Theosophical Society in The Philippines - History

History

The earliest record of theosophical activity in the Philippines was in 1892 when the Manila Theosophical Society was established in Manila with B. C. Brider as Secretary. In 1911, an organization called the Oriental Theosophical Society was formed in the Philippines but which did not have any connection with the Theosophical Society in Adyar.1

In 1925, when the Philippines was still a colony of the United States, the Manila Lodge was formed under the Theosophical Society in America. Subsequently, six other lodges were founded: Cebu, Lotus, Jose Rizal, Soliman, Muñoz and Filipinas, such that in 1933, it was granted a charter by Adyar to become an autonomous section with Ismael Zapata as its first National President and Micaela S. Brilla as the Vice President. Zapata was succeeded by Jose M. Espina of the Cebu Lodge.

During the second world war, activities were suspended. After the war, eight lodges were reorganized, with Domingo Argente as the National President. A piece of land owned by Mr. & Mrs. Roberto Martinez was donated which has since become the location of the national headquarters up to the present time. Argente was succeeded by Olimpio Cabellon, Benito Reyes, Jose Zulueta, then Argente again, Francisco Escudero, Cleo Z. Greogorio and Vicente Hao Chin, Jr.

The section has hosted two international conference of the Indo-Pacific Federation (1983 and 2007). It has also held the School of Wisdom conducted by Geoffrey Hodson in 1971.

In 1993, the Philippine section developed the Theosophical Core Curriculum, consisting of three parts: theosophical studies, self-transformation, and service work. It also formulated a Mission Statement as well as a Statement of Principles that guide its planning and activities. On the basis of these two statements, it drew up a 10-year plan on its priority projects 1993. The second 10-year plan was approved in 2003.