Makabugwas Masonic Lodge No. 47
Tacloban Masonic Lodge No. 221
Ormoc Masonic Lodge No. 234
Santiago L. Chua Commemorative Masonic Lodge No. 336
Sogod Bay Masonic Lodge No. 337
Biliran Masonic Lodge No. 338
Palo Liberation Masonic Lodge No. 397
Hilongos Masonic Lodge No. 485
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District Deputy Grand Master
VW ALBERT R. VILLAHERMOSA
Junior Grand Lecturer for Eastern Visayas
(Samar & Leyte)
VW CONSTANTE A. SABATE
District Grand Lecturers
Grand Lodge Inspectors
❖ Charter Date: January 28, 1919
❖ District: RVIII Leyte
❖ Location: Makabugwas Masonic Temple, P Burgos St, Downtown, Tacloban City, Leyte
❖ Meeting Time: 1st Saturday at 5:30 PM
Name: “Makabugwas” means “Morning Star,” “East,” or “Orient” in Visayan.
History: In early 1918, Masons in Tacloban, Leyte, led by Judge Fernando Salas and others, began organizing the lodge. They met in various locations, including Salas’ residence and the S/S Batanguerio. By March 26, 1918, the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands granted a dispensation, and the lodge received its charter on January 28, 1919.
The first meeting was held on May 31, 1919, at the Rizal Community School Building, attended by around 400 people. The lodge initially met at different locations before settling at President Wilson St. and later at Gran Capitan and Paterno Sts.
❖ Charter Date: April 29, 1978
❖ Meeting Time: 4th Saturday at 5:30 PM
❖ District: RVIII Leyte
❖ Location: Makabugwas Masonic Temple, P Burgos St, Downtown, Tacloban City, Leyte
Name: Named after Tacloban, the “Queen City of Eastern Visayas,” derived from “taklub,” meaning “cover.”
History: In the 1970s, due to issues at Makabugwas Lodge No. 47, a new lodge was proposed. On July 12, 1976, a dispensation was granted by Grand Master Jose L. Araneta to form Tacloban Lodge. Although the initial charter was delayed, progress was sufficient for the Grand Lodge to grant a charter in April 1978, assigning it the number 221.
The lodge was officially constituted on July 22, 1978, by Grand Master Desiderio Dalisay, Sr., with Santiago L. Chua as Worshipful Master, Salvador Santiago as Senior Warden, and Hermogenes Mendoza as Junior Warden.
Tacloban Lodge has since worked harmoniously with Makabugwas Lodge No. 47 and has helped establish a chapter of the Order of DeMolay and other related organizations.
❖ Charter Date: August 17, 1979
❖ Meeting Time: 3rd Friday at 5:30 PM
❖ District: RVIII Leyte
❖ Location: Leyte
Name: Named after Ormoc City, formerly “Ugmok,” meaning “lowland” or “plain.” The city suffered a major tragedy on November 7, 1991, when a typhoon caused extensive damage and loss of life.
History: Thirty Master Masons petitioned for the creation of Ormoc Lodge, receiving a dispensation from Grand Master Desiderio Dalisay Sr. on February 9, 1979. The Grand Lodge granted a charter on April 27, 1979, assigning it the number 234.
The lodge was constituted on August 17, 1979, with WB Salvador Santiago as Worshipful Master, Bro. Roberto Serafica as Senior Warden, and Bro. Luis Fran as Junior Warden. Msgr. Sincero Lucero, Bishop of Borongan, Samar, was the guest speaker for the occasion.
❖ Charter Date: July 30, 2001
❖ Meeting Time: 2nd Friday at 5:30 PM
❖ Location: Makabugwas Masonic Temple, P Burgos St, Downtown, Tacloban City, Leyte
❖ District: RVIII Leyte
Name: Named in honor of Santiago L. Chua, a key Mason in the Leyte-Samar area, who was instrumental in founding several lodges.
History: On December 20, 2000, Grand Master Oscar V. Bunyi issued a dispensation for 29 Master Masons to form the Santiago L. Chua Commemorative Lodge. The lodge was instituted on December 29, 2002, with WB Nicolas Risos as Dispensation Master.
At the Grand Lodge’s April 2001 meeting, the lodge received its charter, and it was officially constituted by Grand Master Napoleon A. Soriano on July 30, 2001.
❖ Charter Date: June 22, 2001
❖ Meeting Time: 1st Friday at 5:30 PM
❖ Location: Sogod, Leyte
❖ District: RVIII Leyte
Name: Named after Sogod, Leyte, a town founded as a settlement by the Subang Daku River and established as a municipality in 1853.
History: On December 20, 2000, Grand Master Oscar V. Bunyi granted a dispensation to 24 Masons to form Sogod Lodge. The lodge was instituted on December 29, 2000, with Jose Lino Aguilar as the first Master, Winton V. Alvero to be the first Senior Warden and Willy N. Jimenez to be the first Junior Warden of the new lodge. It received its charter in April 2001 and was officially constituted by Grand Master Napoleon A. Soriano on June 22, 2001.
❖ Charter Date: June 30, 2001
❖ Meeting Time: 4th Friday at 5:30 PM
❖ Location: Naval, Biliran, Leyte
❖ District: RVIII Leyte
Name: Named after Biliran, an island province. The name evolved from “panamao” (fishing net) to “biliran,” referring to the edge or furrow, possibly from its history as a Spanish shipyard or from a local grass called “borobiliran.”
History: On December 29, 2000, Grand Master Oscar V. Bunyi issued a dispensation for 29 Masons to form Biliran Lodge. The lodge was instituted on the same day, with Walderico Bonifacio Worshipful Master; WB Albert Villaheremosa, Senior Warden and Antonio Lopez. Ir., Junior Warden. It received its charter in April 2001 and was formally constituted by Grand Master Napoleon A. Soriano on June 30, 2001.
❖ Charter Date: June 22, 2010
❖ Meeting Time: 3rd Thursday at 6:00 PM
❖ Location: Makabugwas Masonic Temple, P Burgos St, Downtown, Tacloban City, Leyte
❖ District: RVIII Leyte
Name: The name of the Lodge was coined in combination with Palo, which is the place where General McArthur and his troops landed and “Liberation” for the commemoration of Leyte Landing.
History: The idea of organizing a Lodge for Palo, Leyte came as a marching desire by the brethren of Makabugwas Lodge No. 47, Tacloban Lodge No. 211, and Santiago Commemorative Lodge No.336, who were residents of Palo.
Palo Liberation Lodge, UD was instituted on October 9, 2009 by MW Peter U. Lim with VW Gregorio C. Dolina as Worshipful Master; VW Patricio A Coruña, Senior Warden and Wilson S. Uy, Junior Warden.
❖ Charter Date: June 5, 2023
❖ Meeting Time: 3rd Friday of the Month @ 5PM
❖ Location: Brgy. Central Poblacion, Hilongos, Leyte
❖ District: RVIII Leyte
Name: Named after Hilongos, the largest municipality in southwestern Leyte, Philippines, the lodge honors the town’s significant economic, cultural, and governmental roles.
History: Hilongos Masonic Lodge was petitioned for dispensation to the Grand Lodge on September 15, 2022, by Master Masons from various lodges, primarily from Masonic District RVIII-Leyte. The formation of the lodge underscores its commitment to strengthening fraternal bonds and adds a notable presence to the local Masonic community, celebrating Hilongos’ historical and contemporary importance.
Joint Stated Meeting of Hilongos Masonic Lodge No. 485 and Urdaneta Masonic Lodge No. 302
Gift-Giving of Wheelchairs to Crippled Children at EVMC by Shriners International of Tacloban City
26th Visayas Scottish Rite Multi-Orient Convention hosted by Leyte Bodies
Stated Meeting of Makabugwas Masonic Lodge No. 47
RVIII-Leyte Masonic District, Host District of the Flag Raising Ceremony at Grand Lodge of the Philippines
