Early Accounts (1918-1946)

In 1918, a Committee on Masonic Study was appointed by then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (GLPI, now the GLP), MW Manuel Quezon. It composed of MW George Harvey, PGM, Teodoro Kalaw Sr., V.R. Onrubia, Conrado Benitez, and Santiago Barcelona. A report of the committee was printed in April 1918, entitled “Elementary Course of Masonic Study,” outlining the major themes and courses of study, namely those on history, legislation, philosophy, liturgy, symbolism, government (lodge and Grand Lodge administration), parliamentary law (jurisprudence), and penal code (discipline and grievance). It thus constituted the first major effort of Masonic Education in the Philippine jurisdiction. It also mentioned that “qualified brethren of each lodge would do a great service for the rest and for the entire fraternity if they would dedicate a good part of their time to the work of study and research, and then enlighten their brethren by means of lectures or addresses.” 

In 1933, there were literary contests sponsored in order to get members interested in Masonic study and research work. The Grand Lodge even became a member of the Correspondence Circle of the North Carolina Lodge of Research.

Before World War II, the Grand Lodge’s Committee on Masonic Study helped clarify doubtful matters raised by some Masons in the jurisdiction and, from time to time, also answered inquiries related to Masonry. Then in 1946, when the Grand Lodge was just starting to regroup after the destruction caused by the War, MW Michael Goldberg, then Grand Master of the GLPI, appointed a Special Committee on History and Masonic Education to fulfill the needs previously served by the former Committee on Masonic Study.

In 1941, there was also a recommendation to form a Masonic Literary Circle that would encourage the proper study and improvement of local Masonic literature and culture, be it on matters of symbolism, history, philosophy, or jurisprudence. It was later approved by the Grand Lodge as then Grand Master, MW John McFie Jr. agreed to establish it under the condition that it would be under the control, supervision, and administration of an executive Committee composed of Grand Lodge officers, with the Grand Master as President; and that subordinate lodges would serve as extensions, thereby expected to cooperate in the attainment of its goals. In 1946, this Masonic Literary Circle was again recommended by Grand Secretary, MW Antonio Gonzalez, in favor of a Lodge of Research which, incidentally, was likewise proposed during the Annual Communication (AnCom) of that year. Such consideration to form a Lodge of Research was however recommended by the Committee on Jurisprudence to be deferred until the next AnCom.

Meanwhile, according to the Chairman of the Committee on Jurisprudence, MW George Harvey, in his inquiries with other jurisdictions at the time, Lodges of Research differed in nature and structure depending on the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of California, for instance, had a “Lodge of Research” but was not really a separate lodge. Rather, it was just a committee of the Grand Lodge that served as a research group. The jurisdiction of Oregon, on the other hand, had an actual Lodge of Research, with its own name and number. However, The Grand Lodge had to modify its Constitution in order to permit dual membership of Masons already belonging to existing lodges into their Lodge of Research. The question therefore of whether a Lodge of Research can be authorized by the GLPI in accordance with the provisions of its Constitution, without having to amend it, became a legitimate concern. It was because of this concern that MW Harvey decided “not in favor of recommending to the Grand Lodge that the Constitution be amended so as to permit a member of another lodge in the Philippines or another lodge in a foreign jurisdiction to apply for membership in a Lodge of Research.” He further said, “Such Research Lodge in the Philippines does not seem feasible to me, and I would not be in favor of amending our Constitution so as to authorize the chartering of such a lodge in our jurisdiction.” MW Gonzalez agreed with the sentiment, hence the reason for recommending a Masonic Literary Circle instead.

Research Council (1947)

During the 31st AnCom held in January 1947, the Committee on Jurisprudence recommended that the petition for a Lodge of Research be denied, but that, in its place, a special committee be established with the name Research Council, Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands. In a circular dated June 5, 1947, then Grand Master, MW Emilio Virata expressed his endorsement of its establishment. As indicated in the circular, the said Masonic Research Council appeared to have the same goals and aspirations as the previously-proposed Masonic Literary Circle, such as making arrangements for lectures to be delivered that would enhance the knowledge of Masons and of Masonry; gathering materials for publication; arranging the printing of books and pamphlets; and receiving voluntary contributions in terms of Masonic writings or donations. It also had the same conditions: that it would be under the control, supervision, and administration of an executive Committee composed of Grand Lodge officers, with the Grand Master as President; and that subordinate lodges would serve as extensions, thereby expected to cooperate in the attainment of its goals. In effect, the Masonic Literary Circle came into being as the Masonic Research Council. Its initial officers included MW Emilio Virata as President, RW Albert Brazee Jr. as Vice President, RW Esteban Munarriz as member, MW Vicente Carmona as Treasurer, and MW Antonio Gonzalez as Secretary.

Having seemingly accomplished very little, the Masonic Research Council and its bases were reiterated in a circular dated March 13, 1951 by then Grand Master, MW Cenon Cervantes, declaring subordinate lodges as its branches, therefore expected to contribute. The Executive Committee of the Masonic Research Council was tasked to gather all available materials from the lodges and, after proper study, such would be submitted to the Committee on Masonic Broadcasts for dissemination.

In the course of the coming years, the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands (GLPI) had already seen itself renamed as the Grand Lodge of the Philippines (GLP). Still, the Masonic Research Council seemed to have remained stagnant. In fact, MW William Quasha said in his 1963 Grand Master’s Report, “The basis for a Masonic Research Council was adopted by the Grand Lodge at the Annual Communication in 1947. Thus far, no Grand Master has seen fit to bring this worthy project into being. I sincerely regret that time did not allow me to do any better than my predecessors. I sincerely hope that my successor will be able to do so.” 

Since then, all efforts on and concern for the Masonic Research Council seemed to have faded. It would not be until 1972, when Masons in the Philippine jurisdiction were again reminded of its dormant existence, as included in the newly-revised Constitution of the GLP. In 1977, the bases for the Masonic Research Council were again reprinted, via the Cable Tow publication, to yet remind everyone of its existence. The following year, then Grand Master, MW Desiderio Dalisay, issued a circular dated July 29, 1978 instructing lodges to exert more serious efforts to implement the provisions in the Constitution pertaining to the Masonic Research Council. 

Philippine Lodge of Research (1990)

On March 29, 1990, a Philippine Lodge of Research (PLR) was established, this time by MW Juan Nabong Jr., through his Edict No. 109. This time, the Grand Master assured that there were no shortages of local Masonic researchers, historians, and writers. Thus when he saw that several Masons sought to rekindle a Lodge of Research, he immediately decreed the constitution of a PLR, composing of MW Reynato Puno, MW Reynold Fajardo, then VW Danilo Angeles, Abelardo Mojica, Vicente Ongtenco, Vicente Hao Chin Jr., Fernando Pascua Jr., Samuel Fernandez, Samuel Morgia, Juliano Chiu, Jesus Elbinias, Eufemio Dela Cruz, Jesus Flor Nicolas, Felifranco Luto, and George Clark Jr. Then on April 10, 1990, MW Nabong issued Edict No. 109-A, designating the first officers of the new PLR, namely MW Reynold Fajardo as Master, Abelardo Mojica as Senior Warden, Vicente Ongtengco as Treasurer, and Fernando Pascua Jr. as Secretary.

In 1997, MW Leon Angel Banez Jr. announced in his Grand Master’s message that they are “reviving the Philippine Lodge of Research.” True enough, on January 7, 1998, MW Fajardo finally called for a PLR meeting, to which the following were elected as the new set of officers: Fernando Pascua Jr. as Master, Vicente Hao Chin Jr. as Senior Warden, Mabini Hernandez as Junior Warden, Emiliano Langomez Jr. as Treasurer, Johnny Mendoza as Secretary, and Flor Nicolas as Assistant Secretary. Present during the meeting were then Grandmaster, MW Leon Banez, Eufemio Dela Cruz, Conrado Sanga, Juan Luis Faustman, Benito Ty, Benito Ang, and Samuel Fernandez. Others who were designated as members were MW Rizal Aportadera, Mon Nunez, and Restituto Basa. Nicolas, Faustman, and Ty were even assigned to draft the Constitution and By-Laws. Emiliano Langomez volunteered to chair the Publications Committee, while MW Fajardo was chosen as editor of their would-be Journal. For their initial project, MW Fajardo suggested the work of translating a few GLP documents from Spanish to English. Then on October 21, 1998, after more than 8 years of inactivity since its creation, the PLR was formally constituted by the GLP, and its new officers installed. Also installed were Fidel Chua as Auditor, Conrado Sanga as Chaplain, Juan Luis Faustman as Senior Deacon, Benito Ty as Junior Deacon, Benjamin Torres as Senior Steward, Isaac Arribas Jr. as Junior Steward, and Samuel Fernandez as Tyler. The ceremony of constitution was presided by then RW Napoleon Soriano. Other active members included MW Juan Nabong Jr., Juan Medina, Abelardo Aportadera Jr., Ernesto Malapaya, Rodrigo Arandia, Rogelio Talastas and then VW Juanito Abergas. 

On July 18, 2012, RW Fernando Pascua Jr., and VW Isaac Arribas Jr. invited selected Masons at the Swiss Inn to discuss the reactivation of the PLR. In the meeting, RW Pascua urged those in attendance, “Let’s put back the Philippine Lodge of Research in track in order that we will be able to keep abreast with the Lodges of Research of other Grand Lodges.” Unfortunately, the result was the same. The PLR remained inactive. In 2015, VW Flor Nicolas modestly proposed what appeared to be a last desperate call to try and revive the defunct PLR. That too, unfortunately amounted to nothing, and the Philippines is still without its own Masonic Research society.

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