Juan Sumulong Masonic Lodge No. 169

The Lodge

          In 1962, several distinguished Masons residing in Rizal conceived of the idea of establishing a lodge in Taytay, Rizal for the benefit the brethren residing in Taytay and the neighboring towns of Cainta, Antipolo, Teresa, Morong and Binangonan. On October 20, 1962 these Masons, led by Angelo S. Baylon, of Quezon City Lodge No. 122, Florencio Ilagan, Eulogio Eusebio, and Exequiel Angeles held an organizational meeting and elected the following to be the first officers of the lodge: WM, Exequiel R. Angeles; SW, Eulogio Eusebio; JW, Pythagoras P. Brion, Jr.; Treasurer, Maka-araw Cruz; and Secretary, Angelo S. Baylon. A petition to open a lodge to be known as Juan Sumulong Memorial Lodge was forthwith sent to the Grand Lodge of the Philippines and in due time the requested dispensation was issued. On March 29, 1963, the first meeting of the lodge under dispensation was held at the Juan Sumulong Memorial High School in Taytay. Soon thereafter petitions for degrees were received The first petitioners were: Virgilio J. Tamayo, German Esguerra, Jr., Magtanggol G. Sanvictores and Benjamin A. Bernardino all from Taytay and Leandro G. Sabado from Binangonan. At the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines held in April 1963, the Grand Lodge granted a charter to Juan Sumulong Memorial Lodge No. 169. Five months later, on September 28, 1963, the lodge was formally constituted and its officers installed at the Juan Sumulong Memorial Junior College Auditorium in Taytay, in the presence of close to three hundred people. Grand Master Pedro Gimenez presided over the ceremonies, which were graced by the presence of Senator Lorenzo Sumulong, the Guest of Honor and son of Bro. Juan Sumulong in whose honor the lodge was named, and Past Grand Masters Esteban Munarriz, Mauro Baradi, Macario Ofilada and William H. Quasha. In his speech, Sen. Lorenzo Sumulong revealed little known facts about his father as man, father and Mason. He disclosed that his father was a deeply religious man and regularly went to church to set the example for his children. He also mentioned that at one time Archbishop Michael O'Doherty told his father that he would not be accepted as a baptismal sponsor unless he retracted his Masonic beliefs. When informed that another leader took only one minute to sign the retraction, his father answered that if it took the other leader only one minute, "it would take him (my father) 100 years to do so." JSM Lodge 169 had a good start, but in the Nineteen Seventies, it started to falter. In 1977, it encountered difficulties in mustering a quorum for its stated meetings. With the help, however, of notable brethren from District No. 9 like MW Teddy Baldonado, VW Emil Andrion, Jr., WB Gerry Francisco, WB Jose Hinlo, WB Jose Tanseco, WB Jun Villaflor, WB Ric Balabad, WB Agapito Francisco, WB Jay del Rosario, WB August Manansal and other brothers who are always ready to extend a helping hand, the lodge was rejuvenated and is now one of the very active lodges in the District. Among the present leaders of the lodge are Philmore E. Balmaceda, Jose Ferlu Sudario, Fernando Y. Manalo, Eduardo Vengco, Miguel B. Maraan, Jr., and Arturo Mondejar, Sr. In District 9, JSM Lodge No. 169 is the only lodge that has won for three (3) successive years, 1977,1978, and 1979, the award for having the most number of brethren in attendance during a District Convention hence, it has in its possession a permanent trophy to evidence this unforgettable and momentous event. Today, the lodge meets at the Capitol Masonic Corporation Building where it transferred from its original place of meeting in Taytay. Location: Taytay, Metro Manila