Camilo Osías Passes Away

Today in Masonic History Camilo Osías passes away in 1976.

Camilo Osías was a Filipino politician and educator.

Osías was born on March 23rd, 1889 in Balaoan, La Union, Philippines. Growing up he attended schools in the town where he was born, the city of Vigan in Ilocus Sur province, and San Fernando in La Union province. In 1905 he was appointed government student to the United States. From 1906 until 1910 he attended the University of Chicago (1906-1907), he went on to Western Illinois State Teachers College where he graduated in 1908, then on to Teachers College of Columbia University in New York City where he graduated in 1910.

After graduating from schools in the United States, Osías returned to the Philippines where he began teaching. In 1915 he entered the political arena when he became the first Filipino Superintendent of Schools. He served in the position until 1916. In 1917 he became the Assistant Director of Education serving for four years. During those four years he also served as a member of the first Philippine mission to the United States from 1919 to 1920 and as a lecturer at the University of the Philippines from 1919 to 1921. In 1921 he became the President of National University serving until 1936.

In 1925, Osías was elected to the Philippine Senate. In 1928 he was elected as the Resident Commissioner in the United States House of Representatives. He served from 1929 until 1935, having been reelected once to the office. His term ended with the new Philippine Commonwealth Government.

In 1934, Osías was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of the Philippines. He also became a member of the first National Assembly in 1935. In 1939 he was a member of the Economic Mission to the United States and Chairman of the Educational Mission from 1938 until 1941.

In 1941, Osías became the chairman of the National Council of Education. At the same time he became the Director of Publicity and Propaganda, serving until January of 1942. He became Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Education, Health, and Public Welfare, and later the Secretary of Education serving until 1945. 

Osías served in the Philippine Senate two more times. The first was from 1947 until 1953. The second was from 1961 until 1967.

Osías was also the Chancellor of Osías College.

Osías passed away on May 20th, 1976.

Osías was a member of Bagumbayan Lodge No. 4 Manila, Philippines. He served as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines in 1955.

This article provided by Brother Eric C. Steele.