MENDEZ- NUÑEZ LODGE # 8 (1997 to 2007)

ORIGIN

The lodge is named after the town of Mendez in Cavite. Mendez was originally known as Gahitan, one of the barrios of Indang. The name gahitan was derived from the word “gahit” meaning to cut , referring to the cutting of the tall and thick cogon grass that abounded in the area. A petition was sent to Governor Jose Malcampo y Monje to separate Gahitan from its mother town Indang. On May 16, 1874 , two years after the Cavite Revolt in 1872, Gov. Gen. Malcampo granted the request and ordered that the three barrios of Gahitan,Palocpoc and Anuling be assimilated to form one independent municipality named MENDEZ-NUÑEZ. The official proclamation of three barrios as an independent municipality took place on September 6, 1875 as sanctioned by the King of Spain in his Royal Order dated December 12,1878. Gov. Gen. Malcampo named the new town in memory of his good friend Spanish Gen. Castro MENDEZ-NUÑEZ with whom he established a Masonic Lodge in Kawit under a charter from the Grand Lodge of Portugal in 1856.

Square and Compass

November 27,1994 – The Square and Compass Club of Mendez was formed , the long term goal of which was to establish a Masonic lodge in this town.

January 22, 1996 – Twenty seven Master Masons, all residing in or near Mendez sent a petition to the Grand Lodge asking permission to congregate as a lodge.

Under Dispensation (U.D.)

February 27, 1996- Grand Master Danilo D. Angeles gave them a dispensation to organize MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Lodge .

March 30, 1996 – At 4:15 in the afternoon of this day the 1st meeting of the duly instituted MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Lodge U.D. was held.

ANCOM 96 (April 25 to 27,1996) – The petition for a charter was disapproved. However, the lodge has been given an extension for one year under dispensation. Some requirements are still to be complied with.

September 28, 1996 - MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Lodge U.D. raised its 1st Master mason.
Bro. Fernando Aure was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason to become its first regular member.

December 4, 1996 - MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Lodge U.D. raised three (3) fiscals to the sublime degree of Master Masons, they are :
Ernesto B. Vida, Tomas H. Torneros Jr. and Manuel D. Noche.

April 25, 1997 - MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Lodge was granted a charter by the Grand Lodge and assigned # 316.
CONSTITUTION

May 31, 1997- MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Lodge constituted, to become officially Masonic Lodge # 316. MW Leon A.P. Banez Jr., GM constituted the lodge, the charter was read and the public installation of its 1st elected and appointed officials followed.

August 23, 1997- MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Lodge started to hold their stated meetings at Indang Lodge # 115.

The Brethren of MNL desired to build their own Masonic Temple and started to get positive result , the Sarmiento Family thru Mrs. Trinidad H. Sarmiento , donated a parcel of land on which the temple will be built.


February 1, 2000- the cornerstone for the Temple was laid, Ground Breaking rites was officiated by RW Oscar V. Bunyi, Deputy Grand Master.

The fund raising for the construction of the temple started , several projects and events were held in order to raise the much needed resources, Golf tournaments in the USA and here in the country were held, special projects ,

Pledges and support from Brethren and Lodges all around the world kept pouring , with the continuing support the building construction progressed .

March 23, 2002- marked the 1st Stated meeting held in its new Masonic Temple on F. Manalo St. , Barangay Payapa, Mendez , Cavite.

The Lodge continued to labor in harmony in the following years and became active participant in Masonic activity in the district.



TRANSITION


Recent events in Philippine Masonry , particularly in the District of Cavite resulted to a growing clamor for change, the Lodge was in its crossroad of its Masonic journey.

On that historic day of August 26,2006 , MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Lodge approved Resolution No. 6- A. Toledo Series of 2006 stating that the Lodge will join in the Formation of a new Grand Lodge .

On September 10, 2006 , MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Lodge together with seven (7) other Lodges in Cavite joined the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands in Aguinaldo Shrine , Kawit , Cavite.

MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Masonic Lodge is now under the jurisdiction of IGLPI and is officially MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Lodge # 8.


The first Grand Assembly of IGLPI on November 25, 2006 witnessed the ratification of a new constitution , it is in this occasion that the Grand Lodge Hymn (the Lyrics & Music by WB Dominador P. Ramos , incumbent WM of MNL#8) was sung.


Ten years ago , MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Lodge was established , now it is a Pillar of the Craft , where Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth continue to be its tenets .
The rough and rugged road to True Masonry will be traveled, the brethren of MENDEZ-NUÑEZ Lodge # 8 will take on that journey.



BroRpee

ANOTHER BROTHERLY LOVE EVENT IN PHILIPPINE MASONIC HISTORY

VWB VIRGILIO F SARMIENTO, PRDGM GLP, was the Guest Speaker in the Second Public Installation Ceremonies of the Elected and Appointed Officers of Mendez-Nunez Lodge No. 8 IGLPI last September 22, 2007 at Mendez-Nunez, Cavite.

VWB VIRGILIO F. SARMIENTO, was a Past Regional Deputy Grand Master, GLP in 1998 under the term of MW Enrique L Locsin, PGM 1998. He covered the region of Southern Tagalog. In addition, VWB Sarmiento was a Past Junior Grand Deacon, GLP, Past Master of Tagaytay Lodge No. 165 GLP, and held numerous positions in the Masonic organization of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. A very Illustrious Brother of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Freemasonry of the Philippines, he was always a distinguish member of many Conferrals in both Imus and Cavite Bodies. He was a very distinguish and brilliant Masonic Lecturer and illumined the minds of many on the better meanings and truths of Masonic principles.

We are always reminded of the humility of VWB Sarmiento, when he declined the appointment of DDGM of Cavite Masonic District Nr. 2 in 1990. His Lodge, Tagaytay Lodge No. 165, was NOT in turn for the hosting of the District Convention and which by virtue of the Cavite Covenant of 1987 should have come the DDGM. By his gracious act of fidelity to the Cavite Covenant, harmony prevailed in the District.This is always recorded in Cavite Masonic history.

The Lodge and the IGLPI are honored to have VWB Virgilio F Sarmiento , PRDGM as a lodge Guest Speaker. He spoke of Masonry as a way of life, which should always build bridges to unite all men into a Brotherhood under GOD regardless of religion, race, creed, etc. He also enlightened us once more on the true meaning and understanding of what and who is clandestine. He also mentioned that there are many Grand Lodges in the world not in fraternal relations with the GLP AND VICE VERSA.

There is a provision in the GLP Constitution for the Grand Master to create Regional Grand Lodges and to appoint Regional Grand Master. Except for the Regional Grand Lodge of Japan and the Regional Grand Lodge of Ryukyu Islands, which both no longer exist, no other Regional Grand Lodge was created. The first ever appointment of a Regional Deputy Grand Master could have been a step towards the fulfillment of the GLP Constitutional provision.

The IGLPI Constitution provides for the position of Regional Deputies covering a Region with several Districts under them. Another growth opportunitiy in the future awaits everyone..

“May Brotherly love prevail and every moral and social virtues cement us…”


September 30, 2007—Bro Jim Bantolo

Second Public Installation of MNL# 8 Masonic Year 2007 - 2008

Last September 22, 2007 at 9AM at Mendez Masonic Temple 21 brethrens were installed as new officers for Masonic Year 2007 - 2008.

Installing Officer was RW Joseph A. Capuyan, JGW, Master of Ceremonies - Eduardo V. Bayot, DGS and Asst. Master of Ceremonies - VW Bernard E. Marges, PDGL.

We were inspired by the masonic sharing of our guest speaker, VW Virgilio F. Sarmiento, Past Regional Deputy Grand Master, GLP / Past Junior Grand Deacon, GLP

The programme was closed by our MW Jaime V. Bantolo, GM.

This occasion were supported by the members and officers of the other IGLPI's lodges.

From all the brothers of Mendez Nunez Lodge # 8, Thank you very much.