Tolomeo C. Galaritta Memorial Lodge No. 242 (formerly known as Punta  Sulawan)

The Name

                This Lodge is named after a small projection of land into the sea called Sulawan Point, located in Misamis Oriental province, not far from where the lodge is situated. Punta Sulawan is a dive site characterized by underwater caves, sloping terrain and sudden drop-offs, inaccessible to all but the most determined and experienced divers.

The Lodge

            In August 1979, thirty-one Master Masons addressed a petition to the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to organize a lodge in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental, but the petition lacked essential requirements and was not acted upon. After the organizers secured the sponsorship of Maguindanao Lodge No.40 on November 3. 1979 and had complied with the other requirements, they revived their petition which was hand carried by WB Benjamin O. Go to the Grand Lodge on November 19, 1979. Four days later, Grand Master Jolly Bugarin gave them a dispensation. On January 12, 1980, the lodge held its inaugural meeting at the Alubiſid Central School, which was attended by seventeen of the founders.
Within a period of two months, the lodge was able to raise seven brothers to the Sublime Degree of Masonry.          

            The lodge sent a petition for the issuance of a charter to the Grand Lodge on March 31, 1980 and, at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge in April 1980, the lodge was granted a charter and assigned number 242. Named officers in the charter were Esteban R. Requinton, Worshipful Master; Felino G. Balaquit, Senior Warden and Sia Beng Tek, Junior Warden.

            The biggest day of the lodge came on August 30, 1980. On this date, Grand Master Manuel D. Mandac assisted by MW Esteban Munarriz, MW Manuel M. Crudo and other Masonic dignitaries, constituted the lodge in Alubijid. Brothers from lodges in Lanao, Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur and even as far as Cabanatuan City were in attendance. After the constitution ceremonies, Deputy Grand Master Simeon Rene Lacson installed the officers.

            Like most other new lodges, Punta Sulawan Lodge had a peripatetic existence during its early years. Its first meetings were held in the residence of WB Tolomeo C. Galarita. After four years the lodge was moved to the residence of WB Felino G. Balaquit, then to the UCCP Church, then to the Alubijid Central School, the MMTA Temple in Cagayan de Oro, the Asia Brewery Plant in El Salvador, back to Alubijid Elementary School, the residence of WB Celedonio C. Jamis and again to the UCCP Church in Alubijid.

            At present Punta Sulawan Lodge is in the process of building its own Temple on a 1,500 sq. m. lot in Alubijid donated by WB Dan Galarita. Another lot located in Loguilo, Alubijid with an area of 596 sq. m. was donated by WB Sia Beng Tek and, with his consent, they are trying to sell it with the intention of
using the proceeds to finance the construction of the Temple.

            Location: Alubijid, Misamis Oriental