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) |