Palanyag Lodge No. 323
The Name
"Palanyag" is the original name of the city of Paranaque that was established in 1572. Among other definitions, this term generally means "my beloved", for as far as its residents are concerned, this best describes their hometown. Another version came from the combination of the two words "palayan" and "paglalayag", the former meaning ricefields of which the city once abounded, and the latter pertaining to the sailing and fishing occupations of many of its residents. This was also a sign of cooperation between the two major working sectors of the town consisting of farmers and fishermen. It was, however, a drunken guest, during a certain affair, who coined the name of the place. He said: "Mabuhay ang Palanyag at ang mga taga-Palanyag" (Long live Palanyag and the people of Palanyag). The name stuck from that day on.
The Lodge
On March 4, 1997,33 brethren led by Gen. Voltaire T Gazmin, Judge Frank Ibay, VW Emiliano P. Langomez, Jr., VW Melchor Loreto, and VW Roberto Q. Pagotan, filed a petition with the Grand Lodge asking for a dispensation for them to form a lodge at Barangay Don Bosco, Better Living Subdivision, Parañaque, Metro Manila, to be named Palanyag Lodge. DDGM Roberto Q. Pagotan favorably endorsed the petition.
On May 9, 1997, Grand Master Leon Angel P. Bañez issued the dispensation and named Benjamin G. Brown as the Dispensation Master, Nicanor Mangunay as the Senior Warden and Wilthy Benal as the Junior Warden of the new lodge.
On June 28, 1997, Grand Master Bańez, assisted by Grand Lodge officers, instituted the lodge at the Temple of Jacobo Zobel Memorial Lodge in Makati. Palanyag Lodge was not granted a charter during the annual communication held in April 1998. The Committee on Charters noted that since the institution of the lodge its roster did not increase, and so it recommended that the granting of a charter be deferred. The dispensation of the lodge was, however, extended another year.
In April 1999, Palanyag Lodge was finally granted a charter. Grand Master Franklin J. Demonteverde constituted the lodge on June 5, 1999 at the Jose Abad Santos hall, Plaridel Masonic Temple II on San Marcelino St., Ermita Manila. He was assisted by RW Oscar V. Bunyi, Deputy Grand Master; VW Elson Tayko, who acted as Senior Grand Warden; VW John V. Llamas, as Junior Grand Warden; VW Melvyn Jurisprudencia, as Grand Treasurer; VW Benjamin J. Torres, as Grand Secretary; and VW Fernando Pascua. as Grand Marshall.
RW Bunyi, assisted by VW Llamas and VW Antonio San Luis, installed the following officers: Wilthy Benal, Worshipful Master, Homobueno Pique, Senior Warden and Ricardo Idquival, Jr., Junior Warden.
Bro. Voltaire Gazmin, then Phil. Army Chief, was guest of honor and speaker. MW Demonteverde delivered the closing remarks and VW Enrique Flores, Jr., the Grand Master's Deputy for MD No. 13, closed the lodge.
Location: Parañaque City