Ruben Ecleo
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Ruben Edera Ecleo, December 09, 1934-December 20, 1987, a Filipino spiritual leader who founded the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association in 1965.
He was born from a poor family in the Island of Cabilan (formerly Puyange), Dinagat, Surigao del Norte, in Northern Mindanao. At the age of 8 he started his mission as a transient healer-missioner using different personalities and travelled all over Mindanao Islands and in some parts of the Visayas. He learned the Aramaic language and taught a different and unique doctrine of a Christian, Hinduism and Akashic combinations.
On the early parts of 60's he organized his first group of followers and called it the "First Thirteen" resembling the Twelve Apostles who were supposed to have received Jesus's teachings and instructions. He eventually became known by the title "Divine Master" which is equivalent to the title of "Grand Master" or "High Priest" of other masonic or missionary groups. In 1965, he organized and established his association, the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, Inc. and registered it to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
He was elected as Mayor of the Municipality of Dinagat and holds the record for serving the longest term for a mayor. He was chosen as the Most Outstanding Mayor of the Philippines in 1985.[citation needed]
After Ecleo died, the Association's leadership was bequeathed to his eldest son, Ruben Ecleo, Jr. A mausoleum at the top of the hill in Barangay Cuarenta, San Jose, Dinagat Island was built in his honor.
