Free masonry is an intellectual movement that dates to as far back as 1717 in England and spread across Europe based on nationalism.

The following century, in the 1800s, the rise of free masonry started in the Philippines as a civic movement promoting fraternity and good work.

Free masonry is a self-improvement, volunteer association that teaches moral, intellectual and spiritual lessons.

"Initially, it was my curiosity which led me to Masonry," disclosed Martin Ozaeta, who was running a poultry layer business supplying eggs to major supermarkets, fastfood chains, manufacturing and bakeshops prior to joining Masonry.

"I discovered Free Masonry through a good friend of mine, Kuyang Placi. We had a conversation about this brotherhood that he is a part of and because of my curiosity, I asked him more about it."

Ozaeta's curiosity turned into an interest and from then on, he did not expect that the simple curiosity would be something he would grow fond of.

"A simple curiosity led me to find myself becoming committed and dedicated to aspire in being a part of a brotherhood that led me to learn more about myself," Ozaeta shared. "That led me to learn more about myself and led me to acknowledge the true value of humility, unity, openness and other great values a man should possess.

He started attending orientation in February 2008 and was raised to the sublime degree of master mason on June 5, 2010.

"It made me acknowledge the true value of humility, unity, openness and other great values a man should possess. As our conversation went on and I asked him questions, he invited me to visit the Mabini-Kalaw Lodge to observe and to be oriented.

"In my observation, a feeling of being overwhelmed was fleeting, but as I stayed there in the lodge, I felt inspired because the people I was surrounded by were humble professionals who have reached many milestones and different kinds of success in their lives."

Ozaeta added, "My interest in the brotherhood grew even more as I realized how much of a reputable and respectable organization Free Mason is. My eagerness to become a part of it sparked not because I wanted to be a part of something huge for my pride, but because I realized how much I can grow as a person in this journey and how much I can learn from the successful people in the brotherhood."

Ozaeta's aspiration was not centered around gaining benefits or a title, but it was driven by personal growth in learning more from the people in the brotherhood.

"After my curiosity and as I became a part of Masonry, I realized that it was not just the coincidence of luck that I found out about Masonry, but it was destiny which truly led me to the organization. As my journey started and I became a petitioner, my true self was tested but this is where I learned to treasure being self-aware and the things I should learn to prosper self-improvement.

"In this journey, I realized what true humility is as well as maintaining harmony and camaraderie with others. In this journey, I had so much self-improvement and development, which led me to become inspired even more to become a true Mason."

Ozaeta's wife, Emmar, has been his strength and anchor, helping him with the other wives for special projects of the organization.

His, son, Maro, is also a Mason. All children are supportive of Martin's leadership and have been his strongest allies.

As Ozaeta learned and unraveled the purpose of the brotherhood, he was inspired even more.

"I learned how Free Masonry values unity and sincere brotherhood, how they come up with different charities and activities as they value helping others and communities to benefit the society and make a better place for everyone, how they value continuous growth and knowledge and how they value making better men with knowledge for the community, their families, for God and faith.

"I was inspired to become a Mason because there was so much more in the organization than just forming a shallow foundation of men. In contrast to other organizations, Masonry builds a firm and deep foundation to build better men who succumb to self-improvement, harmony, unity and being better for the society.

"I was inspired to be a Mason because I saw its potential to give me self-improvement as an individual, as a brother, as a husband and a father, as a member of the society and as a man of God."

Martin realized he would not have the intuition to become interested in the organization or to submit to its journey if he was not destined to have Masonry be a part of his life and growth as a person.

"I am certain God Almighty destined to lead me to the organization for He knew how valuable this could be in my life and how much this would lead me to become a better man for His glory."Ozaeta's inspiration pushed him to his journey that has proven the potentials he looked forward to as it indeed made him a better man. "Like our saying in Masonry goes, 'Good men made better.'

"My inspirations and aspirations of becoming a Mason was not only driven by the greatness of the brotherhood, but it was driven and it is still driven, by continuous self-improvement that I get from the brotherhood.

"With this brotherhood, I learned more about myself. I learned how I can always grow because of different people and experiences. I learned how to make my old ways better. I learned how to always strive for knowledge and I learned how to instill the great values a man should possess for continuous self-improvement and to benefit others even in small and simple ways.

"Most importantly, I learned how to become a better man of God, which drives me to be better in everything I do and to all the people in my life whom I regularly encounter."