Manuel M. Abello Memorial Lodge No. 260

The Name
 

            This lodge was known as La Carlota Lodge when it was still under dispensation. When it got its charter its name was changed to Mangkas which is the old name of La Carlota City. It is claimed that Mangkas is the name of a bandit who, like Robin Hood, stole from the rich and gave to the poor of La
Carlota City. The city in turn got its name from the wife of a high Spanish official in Negros Island named Carlota.
 

            The lodge was renamed Manuel M. Abello Memorial Lodge No. 260 in 1992 in honor of one of its founders. Abello was from Isabela, Negros Occidental and was a Mason for almost 50 years. Initiated in Kanlaon Lodge No. 64 on September 23, 1933, he served as Master of said lodge in 1961 and in 1979-
1980. A farmer by occupation, he died on April 24, 1982 at the age of 79 years.

The Lodge
 

            A creation largely of the brethren of Kanlaon Lodge No. 64, La Carlota Lodge was conceived by VW's Manuel Abello, Cayetano Palmares, Manuel Valencia Ko and twenty-two other Master Masons. On August 3, 1981, Grand Master Simeon Rene Lacson issued a dispensation to the twenty-five petitioners
authorizing them to congregate as a lodge in La Carlota City. The lodge was immediately formed, however, the members failed to comply with regulations in time for the annual communication of the Grand Lodge in April 1982, so the lodge was not granted a charter that year. The dispensation of the lodge was, however, extended for another year. At the annual communication in April 1983, the Grand Lodge found that the lodge had complied with minimum requirements so it granted the lodge a charter.
           

            On July 16, 1983, Grand Master Rosendo C. Herrera convened a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge at La Carlota City for the purpose of constituting Mangkas Lodge as a regular lodge. On that day too the officers of the new lodge, led by its Master, WB Loreto Valera, were installed into office.
Mangkas Lodge initially held its stated meetings at La Carlota City but later transferred to Bacolod City's Masonic Temple.
 

            Location: Bacolod City