Ambassador Cuisia Visits Church Headquarters

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia Jr. visited the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah,  on October 3-6, 2012.  He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Victoria Cuisia, and Vice Consul Reginald Bernabe of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco.

Ambassador Cuisia met with Church leaders and shared with them recent developments in the Philippines and topics of mutual interest.   He also called on Utah Lieutenant Governor Gregory Bell at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City.  Both leaders discussed the relations of the Philippines with the United States and Utah as well as the current positive developments taking place in the Philippines.  

In his visit to Brigham Young University, the ambassador delivered a lecture entitled “The Philippines: Forging a Future of Peace and Prosperity.”  This was part of the university’s Ambassadorial Lecture Series Program.

The ambassador met with missionaries from the Missionary Training Center in Provo who were receiving instruction in preparation for their 18-24 months assignment in the Philippines.  Their training included learning the Filipino language for eight weeks before they travel to their assigned missions in the Philippines.  

During a special dinner hosted by the Church at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Ambassador Cuisia met with Michael John U. Teh, Area President of the Church in the Philippines.  The event was also highlighted by the performance of The International Children’s Choir who sang and danced for the distinguished guests.

Ambassador Cuisia also toured Temple Square and the Conference Center from which the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcasts each week.  It is the most popular tourist site in Utah.  The building is constructed of granite from the same quarry which provided the granite for the Salt lake Temple.   

Ambassador Cuisia also visited the University of Utah where he spoke before students on the topic “The Philippines: Charting the Course to Growth and Security.”

Vice Consul Reginald Bernabe reported, “Ambassador Cuisia extolled the members of the community to be united and be part of the electoral process by exercising their right to vote not only in the US but also in the Philippines. He also called on the younger generations of Filipino-Americans to take a more active role in the community as they prepare to take on the mantle leadership from the elder generation.”

The ambassador’s itinerary included meeting with members of the Utah business community during a luncheon hosted by the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, the State of Utah International Trade and Diplomacy Office and the World Trade Center of Utah. He reported on the gains of the Aquino Administration in improving the business and investment climate in the Philippines.

Ambassador Cuisia visited the LDS Humanitarian Center which offers humanitarian services for international distribution of goods.  He also toured Welfare Square which is the largest and most complete facility in the LDS Church welfare system.  It produces and delivers food and clothing and provides other services to needy people in the Salt Lake area.  It also supplies and coordinates welfare efforts of the Church in other areas.  

He also visited the Family History Library.  It was founded in 1894 to gather genealogical records and assist people interested in doing family history and genealogical research.  It is the largest library of its kind in the world and is open to the general public at no charge.