San Mateo Lodge No. 319

The Name

            "San Mateo" is the local term for the saint who immortalized himself in one of the four Gospels and after whom the town in Isabela where the lodge is located was named.

The Lodge

            On June 8, 1996, thirty-three Master Masons who were members of Cagayan Valley Lodge No. 133, Maharlika Lodge No. 180, Isabela Lodge No. 60, Saranay Lodge No. 193, Ganano Lodge No. 313 and Nueva Vizcaya Lodge No. 144 petitioned the Grand Lodge for a dispensation to form a new lodge in San Mateo, Isabela to be called San Mateo Lodge. Cagayan Valley Lodge No.133 and DDGM Angel T. Bacoling recommended approval of the petition. On August 21, 1996, Grand Master Jose Percival L. Adiong gave them the requested dispensation and named WB Nicomedes P. Federizo to be the first Master, Bro. Bejamin G. Lucas to be the first Senior Warden, and Bro. Camilo O delos Trinos, to be the first Junior Warden, of the new lodge.     

            On October 12, 1996, the lodge was duly instituted with RW Leon Angel P. Banez, Jr., Deputy Grand Master, presiding over the ceremonies which were held at the NIA-MRISS Compound in San Mateo, Isabela. RW Bañez was assisted by VW Benjamin G. Brown who served as Master of Ceremonies and VW Roberto Q. Pagotan who acted as Grand Chaplain.

            San Mateo Lodge was granted a charter by the Grand Lodge on April 25, 1997 and was constituted as a regular lodge on June 14, 1997 by Grand Master Leon Angel P. Bañez, Jr. Present during the constitution to give the Grand Master needed assistance were: MW Pablo C. Ko, Jr., PGM; RW Oscar V. Bunyi and several other Masonic dignitaries. After the constitution, RW Oscar V. Bunyi installed the officers of the lodge, with VW Manolo A. Cipriano and VW Dionisio C. Panajon assisting him as Master of Ceremonies and Assistant Master of Ceremonies, respectively. The newly installed officers were led by WB Nicomedes P. Federizo, Worshipful Master; Bro. Benjamin G. Lucas, Senior Warden; Bro. Camilo O. de los Trinos, Junior Warden.

            During the program that ensued, the dignitaries and visitors were welcomed by Bro. Venancio O. Villarta, Municipal Mayor of San Mateo, Isabela, while WB Jolly P. Silverio, Municipal Mayor of San Isidro, Isabela and a native son of San Mateo, gave a very inspiring Masonic speech as Guest of Honor.

            Location: San Mateo, Isabela