HERITAGE

     The idea of having a Masonic Lodge for the brethren in the House of Representatives was first contemplated during the eight (8th) Congress when some travelers-congressmen started holding fellowship meetings within the BATASAN PAMBANSA building complex not only to exchange ideas related to legislation but also to strengthen their Masonic ties. However, these fellowship meetings were not regularly sustained because of the exacting and time-consuming demands of legislative work. While their dream to establish a lodge of their own was momentarily lost amidst the pressure of work, it did not dampen the spirits of the brethren from pursuing their dream in some future time. During the 13th Congress, the spirit of fraternal brotherhood was once again rekindled when some congressmen decided to continue their regular fellowship gatherings. WB Simeon A. DATUMANONG, together with other brethren-legislators, regularly hosted fellowship dinners among the brethren. In one of those meetings, the plan to put a lodge in BATASAN PAMBANSA was again revived. Representatives Simeon A. DATUMANONG, Ernie D. CLARETE, Alfredo D. MARAÑON III, DANILO P. LAGBAS (+), Douglas RA, CAGAS II and other brethren-legislators were the prime-movers of this grand plan. On June 14, 2007, a Square and Compass club meeting was held in one of the rooms of the old and decrepit Legislative Security Bureau’s building, led by WB Rolando VELICARIA. The main agenda of that meeting was to establish a lodge in BATASAN PAMBANSA. Subsequent meetings followed, with an increasing number of brethren in attendance. Some brethren-legislators even had to leave the plenary hall during ongoing sessions to join their brethren in these meetings. From there, the rest, as they say, was history.