Father of Philippine York Rite Masonry… As a young Mason, I was overwhelmed by Antonio Gonzalez’s Masonic achievements. Fortunately, accompanied by Past Grand Master Juan C. Nabong, Jr., I was able to interview Bro. Tony, or “Mr. York Rite.” At the time of our visit, he was not so strong anymore that his dutiful wife (nee Pilar Rodriguez of Camarines Sur), Past Worthy Matron of Rosario Villarreal Chapter No. 2, OES, assisted him as we got ready to raise several questions. It surprised us to see some kind of transformation as he joyfully related some Masonic happenings. Don Antonio’s Masonic involvement is by now legend. Following, then, is but a short sketch of that legendary figure. He was born on August 28, 1895. Because his parents were of humble means, he supported himself as a stenographer and later as a newspaperman. He took up Law and, after passing the bar, immediately went into law practice. Bro. Tony was initiated, passed, and raised in Luzon Lodge No.57 .He was responsible for organising Luz Oceanica Lodge No. 85. When this Lodge became “weak,” he was instrumental in having it merged with Island Lodge No.5 and Minerva Lodge No. 14. The merged Lodges became Island-Luz-Minerva Lodge No.5. He was an Honorary Member of 32 subordinate Lodges! Can you beat that? He had another distinction: the only Mason in this jurisdiction to decline his election to the Grand Oriental Chair. When he was re-elected in 1932, he accepted, but at 37 years of age he was still the youngest Grand Master ever of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. In 1939, he was elected as Grand Secretary and held that position up to 1954. Gonzalez was the first Grand High Priest of the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons of the Philippines. He served as a High Priest of Christian W. Rosenstock Chapter No.6, RAM, and later of Manila Chapter No.2. He was also Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter from 1954 up to his demise. In September 1951, he was anointed into the Order of High Priests at St. Louis, Missouri. In 1954, upon his return to the Philippines, he organised the local order. He served as Excellent President in 1954-55; then he became its Grand Recorder up to his last days. Gonzalez was greeted in Cryptic Masonry in Treton Council No.37 at Treton, Missouri also in September 1951. When he returned to Manila, he affiliated with Oriental Council R & SM. In the same year, he was elected Illustrious Master. On December 30, 1957, he became the first Most Illustrious Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters in the Philippines. In 1958, he was elected Grand Recorder and held the position up to his death. When Bro. Tony was in Missouri; President Harry S. Truman invited him to attend the Missouri Lodge of Research. Here is the documented account as recorded by the Lodge: The President of the United States of America, Most Worshipful Brother Harry S. Truman was the Worshipful Master of the Missouri Lodge of Research in the year 1951. As such, he extended to us a personal invitation and a request to deliver an address before his Lodge, which we considered a high honor not only for us but also for Masonry in the Philippines. Complying with his request, we talked about Masonic conditions in the Philippines during the Japanese Occupation. With all the data we had, plus some valuable information furnished us by our brethren in the distant parts of our country, we were able to give a vivid and graphic picture of our conditions during that period. Depicting the sacrifices and endurance of our Brethren throughout the country – who preferred to give their lives and fortunes than to loose their honor and integrity – the address was received with profound thanks and deep emotion. President Truman could not attend the meeting because of some urgent matters of State that required his time; but in his place, and presiding the meeting, was Most Worshipful Brother Forrest C. Donnel, who sent us the following letter: Mr. Antonio Gonzalez c/o Albert Pike Hotel Little Rock, Arkansas Most Worshipful Sir and Brother: As Worshipful Master of the Missouri Lodge of Research and as a Past Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri, I write this letter to express my appreciation of your presence at the 1951 Communication of said Grand Lodge and at the business meeting and breakfast meeting of the Missouri Lodge of Research. Your addresses were interesting and instructive. The story of the heroism of our Philippine brethren during the Japanese occupation constitutes a thrilling series of episodes in Masonic history. The example which you and your fraternal associates have given to the Masonic World is both noble and inspiring. I hope you are having a most interesting journey and will safely return to your far off home. With fraternal regards, I am. Sincerely yours, (T/sgd) FORREST C. DONNELL Gonzalez will be remembered as the organiser of the Order of the Silver Trowel, Philippine Council of Anointed Kings, Council of Thrice Illustrious Master. In addition, knighted in the Far East Commandery No.1, Knights Templar in 1951, he became the Eminent Commander in the same year. In 1963, he was installed the first Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the Philippines; he was its Grand Recorder when he severed the chain of our Mystic Circle. As organiser, he was active in Filipinas Priory No.61, Knights of the York Cross. In 1961, it was his privilege to serve actively in the first conclave. He was elected Eminent Prior and Registrar and held the position up to his death. He was also installed into Asoka Conclave No.30, under the United Grand Imperial Council of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine for the United States, Mexico, and the Philippines. He served as its Illustrious Sovereign in 1951, and was commissioned Intendant General in 1952, and honored with the Knight York Grand Cross in June 1972. No wonder the senior Masonic citizens call him “Mr. York Rite!” But of course, Bro. Tony did not confine his activities to the York Rite. He ramified into the Philippine Bodies. In fact, he was coroneted 33rd degree Inspector General Honorary by the Philippine Supreme Council. Furthermore, he was a member of Missouri Lodge of Research Philatelist Society. He was, likewise, a Charter Member and Past Worthy Patron of Rosario Villaruel Chapter No. 2, OES, and a Charter member of the High-Twelve Club International. Besides, Bro. Tony was a Masonic writer of note, proficient both in Spanish and in English. He was the editor of the Cabletow from May 1938 to May 1940. Here is an excerpt from an editorial of his: …Masonry has ever responded to the cry of humanity thirsting for redemption. Its gospel of love, peace, and virtue, its teachings of mutual understanding between men and nations all the world over, rise like a tower of brilliant light in the tempestuous sea of human passions. And the following is from another article: …Life in its infinite variety, with its prejudices, its class antagonism and race hatred, is our sphere of action. God has given us this life and has made us confront its manifold problems because our mission is here. Let us face it with courage and not allow its miseries to cow us nor its enchantments to daze our senses. Let us not allow life’s miseries to cow us… The Japanese, during the Second World War, incarcerated Gonzalez. But, unlike Jose Abad Santos, John McFie, Jose P. Guido and other Masons, he survived. Many times misunderstood, he did not allow the misunderstanding to prevent him from serving the Fraternity. He deserved, definitely, to be coroneted, even on his deathbed, for he refused to retire from his Masonic involvement even during his lingering illness. He died, so to speak, with his Mason’s boots on.