On the Aug. 17, 2019, the Buglas Shrine Club-Panay Chapter conducted its 53rd Hot Sands Ceremonial in Sol Y Mar, Tigbauan, Iloilo – an activity organized solely for the aspiring members of the club. The event was headed by the Club president Noble Cedric Sazon.
During the said event, 17 novices of the Buglas Shrine Club were accepted into Shrinedom. As their first project, they donated 10 wheelchairs to 10 children with disabilities in Tigbauan. This was done in coordination with Municipal Mayor Suzette Tenefrancia-Alquisada, SB Member Marlon Terunez and Department of Social Welfare and Development Officer Ms. Louela Taran.
Shriners International of the Philippines, which currently has two temples namely Mabuhay Shriners No. 193 and Agila Shriners No. 195, is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship, and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. There are more than 4,000 Shriners all over the country and 375,000 worldwide. It is operating under the Jurisdiction of the Imperial Council of Shriners International based in Tampa, Florida, U.S.A. The organization is best known for the Shriners Hospitals for Children and the red fezzes that the members wear. It is led by Imperial Potentate Jim Cain.
Mabuhay Shriners Temple’s first ceremonial was held in the Philippines by the Nile Temple through the Bamboo Shrine Oasis in 1912.
On Jul. 07, 2010, during the 136th Imperial Council Session in Toronto, Canada, Mabuhay Shriners, U.D. was historically granted its charter as the 193rd Temple or Shrine Center of Shriners International. As of today, the Mabuhay Shriners Temple is led by Illustrious Nelson T. Yau and has 22 Shrine Clubs including the Buglas Shrine Club.
The Buglas Shrine Club’s mission focuses on providing assistance to children suffering from burns but they also extend their hands to crippled children and those with club foot, cleft lip and cleft palate.
In September 1922, the first Shriners Hospital opened in Shreveport, Louisiana. Today, there are 22 healthcare facilities located in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The hospitals specialize in orthopaedics, burn care, spinal cord injury, cleft palate and cleft lip.
The Buglas Shrine Club is also planning to coordinate with Dr. Rafael Tumbokon Memorial Hospital in Kalibo, Aklan. They want to designate a Pedia-ward (Buglas Shriners’ Ward), which will be exclusive for children under their direct support.
Buglas Shrine Club is encouraging the parents of children suffering from the mentioned conditions to willingly reach out to them. It is with great honor that they will try to change a child’s life. Parents may contact their Buglas Secretariat thru Globe Mobile 09173170817./PN
