Werner P. Schetelig Chapter, Order of DeMolay
is proudly to be sponsored by

Malinaw Lodge No. 25 F. & A. M

Grand Line of Officers
Masonic Year 2008

Hilario T. Cornista
Worshipful Master

Romeo SJ Sta Ana, Jr.
Senior Warden

Miller C. Escondo
Junior Warden

Ben R. Exconde, PM
Treasurer

Romulo M. Escondo, PM
Secretary

Odilon C. Aquino, PDGL
Auditor

Brief History of Malinaw Lodge No. 25

The first glimmer of light of Masonry in San Pablo was sparkled by its prominent residents who were members of Manila Lodges, namely, Logia Nilad, Walana, Dalisay and Sinukuan. The historic date was February 1912. Fourteen Masons met in the house of Feliciano F. Exconde and first formed a “Triangulo” then lLogia Malinaw Oriente Espanol” which was then headed by Dr. Miguel Morayta. The fourteen founders were: Feliciano F. Exconde, Melicio Fule, Zacarias B. Sahagun, dalmacio Aquino, Marcial Almario, Martin Alvero, Miguel Leonor, Eusebio Diawatan, Santiago Gutierrez, Antonio Aguirre, David Aguirre, Rosendo Reyes, Mariano Sayo and Catalino Villas.

The first principal officers were:

Worshipul Master - Feliciano F. Exconde
Senior Warden - Mariano Sayo
Junior Warden - Antonio Aguirre
Treasurer - Miguel Leonor
Secretary - David Aguirre

Malinaw Lodge No. 340 was granted its Charter on February 14, 1917 by the “Gran Logia de Masones Libres Y aceptado de las Islas Filipinas” (Grand Lodge of F. & a. m. of the Philippines) and became Malinaw Lodge No. 25.

The word “Malinaw” was culled from a Barangay of San Pablo with the same name where most of the founders originated. The first meetings of the lodge were held in the residence of WB Feliciano F. Exconde. The following year, meetings were convened in the house of Bro. Dalmacio Celino as the membership grew in number. Further increase, forced the brethren to transfer to the second floor of the building owned by Bro. Pablo Tan.

The brethren, desirious to build a permanent meeting place, organized Malinaw Temple Association, Inc. for that purpose. Their fervent desire was realized when a two story building was erected in 1919 in Gen. Luna St. in 1925, the local government also bought the other half.

Without a temple to hold their meetings, the brethren rented a space in the Escudero bulding in Bonifacio St. This was so until the outbreak of World War II. The labors of the lodge was suspended from 1942 – 1945 when the Japanese occupied the building. Records and paraphernalia were either lost or destroyed. The lodge meetings were resumed in Oct. 1945.

They convened in the office at City Hall of Bro. Meliton Cruz. Amember of Malolos Lodge No. 46. Who was then the treasurer of San Pablo. After a time the venue was transferred to the house of MW Werner P. schetelig in Barangay Concepcion.

Spearheaded by Werner P. Schetelig, Howard R. Hick, Cirilo D. Constantino, Celso P. Borja, Rouben C. Belulia and many more dedicated brothers, a new temple was completed in 1948 at its present site. A portion of the lot bought before the war was sold to finance the building of the temple.

Hence, the Malinaw Temple was erected three times, firstly in the spot which is now the san Pablo City District Hospital, secondly, on the lot adjacent to the hospital and thirdly on its present site.

To date the lodge has 94 active members, thirty are life members of longevity.

The lodge is proud to have two of its members occupied the Grand Oriental Chair-MW Werner P. Schetelig and MW Howard R. Hick, VW Cirilo O. Constantino, VW Rubin A. Alcantra and VW Eduardo M. Soto have served as District DePuty Grand Master for Masonic District No. 11

Today Malinaw Lodge No. 25 is very much visible in the community through its charitable institution the Malinao Foundation, Inc.

(Compiled and translated from the original tagalog versions of the writings of WB Feliciano C. Robles by WB Nicanor C. Belsonda)