He gave us the slogan: “More Masonry among Masons, more men in Masonry.” Camilo Osias was a man of vigorous intellect, tremendous drive, and a passion for Philippine freedom and independence. He belongs to that rare breed of men who, in any nation, emerge, through life’s many trials and challenges, with the integrity of their convictions unsullied by the stains of graft and corruption and with their vision undimmed by the fog of doubt and confusion “I want to serve”, declared Osias “My training in college and in the university of hard work and hard knocks, and my experience in varied fields – legislative and administrative – I think, qualify me to serve. I am prepared to serve the Republic. I offer my all to the sovereign people whose rights and liberties I am pledged to preserve and defend.” Having been chosen as one of the 1905 government pensionados to the United States, he obtained his Teacher’s Diploma from the Illinois State Teacher College, his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Education degrees from Columbia University, and his Graduate Diploma in Administration and Supervision from the same University. In 1934, Otterbain College of Ohio awarded him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws; National University bestowed upon him the degree of Doctor of Pedagogy, honoris causa, in 1961. This public servant with an indefatigable capacity for hard work rose from classroom teacher to First Filipino Division Superintendent of Schools. But he left public service to become the First President of the National University. A scholar and distinguished writer, he edited the well-known and durable Philippine Readers, widely known as the Osias Readers, which were used for decades in primary and elementary schools. He wrote The Filipino Way of Life, the prize winning biography Jose Rizal: His Life and Times, and many other books and articles. An avid Rizalist, he published numerous articles on Rizal and translated into English and Ilocano many of the hero’s major and minor works. His signed two Constitutions of the Philippines. As delegate of the first district of La Union to the Constitutional Convention in 1934, he actively participated in committee work and in debates on the floor. With others, he is credited for the educational provisions in the Constitution of the Philippines, the Preamble, and the economic provisions therein. Osias, the legislator and Constitutional Convention delegate, was an outstanding champion of academic freedom and civil liberties, which he considered as the true foundations of democratic policy. In 1921, he was named a member of the First Independence Mission to the United States; in 1929, he returned to America serving as Resident Commissioner to the United States Congress until 1935 and worked zealously for the Independence Bill. In the rough and tumble of politics, the colossus of La Union displayed sagacity and integrity of conviction. In 1925, he won as Senator of the second Senatorial district. Since then, he was elected several more times – as Assemblyman in 1935; as Senator at large, topping the Senatorial list, in 1947; as Senator again in 1961. He served both as Minority and as Majority Leader of the Senate, and then as President of this Upper Chamber of Congress. In Masonry, Osias was initiated, passed, and raised in Bagumbayan Lodge No. 4 in August 1918. In 1948, he became Master of his Lodge. He was elected Junior Grand Warden in 1952, Senior Grand Warden in 1953, Deputy Grand Master in 1954, and Grand Master in 1955. Many still remember his stirring inaugural address, in which he told the Brethren. “The Cosmopolitan composition of our Ancient and Venerable Fraternity is a positive attestation of widespread appeal and the universal character of Freemasonry. This patent fact emboldens me to sound the call to the brethren of our Grand Jurisdiction for greater unity. Genuine harmony must prevail in truer measure in our ranks especially in the face of stepped-up efforts to undermine our Order from inimical quarters. As Grand Master I hereby entreat all Lodges and all members to rally to the imperious call of the hour: MORE MASONRY AMONG MASONS, MORE MEN IN MASONRY. “This is at once an orientation and a program. Let it be taken to heart. Let it be repeated often. Let it be implemented. Let it be lived.” True to his word, he repeated his program often, implemented it, and lived it. In the Scottish Rite, Osias became a Master of the Royal Secret in October 1938 in the Philippine Bodies and was one of those who organized the Luzon Bodies in 1948. Two years later, in 1950, the Supreme Council of the Philippines honored him with his investiture as Knight Commander of the Court of Honor and then in January 1952 elected and crowned him Active Member and Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Supreme Council. He served in several offices of the Supreme Council for almost two decades. When Sovereign Grand Commander Conrado Benitez passed to the next life on January 4, 1971, a special meeting of the Supreme Council was held on January 28, 1971 and Osias was elected Sovereign Grand Commander to serve out the unfinished term of Benitez. In 1973 Osias was re-elected to his own three year term as Sovereign Grand Commander, but a lingering illness forced him to tender his resignation barely a few months after his re-election. Osias was also active in the other Masonic organizations. He was a member of Manila Chapter No. 2, RAM, a Shriner, and a member of Rosario Villaruel Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. His wife, Avelina L. Osias, was a worthy Matron of Sampaguita Chapter No. 3, O.E.S. Manuel Osias’ and Gregoria Oliviano’s son born at Balaoan, La Union on March 23, 1889 is today remembered as one of the foremost statesmen our country has ever produced – a writer, educator, and patriot who dedicated his whole life to the education of the youth and to the service of his people. His death on May 20, 1976 was mourned by the entire nation.