History of the Chapter
(including Charter Officers, Members & Chapter Namesake)
The Werner P. Schetelig Chapter, International Order of DeMolay, a fraternal organization of Young men from age 13-21 years old was organized in 1978 under the sponsorship of Malinaw Lodge No. 25 F. & AM, through the energetic and able leadership of Dad Rubin A. Alcantra, the then incumbent Worshipful Master.
A group of young men from the different sectors of the community was invited to attend the orientation session about DeMolay and its activities by which Dad Macario Ramos, Sr. the executive officer for the Jurisdiction of Luzon, was the keynote speaker. In order to foster camaraderie among the group, the sponsoring body organized a Chess tournament for they believed that athletics is the key to the development of a harmonious relationship necessary for future undertaking.
On December 29, 1978, thirty-five young men who elected to be the charter members of the Order in the City of San Pablo were conferred both the Initiatory Degree and DeMolay Degree by the Semper Fidelis Chapter of Batangas City. It was a significant and memorable day to each and every one of us because of acceptance and dedication to the precepts and principles of the Order we have learned to live by.
The following day, the Werner P. Schetelig Chapter offered a banquet flowers to Dad Jose Rizal in commemoration of his death anniversary at the City Plaza.
Hardwork, patience and perseverance of both the Charter members and its sponsoring body led to the institution and installation of the officers of Werner P. Schetelig Chapter. It was held at the Feliciano Exconde Hall on the 3rd day of June 1979. The following elective officers were installed: Bro. Genesis Cortez, Master Councilor; Bro. Rector. Briñas Treasurer. Dad Macario Ramos, Sr., LOH, installed the Advisory Council. Miss Vivien Avanzado was chosen as the Chapter Sweetheart and she was installed as such by the Chapter Sweetheart of Semper Fidelis Chapter. We were indeed fortunate to have invited a man of dedication and leadership as guest speaker, Dean Marcos Heras, the Vice-President for Academic Affairs of Adamson University. Social gathering highlighted the affair after the installation ceremonies.
The succeeding months were characterized by several weekend activities in the different parts of the city and nearby town in order to accomplish our aim of fostering camaraderie among the brethren.
DeMolay year 1979 was highlighted by the 3rd Luzon Jurisdictional conclave held on December 27-29, 1979 at Legaspi City under the Sponsorship of the Bicol Chapter.
The Order, gives young men wonderful opportunities and lasting fellowship, and you should be glad your son is a DeMolay.
Werner P. Schetelig Charter Officers:
Master Councilor - Genesis C. Cortez
Senior Councilor - Rector G. Briñas
Junior Councilor - Renan R. Brion
Treasurer - Carlo G. Dizon
Scribe - Jose Myron Dayan
Senior Deacon - Alvin G. Ong
Junior Deacon - Edwin G. Tee
Senior Steward - Roberto T. Lao
Junior Steward - Joseph T. Lacsam
Chaplain - Penrod Jay Nonatus G. Estrellado
Marshall - Alfredo A. Escudero
Orator - Abner A. Arrieta Jr.
Standard Bearer - Enrique C. Cortez
Organist - Cedric John B. Masa
Almoner - Juan D. Bautista
Sentinel - Raymond Nonatus A. Limjuco
First Preceptor - Alexander M . Dizon
Second Preceptor - Jason Melquiades P. Alimario
Third Preceptor - Emmanuel
A. Briñas
Fourth Preceptor - Erwin A. Silva
Fifth Preceptor - Romulus
B. Catipon
Sixth Preceptor - Emmanuel B. Alinea
Seventh Preceptor - Delmer C. Sahagun
Charter Members:
Don Alimario
Rennie S. Aquino
Leonel A. Briñas
Venerando P. Caldo
Remus B. Catipon
Aaron A. Domingo
Joel T. Lacsam
Jonathan T. Lacsam
Benjamin F. Maghirang
Emmanuel C. Plantilla
Cesar R. Reyes
Ariel G. Tee
Chapter Namesake
Dad Werner P. Schetelig, 33°, was born in Leubeck, Germany, of German parentage, on August 6, 1895. He saw active service in World War I, only one rank lower than then Corporal Adolf Hitler at the outset but eventually outranked the latter.
He joined the Imperial German Army on August 6, 1914, as a private but was soon promoted to 2nd lieutenant in 1915, after having been wounded five times in action on the battlefield. He was honorably discharged in June 1919.
Dad Schetelig arrived in the Philippines in 1931. He acquired the former San Pablo Ice and Oil Factory, which he owned and managed. He had been residing in san Pablo City, Laguna, where he was well-known for his philanthropic and welfare activities. In recognition of his work for the people of San Pablo, and Laguna, in general, the City Council named one of the main streets in his honor.
Dad Schetelig was a very devoted Mason and one of the leading pillars of Freemasonry in the Philippines. He was most ardent and steadfast in the performance of his duties as a Freemason.
He first saw Masonic Light in 1936 when he was initiated, passed, and raised in the Pinagsabitan Lodge No. 26, F & AM; subsequently he became its Master in 1938-1940. He held dual membership in Malinaw Lodge No. 25 F & AM, and also served as its master in 1946-1948 and its Treasurer in 1949-1950.
In the Grand Lodge of F & AM of the Philippines, he held the following positions; Grand Sword Bearer, 1948; Grand Chaplain, 1949; Junior Grand Warden, 1951; Senior Grand Warden, 1952; Deputy Grand Master, 1953; and as M. W. Grand Master in 1954.
Dad Schetelig became a Scottish Rite Mason in January 1948 when he joined the Manila Bodies, A & ASR, from which Bodies he demitted in 1952, when he became a charter member of the Southern Luzon Bodies, A & ASR, in San Pablo City which Bodies he had helped to organized during that year.
He was elected Knight Commander of the Court of Honor by the Supreme Council in 1952; coronated Inspector General Honorary 33° in 1955; and crowned active member in February 11, 1956. He had since held several important positions in the Supreme Council: Grand Minister of State in 1956; Grand Chancellor in 1958-1960; and Venerable Grand Prior in 1961, which incidentally was the position he held until the time of his death.
Dad Werner Paul Schetelig passed away at 6:30 a.m., on Eastern Sunday, April 14, 1963, at the Manila Doctors Hospital, after a brief illness, at the age of 68.
His outstanding and exemplary achievement in the field of Freemasonry, his well-known philanthropic and welfare activities not only in the City of San Pablo but also in the whole Province of Laguna; and his concern for the welfare of the youth and its development to become better sons, better citizen and better leaders of tomorrow are emulative qualities that no man can deny. It is just a distinct honor to name the local Chapter in his behalf – a man in principle, service and dedication.