SAN PEDRO LODGE 292, FREEMASONS PHILIPPINES

THE BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ORIGINS OF SAN PEDRO LODGE NO. 292

By VW Perfecto L. Alibadabad, DGL (+)

The attempt to establish a Lodge at San Pedro, Laguna, was broached about as early as 1983. This was sooner shelved temporarily due to the preoccupation of the brethren in their respective vocations. It was not until the middle of 1987 that a serious effort was made by enterprising brethren who were joined by Grand line officers assigning a working Secretary to pursue the labors. But as circumstances would have it, true, a Lodge was finally organized but without the vicinity of San Pedro which is now the existing Pagkakaisa Lodge No.282 at Las Piñas, Metro Manila. Undaunted by the unfortunate twist of events and left to fend for themselves, the San Pedro resident-brethren gathered the pieces and persevered vowing among others, that they themselves should initiate and pursue the Lodge organization until its final fruition. Meanwhile the growing number of brethren resettled in the sprawling villages and subdivisions near San Pedro and the adjoining towns bordering Laguna, Rizal and Cavite became the more intense in their desire to form a Lodge of their own at the Manila south gate that leads to the Southern Luzon province. San Pedro and Biñan towns are fast developing economically and are growing in population with the migration from the Metro to settle in the numerous housing communities. With its growth are the relocated brother Masons whose fraternal instinct is to seek the nearest Masonic Lodge temple. Finding none, they took it upon themselves to contract by word of mouth newly resettled brethren in the area and informally convened in warm fellowships brainstorming the feasibility of pursuing the original dream of organizing a Lodge to shepherd the scattered Masonic flock from far and wide. Thus was the new beginning of an earnest endeavor to band themselves together like the brethren and fellows before them. Most spirited and conscientious among those precocious brethren was WB Alex Duque, who was in the last months of his incumbency as Master of St. John Corregidor Lodge No. 3. He was ably assisted by Bros . Fred Martinez, Ike Crizaldo, Peping Olivarez, Francis Cocha, Rene Sinoy, Oca Panganiban, Pol Cementina, Primo Rivera, Boy Aseoche, Nonoy Arayon, Sammy Garibay, to mention a few among the over 50 Masons confirmed to be residents of villages in the neighborhood. On hand also were WBs. Enteng Salazar, Jr., then incumbent Master of Laong-Laan Lodge No. 185, Bert Escultura, PM of Bulusan Catanduanes No. 291, and Pike Alabadbad, PM of Indang No. 115 and Palawan No. 99 whose experiences as Master and Past Masters, respectively, were relevant and useful to the grand plan. The unrelenting diligence and burning passion of WB Alex militated the cooperation and support of the brethren whom he fetched from their homes everytime there was a meeting. Fellowships were regularly held monthly either at the Naty’s Restaurant of Bro. Peping Olivarez or alternatively in the homes of brethren who volunteered as host. The fruit of their labors paid off and was consummated with the submission of a Petition of 44 brethren to organize San Pedro Lodge to the MW Grand Lodge on December 3, 1991. MW Grand Master John L. Choa grated the Dispensation on January 28, 1991, to the petitioners to initiate, pass and raise Masons of all good men and true. Clothed with this authority, the brethren labored enthusiastically and held its first stated meeting on February 16, 1991, under a special dispensation from VW Rodolfo Soriano, DDGM of District No. 11, in lieu of February 2, the first Saturday, having received the Letters of Dispensation after such date. However short the dispensation period was until its surrender on April 1, 1991, the Lodge U.D. was able to initiate and pass three petitioners who would finally be raised and be credited as the first true sons of the Lodge. The recommendation to grant a Charter to San Pedro Lodge U.D. was strongly endorsed by MW Rudyardo V. Bunda, PGM, Chairman of the Committee on Charters and By-laws which was thus confirmed in the Annual Grand Communication on April 26, 1991, at Bacolod City. On the strength of such approval, the brethren without let-up endeavored with more vigor their labor and degree work without sacrificing careful and strict selection of its candidates, until the raising on May 25, 1991, of its first three Master Masons namely: Bros. Orlando R. Ortua, Arcadio L. Seron and Beato R. Relato Jr. The formal Lodge Constitution was presided over by MW Grand Master Jose Reyes Guerrero on the auspicious Rizal Day celebration on June 19, 1991, after a solemn floral offering ceremonies at the Rizal monument at the town plaza participated in by the Grand Lodge led by MW Guerrero and Grand line officers ; Hon. Calixto Cataquiz, town Mayor and the Sangguniang Bayan members; Fr. Pol Mendoza, officiating Priest and brethren of Masonic District No. 11. In the constitution ceremonies, the MW Grand Master was assisted by RW Agustin Mateo, Deputy Grand Master, VW Fernando Pascua, Jr., Senior Grand Lecturer and other Grand line officers and Past Masters in the District. The whole-day celebration was culminated with the first public Installation of Officers by VW Rodolfo R. Soriano, DDGM as Installing Officer and WB Calvin Estudillo, PM as Master of Ceremonies. Installed as charter officers of the Lodge were : Perfecto L. Alibadbad, PM, Master; Wilfred B. Martinez, SW; Primo V. Rivera, JW; Vicente D. Salazar, Jr., PM, Treasurer; Enrique N. Crizaldo, Sec.; Felizardo P. Tirado, Chp.; Leopoldo R. Cementina, SD; Michael V. Casipit, JD; Oscar L. Panganiban, Mrl; Renato B. Sinoy. Aud; Eufracio R. Manarin, PM, Orator; Alexander Duque, PM, Lect; Beato R. Relato, Jr., Bible Bearer; Avelino M. Matundan, SS; Andres L. Rebuelta, JS; J. Ludwig Aseoche, Org; Arcadio L. Seron, Master of Banquet; Orlando R. Ortua, Aim; and Alejandro R. Calleda, Tyler. [PLA]

RECENT HISTORY

FROM 1991, YEAR OF ITS CONSTITUTION TO 2008 THE LODGE MOVED FROM FROM PLACE TO PLACE, NOT HAVING ACQUIRED, AS YET, ITS OWN PERMANENT BUILDING (MASONIC TEMPLE). RECENT HISTORY EVENTUALLY IT WAS ONLY IN THE YEAR 2008, DURING THE INCUMBENCY AND BY DECISION OF WORSHIPFUL MASTER VICENTE G. GUCE, THAT SAN PEDRO (MASONIC) LODGE 292 ACQUIRED THE LAND FOR AND STARTED THE CONSTRUCTION OF ITS OWN MASONIC CENTER (TEMPLE) AT SILCAS SUBDIVISION, BINAN, LAGUNA (PHILIPPINES). UNDER THE WATCHFUL AND EXPERT EYES OF SAN PEDRO LODGE 292 ELDERS, THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROCEEDED EXPEDITIOUSLY, SO MUCH THAT IT WAS MADE POSSIBLE TO HOLD THE 19th PUBLIC INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS ON MARCH 7, 2009 IN THE NEWLY CONSTRUTED TEMPLE. THE CEREMONY WAS ATTENDED BY A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF MASONS FROM MANY MASONIC LODGES, BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE & ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE PHILIPPINES, BY THE MASONIC DISTRICT IV-B OFFICERS, BY FOREIGN DIGNITARIES, BY PETITIONERS AND VISITORS. [SEE PICTURES IN SPL292 BLOG] THE NEW CENTER, IS A SPACIOUS TWO STOREY BUILDING, WITH CLASSIC MASONIC LODGE LAYOUT. LOCATED IN AN ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY SUBDIVISION. SPL292 IS ACCESSIBLE THROUGH NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL HIGHWAYS, AND FROM THE SOUTH LUZON EXPRESSWAY [SLEX] SOUTHWOODS EXIT. THE DESIGN OF SPL292 CENTER ( TEMPLE ) BUILDING [by ARCHITECT AVELINO S. LUBAG, JR., WM 2009/2010] HAS TAKEN IN DUE CONSIDERATION THE NEED TO ACCOMODATE THE MEETINGS, CEREMONIES, DEGREE WORKS AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF A GROWING NUMBER OF ATTENDING BRETHREN, THE MASONIC LECTURES AND THE MASONIC EDUCATION OF PETITIONERS. THE LODGE HAVING EVENTUALLY BUILT ITS OWN PERMANENT BUILDING WITH EXCELLENT STANDARDS AS FAR AS FACILITIES FOR MASONIC ACTIVITIES ARE CONCERNED, HAS ATTRACTED ATTENTION, GENERATING LOT OF INTEREST WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WITH NEW PETITIONERS SIGNIFYING THEIR INTEREST AT EVERY STATED MEETING DATE, AND HAS MOTIVATED A RENEWED INTEREST IN ORGANIZING FREQUENT MEETINGS, SO MUCH THAT THERE ARE SAN PEDRO BRETHREN GATHERING AT SPL292 DAILY AND LIKEWISE ARE FREQUENT AT THE LODGE VISITORS, PETITIONERS AND BRETHREN FROM OTHER LODGES. THESE FREQUENT MASONIC GATHERINGS ARE EVER INTELLECTUALLY STIMULATING AND THE FELLOWSHIP LIVELY, ENJOYABLE AND HARMONIOUSLY CONDUCTED. SAN PEDRO LODGE 292 IS SPONSORING THE "SAN PEDRO DEMOLAY" WHO HAVE REGULAR MEETING AT THE TEMPLE ON THE AFTERNOON OF EVERY 2ND AND 4TH SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH.

THE NEW TEMPLE

STARTED DURING THE TERM OF WM VICENTE G. GUCE, THE TEMPLE WAS COMPLETED DURING THE TERM OF VW AVELINO S. LUBAG, JR. AS OF MARCH 2010, IN OCCASION OF THE 20TH PUBLIC INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS, EXTERIOR FINISHING OF THE BUILDING WAS COMPLETED IN FULL RESPECT OF SPECIFICATIONS AND APPROVED DESIGN. FOR THE INTERIOR FINISHING WORKS, A GRANITE BAR CORNER WAS BUILT, OPPOSITE TO THE FOOD COUNTER AREA AND WAS DESIGNED TO BECOME ONE OF THE FOCAL POINTS DURING FELLOWSHIP. REPAINTING OF INTERIOR WALLS AND CEILINGS STAINED OR DAMAGED BY RAINWATER DURING THE DESTRUCTIVE TYPHOONS OF 2009, HAS BEEN COMPLETED, (A COMPLETE WATERPROOFING OF THE EXTERIOR WALLS AND CHECK UP OF ROOF WERE ALSO COMPLETED AT THE END OF 2009). STEEL LOUVERS WERE INSTALLED ON BOTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING TO FACILITATE VENTILATION OF THE KICTCHEN AREA AND REST AREA. THERE IS A PLAN FOR THE NEAR FUTURE TO INSTALL FIX BENCHES AT THE SOUTH AND NORTH SIDES OF THE FUNCTION HALL, AND TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AIRCONDITIONING UNITS, A NECESSITY ALREADY DUE TO THE VERY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN NUMBER OF ATTENDING BRETHREN.

OUR LODGE LOGO

Our logo has evolved from the original replica of two sampaguita branches in open and in circular form to the symbolic laurel-leaf or olive branch design which is more proportionate and less cumbersome to the eye. While the original sampaguita was then deemed appropriate being indigenous to the town of San Pedro, having been known as the City of Sampaguita, the laurel wreath is equally emblematic and edifying of the noble tenets of Freemasonry. The laurel wreath denotes honor, victory and distinction or the olive branch has since then signified peace. All of such symbolisms are descriptive of the teachings of our Venerable Institution and which qualities are expected of every member of the Lodge in particular, and of all Masons, in general. In each of the branch are 22 leaves for a total of 44, representing the 44 brother Master Masons who signed as petitioners for a Lodge Charter. The six flower buds at the extremities denote the six principal jewels of a Lodge and more particularly, in our case, the first set of Lodge officers elected by the brethren by consensus to lead the labors to fruition, of their ardent desire to finally consummate the founding of a Lodge in lieu of previous efforts that saw its chartering in some other place. The branches are circular in presentation subtly projecting a circle-symbol of divinity and infinity, no beginning and no end as GOD is, the Alpha and the Omega. Moreover, the circumference of the representative circle has always been the boundary line of every Mason’s conduct, beyond which he should never suffer his passions, prejudices and personal interests. The Three Great Lights of Masonry, its center-piece, are enclosed in a cabletow forming a triangle. The equilateral triangle is at once the symbol of the Deity, for which the touchstones of Masonic teachings are anchored. Moreover, this triangle also signifies that San Pedro Lodge, being at the convergence point of three provinces from which its present membership hail from – Laguna, Rizal and Cavite, and from which subsequently, will be the rich quarries from where the perfect ashlars needed for temple building and perpetuation and flourish of the Craft will be hewn and raised (PLA)


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