The first DeMolay Chapter in Bacolod City was instituted on April 21, 1947, and its chartered officers installed on May 28 of the same year. It was the second chapter instituted in the Philippines.
The first Chairman of the Advisory Council was the late Dad Ernesto S. Salas, and the chartered Master Councilor was his son, the late Bro. Rafael M. Salas. Bro. “Paeng” Salas later became the Undersecretary of the United Nations. The first Filipino to have a seat in the UN.
FIRST CHAPTER IN THE VISAYAS
The distinction of being the first Chapter of the Order of DeMolay organized in the Visayas goes to Catalino G. Aurelio Chapter of Bacolod City. It was named in honor of a Past Master of Kanlaon Lodge No. 64, F. & A. M., who was killed by the enemy while helping the guerillas at Hinigaran, Negros Occidental during the first year of Japanese occupation.
The installation of its officers was held at the Freemason’s Hall on Luzariaga St., Bacolod City on May 28, 1947. The following are the officers for 1947: Rafael Salas, Master Councilor; Arturo H. Villanueva Jr., Senior Councilor; Edward Matti, Junior Councilor; Angel A. Salas Jr., Treasurer; Roberto W. Medel, Scribe; Godofredo Villanueva Jr., Senior Deacon; Samuel Espinosa, Junior Deacon; Roberto Bailon, Senior Steward; Alberto Matti, Junior Steward; Antonio L. Lopez, Chaplain; Wenceslao Buenaventura, Marshal; and Ernesto Domingo, Sentinel. They were installed by judge David Fuentebella, Vice Chairman of the Advisory Council with Artemio Villanueva as Marshal. Advisor of the Chapter is Dr. E.S. Salas whos recently the recipient of a Zerrubel Key awarded to him by the Grand Council for organizing the Catalino G. Aurelio Chapter.
In his inaugural speech, the Master Councilor, Rafael Salas, stated that the DeMolay organization is not a religion neither is it anti-religious. “It believes” he said, “in God and its members are enjoined to be religious and to go to church regularly. It respects all faith. It is not a junior Masonic body nor does it assure future membership in Masonic Bodies. It is a fraternity which aims to cultivate in the youth such virtues as needed during these turbulent days. It gives no room for bigotry and intolerance. It believes that through practice of the virtues of filial love, reverence for God, courtesy, comradeship, fidelity, cleaness and patriotism, it can make the youth of today better men and better prepared to assume reponsibilities of life that await them. And finally, it believes that a young man so tampered, should be a more devoted son, a kinder and more helpful neighbor, and a more patriotic citizen of his country.”
Catalino G. Aurelio Chapter formally surrendered its charter in the summer of 1953.
SERAFIN V. AGUILAR (formerly Frank S. Land Memorial) CHAPTER
Kanlaon Lodge No. 64 F&AM officially agreed to sponsor once again the formation of the DeMolay Chapter during its stated meeting on July 1968. Dad Serafin V. Aguilar was designated as the acting Chairman of the Advisory Council.
Frank S. Land Memorial Chapter was officially instituted by Dad Manuel M. Crudo, Grand Master of Masons on December 21, 1969. The installation of its chartered officers was done on the same date by the Installing Team from the Leon Kilat Chapter of Dumaguete City.
Dad Serafin V. Aguilar died of heart failure on January 1973. The International Supreme Council (ISC) in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, approved the petition to change the name of the Chapter from Frank S. Land Memorial to Serafin V. Aguilar on June 21, 1973.
Serafin V. Aguilar Chapter instituted the first DeMolay Community Assistance Project by adopting the Island of Nauway of Guimaras as it summer protectorate. The Chapter brought a medical team to the island, distributing much needed medicine, built an artesian well, and planted a hundred trees on the hill of the island. For their efforts, the chapter was presented with a plaque of recognition and gratitude from the government of the Province of Guimaras and the Municipality of Jordan from which the island belongs. These activities were also published complete with pictures in the “CORDON”; the official publication of the International Order of DeMolay. The project lasted for seven summers and the evidence of which can be seen even until today with the tall trees on the hills of Nauway Island.
The first outdoor conferral of the Initiatory and DeMolay Degrees was held at the mountain retreat of the Salas family at Brgy. Ara-al, on the foothills of Kanlaon Volcano.
Serafin V. Aguilar Chapter hosted the first Visayas Leadership Training Camp on December 20, 1973 at the Mambucal Mountain Resort and conducted the same camp two years later at the San Antonio Beach Resort.
The Chapter hosted the first citywide, inter- fraternity sportsfest and physical fitness activities, where it received a plaque of commendation from the City Government of Bacolod and from the Integrated National Police for this achievement.
On March 25, 2005, Serafin V. Aguilar Chapter was the Installing Team for the Chapter Institution and First Installation of Officers of Eugenio A. Antonio, Jr. Chapter located in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
The chapter had a fundraising event featuring the lead vocalist of Eraserheads and a DeMolay brother, Ely Buendia, at the St. La Salle Coliseum last July 27, 2013. This is in preparation for the hosting of the 13th DeMolay National Conclave and Congress at L’ Fisher Hotel and the Olympics at Panaad Park and Stadium on May 15-18, 2014 with the theme, “Discovering the Treasures of Leadership”.
To support the scholars of the chapter, a fun run event was held on March 6, 2016 dubbed as, “DALAGAN” supported by more than 650 runners.
Serafin V. Aguilar Chapter is the perennial champion in ritual competitions and sports activities during the national and jurisdictional conclaves.
The chapter continues its legacy of excellence and leadership since it was revived in 1969, which was guided by the late Dad Alipio “Chap” C. Ykalina II – the second father of DeMolays in Bacolod City. He was a charter member of the Advisory Council and has served the Order until his death in 2009.
Serafin V. Aguilar Chapter Order of DeMolay – Bacolod City celebrated its 50th anniversary on December 21, 2019 at Acacia Grand Pavillion, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
