Plush subdivisions and villages proliferated in Paranaque, las Pinas, Muntinlupa and other nearby Laguna towns after the development of the Manila South Road better known as the South Luzon Expressway.
The economic growth of the area was further enhanced with the cementing of Calle Real connecting Alabang to Sapote which traversed several subdivisions. People who preferred to live in the outskirts of Metro Manila transferred in droves and built their houses in these areas. Included among them were many members of the craft.
In time, the Masons in the new subdivisions held informal gatherings and started toying with the idea of forming Lodges. Brethren from BF Resorts and Philam Homes led by WB Danilo Tobias, Bro Joseph Miller, Bro Simeon Flores and Bro Fred Delloso wanted to form a Lodge. Brethren in DBP, BF Almanza and Pilar Village led by Bro Nelson Castillo, Bro Delfin Cruz, Bro John LLamas, Bro raul Laman also had fellowships and entertained the same idea. The Brethren in BF Paranaque also formed a club in that area. Not to be outdone, the brethren living in Soldiers Hill and Mutual Homes in Muntinlupa, led by Bro pablo Cervantes, Bro Augusto Erebete, Bro Abel Demetria, Bro Pete Marquez and others also wanted their own Lodge. Fired with the same ambition were brethren led by WB Ernie Evangelista, WB Vic Vera, WB Ben Padilla, Bro Lino dalagan, Bro George So, Bro james So, and Bro Ramon L. Uy.
It was fortunate that at time VW Norberto A. San Mateo was the Municipal Treasurer of Muntinlupa. With the help of RW Tody Eusebio, VW San Mateo commissioned Bro Adolfo Cardona to act as temporary coordinator of the brethren who trying to form a Lodge. Bro cardona got a list from the Grand Lodge of the brethren living in the area and invited them to a meeting at the Cecile's Restaurant in Las Pinas. A sunsequent meetings was held in September 1987 with a bigger attendance. They elected VW Norberto "Jun" San Mateo to be the Worshipful Master of the proposed lodge and WB Danilo Tobias, Bro Boboy Suarez, Bro Adolfo cardona, and Bro James So to be the Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.
The site of the meetings was then transferred to Furniture Warehouse, along the Alabang-Zapote Road, owned by Bro James So. From thereon, fellowship and Masonic intercourse was regularly held until a petition was presented to Grand Master Tedoro V. Baldonado at a dinner at Jade Vine Restaurant.
After giving the organizers a dispensation to open a Lodge, MW Baldonado formally instituted the Lodge in january 1988 with the assistance of VW Fernando V. Pascua and RW Toy Eusebio. Every friday thereafter the brethren held fellowships and discussed how toimprove the Lodge further. Petitions for degrees were received from three candidates who were eventually raised before the Lodge was constituted. They were Bro Alfonso Cagurangan, Bro Michael V. Casipit and Bro enrique Atanacio. The Officers and members regularly attended masonic affairs and got involved in the 75th Anniversary or Diamond Jubilee of the Grand Lodge on December 1987. Stated meetings were conducted in due and ancient form.
During the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge held in Cebu City on April 1988, the Grand Lodge granted Pagkakaisa Lodge a charter and assigned number 282 to it. On June 10, Grand Master Maymundo N. Beltran, assisted by Grand Lodge officers, constituted the lodge at the Temple of Jacobo Zobel Lodge in Makati City.
Pagkakaisa Lodge No. 282 is now a strong and vibrant Lodge, one of the pillars of masonry in Metro Manila with a membership numbering in the hundreds. A few of its members are Bro Emmanuel Beltran, Bro Gabriel Comia, Jr., Bro Lito Tabangcura, VW Michael Casipit, VW James S. de Guzman, VW Severino P. Estrella, VW Wilfredo N. Delloso, VW Roseadel Ocbina, and PGM Roberto Q. Pagotan.
Pagkakaisa Lodge No. 282 now convenes every 2nd saturday of the month at Pagkakaisa Masonic Temple., 585 Aguilar Avenue, Pamplona, Las Pinas City. Pagkakaisa Lodge No. 282 has also made use of the internet superhighway and can be reached thru email: pagkakaisa282 @yahoo.com and through its website: http://www.freewebs.com/pagkakaisa282.
