The Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago of over 7,000 tropical islands stretching more than 1,000 miles from North to South. The sun rises over the Pacific Ocean to the East and sets in the West across the magnificent natural harbour of Manila Bay. Despite devestating volcanoes, earthquakes, typhoons and other natural disasters, the land is rich and if of outstanding natural beauty, and the people are known world-wide for their relaxed good humour and the famous Filipino smile (more info).

Freemasonry in the Philipines has a long and glorious history, dating from the middle of the nineteenth century during Spanish rule. Many of the country's greatest thinkers and leaders were and are Masons.

As at end-2006 there were 316 lodges with gross membership of 18,652 members under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines (as per the Report of the Grand Secretary, 23 April 2007).

The thriving City of Makati is the business centre of modern Manila and home of Kagitingan Lodge No. 286, among others.