the inland communities of Mindanao. Freemasonry Freemasonry had gained a substantial following in Europe and the Americas during the 19th century and found its way to the Philippines. The Western World was quickly changing, and sought less political control from the Catholic Church. The first Filipino Masonic lodge was Revolución. It was established by Graciano López Jaena in Barcelona and was recognized in April 1889. It did not last long after he resigned from being its Worshipful Master on 29 November 1889. In December 1889, Marcelo H. del Pilar established the Solidaridad in Madrid with the help of Julio Llorente, its first Worshipful Master. A short time later, the Solidaridad grew, and some of its members included José Rizal, Pedro Serrano Laktaw, Baldomero Roxas, and Galicano Apacible. In 1891, Del Pilar sent Laktaw to the Philippines to establish a Masonic lodge. Laktaw established the Nilad on 6 January 1892, the first lodge in the islands. It is estimated that by 1893, there were 35 Masonic lodges in the Philippines, of which nine were in Manila. The first Filipina Freemason was Rosario Villaruel. Rizal's sisters Trinidad and Josefa, Marina Dizon, Romualda Lanuza, Purificación Leyva, and many other women join the Masonic movement. Freemasonry was important during the Philippine Revolution, as it pushed the reform movement and carried out propaganda work. Many of those who supported outright revolution were Freemasons like Andrés Bonifacio. In fact, the organizational framework used by Bonifacio for the Katipunan was derived from Masonic structures. It may be said that joining Masonry was one activity that both reformists and the Katipuneros shared, despite their differing views. Gallery See also History of the Philippines (1565–1898) Spanish East Indies Spanish Filipino New Spain Governor-General of the Philippines Royal Audience of Manila Spanish Empire Viceroyalty of New Spain History of the Philippines Notes References Sources Philippines Former colonies in Asia Former colonies in Oceania Former Spanish colonies Spanish East Indies 16th century in the Spanish East Indies 17th century in the Spanish East Indies 18th century in the Spanish East Indies 19th century in the Spanish East Indies States and territories established in 1565 1565 establishments in the Philippines States and territories disestablished in 1898 1890s disestablishments in the Spanish Empire 1890s disestablishments in Asia 1565 establishments in New Spain Spanish-speaking countries and territories