The Masonic Cemetery

By WB Eleazar S. Calasan, PM

The age-old adage “If there’s a will, there’s way” still rings true.Less than a century ago, our great forebears from the then Manila Lodge No. 342 purchased from the City of Manila Burial Section 92 located at the Manila North Cemetery. This plot has a total area of 1,000 square meters divided into 40 lots of 25 square meters where each lot contains 8 graves. Lots 1, 2, and 5 to 40 is registered in the name of the Lodge. Lots 3 and 4 is owned by St. John’s-Corregidor Lodge No. 3.

In 1966 the late WB Oscar L. Uy reported that 152 graves are occupied and proposed to improve the plot in order to pay tribute to our departed brethren and immortalize their memory by making a haven of their final resting place. Regrettably, his proposal was not pursued for inadequacy of funds.

Before the turn of the century, the Lodge commissioned a committee to look into the possibility of the cemetery’s rehabilitation for actual use. In its report, the committed proposed that the entire property be fenced and landscaped; that a building be constructed to hold a chapel and niches where the remains of those presently buried can be transferred; the place be rehabilitated and its privileges be offered to interested members of the Lodge who may wish to avail of the same. Due to budgetary constraints, the committee proposal was partially implemented by having the entire valuable property fenced. As a deterrent to intruders, the Lodge engaged the services of a caretaker who regularly trims the grasses and keeps the property clean.

In accordance with our tradition of honoring the dead and to show our gratitude and continuing concern for their unselfish devotion to the Craft, the Lodge allocated funds for the perpetual maintenance of their graves by repairing, painting and elevating the stone markers that have been mercilessly ravaged by time and the elements. The Lodge also set aside funds for the construction of a two-layer 42 concrete wall niches with a central flag pole for members of the Lodge and qualified brethren interested in being interred in the cemetery for a fee. The construction was started in 2007 and completed on January 2008 during the term of WM Eric Panzo under the direct supervision of Bro. Engr. Ramon Fria. On Sept. 1, 2008, a Memorandum of Agreement will be signed with the Grand Lodge of F & A M of the Philippines represented by the MW Grand Master Pacifico B. Aniag that will grant all Past Grand Masters the privilege of interment in the Masonic Cemetery, to be followed by the cemetery’s blessing and re-dedication.

It is earnestly hoped that the next generation members of this Lodge will continue on their duty of improving the final resting place of our departed brethren. For it is our moral obligation to exercise due care and proper accountability for all those which have been passed on to us by our forebears.