LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD CELEBRATING MAYNILAD LODGE NO. 1521’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY Bayani E. Pioquinto, PM Secretary, Maynilad Lodge No. 1521
S
ome things are just meant to happen for a reason in a season. Most are not even planned nor thought of. Whether by just sheer coincidence, or perhaps, a chance meeting, such occurrences can usher in new beginnings. Such was the case when two Master Masons – MWB Kwame Acquaah, then the Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia in 2009, and WB Generoso Calonge, then the Consul General of the Embassy of the Philippines in – Allan Mullaly Washington, DC - met at Lodge for the very first time in D.C. sometime in July of 2009. It was here the foundation of Maynilad Lodge was formed.
With a top-down mandate, WB Theodore ‘Ted’ Villapando (who was known and familiar to many Filipino Masons) and WB Kenneth Gibala were commissioned by MWB Acquaah to assist WB Calonge in clearing the hurdles to establish a Filipino Lodge. Several Q & A meetings with as many Filipino Masons in the area took place. But as can be expected in any organizational undertakings, the process met some roadblocks in the form of negativism and hesitancy by some Master Masons who had their own personal agendas and ideas. Despite these minor setbacks, however, the desire of many to see a Filipino Lodge established in the heart of the nation’s capital proved stronger, and the unwavering support of many members proved their critics wrong.
“Leadership is having a compelling vision, a comprehensive plan, relentless implementation, and talented people working together.”
The revelation from their conversation was that there were a significant number of Filipino-American Masons residing the Metro Washington, D.C. area. This kindled MWB Acquaah’s vision of further promoting the diversity of Freemasonry in the nation’s capital and led him to ask WB Calonge if there might be interest in establishing a Filipino-American Lodge within the District of Columbia, embracing their Filipino culture but in conformity to the rules and rituals of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. The prospect of having such a Lodge in Washington, DC, the ‘melting pot’ of social and cultural diversity, could not have come at a better time. Understandably, the mere thought of it filled WB Calonge with a lot of enthusiasm. Fired with motivation and energized by the prospect of being part of something historic, WB Gene Calonge wasted no time in organizing a list of Freemasons who expressed a desire to build a Filipino Lodge.
After some deliberation on what to name the new Lodge, the newly-formed group unanimously decided to name it Maynilad Lodge, after the plant called “Nilad” (scientific name: Scyphiphora- a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the Rubiaceae family) that then grew in abundance along Manila Bay and the banks of the Pasig River in Manila. As to the Lodge number, No. 1521 was chosen
mainly for its historical significance— referencing the year of discovery of the Philippine Islands by Magellan. Being a DC Mason and knowledgeable with the Codes and Rituals of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, WB Villapando was tasked with preparing the dispensation that would allow the Lodge to be formed. Granted a dispensation under the sponsorship of Allianza Fraternal Americana Lodge No. 92, in November 2009, Maynilad U.D. (or Under Dispensation) held its first installation of officers on a cold and snowy day, Saturday, December 5, 2009. The three Pillar Officers installed were: WB Theodore Villapando of Washington-Daylight Lodge No. 14 as Worshipful Master, WB Generoso Calonge, also of Washington-Daylight Lodge No. 14 as Senior Warden, and WB Edward Usita of Naomi Lodge No. 87 under the Grand Lodge of Virginia as Junior Warden. The other appointed officers were also installed by the late RWB Merriman Parker and RWB Christopher ‘Chip’ Mahaney. The newly installed Officers and assembled Brethren of Maynilad UD wasted no time in learning the GLDC works and rituals under the tutelage and guidance of the Grand Lecturer, RWB Mahaney. Soon thereafter, the first candidates were initiated as Entered Apprentices. And in short order,
Maynilad Lodge Brethren at the installation of officers of Fil-Can Cabletow Lodge No. 189 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, May 2019.
ISSUE 3, 2021 THE VOICE OF FREEMASONRY | 3
