Philippine Members Prepare for Dedication of the Country’s Sixth Temple

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The dedication of the Bacolod Philippines Temple marks a major milestone for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Negros Occidental and across the central Philippines, bringing temple worship far closer to thousands of local members who once faced long and costly journeys to Manila or Cebu.

For Sheryl Omolon, the new temple is a deeply personal reminder of how much access to sacred ordinances has changed. When she was 8 years old in 1985, her family traveled by boat from Bacolod to Manila and spent about 24 hours reaching the only temple in the country at the time. Today, she and her husband, Roger “Ogie” Omolon, are helping prepare for the Bacolod temple’s open house and dedication, where travel times for members on Negros Island will now be measured in minutes rather than days.

The temple, dedicated on Sunday, May 31, by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is the Church’s 217th temple worldwide. It is the sixth in the Philippines, the third dedicated in the country in 2026, the second in the Visayas region, and the first on Negros Island. Bacolod City, known as the “City of Smiles,” is the capital of Negros Occidental, one of the largest provinces in the Philippines.

Local Church leaders say the temple will transform temple participation for families, youth and longtime members. Bacolod Philippines North Stake President Joaquin Tayo Montero said members previously spent more than 24 hours by boat to reach Manila and later eight to 10 hours to reach Cebu City. He said the new temple will allow youth to attend more often and participate in baptisms for the dead without the burden of long travel.

Cadiz Philippines Stake President Dennis Ceniza said the temple is now highly accessible to members in the district and will provide more opportunities for temple service. He noted that Filipino culture places a strong emphasis on family, making temple sealings especially meaningful because they teach that families can be together forever.

The Bacolod temple also stands as a symbol of decades of faith and growth. The first Latter-day Saint members from Bacolod were two couples baptized in Metro Manila in 1964. Missionaries began serving in Bacolod in 1967, the first branch was organized in 1968, and the Church continued expanding across the Visayas islands in the years that followed.

Pioneers in the area, including Remus G. and Yvonne Villarete, recalled traveling repeatedly to Manila and Cebu for temple worship. They said the new temple, only 30 to 45 minutes from their home, is a blessing and a long-awaited answer to prayer. Other early members also described the dedication as a spiritual milestone that will strengthen faith, increase covenant keeping and bless future generations.

With the dedication of the Bacolod Philippines Temple, the Philippines now has 14 temples operating, under construction or announced, reflecting the rapid growth of the Church in a country that now has more than 905,000 members.