The Judge.. Juan C. Nabong, Jr. has always been known for his impeccable integrity. Firm in his decisions “nothing short of being proven wrong would move him to change his tune.” His father, Juan Nabong, Sr., was a lawyer by profession, President of a well-known University (PCU), and an active Church layman, while his mother, Rosalina S. Cruz, was a deaconess of the Harris Memorial Training School. The two complemented each other in bringing up Juan Jr., to the stature he has attained today. After graduating from Union High School of Manila, Nabong, studied law at the University of the Philippines. He was still a law student when he was chosen as one of the members of President Ramon Magsaysay’s Consultative Council of Students. Nabong finished his law studies in 1958, but his thirst for more knowledge, led him to pursue a masters degree in law at the Manuel L. Quezon University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1967 and a doctorate in civil law at the University of Santo Tomas, where he graduated meritissimus (most deserving) in 1970. His doctoral dissertation received the highest commendation and was adjudged a model for its approach, form and style by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. Nabong enrolled next at the Centro Escolar University for a doctorate in Public Administration, then he attended the Academy of American and International Law in Dallas, Texas, in 1982. After passing the bar examination in 1959, Nabong joined the Claro M. Recto Law Offices as an Assistant Attorney. In February 1977 he transferred to the Office of the Solicitor General. Six years later was appointed Judge of the Regional Trial Court in Iligan City. In April 1986, Nabong left the Court to assume the position of Administrator of the City of Manila. During his term he represented Mayor Gemiliano Lopez, Jr. in an official trip to Guam designed to initiate a Manila-Guam sister-cities relationship. In 1987, in recognition of his achieve­ments as City Administrator, the Philippine Media Practitioners Association (PMPA) gave him the Tagumpay Award for Best City Administrator. From 1970 to 1978 Nabong taught graduate studies at the Philippine Christian University and served as Dean of its College of Arts and Sciences, editor of the PCU Journal of Educational Research, and member of the Board of Trustees. He has also been connected with Knotts Memorial Methodist Church and the Salvation Army of the Philippines. Nabong is an inveterate joiner. At one time or another he has been connected with the Translators Committee of the Philippines, the Philippine Society of International Law; Philippine Lawyers Association; Philippine Political Science Association; Integrated Bar of the Philippines; Philippine Historical Association; Philconsa; YMCA, YWCA, Rotary, the Y’s Men’s Club of Manila, Knights of Rizal, Poetry Club of Manila, and the Para-psychology Society of the Philippines. Nabong, however, considers Masonry his foremost com­mitment. The highlights of his Masonic career are, as follows: - Past Master, Hiram Lodge No. 88 (1966) - 33rd Degree, Sovereign Grand Inspector General, A&ASR (Since 1985) - Past Eminent Prior, Knight York Cross of Honor,Filipinas Priory No. 62. As such he represented the Philippines in the KYCH convocation in Canada in 1984. - Twice recipient, Grand Lodge Diploma of Merit for Distinguished Service - Past Puissant Sovereign, Asoka Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine - Former Secretary, The Cabletow, publication of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines - Past Grand High Priest, Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the Philippines - Past Most Illustrious Grand Master, Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the Philippines - Past Eminent Grand Commander, Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the Philippines. - Grand Master, Grand Lodge of the Philippines, 1989. Since 1984 he has been an active member of the Philippine Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay. In 1971 he was International Awardee, Cross of Honor, Order of DeMolay. For four consecutive years he was chosen Outstanding Chapter Advisor by the Loyalty Chapter, Order of DeMolay. Remember the Rubi Tower disaster in 1969? Nabong was among the volunteer workers in the disaster area and helped victims day and night. Today he is chairman of the board of a foundation that takes care of over 50 street children. In 1972 he received the Bronze Meritorious Service Award from the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the United Stated. In 1972-73 he took part in a project to establish a Christian university at Dasmariñas, Cavite. This project contributed to the establishment of the PCU as the Christian University of Manila. In 1982 the Alumni Association of Union High School of Manila elected him to the school’s Hall of Fame and gave him the Outstanding Alumni Award. UST, likewise, recognized him as an Outstanding Alumnus in the field of Law. In 1984 Nabong wrote the lyrics of the IBP Hymn with WB Jose B. Abejo doing the music. The duo, by the way, collaborated in the Sigma Rho anthem of U.P. way back in 1953. In 1985 Nabong wrote the lyrics of the U.P. Golden Jubilee Hymn. He co-authored and stage-directed the Masonic historical play “Aguinaldo the Mason – His Initiation into the Katipunan,” which was presented in Manila, San Pablo and Iloilo City. That is the kind of man who, in his inaugural address as Grand Master, challenged every Mason in the Philippine jurisdiction with these words: “Gumising ka, (Juan Mason), madinig and tinig mo, ngayon.”