Centennial anniversary of Manila Elks Lodge

Last year, the Americans in the Philippines commemorated the arrival of the 600 trained teachers who arrived aboard the US transport Thomas to start the public school system under the American Regime. Last Friday, the Manila Elks Lodge celebrated the initiation of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in the Philippines by seven Elk members on September of 1901. By June 14 of the following year, the Manila Lodge was established (with 69 members) and it was the very first Elks fraternity outside the United States.

The Elks was named after a species of deer found in North America and was an exclusively American Club. The first meetings were held at 340 Calle Palacio, Intramuros. Later, it moved to the corner of San Luis and San Jose, Ermita and by 1919 to its own building at Dewey Boulevard near the Army and Navy Club of Manila. It was to the Americans, what the British Club was to the British and the Casino Español was to the Spaniards. It enjoyed high prestige from the beginning because of its works of charity.

When the Japanese occupied Manila, the Manila Elks Lodge became known as the only building in "Elkdom" that was never conquered by a foreign enemy. One hundred and seventeen Elk members were incarcerated in Santo Tomas and the lodge itself was totally destroyed. Through the generosity of the Elks in California, the Lodge was rebuilt and inaugurated on March 26, 1949 with President Elpidio Quirino as guest of honor. Since the Philippines had already become an independent country, the Manila Elks Lodge was called the "Lodge in Exile". When Makati became Metro Manila’s business center, the Elks put up a new building in the corner of Amapola and Estrella Streets in March 1, 1997. Then in 1976, the Laurel-Langley Act expired and foreigners were prohibited from owning property. The Elks transferred to condominium ownership which is allowed under Philippine laws. Today, the Manila Elks Lodge occupies half the uppermost floor of Corinthian Plaza in Makati’s Greenbelt.

Membership to the Elks Lodge has decreased in proportion to the decrease of the American expatriates to the Philippines, but the ideals of Elkdom have not diminished. A classic example is the Elks Cerebral Palsy Project that it launched in 1956. Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the brain, generally at or just before birth. It is generally triggered by an event that reduced the normal amount of oxygen that should get to the brain. There are three types: One causes stiffness in the arms and legs; the second brings about uncontrolled and involuntary movements; the last results in poor balance and depth perception. In the most extreme cases, the three overlap. The good thing is that it is not progressive. The symptoms do not become worse and with proper treatment, they can be less severe. The key to treatment is educating the patient and his immediate family on how his condition can be made to improve. These treatments include sending the children to a special school or to a psychotherapist. This is what the Elks Cerebral Palsy Project is concerned with.

The Manila Elks Lodge has had a 100-year history in the Philippines. And its contribution to this day has been positive. May they prolong their benevolence to the present millennium.