985. Some other significant Masonic awards that came along Brother Chico’s way include Hiram Award, Grand Lodge of California; Meritorious Service Award, Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons; Samsar Jewel, Al Bahr Temple; and the Scottish Rite Legion of Merit, Orient of California. Brother Chico collected more jewels in the journey as he became member of Silvergate-Three Stars Lodge No. 296 (San Diego), Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 (London), Southern California Research Lodge, Scottish Rite Research Society, National Sojourners & Heroes of ‘76, Killarney Council No. 56 of the Knight Masons, Philalethes Society, Royal Order of Scotland, and Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis (California College) with the rank of 7th Grade. Does he have a life outside the lodge? Brother Chico never fails to include the other jewels in his life journey. His wife of 43 years, Natalie De Leon, a Shanghai-born Eurasian, was a member of Daughters of the Nile and the Eastern Star, and was with him in most of his Masonic commitments. The Alvarezes have four adult children: Cathy, Rick, Annette, and Monica. Honorio B. Alvarez was born on November 30, 1931, in Tondo, Manila. He remembers vividly the flight of a family of eleven to the hills of Laguna to escape the terror the Japanese invaders inflicted on the city. He was only 10 years old then. Time did equip him to help support his family, a young man at 14, having survived the horrors and vicissitudes of war. He worked for the U.S. Air Force civil service from 1945 until 1953. In 1953, old enough to enlist, Honorio joined the U.S. Navy as a Steward Recruit. In the boot camp, his peers gave him the name Chico that stuck with him until now. The diminutive Chico left home “to see the world” and his world does not disappoint him. In San Diego, brother Masons fondly call Illustrious Alvarez “Chico, the meanest Bandido.” It happened at the Valley of San Diego conferral of degrees in 1992 when Brother Chico hauled his 64 candidates, first-line signature petitions, 56 new members and 8 affiliates, all Filipinos, to join the class of over 200. Needless to say, the Bandido became a legend. He earned the Scottish Rite Legion of Merit award for this feat, a record quite safe in the books. Another past master of Coronado Lodge echoes the popular sentiment that Chico is the pride of Filipino Americans in that part of the country. San Diego must know by now that there is no law against claiming Brother Chico as the pride of all Filipinos, wherever. Today, Brother Chico comes to the San Diego Scottish Rite Center to do volunteer work in the temple’s Print Shop. He and Apolinario ‘Bob’ Concepcion, another Filipino Scottish Rite Mason, have been publishing the Valley’s Scottish Rite Bulletin. The two Pinoys run the unheralded routine of writing, typing, preparing layout, copying, collating, folding, and stapling --- all 4,800 copies each issue. A mailing company, fortunately, finishes the chore. At their respites, the two friends share native humor to make time fly and to push themselves to come back for, what else, more. Incidentally, Brother Concepcion was recently elected by the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite in the Southern Jurisdiction to receive the 33rd Degree during the council’s next session. The election makes their partnership very special indeed; Brother Concepcion is also a retired CWO and also holds the rank of KYCH and OPC. Just what is with these men? Chico, the small man, has grown big in stature. Masonry, undoubtedly, has grown with him. by: Bro Pong Javier |
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