History of Philippine Lions  

            Lionism in the Philippines is only as old as the oldest club to be organized in the country, namely, the Manila (Host) Lions Club, which was formed March 23, 1949, at the Manila Hotel.

            However, how lionism came into being in the Philippines is known to a very few of the fast growing family of Filipino Lions. It was before the war the idea of introducing Lionism in the Philippines was first conceived by the "old timer" Col. G. J. Oden, USA (Retired). He brought the subject to friend  and mentor, Atwood Lawrence, special representative of Lions International, who was then doing extension  work in the United States.

            Lawrence took up the idea with Lions Clubs International, but no action taken at that time, the International Officers, then, being the opinion that the time was not yet ripe to introduce Lionism here. It was later disclosed that it was felt that while the Philippines was yet dependent on the United States, it would be better to wait until it obtained its independence before introducing Lionism.

            Col. Oden by the way, first came into the Philippines in 1898 with the US Army until 1902. He had another tour on duty in this country in 1907-1909. He was friend of the Late President Manuel Luis Quezon whom he met when the latter was Major Quezon, Chief of Staff of General Mascardo. He became Quezon's custodian when the former  was captured and detained in the Anda Station in Intramuros.  He got to know and like Quezon.  He learned to love the Philippines.

            In 1948, at the International Convention held in New York City, it was decided to offer Lionism to eligible businessmen and professionals in the Philippines, and Atwood Lawrence was drafted to organize Lions Clubs here.

            Early in 1949, Lawrence came to the Philippines and set about the business of organizing Lions Clubs.  He looked around for a "key" man to start the movement and a local Rotarian, realizing the need for a Lions Clubs in the Philippines, introduced him to Federico Calero, local Realtor, who became the moving spirit in aiding Lawrence in his work.  Calero later was the first district governor for Lions District 301.

            Lawrence had innumerable conferences with Calero during the days immediately prior to calling on a few businessmen and professionals to form the nucleus of the Lions Clubs in the Philippines.  The two studied the possibilities of organizing Clubs here.  They consulted with other close friends and decided on a definite course of action.

            On March 23, 1949, Calero gave a dinner in honor of Atwood Lawrence to which he invited a group of local professionals and businessmen in various fields of endeavor.  It was at this meeting that Lawrence explained the purpose of his visit to the Philippines and told the members about Lionism.

            Before the night ended, 23 of the men present had signed the necessary forms and became the first charter members of the Manila (Host) Lions Club.  They also became the first Filipinos to join the International Association of Lions Clubs.

            The group was composed of the following:  Federico Calero, Enrique C. Sobrepena, Charles E. Stone, John C. Wallace, Rosendo O. Subido, Pascual A. Poblete, Pedro M. Escat, Francisco Ortigas, Jr., Leon Goldenberg, Ernest Leweinsohn, Jose J. de Guzman, Antonio Kayanan, Mark A. Stice, Andrew D. Gruber, Antonio Varias, Gabriel A. Ambrosio , Jorge Barranengoa, Rodolfo R. Villanueva, Antonio H. Calero, Jose D. Yan, A.M. Simestad, Deogracias V. Villadolid and Antonio Prieto.

            The group elected Francisco Ortigas, Jr. as President and Pascual A. Poblete, Secretary.  Thus was born the first Philippine Lions Club, the Manila (Host) Lions Club; the Host Club of the Philippine Lions with the energetic Lion Francisco Ortigas, Jr. as the first President.

            In a span of few weeks of existence, the Manila (Host) Lions Club has became a powerful force for community good.  It had then become obvious, because the Lions Clubs were formed, that Lionism will soon be a powerful force for national progress.  It is now a reality.

            The growth and progress of Lionism in the Philippines was keenly watched by Lions Clubs International.  Three weeks after organization of the first club, the second club, Rizal (Pasay) City Lions Club was organized and Dr. Juan Salcedo, Jr. was elected President and Atty. Jose C. Colayco as Secretary.  

            Before the end of another three weeks, the third Lions Club, the Quezon City Lions Club, was Charter nights presentation on June 19, 1949 at the Manila Hotel.  Before the end of the year, the fourth club, the Caloocan Lions Club was organized with Dr. Ciriaco Santiago, owner of the Premiere Productions, as its Charter President.  Their charter presentation was held December 14, 1949. 

            After the organization of the 6th Lions Club, Lions Club International decided to appoint a provisional District Governor of District 301 with the honors going to Lion Federico Calero, appointed was presented by no less than Immediate Past International President Eugene S. Briggs During his visit to the Philippines. Calero's appointment was hailed by all Lions of the District as He is considered as the Father of Philippine Lionism. A year after March 23, 1949, a total of 15 clubs had been organized.

            On July 2 to 4, the first District Convention of Clubs in this part of the world was held at the Fiesta Pavillion of the manila Hotel. The Manila (Host) Lions Club was given the honor to host the first District Convention. The two who fought it out for Governor of the District were Gen. Basilio Valdes of the Manila (Host) Lions Club. and Lion Nicanor Roxas, President of Quezon City Lions Club. Roxas won the governorship by a margin of 12 votes . Cebu City was chosen as the site of the next convention.

            The growth and progress of Lionism in the country was such that Lions Clubs International  approved the first sub-division of District 301 into District (301-A and 301-B) in 1961. In 1963 District 301-A was subdivided into two (301-A and 301-C). It was during the 21st Multiple State Convention held in Naga City on April 30 to May 3, 1970, when Past President Ed M. Sison  of the Manila (Host) Lions Club was elected Governor of District 301-A. During the said convention , a resolution was unanimously adopted subdividing again District 301-A into two Sub-divisions (301-A and 301-D)

            In the 22nd Multiple State Convention held in Baguio City on May 3 to 6, 1971, Lion Francisco Almeda, Past President of the Binan Lions Club ran unopposed to become Governor of District 301-A.  Past President Tomas Gomez of the Caloocan City Lions Club won as Charter Governor of District 301-D.  Lion Candido Du of Davao Lions Club was elected Governor of District 301-B and Lion John Webber of Baguio Lions Club was elected District Governor of 301-C.

            Because of tremendous growth of Lionism in our country, in the multi-district convention held in Manila in 1975, a resolution was adopted by the delegates to subdivide District 301-B by creating District 301-E which shall have jurisdiction of over all Lions Clubs in Mindanao.  Lion Pedro Guerjon was the Charter Governor of District 301-E.  The jurisdiction of District 301-B was thus limited only to all Lions Clubs in the Visayas.

            Lionism in the Philippines continued to grow by leap and bounds so much so that in the convention held in Baguio City in 1981, the delegates decided that to solve numerous problems that were brought about by such rapid rate of growth District 301-D should be subdivided into District 301-D1 and District 301-D2 and District 301-A into District 301-A1 and District 301-A2.  A resolution to the effect was pass which was subsequently approved by the Lions Clubs International.