Freemasons have been around for a very long time. The common perception is that they are a group of secretive individuals that are upholding a secret agenda to dominate the world.
Conspiracy theories abound on the role of freemasons to everything from the building of the pyramids to the founding fathers of the United States. Some have even linked them to extraterrestrial aliens and UFOs.
Although freemasonry originated in Europe, the Philippines also hosts a number of mason-like clubs that although doesn't have the mysticism of a world-dominating group, they still are secretive.
Mostly though, people join freemason lodges in the Philippines for networking purposes.
This post used to host a link to a list of around thirty famous Philippine masons but the site has been taken down.