The mischievous prankster who did good The man the Brethren elected, in 1959, to the position of Most Worshipful Grand Master justified his selflessness and prodigious giving as the “Christian-Masonic philosophy that it is only by giving that we may have.” This selfless and prodigious giver was, in his teens, described as a precocious, mischievous, naughty prankster who played practical jokes so promiscuously that he was at once the despair and the delight of his parents and teachers – despair, because his brilliant mind was the prolific crucible for cooking up all sorts of mischief, and delight, because he did short work of his lessons. He was, however, more of a delight – than a despair – giver because he was the valedictorian of his class both in the elementary and high schools in his native province, La Union. Afterwards, in 1926, he graduated from the College of Law of the University of the Philippines and in that same year passed the Bar examinations. After a seven-year teaching stint, he worked in the Municipal Court, in the Court of First Instance, in the Court of Appeals, and in the Special Court of Exclusive Criminal Jurisdiction. He also served as Clerk of Court and Sheriff of the City of Manila before he was appointed Judge of the Court of First Instance of Abra Province. From the CFI of Abra, he was assigned to that of Dagupan City. He held this position until his retirement in 1970. On January 15, February 15, and June 30,1939, respectively, he was initiated, passed, and raised in Nilad Lodge No. 12. In December 1941, he was elected Junior Warden of his lodge and, in 1946, its Worshipful Master. He served as Junior Grand Deacon in 1948, Senior Grand Deacon in 1949, Grand Marshal in 1950, Grand Chaplain in 1951, and Grand Orator in 1952. Then, in 1956, he was elected Junior Grand Warden. He took Scottish Rite degrees in 1946. He was, in fact, made Master of the Royal Secret in Rizal Consistory, Philippine Bodies, A. & A.S.R., on the eve of Philippine Independence (July 3, 1946). Between 1949 and 1954, he served the Philippine Bodies as Venerable Master of Lakandula Lodge of Perfection, Wise Master of Burgos Chapter of Rose Croix, Commander of Malcampo Council of Kadosh, and Master of Kadosh of Rizal Consistory. On January 12, 1954, he was honored with the investiture of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor; crowned, he was, as a Sovereign Grand Inspector General and Active Member of the Supreme Council on February 16, 1951. Later on, he was elected Sovereign Grand Commander. Furthermore, he was a member of the Manila Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and held membership in Rosario Villaruel Chapter, O.E.S., as well as in Far East Court, Order of the Amaranth. During his term as Grand Master, he constituted two Lodges and granted dispensations for the formation of five new ones. He laid the groundwork for the formation of a Lodge of Research; directed the revision of all Tagalog versions of the ritual in the first, second, and third Degrees; made twenty-two official visitations; and issued one edict as well as four circulars, one of which defined the duties of the Lodge Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Auditor. Ofilada, who was born in Agoo, La Union on March 8, 1900, married the former Reymunda Careaga, with whom he had three daughters and four sons. Death, the cruel one, robbed these eight persons, as well as the Masons in the Philippines, of one loved by them on May 31, 1977. Their departed loved one was 77.