To All Worthy Brethren of the Craft, and most especially the distinguished Brethren of Makahambus Lodge: As the season of light and goodwill surrounds us, we pause to reflect on the blessings of brotherhood, the strength of our bonds, and the enduring virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Christmas reminds us that beyond the ornaments and festivities lies a deeper call—to extend kindness, to uplift the weary, and to shine as beacons of harmony in our families, lodges, and communities. May this Yuletide bring peace to your homes, joy to your hearts, and renewed strength to your labors in the Craft. Let us carry forward the light of Masonry into the coming year, ever mindful of our duty to God, our country, and our fellowmen. From the East, West, South, and North, we unite in wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Fraternally yours, Makahambus Lodge No. 315

Personal Background Edward James “Ace” Go was born in Cagayan de Oro City and continues to reside in Montierra Subdivision, CDOC. At 54 years old, he remains deeply connected to his hometown and proud of his family heritage as the son of VW James C. Go. Education & Professional Life Ace is a graduate of Xavier University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Marketing. His professional journey reflects discipline, creativity, and a commitment to excellence, qualities that have carried over into his Masonic service and community involvement. 2026-27 Worshipful Master-elect, Edward James S. Go Masonic Journey Initiated into Freemasonry in May 1995, Ace has faithfully served Makahambus Lodge No. 315 for three decades. He currently holds the office of Senior Warden, where he is providing guidance and support to his brethren. He joined the fraternity because of its timeless principles of brotherhood, integrity, and service. In recognition of his dedication, Ace now steps forward as the Incoming Worshipful Master of Makahambus Lodge No. 315, FAAM, for the year 2026–2027 . His vision is clear: to “bring back the Glory Days of Makahambus Lodge No. 315,” strengthening unity, tradition, and vitality within the lodge. Values & Motto Ace lives by the guiding principle: “If you can’t come on time, come early.”  This simple yet profound motto reflects his belief in preparedness, respect, and discipline. He also treasures the wisdom of time — one of the “Three T’s” — as a reminder of patience and perspective in life and Masonry. Legacy & Contribution With a strong family foundation and decades of Masonic experience, Edward James “Ace” Go stands as a dedicated brother committed to service. His leadership as Worshipful Master will be marked by humility, honor, and a desire to uplift his lodge and community.

Relive the joy and fellowship of Makahambus Lodge No. 315’s Christmas Party Celebration! Check out the newest photo update from our gathering at Country Village Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City — December 20, 2025.

Makahambus Lodge No. 315, FAAM gathered at the Macalajar Lodge Masonic Temple  for its December 2025 Stated Meeting, led by Worshipful Master Aldrich Uayan . The meeting featured the election of officers for the 2026–2027 Masonic year , with the following brethren duly elected: Worshipful Master Elect : Edward James Go Senior Warden : Jon Michael Ang Junior Warden : Christopher Eric Lim Treasurer : John Martin Go Secretary : WB Ivan Lloyd Tan-Leh Auditor : VW Jesus Chan, PDGL Harmony Officer : VW Francis Balabat, PDGL Following the elections, the brethren, together with their families and guests from other lodges, gathered at Country Village Hotel  for the Lodge’s annual Christmas Party. The fellowship highlighted the spirit of unity and brotherhood that defines the Craft. The evening also marked the culmination of Worshipful Master Aldrich Uayan’s  successful year of leadership, which has inspired confidence and optimism for the incoming officers as they prepare to continue the Lodge’s legacy of service and fraternity.

On September 13, 2025, Makahambus Masonic Lodge No. 315, welcomed three worthy applicants into the fraternity during a solemn and meaningful initiation ceremony at the Shanker Lalwani Masonic Temple, Cagayan de Oro City. In the presence of the brethren, they took the Entered Apprentice Mason Obligation and Oath , pledging to uphold the moral and spiritual tenets of the Craft. Under the guidance of Worshipful Master Aldrich Uayan and the officers of the Lodge , the candidates were duly prepared and conducted through the rituals, lectures, and symbolic gestures that mark the First Degree of Masonry. In doing so, they bound themselves to the enduring principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth—cornerstones of Masonic life. This occasion served not only as their formal introduction to the rich traditions and teachings of Masonry, but also as a stirring reminder to all present of the light that Freemasonry seeks to preserve: a light that calls every Mason to brotherhood, moral uprightness, and the lifelong pursuit of truth.

Brethren, amidst the recent political chaos, I stumbled upon a Reddit post that really made me pause. It talks about a bold idea—changing the voting system in the Philippines by tying voting rights to tax contributions. 🤔 Sounds intense, right? But with all the corruption and scandals we’ve seen, maybe it’s time we ask the hard questions. Could this kind of reform help clean up our elections, or would it just create new problems? More importantly, what role can our fraternity play in rebuilding trust and protecting our nation from further corruption? Note: Access to the Members’ Page is strictly reserved for duly recognized members of Makahambus Lodge No. 315 F. & A.M. Unauthorized access or use is not permitted. We appreciate your understanding and respect for the privacy and integrity of our fraternal communications.

Makahambus Lodge No. 315 newest issue of The Square newsletter is now available! Inside, you’ll find highlights of our lodge’s activities and shared moments from June through August 2025. We hope it brings pride, reflection, and a renewed sense of fellowship. You can view it here . Or, Download it here .

The Officers and Brethren of Makahambus Lodge No. 315 proudly extend their heartfelt congratulations to the four brethren of our Lodge who were formally inducted into the Mindanao Shrine Club – Cagayan de Oro Chapter. Held at the Harbour Lights Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City this month, this momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in your Masonic journey. Your dedication to the principles of fellowship, service, and brotherhood continues to inspire, and we celebrate your commitment to carrying the light of Freemasonry into new avenues of fraternal service. May the bonds of brotherhood continue to flourish as we walk together in light and purpose.

The Makahambus Masonic Lodge No. 315, together with the other Philippine Masonic lodges conduct their temple rituals in Tagalog this August, as a symbolic and cultural gesture that honors the nation's heritage and identity. While most Masonic rituals are traditionally performed in English —reflecting the colonial and international roots of Freemasonry—the annual use of Tagalog serves several meaningful purposes. Reasons behind the Tagalog Ritual Practice: Cultural Reverence: Tagalog is one of the major languages of the Philippines and a symbol of Filipino identity. Using it in rituals reinforces pride in local culture and roots. Historical Continuity: Filipino Freemasonry has deep ties to the nationalist movements of the late 19th century. Many early Filipino Masons were part of the Propaganda Movement and the revolution against Spanish rule. Tagalog rituals echo that legacy of resistance and patriotism. Inclusivity and Accessibility: Performing rituals in Tagalog allows members who may be less fluent in English or Spanish to engage more deeply with the symbolic and moral teachings of Freemasonry. Annual Tradition: Holding the Tagalog ritual once a year makes it a special occasion—a cultural celebration within the lodge—without disrupting the standard practices used for regular meetings and degree work. This practice reflects the Filipino Masons’ commitment to both the universal principles of Freemasonry and the unique spirit of our national identity.

On August 9, 2025, the Officers and Members of Makahambus Masonic Lodge No. 315, under the leadership of Worshipful Master Adrich M. Uayan, proudly attended the Northern Mindanao Masonic Tri-District Convention held at Pearlmont Hotel, Lim Ket Kai Drive, Cagayan de Oro City. This significant regional gathering brought together brethren from seventeen Masonic Lodges across Northern Mindanao, fostering unity and reinforcing the timeless values of Freemasonry. The Tri-District Convention, convened under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, serves as a vital platform for: 🤝 Strengthening Brotherhood – Deepening fraternal bonds among Masons from neighboring districts. 📚 Promoting Masonic Education – Featuring lectures, workshops, and discussions on Masonic history, principles, and contemporary initiatives. 🛠️ Coordinating Administrative Goals – Aligning district-level plans with the Grand Lodge’s strategic vision and policies. 🏅 Recognizing Excellence – Honoring lodges, officers, and brethren for exemplary service and contributions to the Craft. 📆 Preparing for ANCOM – Facilitating coordination and readiness for the Annual Communication (ANCOM).

Take a look back at our memorable July 2025 Stated Meeting at the Macajalar Masonic Temple. Visit our photo gallery to relive the moments shared by the brethren of Makahambus Masonic Lodge No. 315.

Freemasonry and the Knights Templar are both fraternal organizations, but they have different origins and beliefs. Freemasonry is a fraternity that traces its origins to the local fraternities of stonemasons, which from the end of the fourteenth century regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. These fraternities were composed of stonemasons who were working on the construction of the great cathedrals and castles of Europe. They developed a system of moral teachings and a code of conduct that was passed on to new members through a series of rituals and ceremonies. Over time, these fraternities evolved into a more speculative organization, which came to be known as Freemasonry. Today, Freemasonry is a fraternity that is open to men of good character who believe in a Supreme Being. It is a fraternity that emphasizes personal development and self-improvement through a system of moral teachings and symbols. On the other hand, The Knights Templar were a medieval Christian military order founded in the 12th century. The order was created to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. The Templars quickly grew in power and wealth, and they became one of the most powerful organizations in Europe. They were also known for their secrecy and their distinctive white mantles adorned with a red cross. The order was dissolved by Pope Clement V in the early 14th century, and many of the Templars were arrested, tortured and executed. While Freemasonry uses the imagery and symbology of stonemasonry as a metaphor for personal development, the Knights Templar were a religious order. Some people believe that Freemasonry has its roots in the Knights Templar, but there is no evidence to support this claim. Some conspiracy theories suggest that the Templars went underground after the suppression of their order and that they became the basis of the Freemasons. But there is no historical evidence to support this claim. Furthermore, the principles and beliefs of the two organizations are vastly different. The Knights Templars were a religious order and the Freemasonry is a fraternity, with no religious connotation, but it requires its members to have a belief in a Supreme Being. Interesting links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Freemasonry https://www.britannica.com/topic/Freemasonry