US Asiatic Fleet Chapter: First Known Philippine DeMolay Chapter

The U.S. Asiatic Fleet Chapter, sponsored by Service Lodge No. 95 F. & A. M. and meets at the Plaridel Masonic Temple in the early 1930's; is the first known "Philippine" DeMolay Chapter. But unfortunately its composition would have been exclusively Americans most likely initiated in the US mainland.

During that period, it was not unusual for U.S. servicemen to be detailed locally to serve for a specified time in any U.S. installations (i.e., Sangley Point in Cavite City and Subic Bay US Naval Shipyard in Olongapo City, and recently at the Clark Air Force Base in Angeles City) in the country. These servicemen may have come via cruisers and battleships, hence the chapter name "US Asiatic Fleet". The U.S. Asiatic Fleet Chapter may have been one of those roving chapters.

In witnessing the exemplification of the Degrees by the U.S. Asiatic Fleet Chapter, the Masons in attendance were impressed by the potential and the tenets of this new youth movement. Many expressed hope establishing a local chapter.

In 1946 MW Michael Goldenberg developed an abiding interest in DeMolay and it was under his leadership that the Order began to flourish. On March 23, 1946, the first local chapter was instituted in Manila. This Chapter was named after Jose Abad Santos, a Past Grand Master of Mason and Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court. Sponsoring the chapter was the Philippine Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites of Freemasonry.

MW Goldenberg reports on the 31st Annual Communication of Mason in the Philippines that following this institution was the establishment of the following chapters: M.H. del Pilar Chapter of Malolos (reactivated 1984); Emmanuel Baja Chapter of Cavite (1948, active); Batangas Chapter, also instituted were the Loyalty Chapter of Manila (1949, active); Far East Chapter of Clark Air Base of Pampanga (reactivated, 1983).

Also in the islands of Luzon, the Teodoro R. Yangco Chapter in Olongapo City was officially instituted in April 25, 1962 (still active), sponsored by Lincoln Lodge No 34 and the Western luzon Bodies, A & ASR.

In the Visayas, the first Chapter to be instituted was Catalino G. Aurelio Chapter of Bacolod City, Lapu-Lapu Chapter of Cebu City (1957), formerly Leon Kilat [now Dumaguete City (Rajah Dulamat)] Chapter of Dumaguete City (1963, active) and Graciano Lopez Jaena Chapter of Iloilo City (1965, active).

For a somewhat complete list (not updated) of DeMolay Chapters under the Philippine Supreme Council Order of DeMolay, click here. A more updated version can be found here, under the DeMolay Philippines website.