HERITAGE

     The idea in the establishment of a Masonic Lodge at the town of OPOL in the province of MISAMIS Oriental was conceptualized by WB MAXIMINO B. SENO, the now town Mayor and a Past Master of KAGAYAN LODGE No. 385. During his tenure as Worshipful Master, WB MAXIMINO B. SENO was first elected as the BARANGAY CHAIRMAN of BARANGAY BARRA, IPONAN, OPOL, As Worshipful Master and at the same the time the BARANGAY CHAIRMAN, WB SENO developed a program together with the brethren of KAGAY-AN LODGE No. 385 to adopt BARRA ELEMENTARY School as one of its major projects in line with the Grand lodge “Adopt a School Program”. The school has a total yearly enrollment of about 900 students who are beneficiaries of the Lodge monthly feeding program, a yearly school supplies and gift giving during Christmas, a tradition that is still being undertaken by KAGAY-AN LODGE until now. After the recent election of WB MAXIMINO SENO as the Municipal Mayor of OPOL, MISAMIS ORIENTAL, he broaden the horizon of his Masonic vision to SPREAD THE PRINCIPLE AND VIRTUES OF FREEMASONRY in the community as well as in the adjacent City of El Salvador and its environs to MAKE QUALIFIED GOOD MEN TO BECOME A BETTER MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY by creating a Masonic lodge in the municipality of OPOL. Thus, on 16 July 2014 during the donation of a copier machine and a set of encyclopedia to its adopted school at BARRA, OPOL by KAGAY-AN Lodge No. 385 with the presence of the town mayor WB MAXIMINO SENO, he once again brought out the idea of the possibility in putting up a Masonic Lodge in his Municipality and seek the wisdom from the pillars of KAGAY-AN Lodges and some other senior masons in sharing his Masonic vision in the formation of a Masonic lodge in the town of OPOL. WB MAXIMINO SENO then requested the able assistance of VW LINI L. HERNANDO, VW ILDEFONSO L. CHAVES and WB EDGAR A. DY to stretch forth their helping hands in the realization of his Masonic Dream. Likewise, VW ILDEFONSO G. AGBUYA, a well-known veteran lead organizer of Masonic lodges in the district was earnestly solicited to be the Masonic consultant with the Active assistance of VW STEPHEN LIM. On 04, 2014, the first organizational meeting was called upon at Berry Restaurant at Velez St., CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY attended by more or less about (50) master masons from the two(2) Masonic districts in this jurisdiction with which it was presided over by WB MAXIMINO SENO with the assistance of VW ILDEFONSO AGBUYA in planning out the groundwork of forming a new lodge in the municipality of OPOL. During the deliberations, the brethren in attendance unanimously agreed to nominate and recommend WB MAXIMINO SENO, VW ILDEFONSO CHAVES and WB EDGAR DY as the first MASTER, first Senior Warden and First Junior Warden respectively. VW LINI HERNANDO was again tasked to act as the Secretary for the time being in the preparation of the necessary supporting documents and financial requirements to petition for a dispensation to form a new lodge which in due time to be submitted to the Grand Lodge for the approval of the Grand Master at the soonest possible time. Thus, on September 2014, a Petition for a Dispensation with forty-four (44) signers who pledged to form a new lodge was finally submitted and duly received by the Grand Lodge through the Grand Secretary for the approval of the Grand Master. Finally, on 10 December 2014 upon the approval of MW ALAN LA MADRID PURISIMA, by virtue of the power vested in him as Grand Master of Masons, a Letter of Dispensation was issued to form and open OPOL Lodge under Dispensation. On 9 January 2015, a solemn ceremony of the Ritual of Institution of the Lodge was duly, officiated, by VW JUANITO B. VANO Jr. as the Grand Master’s representative assisted by some of the Grand Line and District Officers. After the Ceremony of Institution, the Lodge was opened in due and ancient form for its first official transaction of business. On 28 April 2016 at the 100th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge in TAGAYTAY CITY, a Charter was duly granted with an assigned number as the 425th regular Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the Philippines. Thus, on 23 June 2016 the ceremony of constitution was conducted at the Grand Lodge by MW VOLTAIRE T. GAZMIN assisted by the Grand Line Officers.

 HERALDRY

     The name “OPOL” is a name that directly relates to the Municipality of OPOL, a fishing port in the province of MISAMIS Oriental. The town has its own unique culture, history and people. Historical sources revealed that the Municipality OPOL has its own rich heritage of nature and a robust economy in terms of fishing, agriculture and mining industry that would soon create its own image as the next tourist destination in Northern Mindanao. Between the outer and inner circle are the name of the lodge and its address. Also in it is the number 2016 to signify the year the lodge was granted its charter. Inside the inner circle are the seven (7) stars which represent the first seven (7) born master mason of the lodge. Together with the Masonic implements which are the Square and Compasses with an all-Seeing-Eye are the fishing vessels, hard hat and pick that identifies the Municipality of OPOL as a fishing, Agriculture and mining center.