Mendez-Nuñez Lodge No. 316
The Name
This lodge is named after the town of Mendez in the province of Cavite where it is located. The town, in turn, is believed to have been named after Casto Mendez-Nunez, a Spanish naval officer who, in the 1850's, helped his close friend and fellow naval officer, Jose Malcampo y Monje, propagate the
first regular lodge established in the Philippines. The friendship of the two had been tested in many battles against pirates from Mindanao. After they returned to Spain, their friendship continued. Both became Admirals of the Navy and both were involved in the Spanish Revolution of September 1868. Mendez- Nuñez, however, had to retire in 1869 due to poor health and died in July 1869 at the age of 45 years.
When Malcampo returned in 1874 as Governor General of the Philippines, he issued a Decree on December 1, 1875, incorporating the barrios Gahitan, Palocpoc and Anuling in Cavite into one independent municipality and named the new town Mendez-Nuñez in memory of his dear departed friend.
The Lodge
This lodge was organized by twenty-seven Master Masons, all residing in or near Mendez, Cavite. On January 22, 1996, they sent a petition to the Grand Lodge asking for permission to congregate as a lodge in their hometown. Their petition was favorably endorsed by Tagaytay Lodge No. 165 which signified its consent to allow the lodge to use its building and facilities until such time that it could construct its own Temple. Grand Master Danilo D. Angeles gave them a dispensation to organize Mendez-Nuñez Lodge on February 27, 1996 and designated WB Rolly H. Sarmiento to be the first Master, WB Romulo D. Alegre to be the first Senior Warden and Bro Angel Abelida to be the first Junior Warden, of the new lodge. At the annual communication of the Grand Lodge held in Cagayan de Oro City on April 25-27, 1996, Mendez-Nuñez Lodge was not granted a charter because of some deficiencies, however, its dispensation to operate as a lodge was extended for one more year.
On April 25, 1997, Mendez-Nuñez Lodge was finally granted a charter by the Grand Lodge and assigned number 316. The following month, on May 31, 1997 to be exact, MW Angel Leon Angel P. Banez and other Grand Lodge Officers went to Tagaytay City to constitute Mendez-Nunez Lodge No.316 at the Masonic Temple of Tagaytay Lodge No. 165. Assisting MW Banez were RW Franklin J. Demonteverde; RW Oscar V. Bunyi, MW Pablo C. Ko, Jr., MW Raymundo N. Beltran, Grand Secretary; and several other Masonic dignitaries.
The installation of officers followed and was officiated by MW Raymundo N. Beltran, PGM, as Installing Officer, with the help of VW Heradel Feranil, who acted as Master of Ceremonies. The newly installed officers of the lodge were: WB Rolly Sarmiento, Worshipful Master; WB Romulo Alegre, Senior
Warden; and Angel Abelida as Junior Warden.
Location: Mendez, Cavite