Leonardo T. Paņares
Memorial Lodge No. 220, F. & A.M.
Cagayan de Oro City
History
In 1977, WB Jose Ma. Rubrico, Sr. and Bro. Ruber C. Diaz together with the leadership and encouragement by such Masonic stalwarts as RW Manuel D. Mandac, JGW; VW Pedro W. Guerzon, DDGM, District No. 17; WM Leonardo T. Paņares of Maguindanao Lodge No. 40; and WM Manuel T. Lee of Macajalar No. 184 took concrete steps for the establishment of a new lodge. VW Pedro W. Guerzon commissioned Bro. Quintin L. de la Torre to undertake the preliminary feasibility studies.
Forthwith on December 11, 1977, a pre-organizational meeting was held in the seaside residence of WB Jose Ma. Rubrico, Sr., at the PPC compound in Bugo, wherein the name of the new Lodge, officers, annual dues, degrees fees, place and time of meeting and other pertinent matters were agreed upon. WB Paņares se the tone of the meeting by stating that "since the new Lodge is intended for the Industrial Belt, the brethren from Cagayan de Oro City must help organize and give the officership of the Lodge to the Masons of the area to encourage their interest."
After the meeting, the petition for Dispensation to form a new Lodge, By-laws, and other pertinent papers were prepared by Bro. de la Torre. The documetns were then sent to the Grand Lodge. On January 6, 1978, Mw Desiderio Dalisay signed the Dispensation for Bugo de Oro Lodge.
Within the period of 2 months, Bugo de Oro Lodge, U.D., was able to initiate 2 petitioners by courtesy of Maguindanao Lodge No. 40 and passed 1 EAM by courtesy of Macajalar Lodge No. 184.
At the annual communication of April 27 to 29, 1978, the MW Grand Master Desiderio Dalisay granted Bugo de Oro Lodge, U.D., a permanent Charter No. 220.
Sometime in November of 1985, the Brethren of Bugo de Oro Lodge No. 220 deemed it proper and fitting to rename Bugo de Oro Lodge to LEONARDO T. PAŅARES LODGE No. 220 in honor of the late VW Leonardo T. Paņares, one of the active and prime movers of this lodge. A resolution was passed to that effect.
The GM's dispensation to effect such changes was given by MW Reynold S. Fajardo in his letter dated May 8, 1986. A resolution was also passed moving its stated meeting to the first Monday of each month.
Hence LEONARDO T. PAŅARES LODGE No. 220 came into being.
