JOSE RIZAL LODGE NO. l 172, F & A.M. - NEW YORK

Perhaps no one in the past has ever attempted to organize a lodge composed of natural-born Filipinos in a foreign mason ic grand jurisdiction. The formation and consecration of Jose Rizal Lodge No. 1172, Free and Accepted Masons under the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, is a crowning accomplishment of Philippine Masonry as well as an example of leadership ingenuity of Filipino masons that happened in the other side of the Globe -the Western Hemisphere -leading to the realization of an impossible dream. Up to this writing, not only those who organized but also those who joined the lodge are all natural-born Filipinos.

The lodge is named after our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. A lodge away from home was born whereby Filipino masons traveling around the world can drop by in New York City by taking a taxi or bus to 7l West 23rd Street where the Grand Lodge building is located, and at its tenth floor can be found the Colonial Room where Jose Rizal Lodge No. 1172 meets every fourth Friday of the month at 7:00 PM. Or one can contact the Grand Secretary's Office and ask for any Filipino mason's name which it often associate with Jose Rizal Lodge No. 1172. Inside this lodge is where you can see not only the American flag but also the Philippine e flag waving proudly on one side in the East. It is the only lodge in the jurisdiction officially authorized to wear our Filipino Barong Tagalog (long sleeve) as alternate formal attire to the black tuxedo worn during official and formal masonic functions particular in summer.

The dream of forming a Filipino lodge was conceptualized by this writer after 10 years of being a member and two-time. Master of Park Lodge No. 516 where most of the Filipino brethren were affiliated. W.'. Arsenio P. Assin, then Master of Park Lodge No. 516, sponsored this new lodge. A conference was made with R.'. W.'. Charles L. Avery, a close friend of many Filipino brethren and Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 4th Manhattan District, who pledged his full and undivided support for its organization In the conference, we were joined by W.'. Lorenzo C. Pascua who helped and worked with this writer in the organization of this lodge He later became its Senior Warden. Papers were prepared, with a list of 7 members being the minimum numbers required ,-­organize a new lodge. The minimum number seemed easy considering that in the Philippine jurisdiction, 25 Master Masons are necessary to form a lodge. However, since the aim was to have all Filipinos as organizers, to get 7 qualified masons was not easy because of the following reasons: 1) There were then very few Filipino masons in New York; 2) Organizers of a lodge must not be officers in any lodge; and 3) Some proposed organizers are members of Philippine lodges such as Geminiano Lamela, Jr., Cavite Lodge No. 2, Percy Ybanez of Cebu Lodge No. 128 and Restituto Fabillar of Cosmos Lodge No. 8. With this writer and W.' Lorenzo C. Pascua, both of Park Lodge No. 516, were Vicente Tiongson of Orange Lodge in New Jersey and Manuel and Godwin Valdez from the Philippine lodges. We were later joined by two more masons - Pedro Benedicto, Jr. (deceased) and Ernesto Gavina.

Before it can be forwarded to the Grand Master, the application must first be approved by the majority of the 18 lodges then existing in the 4th Manhattan District. So this writer, together with R.'.W.'. Charles L. Avery, had to promote the plan by speaking to each of these 18 lodges during stated meetings, answer every question asked by any member in attendance. After receiving the resolution with an affirmative vote of the majority of the 18 lodges in the district, we forwarded the application to the Grand Master who on December 16, 1983 issued authority to the organizers to form Jose Rizal Lodge, Under Dispensation (U.D.) , with then following 3 top officers: W.'. Manuel O. Obligacion - Master; W.'. Lorenzo C. Pascua-Senior Warden and W.'. Percy Ybanez-Junior Warden (who later resigned and was replaced by then W.'. Alfred B. Dais.)

Upon receipt of the authorization from the Grand Master transmitted to us by the Grand Secretary on December 21, 1983, a Special Communication was held on December 30, 1983, coincidentally the 87th anniversary of the execution of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal and for which the lodge was named, formally opening Jose Rizal Lodge. We were given only up to April 1, 1984 to operate as a lodge Under Dispensation (U.D.) whereby in such brief period of time we have to draw out our By­Laws, admit new members and do all such acts that ought to be done by a lodge Under Dispensation. We had barely three months to prove our qualifications before we could be granted a Charter by the Grand Lodge in its next AnnuaI Communication. Fortunately we were able to secure four candidates for degrees to prove our proficiency in the ritual, to wit: Eugenio Alexes Baban, Wilfredo Cabahug, Arthur de Guzman and Gerardo Quinto. These four candidates went through the three degrees of masonry, thus making them all Master Masons before the expiration of the status of the lodge Under Dispensation.

The last step in the process before submission of our application to form this new lodge for consideration to the Annual Grand Communication was for the Committee on Lodge Formation to approve our application. It was submitted by the Committee to the Grand Lodge Annual Communication and was unanimously approved on May 3, 1984 at 11:OOAM with this writer who stood when Jose Rizal Lodge was called as the resolution was presented to the Grand Lodge in session for acceptance by then M.'.W.'. Ernest Leo nardi, the presiding Grand Master. The new lodge, Jose Rizal Lodge No. 1172, was then born and constituted on May 16, 1984 by the newly elected Grand Master, M.'.W.'. Calvin G. Bond. Since the new lodge was composed of all Filipino masons, the then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, M.'.W.'. Reynato Puno was invited to represent the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. As he cannot attend the occasion, he commissioned the following Philippine Grand Lodge dignitaries to represent him: M.'.W.'. Rosendo C. Herrera, PGM - as head of delegation; M.'.W.'. William Ouasha, PGM - Member; V.'.W.'. Eduardo Gonzales, Jr. (Senior Grand Lecturer) - Member; Hon. Macario Ramos, Sr. (Grand Master of the Order of Demolay, Philippines- Membe rand Bro. Sammy Lim - Member. The official representatives of the Grand Lodge of the Philipines were officially recognized during the Constitution Ceremonies by giving them seats in the East.

By late 1984, membership swelled to 28. This was also the end of the term of this Master who refused a re-election. When membership reached 33 by January 1986, this writer thought that the new lodge had already passed the test of time and Is strength. But not quite. Like a ship sailing through troubled and unknown waters, our journey during the first two years has not

been without its storms such as that, for example, which occurred in 1986 when thirteen (13) of the members requested their names be dropped from the roll, after which, guided by the wise hand of the Almighty, the Lodge proceeded in peace and harmony. Before I left New York in November 1988, membership was 40. By the beginning of 1989 membership went up, and by the middle of 1990 membership was 54 in the list. By May 16, 1994, after 10 years of existence, lodge membership is expected to reach 70. Jose Rizal Lodge No. 1172 was the first lodge constituted after 20 years in the 4th Manhattan District and after more than 8 years in wa whole jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New York.

Jose Rizal Lodge No. 1172 remianed in good hands – thus giving me a graceful exit and a feeling of joy and relief that such a lodge with all the efforts and sacrifices invested in it will someday attain its shinning moment and will retain its glorious years ahead. Exemplary recognition is given to the following Past Masters for their masterful stewardship of the lodge: R.’. W.’. Manuel O. Obligacion (1984); R.’. W.’. Alfred B. Dais (1985); R.’. W.’. Ricardo Talusan (1986); R.’. W.’. Crisanto N. Jorda (1987); R.’. W.’. Valentino L. Chua (1988); V.’. W.’. Rolly H. Sarmiento (1989); W.’. Alfonso A. Iriberri (1990); W.’. Romeo N. Dagdayan (1991); V.’. W.’. Edgardo D. Ortega (1992); w.’. Amando P. Santos (Jan-May 1993); and the incumbent Worshipful Master, W.’. Marcelino Samson.

The lodge is fortunate for having chosen illustrious members of the craft as Honorary Members who are always ready and willing to extend helping hands to this lodge in case of need. They are M.'. W.’. Robert C. Singer - Past Grand Master, State of New York; M.'. W.’. Calvin G. Bond - Past Grand Master, State of New York; M ' W.'. Rosendo C. Herrera - Past Grand Master, Grand Lodge of the Philippines; R.’. W.’. Charles L. Avery – PDDGM, 4th Manhattan District; R.’. W.’. Henry P. Cavill - PDDGM, 4th Manhattan District; R.’. W.’. Marvin Fellner – PDDGM, 4th Manhattan District and R.'.W.'. Hiroshi Kaku - Past Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Oregon near the Grand Lodge of the State of New York who spent a great deal of his time teaching the members the basics of conferring degrees and is very instrumental in developing the ritualistic skills of the officers of the lodge as well.

As of this writing, members of the lodge who achieved high positions in the Grand Lodge of the State of New York which may be unsurpassed by other lodges in the whole Grand Lodge of New York in such a short period of time are: R.'.W.'. Manuel O. Obligacion - Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines near the Grand Lodge of New York (1985-87); R.'.W.'. Crisanto N. Jorda - Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Lodge of New York (1989-90); R.'.W.'. Valentino L. Chua - Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of New York (1991-92); R.'.W.'. Alfred B. Dais - District Deputy Grand Master, 4th Manhattan District, Grand Lodge of the State of New York (1992-94); R.'.W.'. Gaddiel C. Gallardo - Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Western Australia near the Grand Lodge of New York (1994-present) and R.'.W.'. Ricardo G. Talusan - District Deputy Grand Master, 4th Manhattan District, Grand Lodge of the State of New York (1994-96).

The trials and triumph of Jose Rizal Lodge No. 1172, now considered as one of the best and most active lodges in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New York, deserves a special place in the annals of masonic history. It is a fitting tribute and a living legacy to the sacrifices, dedication and continued service of Filipino masons to the Craft. It is also a compelling reminder to all '' Filipino "travelers" around the world that it is always possible for Filipino masons wheresoever dispersed to form a Masonic lodge and become Ambassadors of Goodwill of their beloved and beautiful country, the Philippines.

By

R.'.W.'. Manuel O. Obligacion Founder & First Master

Jose Rizal Lodge No. 1172, F.&A.M., Grand Lodge of the State of New York

(This History was originally drafted in 1989 by R,', W'. Manue! O. Obligacion and rewritten with permission by R.'.W.'. Crisanto N. Jorda on February 15, 1994, New York City.)

The history continues

The second decade of Jose Rizal was characterized by the growth of the lodge and the rise to more leadership positions of its members in different Masonic endeavors and related associations. The lodge membership grew steadily in succeeding years to its current number of more than 70. Jose Rizal continued to attract members of quality as it has in its first 10 years.

Stewardship of the lodge the following decade rested on the shoulders of the following brothers, R.·. W.·. Macario B. Perez, W.·. Edward U. Usita, W.·. Carlo H. Almira, W.·. Eutemio A. Colarte, W.·. Jaime C. Alejandro, W.·. Arthur Z. Aurellano, W.·. Tomas P. de los Reyes, W.·. Jose M. Bonoan, W.·. Francisco A. Alemndral and W.·. Hernane S. Castro who all served well and with pride during their terms.

Among the members of the lodge who were tapped to serve the district were R.·. W.·. Macario B. Perez, who was Master of this lodge in 1994-1995, Grand Sword Bearer in 1996-1998 and in 2006-2008, 2010-2012 R.·. W.·. Carlito R. Gallardo (Master in 2004-2005), Grand Director of Ceremonies. He also served as District Deputy Grand Master in 2012-2014. The most recent Jose Rizal member to hold a leadership position in the district was R.·. W.·. Adison M. Cruz who served as District Deputy Grand Master in 2016-2018. Past masters of this lodge also served as district deputies in the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines. They are V.·. W.·. Edgardo D. Ortega, Master of Jose Rizal Lodge in 1992 and V.·. W.·. Rolly H. Sarmiento, Master of this lodge in 1989. V.·. W.·. Sarmiento also has the distinction of being instrumental in the formation of Mendez-Nunez Lodge in the Grand Jurisdiction of the Philippines. V.·. W.·. Ortega and V.·. W.·. Sarmiento not only became district deputies but also served as District Junior Grand Lecturers of their respective districts in the Philippines.

Other members of Jose Rizal Lodge excelled in Masonic appendant bodies they joined. Two members have become High priests in a Royal Arch Chapter, E.·. Gaddiel C. Gallardo and R.·. E.·. Willie G. Manalang, currently the Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of the Philippines near the Grand Chapter of New York. Five have become Past Worthy Patrons of Bredablick Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. They are RW Alfred Dais, RW Gaddiel Gallardo, Worthy Francisco Almendral, Worthy Crisanto Jorda and Worthy Ricardo Talusan. Several of this lodge’s members are also active in Scottish Rite Masonry in Westchester, New York. W.·. Arthur Z. Aurellano, Master of JRL in 1999-2000 was presented with a Meritorious Service Award from the New York State Council of Deliberation, Ancient Accepted Scottish rite in the Northern Jurisdiction in 2004. We also have two Royal Patrons, SK Arvin Repil,the first Royal Patron of Regal Court No. 1, Order of the Amaranth and the current Royal Patron, SK Hernane S. Castro.

Some of Jose Rizal Lodge’s members are active Shriners too. The Philippine Shrine Club presently headed by Noble Edward Usita produced the first Filipino Potentate of Mecca Temple, the first Shrine temple in the world, in the person of Illustrious Valentino L. Chua (master of JRL in 1988).

The lodge tradition of leadership is shared with lodges were Jose Rizal members are dual in, such as, (Park Lodge) R.·. W.·. Manuel Obligacion, R.·. W.·. Ricardo G. Talusan, R.·. W.·. Gaddiel C. Gallardo, W.’. Willie Manalang, The R.·. W.·. Carlito R. Gallardo, W.·. Jose Bonoan, (Manahatta Lodge) W.·. Lee Jasmin and W.·. Fernandino Villa-Real, and V.·. W.·. Rolly Sarmiento (Mendez-Nunez, MW Grand Lodge of the Philippines).

This lodge has within their midst 3 past national presidents of the Philippine Masonic Association of America, Inc. namely, R.·. W.·. Ricardo Talusan, R.·. W.·. Crisanto Jorda and W.’. Willie Manalang. Two has served as national secretaries, R.·. W.·. Crisanto Jorda and R.·. W.·. Carlito R. Gallardo.

The lodge and some of its members have attained a lot of firsts in its history. But foremost of this firsts was the appointment of The R.·. W.·. Alfred B. Dais to the position of Senior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York from 2006-2008.

Jose Rizal Lodge’s entry into its third decade of existence was characterized by the emphasis of its then master, on training and change for the better under the leadership of R.·. W.·. Carlito R. Gallardo. Officers were required to memorize every position in opening and closing the lodge including the Worshipful Master’s. All officers were given the chance to open, close or run the business of the lodge. Though it is a departure from the norm, the lodge may very well benefit from it in the coming years. Masonic education also became a fixture in its monthly meeting, to further the knowledge of the brethren in various topics. Most of the Masonic education speakers were lodge officers and members who also did the research.

He was followed by W.’. David Ignacio, Jr. who continued with the Masonic Education in meetings and having the first LSOME class in this lodge for a long long time. He also did a good job in maintaining the harmony of the lodge.

W.·. Ignacio was followed by W.·. Liberato Lavariño whose term was characterized by the return of the ladies into activity. During his term, the ladies met under the leadership of the First Lady of the lodge, Sis. Pinky, at the collation room while the lodge was having it’s stated meeting, while in the lodge room, Masonic Education continued as part of the lodge program during W.’. Lavarino’s tenure. speakers were invited to talk on Masonic topics the Worshipful Master deemed interesting to the brothers of the lodge.

W.·. Adison Cruz succeeded W.·. Lavariño to the oriental chair. His tenure in the east focused on the continued Masonic Education, finances of the lodge as well as membership. Under his leadership, masonic education during meetings continued, there were several fundraising opportunities and the addition of 3 new brothers to our lodge roster.

Our 25th Anniversary Master, W.'. Romeo G. Pelayo's term may be characterized as the year of community service. The lodge pledged to clean a potion of a street in Rockland county. The lodge's effort was featured in the Spring 2009 issue of Empire State Mason magazine. It was also the year the lodge awarded its first and so far only Lifetime Achievement Award to MW Rosendo C. Herrera, Past Grand Master of the MW Grand Lodge of the Philippines.

Leadership of the lodge after its silver anniversary year were as follows: W.·. Arvin P. Repil - 2009-2010, W.·. Luis Guillen - 2010-2011, W.·. Sylvester Almiron, Jr. - 2011-2012, W.·. Ignacio Abe - 2012-2013, W.·. Albert Inguito - 2013-2014, W.·. Liberato Lavariño - 2014-2015. These are the brothers who ensured that the lodge continue with its tradition. With the election of W.·. Violeto Palmere - 2015-2016, came the handing of the baton to the next generation of lodge leaders, W.·. Rodene Cortes - 2016-2017, W.·. Kristian Francisco - 2017-2018, W.·. Eduard Kho - 2018-2019. They are the ones who will ensure that Jose Rizal Lodge Leadership will continue to be solid for years to come.

This lodge in its short history is very proud of its accomplishments as well as the accomplishments of its members. It being a premier lodge in the 4th Manhattan is evidenced by the quality of members the lodge produces. And as it travels to its fourth decade of existence, we can only expect more of the same.

By

R.·. W.·. Carlito R. Gallardo, Worshipful Master (2004-2005) (from the 25th Anniversary Journal, May 15, 2004 / updated August 23 , 2009 / March 30, 2019)