Jose Rizal
22
Masonic Clock Restored by
Jose Rizal Lodge No. 22 F & A M
June 10, 2010
This three-faced clock is mounted on a stone pillar in a concrete plaza area, flanked by two statues of water buffalo, a common national symbol, and walls covered with murals. Directly opposite is the national flag of the Philippines which flies perpetually, and commemorates the organization of the Republic when granted independence from fifty years of occupation by the United States.
This all overlooks the most famous monument in the Philippines, honoring revolutionary hero Jose Rizal, for whom this large park is named. An honor guard watches over this monument as it is also Rizal's final resting place, a stone's throw from where he was executed by the Spanish forces for alleged complicity in an uprising against their colonial rule. His martyrdom became the flash point for the revolution which eventually saw the end to the long years of Spanish tyranny.
This clock was a project by the Freemasons of the Philippines, and several plaques attached to the base recount various aspects of the history of the Masonic Order and its role in the history of the Philippines, including its fight for independence. Some of the claims, as noted below, may be exaggerated, but it cannot be denied that Dr. Rizal himself, and many early leaders of the Republic were zealous adherents to the Masonic Order.
Philippine Centenial
1898 – 1998
Kalayaan
The successful Revolution of 1896
was Masonically inspired,
Masonically led, and Masonically
executed, and I venture to
eay that the First Philippine
republic of which I was its humble
president, was and achievement we
owe, largely, to Masonry and the
Masons.
Emilio Aguinald Y Famy
It is said that Aguinald was indeed a fervent Mason, so much so, in fact, that some accused him of grossest nepotism in selecting officials in his government who had to show their Masonic credentials to receive the best positions and preferred treatment. Whether the claims made on this plaque can be substantiated by objective historical research is problematic, at best.
Another plaque, not pictured, reads as follows:
I felt that the common people have waited long
enough for their turn, for their own day to come. That
day is here. And it comes not a moment too soon on
the Centennial of the birth of Filipino Freedom
President Joeseph Ejercito Estrada
Inaugural Address, Junje 30, 1998
This Memorial Clock is the capstone on a century
of Phlippine Masonry and on the Centennial of its
highest achievements, the Philippine Revolution,
the Philippine War of Independence and the
first republic in Asia whose fighting
standards carried the symbols of
the Craft: the triangle, the sunburst and the
golden eye – perfection, light and wisdom.
Enrique L. Locsin
Centennial Grand Master 1998
Again, one must consider the over-zealous source of these claims, and the questionable juxtaposition of them with the words of the President. There is no official version of the creation or revisions of the Philippine flag that suggest that they have any Masonic symbolism whatsover. Although President Emilio Aguinaldo himself designed the original flag, and was in fact an ardent Mason (see above), he denied that any representation of Masonic elements was intended in the flag's design.
In public statement, Aguinaldo offered this explanation:
"Behold this banner with three colours, three stars and a sun, all of which have the following meaning: the red signifies the bravery of the Filipinos which is second to none, a colour that was first used by the revolutionists of the province of Cavite on the 31st of August 1896, until peace reigned with the truce of Biak-na-Bato. The blue signifies that whoever will attempt enslave the Filipinos will have to eradicate them first before they give way. The white signifies that the Filipinos are capable of self-government like other nations… The three stars with five points signify the islands of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao…And, lastly, the eight rays of the rising sun signify the eight provinces of Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Morong, Laguna, Batangas and Cavite where martial law was declared."
This, and further discussion can be found on the web site of the
Grand Lodge of British Columbia and the Yukon