TIMBERLAND :: 219 CHRONICLES
The foundation of Timberland Lodge No. 219, Free and Accepted Masons, is the ultimate realization and fulfillment of a shared dream of Sojourners in the Province of Agusan del Sur to establish a Masonic Lodge within its jurisdiction, under whose canopy the weary brothers may find rest and refreshment from their wanderings. Early accounts reveal that attempts to institu
te a Lodge in the province was broached in the early 70’s by four brethren dispersed in the neighboring province of Surigao del Sur on occasions they could casually meet. On the other hand, with the creation of the Province of Agusan del Sur on June 17, 1967, Masons from different Lodges were brought together by their assignments in government service. Unable then to commune regularly, if at all, with their Mother Lodges now far away, these brethren also tinkered with the idea of putting up a Lodge. Yet since there were only a few of them, the idea seemed unlikely. On June 30, 1977, Bro. Quintin dela Torre communicated with a number of brethren in the area, once again bringing out the idea of forming a Lodge but this time with added encouragement of a promised and much needed assistance from brethren in Cagayan de Oro City. This new development fired up the enthusiasm and clamor of the sojourners. Almost at the same time also, the brethren of Agusan Valley Lodge No. 160, through WM Wilfredo T. Mendoza, manifested their desire to sponsor the proposed Lodge. Subsequently on September 23, 1977, an informal caucus was made among the brethren of Agusan del Sur who were joined by brother Masons of Liangga Bay Logging Company of Surigao del Sur. During the meeting, informal as it was, desires of the brethren to organize a Lodge were firmed up. It was then agreed that the proposed Lodge would be in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. In the meantime, the local PNB office at San Francisco would be the converging point of all communications and of the brethren during the formative stage – the PNB Manager acting as the liaison man among them. A definitive plan for the desired purpose was finally presented and laid down during the Stated Meeting of the Agusan Valley Lodge No. 160 in Butuan City on November 26, 1977, attended by the brethren from Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur. The name Timberland Lodge was adopted; the petition for a dispensation and the by-laws drafted. Not long after, the by-laws and the petition for a dispensation were submitted to the Grand Lodge with forty-four signatories as charter members, most of which were solicited by Bro. Quintin dela Torre. The dispensation was granted to Timberland Lodge by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free And Accepted Masons of the Philippines on October 28, 1977, designating thereat WB Saturnino D. Alfonso as Worshipful Master; Bro. Edmundo Luza, Senior Warden, and Bro. Ruperto O. Eva, Junior Warden. The Timberland Lodge, U.D. held its first Stated Meeting on January 7, 1978, thence, every first Saturday of every month. With the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge then fast approaching, the Timberland Lodge, U.D. was striving hard to meet the requirements of the Grand Lodge necessary for it to attain a charter come April 29, 1978, the date of the Annual Communication. Having then fulfilled satisfactorily the requirements, Timberland Lodge was finally granted its charter as Timberland Lodge No. 219. Timberland Lodge No. 219, F. was constituted on June 24, 1978. On the occasion of its Constitution, its proud and overjoyed officers and members humbly thank the Supreme Grand Master of the Celestial Lodge for the crowning glory of their efforts, and to all those whose encouragements and support made it all possible. The brethren started their monthly meetings in a rented place at the 3/F of De Leon Bldg. in downtown San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. A year after, 2 lots were bought in Barangay San Isidro, but due to financial constraints, the Brethren had to make use of the improved and refurbished pigpen building in holding their stated meetings. Not until after 15 years from its constitution that the present Timberland Lodge No. 219 Masonic Center started to rise. Membership increased but there were times that growth was noticeably slow. At the start, majority of membership was from the local government sector until military and police officers sought admission into the Fraternity. Fewer members came from the private sector during the early days of the Lodge. The charter members and officers of Timberland Lodge No. 219 F. and A. M. who endeavored for the constitution of the Lodge are as follows:
Worshipful Master : WB Saturnino D. Alfonso, PM
Senior Warden : Bro. Edmundo B. Luza
Junior Warden : Bro. Eva
Treasurer : Bro. Juan Damgo
Secretary : Bro. Teodorico Torotoro
Auditor : Bro. Camilo Salvaña
Chaplain : Bro. Orlando Obsequio
Marshal : Bro. Byron Bennett
Senior Deacon : Bro. Fidel Bolatete
Junior Deacon : Bro. Quintin dela Torre
Almoner : Bro. Alfredo Cuezon
Lecturer : Bro. Jack Merrit
Senior Steward : Bro. Protacio Somontan
Junior Steward : Bro. Tito Catedral, PM
Organist : Bro. Ruben Tan
Tyler : Bro. Francisco Uy
Many brethren of the Lodge had made names in the fields of their employment especially in the police and military while brethren in the local government units also occupied high positions. The Lodge had also produced its first District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM), so far, in the person of VW Santos B. Gabison, Jr., but many had been appointed as District Grand Lecturers (DGL) and District Grand Lodge Inspectors (DGLI). Over the years, the Lodge has existed, though at times lackluster, but nevertheless it persist to rise amid various constraints and challenges that oftentimes hinder its ability to accomplish its vision and mission and have its presence felt in the community where it is situated. Notwithstanding the rough and rugged roads along the way, the steadfast aspiration and collective labor of the brethren still reigned and continues to shape the strong and resilient foundations of Timberland Lodge No. 219. Presently, a substantial resurgence of enthusiasm and energy is engulfing the Lodge with the extensive and significant improvements in its environs and the introduction of worthy undertakings that benefit the community. Led by Worshipful Master Charlie D. Cinco, the Lodge had embarked on a total facelift which include the proper tiling of Lodge floors, walls and ceilings; setting up of an air-conditioning system, provision of new furniture and fixtures as well as the beautiful landscaping of the Lodge surroundings. Notably, the Lodge aptly and more importantly coupled the significant physical improvements with various accomplishments and implementation of worthwhile community projects and activities. Foremost, a piece of history was written when Timberland Chapter of the Order of DeMolay came into being and was finally granted its Charter last October 24, 2009 in an equally unforgettable ceremony, firstly because of its significance and secondly because of the peculiar time it was conducted which was almost “low twelve” due to some delays. However, all the complaining and grumblings were simply muted when the Charter was finally handed over to the members of the proud Advisory Council led by Worshipful Master Cinco, himself a Senior DeMolay, and the strong clamor of the brethren to sponsor a chapter of the premier organization for young boys was at long last realized. On the other hand, taking to heart and deed their role of supporting the efforts and labors of their better halves, the sisters aided by the brethren, formally organized the Timberland Lodge Ladies Association, which they have registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for due and proper recognition. Together, Timberland Lodge No. 219, F. and Timberland Lodge Ladies Association had engaged in meaningful community projects like tree planting and community clean-up for the DeMolays. It has also initiated a very valuable charitable work by launching its Adopt-A-School Program whereby a certain learning facility is adopted by the Lodge and is provided with the necessary support required by the pupils and students as well as the teachers. In this case, the Special Education Learning Center for Children with Special Needs in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur is its first beneficiary. The Brethren, Sisters, DeMolays and the entire Timberland Lodge Masonic Family act as “big brothers and sisters” to the children with learning disability and autism and those with hearing and visual impairment and provide them the much needed care and support in their studies. With this, the dream of a few sojourners over three decades ago had bore fruit and now the Masonic family in the Province of Agusan del Sur is constantly growing strong and resilient through the years. And as the days go by and with a new and impressive Lodge features to boot, the conviction and labors of the brethren of Timberland Lodge No. 219 shall remain firm and steadfast towards making a difference in the community in particular, and the nation in general. And our story will go on…
