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

A need for a Bank Account

June 10, 2010

As we may all know, an organization cannot live and expand without the financial part. In connection, the I.O.O.F in the Philippines are working on opening a bank account which will play a vital role in safeguarding its finances. It will also play a big part in the development and stability of the organization in the country. This account will also be used to accept donations for charity.

Depending on the currency exchange rate, a minimum of about $1,200.00 (about Php 50,000.00) is needed to open a bank account named after I.O.O.F Philippines. To support the cause, Richard “Dick’ Proulx, Past Sovereign Grand Master, donated $500.00 (equivalent to Php 22,500.00). On the other hand, Brother Michael Froimowitz, Past Grand of Hermann-Dexter Lodge No.188 in Newton, MA, donated $250.00 (equivalent to Php 11,250.00). Together, including the contributions of its members, I.O.O.F Philippines has approximately $850.00 (equivalent to about Php 36,000.00) and still need to raise about $400.00 to finally open an account. In addition, certificates of appreciation were being sent to Brothers Richard Proulx and Michael Froimowitz to recognize their unselfish contributions to the organization in the Philippines.

The current Acting Trustees of I.O.O.F Philippines are Rex Boyson Olpoc (Chairperson), Joseph Parreňo (Vice Chair), Karmen Arenas (Treasurer), Louie Sarmiento (Secretary), Anatoly Buss (Adviser) and Maria Katrina Mercado (P.R.O). A final Board of Trustees will be elected sometime when the organization already raised at least equivalent to the said minimum amount to open an account. The board will also include representatives from every lodge duly instituted in the country.

For donations to finally open an account for I.O.O.F Philippines, send via Western Union to treasurer of the Board of Trustees:

I.O.O.F Philippines
c/o Karmen Amparo G. Arenas
#2 Lupisan Compound
Flores Avenue, By-pass
Looc, Dumaguete City
Negros Oriental, Philippines 6200

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.