Taking the Lead: Meet Asiya Shriners Potentate Ronaldo Antonio
In our new series, Taking the Lead, we sit down with Shriners International temple (chapter) Potentates around the country and the world to find out what life as a Shriner is like at the top.
Asiya Shriners Potentate Ronaldo Antonio attends a parade.
Every December, members of the Section Crew take a seat for Tomahawk Night at Asiya Shriners in San Mateo, California. They’re eager to chow down on succulent steaks – and you’re sure to find Ronaldo “Ronnie” Antonio among them. His plate is full, both literally and figuratively, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Asiya Shriners Potentate, who began his first term in December, also serves on the Imperial Membership Committee, serving as regional membership director of Region 2. He became a Mason in 2014 and joined Shriners International in 2018. Antonio, 50, is a husband and father of two who works in real estate as well as in finance at a medical center.
We recently caught up with the Pacifica resident to discuss his goals for his tenure as Potentate, what makes Asiya Shriners different and what Shriners International has to offer the modern man.
Nobles enjoy steaks at the Asiya Section Crew Tomahawk Night.
What inspired your journey to Shriners International?
What drew me to Shriners was something really meaningful. There was a Walk for Love™ through Shriners Children’s Northern California, and I decided to help out by donating and participating. It was a one‑mile lap and, while I was supporting the hospital, what really impacted me was seeing the patients, especially the children. Some of them showed up missing a leg, using scooters or clearly struggling with mobility, but they had big smiles on their faces. They were happy just to be out, moving around and surrounded by people with the same energy. It really touched me. It was a hot day, and I had been complaining, but that moment put things into perspective.
After that day, I realized this was where I wanted to spend my time – with the Shrine. When I first started helping out, I had no aspirations of being on the line or becoming Potentate. I was just there to help. But, I was asked, and I said yes. It’s hard to say no. Now, here I am today, just trying to make a difference.
What makes your chapter unique?
I’m Filipino, and our demographic is predominantly Filipino. We talk about Masonry as everyone coming together as one, and what I like about the Shrine is how diverse it is. We all share a common goal, and we believe in the same philanthropy. When I go to meetings, I see people from different backgrounds hanging out, learning from one another, joking around and working through things together. It’s not always perfect, but at the end of the day, everyone comes together. That, to me, is what Masonry is.
If I had stayed where I was, I wouldn’t have learned as much or gained as much understanding of other cultures. Through the Shrine and traveling within it, I’ve been able to visit places I never would have gone otherwise, like Sheridan, Wyoming, or Roanoke, Virginia. I’ve experienced a kind of Americana I wouldn’t have at home. I love that. There’s always something new every year and, even after my year as Potentate, I plan to stay active, whether helping Imperial or my home temple.
How would you describe the nobles of your chapter?
They’re very engaged. Our temple is active. We still do parades. For example, at a recent St. Patrick’s Day parade, we had 50 nobles show up. Some people say we have a lot going on, but everything is fully supported. The nobles are helpful, they like to come together and, when we believe in something, we commit to it fully.
Antonio (left) and two of his Asiya brothers joke around during a temple event.
What are some of your favorite Asiya Shriners traditions?
One tradition we do, which many temples don’t, is a mass installation of units and clubs. We invite all the units and clubs from our territory to one venue on a single day to handle their installations. Instead of traveling to different regions and trying to coordinate schedules, this gives everyone flexibility. Because of that, I was able to visit many California temples during that period to support them, talk about what’s going on and answer membership questions. Since I’m also a regional director, I wear dual hats, but it works well.
What are some of your goals as Potentate?
My top priority is bringing fun to the fraternity. Not that we didn’t have it before, but I want to introduce new experiences, venues and opportunities. Leadership development and helping future leaders move up the line are secondary but still important.
I’ve also been very active in promoting the hospital and the fraternity publicly. That’s been successful. We’ve been invited by city councils, including South San Francisco, to discuss doing joint festivals to highlight the hospital while promoting the fraternity. We’ve partnered with local nonprofits, tabled at events and increased public awareness. That visibility has led to patient referrals. In one case, a girl may now be able to use her legs instead of losing them – all because of a connection made through a backpack drive at a Title I school. People approach us at car meets or community events and ask what we do, and that often leads to the hospital. That’s why I believe we need to be visible in public. People don’t come to us just because of the hospital – they come because they see us having fun, and that starts the conversation.
What’s it like juggling the roles of Potentate and regional membership director?
It's been time-consuming but in a good way. I've been very busy and learning a lot, but I see it's making a difference in membership. And I’m also just getting the temple excited that we have representation with Imperial. I made it a goal for myself to create 70 new members.
What kind of leader do you aspire to be?
I try to be a balanced leader. When decisions need to be made, I listen to both sides and remain impartial, but I don’t pass responsibility off to someone else. The buck stops with me. I believe in clear yes‑or‑no decisions. Gray answers just leave things open to interpretation and delay progress. Being Potentate isn’t easy. You deal with complaints and disagreements, and, sometimes, it feels like mediating high school drama. But dragging things out only pushes problems onto the next person, and that’s not leadership. Leadership means handling issues, showing others that you’re here to do the work, not just collect a title, and keeping the fraternity strong while supporting our philanthropy.
Antonio (left front) leads a group of Asiya Shriners and supporters to a parade.
What does it mean to you to be leading Asiya Shriners?
I never saw myself in a leadership role, especially in a volunteer organization. It’s hard to keep people engaged when no one is getting paid, but I’ve found that appreciation goes a long way. I make it a point to thank people, congratulate them, shake hands and have small conversations. A simple thank you often gets overlooked, but it matters. It can feel thankless at times, but I’m grateful to be in a position where I can make a difference. I enjoy the challenge, and when people say something is hard, I sometimes like proving them wrong.
What makes Shriners International different from any other organization?
In my experience, Blue Lodge Masonry can be more ceremonial and structured, while the Shrine feels more relaxed, almost like a playground for Masons. You still know your work, but it’s fun with a purpose. That purpose is our philanthropy. We’re also more visible in public, which helps attract people who are curious about Masonry. Many come wanting to be Shriners, which means becoming Masons first. At least, where I’m from, we’re more outward‑facing, and that visibility makes a real difference.
What role do you think Shriners can play in the life of the modern man?
I think interpersonal communication has really declined with the rise of social media. People feel lonely even though they’re constantly connected online.
With the Shrine, people see groups of men together, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. We’ve had men who were sitting alone at bars come over and end up spending the rest of the night with us because of that connection. They see the brotherhood. Many veterans miss the camaraderie they had in the military, and they can find that again in a fraternal organization. It often starts with a simple question – What’s that hat? – and that opens the door to everything else.
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