Benjamin O. Go Memorial Lodge No. 303

The Name       

            Originally named Punta Gorda Lodge, this lodge was renamed Benjamin 0. Go Memorial Lodge No. 303 in 1994, in honor of an indefatigable Masonic organizer. VW Go is credited as being among the founders of Punta Sulawan Lodge, Carmen Valley Lodge, Kitanglay Lodge, Camiguin Island Lodge and
Punta Gorda Lodge.

The Lodge

            On August 18, 1992, Grand Master Agustin V. Mateo, upon the recommendation of Maguindanao Lodge No. 40 and VW Andres Alfredo S. Mendoza, DDGM, issued a dispensation to thirty-nine Master Masons in good standing authorizing them to organize a lodge in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental to be known as Punta Gorda Lodge. In his recommendation, VW Mendoza explained that the establishment of a new lodge in the Municipality of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental (the site of the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate) would strengthen the Craft. Incidentally, the thirty-nine signatories came from Maguindanao Lodge No.40, Apo Kahoy Lodge No. 166, Macajalar Lodge No. 184, Leonardo T. Panares Lodge No. 226, Judge Valerio V. Rovira Lodge No. 259, Oroquieta Lodge No. 154, Camiguin Island Lodge No. 296 and Hiram Lodge No. 88. The lodge was named Punta Gorda, upon the suggestion of VW Benjamin O. Go, the brains behind the formation of the lodge, to commemorate Punta Gorda which is located between the municipalities of Jasaan and Balingasao. In the dispensation, MW Mateo appointed Bro. Maximo Paderanga, to be the first Master; Bro. Carlito V. Tabaculde to be the first Senior Warden, and Bro. Reynaldo U. Paguio to be the first Junior Warden, of the new lodge.

            MW Mateo instituted Punta Gorda Lodge UD on September 28, 1992 and on April 23, 1993, the Grand Lodge granted the lodge a charter and assigned number 303 to it.

            On May 21, 1993 Grand Master Rizal D. Aportadera constituted Punta Gorda Lodge No.303 and on the same day the officers of the lodge were installed into office by VW Benjamin O. Go.

            On April 8, 1994, VW Benjamin O. Go, the founder of the lodge passed to the Celestial Lodge on high. At the stated meeting of the lodge on June 23, 1994, the members agreed to honor him. They amended the By-Laws of their lodge to change its name to Benjamin O. Go Memorial Lodge. Grand Master Pablo C. Ko, Jr. approved the amendment on October 14, 1994.

            Location: Villanueva, Misamis Oriental