MenciusLodge No 93

	INTRODUCTION
	THE BIRTH OF MENCIUS LODGE
	THE PERIOD OF EFFLORESCENCE: 1924-1983
	THE 6th DECADE: 1984-1993
	THE 7th DECADE: 1994-2003
	CONCLUSION

History of the Lodge | Mencius’ Biography

THE BIRTH OF MENCIUS LODGE

Formation of the Lodge

On 15 January 1924, Grand Master MW Frederick H. Stevens granted special dispensation to 33 Chinese brethren from different lodges to form Mencius Lodge, U. D., Manila (Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands, 1925: 46). Ten brethren came from Isla de Luzon; 5, Nilad; 3, Batong Buhay; 3, Biak-na-Bato; 3, Noli Me Tangere; 3, Sinukuan; 2, Araw; and one each from Dalisay, Dapitan, Minerva, and Mount Lebanon (Roster of Members).

Charter of the Lodge

During the Annual Communication on 23 January 1924, Grand Master MW Wenceslao Trinidad granted a Charter to the Lodge. He remarked: "I believe that among these (8) lodges (granted Charter), Mencius Lodge is called upon to do more extensive work than the rest. It is formed by the Chinese and it is hoped that through its instrumentality the tenets and teachings of our Order will be spread in the neighboring republic. " (Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands, 1925: 19-20)

Constitution of the Lodge

On 28 June 1924 at about 8:30 PM, a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands was held at the Hall of the Masonic Temple at 90 Escolta, Sta, Cruz, Manila for the constitution of Mencius Lodge No. 93 . (At present PNB Building sits at the site. City College of Manila is currently using the building.) The Grand Lodge was opened in due form with the following brethren filling the offices:

Francisco A. Delgado (Senior Grand Warden)	Eugene A. Perkins (Junior Grand Lecturer)
Grand Master	Deputy Grand Master
Joseph H. Schmidt (Junior Grand Warden)	Michael Goldenberg PGM
Senior Grand Warden	Junior Grand Warden
Juan Muñoz PM	Newton C. Comfort PGM
Grand Treasurer	Grand Secretary
Jose C. Velo as Senior	Adriano R. Rivera
Grand Lecturer	Junior Grand Lecturer
Ramon Mendoza as	Teodoro. M. Kalaw
Grand Chaplain	Grand Orator
Antonio Gonzales	Crispulo LayoC
Grand Marshal	Grand Standard Bearer
Sabas de Guzman	Tomas Molina
Grand Sword Bearer	Grand Bible Bearer
Jose L. Intal	Fausting Manago
Senior Grand Deacon	Junior Grand Deacon
Andres Filoteo	Gelasco Villegas
Senior Grand Steward	Junior Grand Steward
Jose Arpal	Isidoro Hernandez
Grand Pursuivant	Grand Organist
Juan Atayde
Grand Tyler

The acting Grand Master announced: "The Grand Lodge has convened for the purpose of constituting Mencius Lodge No. 93. The lodge was granted a charter last Annual Communication." The Grand Marshal then formed the Grand Lodge into procession and proceeded to the large Blue Lodge Hall where the new Lodge was duly constituted. The ceremonies were held in public. About 500 brethren and guests witnessed this important historic occasion of the lodge (Ibid.: 96-97).

The First Set of Officers

On the same evening, MW Rafael Palma (Installing Officer) assisted by MW Michael Goldenberg

(Master of Ceremonies) then installed the first set of officers of the Lodge: Luis Lim Billan (Isla de Luzon) as Worshipful Master; Yu Chun Teck (Biak-na-Bato) , Senior Warden; 0 Hway Peck (Isla de Luzon), Junior Warden; Gonzalo C. Go Quiolay (Nilad), Treasurer; Marciano Ong (Mount Lebanon), Secretary; Say Koc Chuan (Minerva), Chaplain; Manuel Govantes (Noli Me Tangere), Senior Deacon; Leandro Fua Guiocji (Batong Buhay), Junior Deacon; Chan Lin Cuon (Sinukuan), Master of Ceremonies; Chua Chin Sian, Senior Steward; Lim Suan An (Nilad), Junior Steward; Tieng Sing (Noli Me Tangere), Organist; and Gaw Punso (Batong Buhay), Tyler (Roster of Members).

Other Charter Members

There are other Charter Members of the lodge. 0 Chu Sun, Ty Han Eng, Lim Teck Suan, Trinidad J. Tio Quimpac, Gregorio C. Velasco, Juan Velasco Chua, Uy Yoc Fay, Tan Han Huy (all came from Isla de Luzon), Chun Ban Bee, Tomas L. Dy Conghua, Simon A. Chan Bona (the 3 came from Nilad), Agapito Yulak, Yu Hiang (both came from Biak-na-Bato), Lim Chay Seng, Uy Sing (both came from Sinukuan), Dy Bun Pin (Noli Me Tangere), Cu Uy Gam, Uy Guan (both came from Araw), Lao Oh Guan (Batong Buhay), Santo A. Hoseng (Dalisay ), Na Tim (Dapitan ), Lee Ah Hui (Walana), Carlos Lim Kalaw, and Sio Yao Nang (Ibid.).

The First Pronouncement

During his inaugural address after his installation as the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge, WB Luis Lim Billan declared: "The lodge is not exclusively for the Chinese. The door is opened to all the applicants regardless of their race, creed, or nationality. As long as they are worthy and duly qualified, their application will be given due course. " (Mencius, 40th : 3)