Centennial Marker of Freemasonry, Cagayan de Oro City

Cagayan de Oro City, dubbed as the gateway of Mindanao, the Capital of White Water Rafting Adventure of the Philippines, and the City of Golden Friendship has a rich history of the past- from the Spanish colonization and occupation to the First Filipino Victory against the Americans during the Phil-American War. Aside from these historical facts that Kagay-anons must be proud of, there is a history of how Freemasonry (The Largest and Oldest Fraternal Organization in the World "with a philosophy of moral standards, mutual understanding and brotherhood in which all men are on a level and equal.- Grand Lodge of Michigan") help on the development of the Cagayan de Misamis known today as Cagayan de Oro City.

My eldest sister Sharie first introduced me to this magnificent masonic marker during my high school days when I was so filled with enthusiasts about the Fraternity which i am proud to say, "I am part of".

According to her, Cagayan de Oro is proud to have members of this fraternity which were of notable names in the city such as General Nicolas Capistrano, Emilio Pineda, Apolinar Velez, Celedonio Abellanosa, and of course, Fulgencio Pangan. The above names were active and prime movers of the fraternal organization in Cagayan de Oro. Moreover, Late Worshipful Master Fulgencio Pangan, "is the selfless architect of Maguindanaw Lodge 40."

The original marker is located at the Amphi-Theatre, Abejuela Street, corner Capistrano Street, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City which has the 3-4 feet Obelisk-inspired formation.

Last February 25, 2011, during the 55th Mindanao Masonic Convention and the 100 years anniversary of Freemasonry in Mindanao, the Maguindanao Lodge #40 ( known to be as the Mother Lodge of all Lodges in the island of Mindanao) headed by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Avelino I. Razon, Jr., fraternal brother Honorable Dongkoy Y. Emano, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor together with the other freemason delegates, successfully inaugurated the newly built Masonic Marker known as the "CENTENNIAL OF FREEMASONRY IN MINDANAO 1911-2011" which is now stands at the center of the Divisoria.

So what's the buzz about this marker?

Eventually, this marker commemorates the 100 years of the establishment of the Freemasonry in Mindanao known to be as the Maguindanao Lodge 40 which was dated last July 16, 1911. Notable names of Kagay-anons were in fact members of FREEMASONRY and they were actually the prime movers of the city. To name a few, they were: (NOTE: Below names and information are from http://www.ml40.org/ )

NICOLAS CAPISTRANO- Lawyer, Founder and Professor of the short-lived Colegio Cagayano, Military Governor, and General of the Revolution, Assembly man, Senator, Judge of first instance and Land Owner.


ISIDRO VAMENTA- Lawyer Assistant Fiscal, Province of Cebu, Assembly man, and Secretary of the defunct Department of Mindanao and Sulu.


EMILIO PINEDA- Lawyer, Governor of the Province of Agusan, and Land Owner.

APOLINAR VELEZ- Major in the Revolution, Provincial Secretary, Twice Provincial Governor, and Clerk of the court of first instance.


RICARDO REYES- Provincial Governor and Land Owner.


ULDARICO AKUT- Notary Public, Presidente Municipal of Cagayan.


C. T. ABELLANOSA- Deputy, Office of the Provincial Treasurer, Deputy Governor, and Farmer.


MANUEL A. ROA- First and only pensionado from Misamis to the U.S., supervising teacher and acclaimed professor of Mathematics in the College of Agriculture, U.P.

And many other names. 

Please check below information:

CENTENNIAL OF FREEMASONRY IN MINDANAO 1911-2011

In July 14, 1911, Ten (10) Illustrious Masons established the first Masonic Lodge in Mindanao known as

THE MAGUINDANAW LODGE NO. 334

Under The Gran Oriente Español and officers were:

Worshipful Master- FULGENCIO PANGAN

Senior Warden- ISIDRO VAMENTA

Junior Warden- EMILIO PINEDA

Secretary- JUAN ROA VALDECONCHA

Treasurer- NEMESIO CHAVEZ

Orator- NICOLAS CAPISTRANO

Expert- ULDARICO AKUT

Almoner- RICARDO REYES

Maestro- APOLINAR VELEZ

Tyler- CELEDONIO ABELLANOSA

After the Gran Oriente Español fused with the Grand Lodge of the Philippines Islands on February 13, 1917, it is now known as

MAGUINDANAO LODGE NO. 40

Under the Jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines

FREEMASONRY IS A BROTHERHOOD OF MEN UNDER THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD.

A fraternal organization committed for the service of Humanity through its principal tenets of

BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF and TRUTH.

Proclaimed under Grand Lodge of the Philippines Circular No. 2010-14, declaring 2011 as the Centennial Year of Freemasonry in Mindanao.

Up until now, I am so filled  with respect, gratitude, honor and being excited when I hear people talks about things like that of the FREEMASONRY and commend on the things about them. By the way, I am a SON OF A TRAVELER: KITANGLAY LODGE 256. Hence, I AM A TRAVELER ON A JOURNEY. :)

Meanwhile, please check the photos below as I, myself, together with my siblings and mother captured and being elated with this souvenir.

ENJOY!

(From Left to Right: Worshipful Brother: Phillip John, Worshipful Sister: Charity Mae, Worshipful Sister: Faith Charmae, and yours truly: Me....  :D . My sister Charity actually added the statement "Our Dad is a Traveler" as being proud of being descendants of King Solomon.)

Together with my siblings and my mother (Worshipful Mother: Alice at the center doing the Square and Compass Sign)

From Left to Right: Worshipful Brother in law: Niño, Worshipful Brother: Phillip John, and Me

A great photo souvenir of me with the Centennial Marker of Freemasonry as my background.