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COTABATO MAN BITES BIG APPLE
He earned it the old fashioned way --- work. Right Worshipful Brother Valentino Chua was not catapulted to this position by a people power movement as is still fresh in our mind. Brother Val petitioned the first Shrine temple in the world for membership in 1989 and endured the hot sand, learning the ropes patiently like a camel, if you may. He served Mecca Temple as Assistant Ritual Director, Captain of the Guards, Ceremonial Master, and, more recently, Oriental Guide in 1998, High Priest and Prophet in 1999, and Assistant Rabban in 2000. On January 8, 2001, the New York City temple elected him to be its Illustrious Potentate, an honor for himself and the Filipino American Masons. The electrifying moment was also felt by proud compatriots who witnessed history in the making. A grand inaugural happened on January 26 and the man from Cotabato was in the center stage. Brother Val was made a Master Mason in Kutangbato Lodge No. 110, Cotabato City, Mindanao, in 1978. Shortly thereafter, the Kutangbato Bodies of the Scottish Rite in the valley of Cotabato City conferred on him the Master of the Royal Secret, 32nd Degree. Little did the Cotabato brothers know that this young and promising civil and mechanical engineer would put their town on the map; a local boy made good. He learned the craft there and brought it to, of all places, New York. In New York City, Brother Val affiliated with the Jose Rizal Lodge No. 1172, Fourth Manhattan District of the NY Grand Lodge, in 1984. He hopped through the line, as a Steward in 1985, Senior Deacon in 1986, Senior Warden in 1987, and the Worshipful Master in 1988. He was appointed Assistant Grand Lecturer for the district from 1988 until 1991. While serving as assistant lecturer, he took on various leadership positions in the Manhattan district. On May 24, 1991, he was appointed the Right Worshipful Grand Steward of his adopted Grand Lodge. Two other NY FilAm brothers serve during this Mecca Temple term: RW Alfred Dais, finance committee chairman; and WB Willie Manalang, member of the executive committee. Brother Willie is the incumbent PMAAI President. Brother Val was, among other positions outside the lodge, President of the Philippine Masonic Association of American, Inc. (New York Chapter) in 1990-1991. The cliché “behind the success of a Cotabato man, there is a Cotabato woman” is appropriate. Sister Fatima was Brother Val’s childhood sweetheart in Cotabato and deserves a big piece of the pie, the Big Apple pie. The Chuas have two young sons; they have all these planned. A dynasty? Brother Val joins the few Filipino Americans who have made it to the top of Freemasonry. May their tribe increase! More on Ill. Val Chua: http://www.pmaany.homestead.com/announcements.html To send greetings: valchua@aol.com. |
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