Primera Luz Filipina Masonic Lodge No.69

Updated by WI Jun Wilvir P. Capili, IPM

On November 8, 1919, members of Magdalo Lodge No.31 decided to form a lodge in Binakayan, Cavite where most of them hailed from. The first organizational meeting was held on November 22 in the house of Mr. Rufino Geluz. The brethren decided to name their lodge Primera Luz Filipina, as a homage to the first masonic lodge established by Jose Malcampo y Monge under the Gran Oriente Lusitano in 1856. The name literally translates to “First Light of the Philippines”.

However, it was only in January 1921 that 21 brethren of Magdalo Lodge No. 31, led by Felix Cajulis, Benedicto Ilano, Vicente Marquez, Daniel Sambong, and Esteban Rodriguez, Sr., demitted from their lodge with intention of forming the lodge in Binakayan, Cavite. Despite having a few days left prior to the annual communication of the Grand Lodge and unable to secure a Dispensation, the Committee on Charters earnestly requested the Grand Lodge to grant them a charter because of the known high masonic character of its petitioners notwithstanding having not yet formally worked under dispensation. Its charter was granted on January 25, 1921 during the 9th Annual Communications, together with thirteen other lodges. WB Felix Cajulis, himself a Past Master of Magdalo 31, was elected as Charter Master.

Thus, Primera Luz Filipina Masonic Lodge No. 69 became one of only a few lodges under Philippine jurisdiction to be granted a charter without first securing and working under dispensation. It also has the distinction of being the first lodge to be established in a barrio.

The first meetings of the lodge were held in the residence of Bro. Rufino Geluz. It was in January 1923 that the lodge formally transferred to its new Temple in Binakayan. The completion of the Temple building was born out of the brethren’s commitment and was literally a labor of their love, under the supervision of Brother Architect Lope Sayo.

Closed during the Second World War, PLP No.69 was reactivated by Bros. Bonifacio Gutierrez, Agustin Villanueva, Buenaventura S. Realica, Florentino S. Bautista and Francisco C. Ferree shortly after peace was restored. On July 21, 1946, it had the honor of hosting the first post war annual convention of Cavite Masons that was attended by more than 200 brethren.

The lodge is proud of the quality of its roster of members. Among those who have graced its rolls are: District Deputy Grand Masters Edgardo C. Perez, David C. Marquez, Angel O. Dario, Nelin S. Pineda, Rogelio T. Manuto,

Roseller Malabanan, Dominador Eugenio and Raul E. Canon, Jr.

There are also members who held or have elective and appointive positions in the government: Former AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Clemente P. Mariano; Provincial Governors Juanito R. Remulla and Dominador Camerino; Congressman Jose T. Cajuns; Con-Con Delegate, Alberto M. Jamir; Former Presidential Adviser Rear Admiral Danilo M. Cortez; Philippine Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Loumer P. Bernabe; Philippine Air Force Inspector General Stephen P. Parreno; former DILG Undersecretary Peter Irving C. Corvera; Assistant Ombudsman Caesar D. Asuncion; Former DoTr Assistant Secretary and currently National Food Authority Deputy Administrator Raul E. Canon, Jr.

The Lodge is also proud of being one of the few lodges in the jurisdiction that had appendant organizations under its sponsorship which currently includes the Tierra Luz Court No. 33 of the Order of the Amaranth.

Despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic on its centennial year, the lodge led by its officers – Centennial Master John Paolo M. Mellona, Senior Warden Bro. Stephen P. Parreno, Junior Warden Bro. Christian Q. Valenzuela, Treasurer VW Joseph A. Canon, Secretary WB Jun Wilvir P. Capili and Auditor VW Ricardo C. Vasquez – remains committed to its ideals in brotherly love that it extends to the community through various activities that include the provision of scholarships to deserving college and high school students, support to the Binakayan Elementary School and Florante Ilano Elementary School Brigada Eskwela, distribution of food packs at the height of the restrictions during the pandemic quarantine, and the annual gift giving to the Aeta community in Capas, Tarlac.