The Travelers Tribe Masonic Club Bahrain, widely known as T2, celebrated its annual Thanksgiving event with great success, drawing around 160 participants, including families, friends, colleagues and supporters.
The evening began with an invocation led by Joselito Sarmiento, setting a reverent and heartfelt tone for the celebration.
In his keynote address, Travelers Tribe Masonic Club Bahrain President Mitch de Guzman reflected on the significance of the gathering and the year’s theme.
“Our theme, – Giving Thanks and Seeking Light – reminds us why we are here,” he said. “We give thanks for the blessings, friendships, and opportunities we’ve received, and we seek light to guide us forward with purpose, compassion, and unity.”
President de Guzman encouraged everyone to look ahead with gratitude and solidarity:
“Let us enjoy this evening together with thankful hearts, celebrating all that we have accomplished and all that we will achieve in the year ahead.”
The venue radiated joy with its vibrant neo-color setup, creating a festive and lively ambiance that especially delighted children. Guests also enjoyed a delicious array of Filipino dishes, highlighted by a succulent roasted turkey, which became one of the evening’s crowd favourite.
During the much-awaited raffle segment, guests cheered as premium prizes were drawn, including a 65-inch Samsung television. Adding a heartwarming twist, Paul Candaza, a fellow T2 member, voluntarily gave up the sound bar he initially won, prompting the prize to be re-raffled, a gesture that brought cheers and excitement to the audience.
The celebration was honored by the presence of distinguished guests, including: Labor Attaché Dr. Orville Balitoc; OWWA Welfare Officer Juvilyn “Butch” Gumabay; Capt. Noel Escalona, Armed Forces of the Philippines Senior National Representative to the Combined Maritime Forces (AFPSNR to CMF) and Security Specialist Mayo Gayares, U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
Former T2 presidents Frederick Asuncion, Alex Cabali, Fermin Garcia, and Alain Buensuceso whose presence were warmly welcomed for their past leadership contributions to the organization. Also present at the celebration was Orlando Fontanilla, president of the Filipino American Association of Bahrain (Fil Am Bahrain) and a fellow T2 member, who joined in the festivities and expressed his support for the organization’s initiatives.
Recognizing the People Behind the Event
To honor the dedicated team behind the celebration, T2 acknowledged Secretary Alex Prades, who worked tirelessly in the planning and preparation of the event. Although he fell ill at the last minute and was unable to attend, his hard work and commitment were deeply appreciated by the entire organization.
In his speech, Marlon Arlanza, T2 Vice President expressed heartfelt gratitude to the brethren, as well as to all individuals and groups who contributed to the preparation and success of the celebration.
Meanwhile, Treasurer Mark Ferido impressed attendees with his energetic and engaging hosting, particularly his warm and skillful interaction with children during the games earning him enthusiastic applause.
A special highlight of the evening was a video presentation showcasing the various projects the organization has accomplished throughout the year. The montage featured key initiatives such as the International Day for Persons with Disabilities in Bahrain, held last December; the Outreach Activity at the Philippine Embassy for distressed OFWs, also conducted in December; and the Career Day and Volleyball Camp at the Philippine School Bahrain, successfully carried out last January and February.
Highlighting Travelers Tribe Masonic Club Bahrain 2025 Community Projects
The event also recognized the unwavering dedication and active participation of T2 members in executing meaningful projects throughout 2025, including:
- Outreach with the Elderlies – September
- Fundraising for Baby Jah Christ – September
- Bangon Sugbo: Relief Mission for Cebu Earthquake Victims – October
- Magic Planet Children Outreach – October
- Halloween Event – October
- Clothing Donation Drive for Cebu Flood Victims – November
These initiatives reflect T2’s steadfast commitment to humanitarian work, brotherhood, and compassion.
About the Travelers Tribe Masonic Club of Bahrain (T2)
The Travelers Tribe Masonic Club Bahrain (T2) is a brotherhood composed primarily of Filipino-American professionals, many of whom are connected to the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain. Dedicated to camaraderie, leadership, and service, T2 actively supports charitable initiatives and outreach efforts both in Bahrain and the Philippines, continually embodying the values of service, unity, and compassion.
