York Rite Cryptic Council / Philippines
Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the Philippines
Royal and Select Masters in the Philippines is the Cryptic Council branch of the Grand York Rite of the Philippines. It has its own Grand Council, officers, constituent Councils and communications, and should be read as a Temple-centred continuation linked to Royal Arch rather than a general Craft upgrade.
This guide separates the ritual family called Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the Philippines from the authority that administers it. That distinction matters when similar names describe different structures elsewhere. By Beyond the Craft Editorial Team · Published 14 June 2026 · Last reviewed 21 June 2026 · 8 min read.
What it is
The proper constitutional category of Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the Philippines matters. Readers should distinguish its ceremonial subject, its membership qualification and the present organisation that governs it.
Why people explore it
Royal Arch Masons interested in preservation, Temple chronology, compact dramatic ceremonies and the Cryptic bridge within York Rite.
What not to assume
Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the Philippines is not a rank above Craft Masonry and is not automatically equivalent to a similarly named system in another jurisdiction.
Documented chronology
The Philippine Craft Grand Lodge was organised, providing the Master Mason base from which appendant bodies later draw members. [4]
The Grand York Rite site presents the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters beside, but distinct from, the Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery. [1]
Current circulars identify Grand Council officers and annual-session activity within the Grand York Rite cycle. [3]
A distinct Cryptic branch
The Grand York Rite site gives the Grand Council its own menu, officers, past officers, awards, communications, downloads and constituent Councils. That pattern supports careful language: Council is not simply an extra Chapter meeting. [1] [2]
Because the Council is published alongside the Chapter and Commandery, its identity is coordinated rather than merged. The same national York Rite environment may host annual sessions, but each branch has its own title and officer structure. [1] [3]
Eligibility without overclaiming
Cryptic Masonry is normally approached after Royal Arch in York Rite practice, and the Philippine public structure places the Council in that familiar relationship. The public pages, however, do not state every qualification or ballot step. [1] [4]
The safe advice is practical: confirm current recognition, Chapter standing, petition procedure, fees and local Council availability before assuming that a Royal Arch Mason can immediately affiliate or receive the Council degrees. [1] [2]
Themes and meeting character
Royal and Select Masters material is usually described through preservation, Temple chronology and the secret-vault setting. The Philippine guide should explain that general character while grounding current claims in the published Grand Council structure. [1] [2]
Council commitment may be compact in some places and more concentrated where Councils are fewer than Craft Lodges. Annual sessions, rehearsals and office work can add to ordinary stated meetings. [2] [3]
Who may value it
This route may suit a Royal Arch Mason who wants to deepen the Temple narrative before considering Templary. It often appeals to readers who like how different degrees interlock rather than merely collecting more titles.
It may not be the best first choice for a newly raised Master Mason who has not yet found his footing in Craft or Chapter. Scottish Rite is a separate comparison for those drawn to a broader philosophical sequence. [3] [4]
Key distinction
The Council sits between Chapter and Commandery in the Philippine York Rite landscape, but it is separately administered and not required for every Mason who remains active only in Craft.
Key questions
Frequently asked questions
What most distinguishes Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the Philippines?
The Council sits between Chapter and Commandery in the Philippine York Rite landscape, but it is separately administered and not required for every Mason who remains active only in Craft.
Who may join Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the Philippines?
Royal Arch standing is commonly part of the route, but present qualifications, petition rules and recognition requirements must be confirmed with the Grand Council or a constituent Council before assuming eligibility. Confirm which authority administers the rite locally and which parts of the published system are actually available there.
How should its history be understood?
The Philippine Craft Grand Lodge was organised, providing the Master Mason base from which appendant bodies later draw members. Dates for the ritual family and dates for its present governing organisation are related evidence, but they are not interchangeable.
What should I compare with Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the Philippines?
Start with Royal Arch Philippines and Knights Templar Philippines. Compare administration, degree structure and local availability; a shared ritual name does not prove shared governance.
- Grand York Rite of the Philippines: homepage and body menus ↗Grand York Rite of the Philippines · Official organisational source · Retrieved 21 June 2026 · Supports: Grand Council menu, current officers, communications, body distinction.
- Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters: constituent Councils ↗Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the Philippines · Official organisational source · Retrieved 21 June 2026 · Supports: constituent Councils, active structure, national administration.
- Grand York Rite annual sessions notice: Council references ↗Grand York Rite of the Philippines · Official organisational source · Retrieved 21 June 2026 · Supports: annual-session context for Council, proceedings notice, coordinated York Rite administration.
- Grand Lodge of the Philippines: Philippine York Rite Freemasonry ↗Grand Lodge of the Philippines · Official organisational source · Retrieved 21 June 2026 · Supports: Master Mason foundation, appendant-body context, Blue Lodge relationship.
Continue exploring
Related Reading
The Philippine Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite governed by the sovereign Supreme Council, 33°, for the Republic of the Philippines.
Philippines guideOrder of DeMolay in the PhilippinesA national youth leadership and character organisation governed by the Supreme Council, Order of DeMolay of the Republic of the Philippines.
Philippines guideMasonic Family Organisations in the PhilippinesAn orientation to adult, youth, family and service organisations publicly identified with the Philippine Masonic community.