Silanganan Lodge No. 19

In the turbulent times that followed the Cry of Balintawak which was led by our national hero and fraternal brother in Masonry, Andres Bonifacio, the brethren — notably from Modesta Lodge and Sinukuan Lodge — saw themselves obliged to interrupt their works, gather themselves and consolidate. Upon them fell the praiseworthy task of strengthening Freemasonry by setting up new Lodges in the Philippines.

In May 1908, Bros. Ambrosio Flores (Muza), Fermin Paz (Payapa), Pablo Umali (Pinagbuhatan), Ramon Victorio (Marion), Quintero Lorenzo (Rizalino), Gregorio Borja (Kastuli), Octavio Amado (Matanglawin), Fernando Caruncho (Lusence), Emiliano Caruncho (Mapagtangkilik), Servando Angeles (Alisunod), Marcelino Cruz (Taga-guhit), Florentino Lozada (Walang-gulat) and Apolonio Reyes (Disco), gathered in the house of Bro. Jose Feliciano (Liwanag) in Pasig. That gathering was successful, for on the 10th of that month during their first meeting in the house of Bro. Felix Ongjoco, they ratified the constitution and by-laws of what was meant to become the SILANGANAN LODGE.

The GRAN ORIENTE ESPANOL in Madrid, led by its Grand Master Manuel Salcedo, approved the Charter of SILANGANAN LODGE NO. 305 on August 25, 1908. The first Installation of Officers was held under dispensation on November 15, 1908 by a commission of the Gran Logia Regional de Filipinas.  Finally the Constitutional Charter was issued on June 29, 1909; and after two months, the Lodge was formally admitted into the federation.

On February 14, 1917, as a result of the fusion of the lodges in the Philippines, and in part due to the changed political climate, SILANGANAN LODGE NO. 305 under the GRAN ORIENTE ESPANOL became SILANGANAN LODGE NO. 19, under the jurisdiction of the GRAND LODGE OF FREE & ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE PHILIPPINES, MW W. H. Taylor, the Grand Master, presiding.

SILANGANAN LODGE NO. 19, F. & A.M. enjoyed a peaceful and meaningful existence until the outbreak of World War II and the onset of the Japanese Occupation. Valuable records were ransacked and equipment destroyed. The last recorded meeting of its kind took place on December 6, 1941 at 8:00 p.m. Lodge activities ceased to function. The Silanganan Lodge would not be rehabilitated until May 15, 1945.

Typhoon Jean struck in December 1947 ravaging the Lodge site in Bambang, Pasig. But the members, with characteristic dedication to the Craft, conducted their stated meetings at the local branch of the Arellano University, courtesy of WB Florentino Cayco. In between Masonic activities, the ravaged property in Bambang was sold, and from its proceeds a new lot in Bagong Ilog, Pasig (along what is now C-5) was bought. For the construction of the Silanganan Masonic Temple, subscriptions from the brethren were used. These were realized through the efforts led by Bros. Eulogio S. Eusebio, Andres Pasco, Emilio Melendres, Castro P. Cruz, Catalino S. Cruz, Jose M. Santos and Teodoro V. Santos. The building was dedicated on January 29, 1959 by Grand Lodge officers led by MW Macario M. Ofilada and RW Hermogenes Oliveros.

Long after the building was inaugurated, plans were set in place by the government for the construction of Circumferential Road 5, or C-5. In 1992, this plan was put into effect.  This move meant that two-thirds of the lodge lot and building would be expropriated for road expansion purposes. Hence, Silanganan Lodge No. 19 had to sell and to vacate the premises. The members resigned themselves to pursuing the labors of the Craft at the Capitol Masonic Temple in Diliman, Quezon City.

In 2008 Silanganan Lodge will have the distinction of commemorating 100 years of existence. As early as 2006 the Lodge leadership, with the support of its members, are preparing for a grand celebration. But as the WB Wilfredo Calinawan has said in his inaugural speech, “the euphoria of a centennial celebration would not be as pervasive without the reconstruction of the Silanganan Masonic Temple.”