Ernesto S. Salas Memorial Lodge No. 280

The Name
            This lodge was named in honor of a brother who was a skilled doctor and sugar planter and who distinguished himself as a Sovereign Grand Inspector General and Grand Standard Bearer in Scottish Rite Masonry. He was, for many years, president of the Freemasons Hall, Inc., the corporation that owned the Masonic Temple in Bacolod City. He was also active in the York Rite, Shrine, Order of DeMolay and the Eastern Star.

The Lodge

            Grand Master Teodorico V. Baldonado issued the dispensation that gave life to this lodge. He was also the one who formally instituted it on January 16, 1988 and installed its dispensation officers. The organizers were Master Masons largely belonging to Kanlaon Lodge No. 64 and Negrense Lodge No. 200 who trace their roots to the city of Bago, which is roughly thirty kilometers away from Bacolod City, the capital of Negros Occidental.

            On April 29, 1988, the Grand Lodge, during its annual communication, granted a charter to the lodge and assigned to it number 280. The following July 2, 1988, Grand Master Raymundo N. Beltran opened a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge at Bago City, Negros Occidental and, with the assistance of Masonic dignitaries, proceeded to constitute Ernesto S. Salas Memorial Lodge No. 280.
Ernesto S. Salas Memorial Lodge is now an active lodge with over thirty members.

            Location: Bago City, Negros Occidental