I.O.O.F, Mindanaon Lodge No.2, duly Instituted

June 1, 2010

Cagayan de Oro, Philippines – Two months after conferring the initiatory degree to 15 Brothers who are residents of Cagayan de Oro City, Brothers Rex Olpoc, Armel Cabale, Claribert Lagman, Jerzon Caňolas and Kahlil Reyes travelled all the way back on May 30, 2010 to officially institute Mindanaon lodge no.2 of I.O.O.F Philippines

The charter members were Brothers Vincent Ofngol (Noble Grand), Jose Regalado (Vice Grand), Michael Veloso (Treasurer), Boris Actub (Secretary), Bryan Braňa (Financial Secretary), Aaron Ofngol, Edson Ramonal, Edgar Ramonal and Jeedu Baclayon.

The following week, Brothers Justin Serra, Bell Govico, Genus Allado, Dessilu Guevarra, Patrick Dare and Paulo Diputado were conferred into the full degrees and were added to the list.

Mindanaon Lodge no.2 members are involved in various community activities and even donated school supplies to over 175 unprivileged children during their charity work held second week of May 2010. The lodge meets every ___ of the month.

For more info: ioofphils@yahoo.com

School Supplies for the Children

May 25, 2010

Cagayan de Oro, Philippines – “Touching other people's lives is very heart warming especially when you have made them smile. A simple gesture of reaching a hand to the ones in need is already a great success to each one of us” said Vincent Ofngol, member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mindanaon Lodge no.2, during their charity drive for unfortunate children and rural communities in Brgy. Opol, Misamis Oriental.

Their first stop was in the community of Sitio Mala-Oro where they donated trash cans to the community and over 83 school supplies for the children. Afterwards, they continued their journey to the community of Zone 7 Landless where over 91 students were given school supplies.

The activity ended with heart warming smiles and feelings of fulfilment. “Moments like this makes you reflect how thankful we are. So give love back” said Aaron Ofngol.

“The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a worldwide charitable and fraternal organization with over 10,000 lodges in about 26 countries. Internationally, members are involved in various national and local charitable efforts. For many, the Odd Fellows is considered a family fraternity dedicated to making the world a better place through fraternal friendship, charitable love and the pursuit of truth in all their dealings.”

The e-mail of Mindanaon Lodge no.2 is ioof_mindanaon@yahoo.com. Their current website is www.ioofmindanaonlodge.webs.com.

A.M.O.S will be in the Philippines Soon

April 21, 2010

Newton, Massachusetts, U.S.A – Bro. Louie Sarmiento, member of the I.O.O.F, Watchdog Lodge no.1, Philippines, was initiated into the degree of Humility by Bahamut Sanctorum No.108 of the Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans or A.M.O.S.

The A.M.O.S is a playground for Odd Fellows. This fun branch was formed sometime in 1924 as a result of merger by various fun groups for Odd Fellows such as the Imperial Order of Muscovites, the Veiled Prophets of Baghdad, Knights of Oriental Splendor, the Ancient Mystical Order of Cabirians, and the Oriental Order of Humility and Perfection. These groups were formed sometime in the 1880’s.

A.M.O.S is involved in various community activities and projects, the proceeds go to charities in the local community. Because of this, the abbreviation A.M.O.S is also translated as “A Mile of Smiles”. As of 1995, there were approximately 3,000 members in the United States and Canada. To be a member, one must be an Odd Fellow in good standing. The female fun group for Odd Fellows and Rebekahs that is similar to A.M.O.S is called L.O.T.O or Ladies of the Orient.

Currently, the members of the I.O.O.F in the Philippines are planning to form two A.M.O.S sanctorum in the country. These sanctorum’s will be under the New England Division of A.M.O.S in Massachusetts, U.S.A, The petitions for charter were already forwarded to Bro. Michael Froimowitz, Past Grand of Hermann-Dexter Lodge No.133 and Bahamut Sanctorum No. 108. He played a big role in communicating to members in the Philippines about A.M.O.S. He also assisted the Odd Fellows Lodge in many aspects towards its betterment. He is currently making arrangements with the Supreme Sanctorum regarding dues, fezzes, etc.

The target date for the conferral of the Degree of Humility will be sometime on August 2010.


For more info: ioofphils@yahoo.com