Podomo Lodge No. 294 F. & A.M.

The Name

The term “podomo” is the Bagobo word for “memorial”.

The Lodge

The impressive growth of both the population and Freemasonry in Davao City awakened in 1990 a desire among the brethren to establish another lodge in the city. Looking back, they noted that the last lodge that was organized in Davao was Beacon Lodge No. 213 which was established in 1975 or fifteen years before. Having thus decided that another lodge was necessary, they next chose a name for the lodge. The proponents felt there was a need to honor the memory of the pioneer Masons of Davao who blazed the trail of Masonry in that burgeoning city and who withstood ostrac cism and persecution for their beliefs. Pioneers such as Governor Celestino Chaves, Judge Juan Sarenas, Mayor Leon Garcia, St., Pantaleon Pelayo, Sr., Jose Nicolas, Roman Tesoro, Rafael Catillo, Eugenio de Jesus, Bruno Gempesaw and many others had to be immortalized. Unable to decide who among them should be singled out for the honor, the founders selected “Podomo,” the Bagobo word for memorial, which would represent them all.

On May 16, 1990, Grand Master John L. Choa issued a dispensation to the 53 founders authorizing them to congregate as a lodge in Davao City and name VW Benjamin S. Geli to be the first Master, Bro. Oscar M. Escudero, to be the first Senior Warden, and Reynaldo R. Reyes, to be first Junior Warden, of the new lodge. The new lodge was favorably endorsed by DDGM Romeo A. Yu, Beacon Lodge No. 213, Sarangani Lodge No. 50, Davao Lodge No. 49, Toril Lodge No. 208 and Datu Bago Lodge No. 196.

During the annual communication of the Grand Lodge that was held in April 1991, the Committee on Charters recommended that Podomo Lodge be granted a charter. The Committee noted that the officers of the lodge were very proficient and that the lodge was financially sound. The Committee also reported that the lodge was involved in many civic, religious, and Masonic activities in the District and was actively participating in the multifarious activities of the other lodges. Based on the recommendation of the Committee, the Grand Lodge granted the lodge a charter and assigned to it number 295.

On June 28, 1991, Grand Master Jose Reyes Guerrero opened a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge at the Davao Masonic Center on V. Mapa Street, Davao City and, with the assitance of the other Grand Lodge officers present, constituted Podomo Lodge No. 294. The installation of officers immediately followed, after which speeches were delivered by the newly installed Master and the Grand Master.

Location: Davao City

Stated Meeting:
Podomo Lodge No. 294
Every 1st Saturday of the month - 6:00 pm