OVERVIEW OF LUZVIMINDA LODGE

Updated 12/17/2007

ON THE RECORD. A group of brothers, aptly called the "founders", first met on Nov. 11, 2005 to discuss the concept, the by-laws and standing rules.   Alki Lodge No. 152 and Everett Lodge No. 137 agreed and graciously sponsored the formation of LuzViMinda Lodge, U.D.

In early January 2006, the Petition for Dispensation for New Lodge and all the required documentations were hand-carried to the then MW Grand Master Alvin W. Jorgensen.   On February 18, 2006, the founding members met for the second and last time as a “non-lodge” group of Master Masons, with the hope that the same group will once again meet in the presence of the great lights, led by the three lesser lights and under protecting folds of the stars, stripes, eights rays of the sun and three stars.

Later on, having learned of the granting of dispensation, Southgate 100 and Silverdale 311 pitched in their support by generously donating some of their previously used lodge paraphernalia.  The Yancey C. Blalock Temple Board agreed to rent out their facility for the new lodge's temporary home.   Months later, West Seattle Service No. 287 donated their used paraphernalia to add and fill gaps in the lack of lodge paraphernalia.

On March 11, 2006, the MWB Jorgensen signed the Dispensation authorizing LuzViMinda Lodge UD to admit, enter, pass and raise Freemasons.   On March 18, the MWB Ken Robinson, as the representative of the Grand Master, ceremoniously proclaimed LuzViMinda as a lodge under dispensation.   On the 149th Annual Communications, the then new Grand Master, MWB Charles W. McQuery extended the dispensation until the 150th Annual Communication.

On its first anniversary as a lodge UD, LuzViMinda ceremoniously commissioned its own Holy Bible assisted by the donors:  the three honorary members - MWB Ken Robinson, MWB John McNab and MWB Sat Tashiro.

On the 150th Annual Communication at the Tri Cities, WA, LuzViMinda Lodge was granted its perpetual charter with the assigned number “317” in the roster of lodges of the jurisdiction.

The original 21 founding members are now joined by 4 LuzViMinda-raised Master Masons (as of May 26, 2007), 6 honorary members and 49 other plural members. The current Deputy Grand Master, Senior Grand Warden, Junior Grand Warden, Grand Junior Deacon are charter members of this lodge. 

On July 7, 2007, the Grand Master, MWB Wayne I. Smith assisted by the Grand Lodge Team constituted the lodge in a solemn and ancient ceremony at the Alki Masonic Center.

CONCEPTUALIZATION. For more than a decade, there have been talks and desire amongst the Filipino-American brethren of a “Filipino lodge”.   Because of their visibility, brothers of the jurisdiction have approached them re: the possibility forming a "Filipino Lodge."  This included MWB James Reid and MWB Saturo Tashiro.  In closed circles, Filipino-American Masons casually talk about "taking over" lodges when a substantial number of active blue lodge members are Filipino-Americans.  On one hand, this route appears to be the easiest way to achieve the desire for a so-called "Filipino lodge".  However, taking over by the numbers and basking on the resources of a "dying lodge" undoubtedly reinforces the negative stereotype that the Filipino ethnic group is parasitic or rather vulturistic.  On the other hand, forming a new lodge will definitely be beset by rough and rugged trials (e.g. limitations in financial and material resources, human power, etc.).  Its formation, from square one, by Filipino-Americans and by Filipinos reinforces the dignity of Filipino Freemasons in particular and the Filipino community in Washington State in general.

THE CHALLENGE. The 2005 Grand Master of Masons of the jurisdiction put forth the challenge of organizing ethnic and trade lodges.  The rationale is to provide a common ground for members of the fraternity to sit in lodge and bond with the brothers of the same cultural heritage or values or trade or profession.  This challenge was accepted by a group of Filipino brothers of the jurisdiction.  On the September 2005 regular meeting, a committee of three was appointed by the 2005 President of the Filipino Masons of Greater Seattle (FILMAGS).  The task was to study the possibility of forming a lodge.  On the October 2005 regular meeting, a report was submitted.  During that same meeting, the three committee members formally and in writing requested to be dismissed from the task and recommended the dissolution of the said committee to allay the anxiety of a number of brothers.

Unexpectedly, there were a number of Filipino brothers who objected to the formation of this new lodge.  Thereon, the committee acted independently as the LuzViMinda Ad hoc Committee.  Their collective efforts resulted in the mobilization of a group of 21 founding members each of whom gave their firm commitment to form a new lodge.  Master Masons from the Snohomish, King and Kitsap counties met on November 11, 2005 to profess commitment to form this lodge.  Subsequently the formation was further formalized on its second meeting February 18, 2006 in Lake City (Seattle).

THE NAME. “LuzViMinda” was selected by the Ad Hoc Committee (composed of Bros. Bert Bautista, Santy Lascano, Tom Magpoc, Alden Sarmiento & Cip Sta. Rosa). This name stands adopted by the 21 founders.   "LuzViMinda" is a proper noun and a common name for Filipino females.  As there are other acceptable choices that speak of the Filipino and the Philippines, it is unique because it is the long and formal acronym of the three main islands of the Philippine Republic: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.  Used for the purpose of naming this blue lodge, it is the geography and not the nation, nor any person that is being memorialized.  Hence, the spelling capitalizes the first letter of the islands, and in themselves, informally can be used as the short acronym of “LVM 317”.

HOW DESCRIBED. Care is exercised in describing this Lodge.  It is as regular as any other Masonic lodge under the jurisdiction.  LuzViMinda Lodge is definitely not a Filipino lodge!  It is appropriate, though, to refer to the lodge as a “Filipino American Lodge” (unhyphenated).  Using this reference will denote that the composition of members are Filipino-Americans, US resident alien Filipinos and simply, Americans of other ancestry.  It can be categorized as an "ethnic lodge" as this was initiated by Americans of Filipino descent, except for one.   LuzViMinda Lodge does not lay claim to be the first “Filipino Lodge” in Washington State or in North America, nor is it the first lodge to be named as such.  Rather, it is the first blue lodge in the jurisdiction to be formed by Filipino-Americans, Filipinos and Americans.  This is in deference to the other Filipino Masonic Lodges that have been in existence in the USA since the early 1900s, and whose Grand Lodges, unfortunately, are not recognized by mainstream Masonry.

MEMBERSHIP. LuzViMinda Lodge’s membership is not limited to Filipino-Americans and Filipinos.  Ethnicity will never be a criterion for a person's membership into this lodge.  As the times have tested Freemasonry, there are restrictions on who can be a Freemason and who can be a plural member of a lodge: but certainly non-exclusive.  Any petitioner who passes the standards set by the Grand Lodge, who has the commitment to contribute to the growth of this lodge and who would adhere to the ancient usages is welcomed to join.  Any petitioner whether for the degrees or for affiliation who receives a tongue of good report from its members will definitely gain the fair, clear and bright lights. Currently, the distribution of ethnicity are: 1 Filipino-Canadian, 1 Japanese-American; 1 Native-American, 24 Caucasian Americans, and 52 Filipino or Filipino-Americans. Birthplaces vary likewise: 19 were born in the Washington State, 8 in other states, and 50 in the various provinces in Philippines. As of this writing, there is one fellowcraft waiting for the Master Mason’s degree (12/17/2007).

WHAT IS AND IS NOT.   Since most of the active members are of Filipino heritage, LuzViMinda Lodge will be a venue to manifest Freemasonry with the positive and adaptive Filipino values.  However, it avoids being the venue for the superficial manifestations of the Filipino culture such as showcasing folk dances – definitely not a “zarzuela” lodge.  One of its goals is to impart the essence of the rituals and mysteries of Freemasonry on its members and initiates rather than these being performed to entertain or impress a live audience. 

The visual uniqueness will be in the use of the formal “barong Tagalog” (April - October) and tuxedo (November-March) as the dress code and the distinctive attire for both officers and members.  The auditory uniqueness is the varied Filipino accents and intonations that one will hear from members who may belong to any of the 84 major ethno-linguistic groupings scattered over the 7100 islands of the Philippines.  Gustatory and olfactory uniqueness may manifest itself in the repast that will be served in the dining table, particularly the various preparations of ethnic dishes that most members grew up with.

PROLOGUE. Such was, is and will be the LuzViMinda Lodge No. 317 - the first Filipino American Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.