A marketing expert. The very first time the 70th Grand Master ever heard of Freemasonry was in the course of a lecture in a ROTC Camp in 1954 on the Philippine Revolution of 1896. He learned that men like Rizal, Mabini, Bonifacio, Del Pilar, Quezon and MacArthur were Masons, members of what some people believe is an anti-religion and atheistic fraternity that performs blasphemous and even hedonistic ceremonies. Unable to reconcile the noble works of the Filipino heroes with the alleged sinister activities of the Masonic fraternity he decided to apply for membership and endeavor to know more about the organization. The opportunity came years later when he found out that one of his friends, Domingo F.M. Domingo, was a Mason. From him he inquired about the procedure in joining the fraternity. Domingo, then Assistant Grand Secretary, initially wanted to sign up Teddy with his mother lodge, T.M. Kalaw Lodge No. 136, but recognizing the inherent leadership potential of the applicant, he instead instructed him to present his petition to the then fledgling Laong Laan Lodge No. 185. Thus it was in Laong Laan Lodge No. 185 where Teddy was initiated on May 6, passed on June 3, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on June 17, all in 1972. Teddy immediately proved his worth and was rewarded with his election as Worshipful Master of his Lodge in 1975. During his term Laong Laan Lodge had 32 petition­ers, 25 of whom were personally raised by Teddy. The finances of the Lodge also improved dramatically. It had only P 600.00 in its coffers at the beginning of his term and was faced with a financial obligation to the Grand Lodge three times that amount. Teddy launched a vigorous cam­paign for funds. By the end of his term, the Lodge had settled its obligations to the Grand Lodge and had P11,000.00 more, not counting the lodge paraphernalia, furniture and equipment which he procured. Not unexpectedly, therefore, Teddy was elected Treasurer of his lodge immediately after his term, a position he held until his appointment as Dis­trict Grand Lecturer of Masonic District No. 9 in 1980. Baldonado is credited with the revival of Juan Sumulong Lodge No. 169 which was set to surrender its Char­ter in 1977. Almost single-handedly, he set in motion a rescue operation that revitalized the Lodge and made it one of the most active and cohesive lodges in the District. The Masonic record of the 70th Grand Master shows the following: Charter member of Jacobo Zobel Memorial Lodge No. 202 and Mandaluyong Lodge No. 297; Dual member, Juan Sumulong Memorial Lodge No. 169; Honorary member, Manuel Quezon Lodge No. 262 and Lake Lanao Lodge No. 227; Member, Tandang Sora Court No. 8, Order of the Amaranth; Member, Filipinas York Rite Bodies; Organizer and Charter High Priest, Capitol Chapter No. 25; RAM Deputy Master, Capitol Council No. 13, Royal and Select Masters; Past Eminent Commander, Capitol Commander No. 13, Order of Knights Templar; Conferred that Degree of High Priesthood; Past 1st V.P. Maginoo Shrine Oasis and Member of Islam Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. Baldonado is equally active in the Scottish Rite. He is a Past Venerable Master of Balintawak Lodge of Perfection of Quezon City Bodies, and in recognition of his various worthy accomplishments was coroneted Inspector General Honorary by the Supreme Council, A&ASR As District Deputy Grand Master of District No. 9 in 1982, Baldonado welded the District into one of the most cohesive and active Masonic districts in the entire juris­diction. As a measure of his success, he and his immediate predecessor as DDGM were rewarded with their election to the Grand South in immediate succession in 1983 and 1984. Teddy was the reigning Grand Master during the Diamond Jubilee or 75th Anniversary of the founding of the Grand Lodge. He adopted the theme: A MASON AMONGST MEN IS A DIAMOND AMONGST MEN. During the yearlong celebration of this historic event, many firsts in the history of the Grand Lodge were achieved. Teddy called on the advise, assistance and cooperation of the PGMs notably Rey Fajardo, Rudy Herrera, Rey Puno, Damaso Tria and others. Some of the significant events were: the issuance by the Bureau of Post of a commemorative Masonic stamp; installation by the National Historical Institute of a Historical Marker at the old Grand Lodge building; issuance by the Land Transportation Commission of a commemorative car plate for the Grand Lodge; massive participation of Masons in the celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal’s birth anniversary in Calamba, Laguna where Teddy was one of the principal speakers and in the Independence day celebration in Kawit, Cavite where the salute to the Philippine Flag was recited by Senior Grand Lecturer Fernando V. Pascua; a Concert at Rizal Park and a TV Program hosted by Tina Munzon Palma where only the masterpieces of great Masonic composers were played, and a very elaborate celebration of National Heroes Day which was held by Masons at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. On the day of the Diamond Jubilee, a Barrio Fiesta was held at the Grand Lodge during which Brothers Maning Rivera and Carlo Magno made a video presentation depicting the beginnings and growth of Masonry in the Philippines. A Special Grand Communication was also held attended by Masonic dignitaries from Japan, Korea, Taipei, Guam, Okinawa and the Philippines. Thereafter the Grand Masters, past and present, from the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan laid the groundwork for the formation of the Federation of Grand Masters in the Asia-Pacific region. To cap the various activities a 1-karat diamond was given away as a raffle prize. Baldonado was born on January 4, 1934, in Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur. After his elementary education in his hometown, he went to the University of the Philippines where he finished his high school and B.S. Economics. He also took the ROTC Advance Course and as Cadet Lt. Col., he commanded one of the regiments. He was enrolled in the U.P. College of Law, when he was called to active duty in the AFP as a Second Lieutenant. After a short stint in the Army he went to the Graduate School of Busi­ness Administration majoring in Marketing. He also attended several marketing and management seminars both here and abroad and is now a lecturer on sales management. After spending almost 30 years in corporate life as Vice President for Sales, Vice President for Marketing and finally as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of some of the biggest corporations of the country, i. e. RFM Corporation, Metro Pacific Corporation and Sta. Monica Food Corporation, he organized his own construction company. He now enjoys referring to himself as an “operative mason” in the construction business. Baldonado is also active in other organizations. He is the founding member of the Square and Compass Golf Club and the moving spirit behind the organization of District 9 Square and Compass Golf Club; Director, U.P. High Alumni Association; Director, U.P. Vanguard Inc., Manila Chapter. Teddy is happily married to the former Teresa Ayson, a pharmacist and graduate of Sto. Tomas University..