Jose Rizal Lodge is the only Filipino Lodge outside of the Grand Jurisdiction of the Philippines. A dream of R.'. W.'. Manuel Obligacion for a long time came into fruition some twenty-two years ago.
The Philippine Masonic Association of America, Inc., another brainchild of RW Manuel Obligacion was organized as a prelude to forming a Filipino Lodge in New York. Although its main goal was to unite the Masons of Philippine heritage in America, the PMAAI in New York became the vehicle that led to the organization of Jose Rizal Lodge No. 1172 in New York City. Jose Rizal Lodge was constituted on May 16, 1984.
Dignitaries from both New York & Philippine grand lodges were present in its constitution. Its first Master was RW Manuel Obligacion.
This lodge is a lodge of leaders. Its roster of members include 8 Right Worshipfuls, 2 of which are past District Deputy Grand Masters, RW Alfred Dais who is also a past Junior Grand Deacon and currently the Senior Grand Deacon & RW Ricardo Talusan; 1 Grand Sword Bearer, RW Crisanto Jorda, 2 Grand Stewards, RW Valentino Chua and RW Macario Perez and 1 Grand Director of Ceremonies, RW Carlito R. Gallardo; 2 Grand Representatives, RW Gaddiel C. Gallardo (Grand Lodge of Western Australia) & the late RW Manuel Obligacion (Grand Lodge of the Philippines). The lodge also has 2 members who have reached leadership levels in the Grand Jurisdiction of the Philippines. Both of them are past District Deputy Grand Masters and past District Grand Lecturers in the person of VW Edgardo Ortega and VW Rolly Sarmiento. It has also 3 Past National Presidents of the Philippine Masonic Assocation of America, Inc. namely, RW Ricardo Talusan, RW Crisanto Jorda & W.'. Willie Manalang.
Jose Rizal Lodge at present is one of the pillars of the Fourth District of Manhattan under the Grand Lodge of the State of New York.
