Bacolod Philippines Temple Opens Its Doors to the Media

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomed journalist and other media professionals on Monday, April 13, 2026, for a tour and press conference at the newly completed Bacolod Philippines Temple, the second operating temple of the Church in the Visayas.

Those attending were welcomed by Elder K. Brett Nattress, a General Authority Seventy assigned to the Temple Department, and Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, First Counselor in the Philippines Area Presidency, and his wife Sister Carol Wong.

Representatives from media organizations in Bacolod City were joined by journalists from Iloilo and Tacloban, showing the temple’s significance to Latter-day Saints across the Visayas. The event marked the beginning of a historic week leading to the public open house, which begins Thursday, April 16, and continues through Saturday, May 2, 2026 (excluding Sundays).

Church Leaders Address Media

In the initial media briefing, Elder Wong spoke of the sacred role temples play in the lives of Latter-day Saints

"Bacolod, you're the City of Smiles,  but think about it, what could the bigger smile be, if not family living together happily forever? That's why the temple is here today,” Elder Wong said.

"The first temple in the Philippines was built in 1984 in Manila. We waited 26 years for one in Cebu. Then 14 more years for Urdaneta. The first three took a long time, but the next three, from Alabang, Davao, and Bacolod, took five months. This year, in the first five months, we doubled the number of temples in the Philippines."

He also mentioned, “we want to build temples closer to our members so they don't have to spend so much time and money traveling to worship in a place that is so important to them."

For his part, Elder Nattress expressed gratitude for the attendance of the media despite other events taking place in Bacolod City at the same time. He said the opportunity would help more people better understand the blessings of the temple beyond its architectural beauty.

In his remarks, Elder Nattress testified that Jesus Christ made the ultimate choice to come to the earth, to minister and heal, and to suffer on behalf of every person providing, in his words, "a perfect and infinite atonement so that we could have hope, forgiveness, healing, and eternal life."

"On Sunday, Jesus entered the temple. On Monday, Jesus went into the temple. On Tuesday, Jesus came unto the temple. Wednesday, no record. Thursday, He suffered in Gethsemane. Friday, He was crucified. For me, that is the example. That is how important the temple is."

"Even though I came from Salt Lake City, 7,500 miles away to be here  we are all brothers and sisters. We all have a loving Heavenly Father who cares for us."

"When you go to the temple, you're nicer. You need to go to the temple. Because when we learn of the Savior and of His love for each one of us, we have a greater desire to be better neighbors, better friends — kinder, gentler."

"This is His house."

Dr Alma Vida Villanueva Tan, a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a daughter of pioneer Latter-day Saints in Bacolod, shared a deeply personal account of how one quiet sacrifice by her parents set the course of her family's eternal story.

In 1974, her father was given a single ticket to travel to Salt Lake City, but chose to purchase a second so her mother could join him. That decision led to their sealing in the Salt Lake Temple, a covenant that would, over the years, draw all ten of their children into the same eternal promise. Speaking at the Bacolod Philippines Temple media day on April 13, 2026, Dr. Tan reflected on what it means to finally have a temple in her own hometown after five decades of faithful membership and invited visitors to experience for themselves the peace she has long found within its walls.

"Finally, after 50 years of being a member of the Church, I can attend a temple in my own hometown."

"For me, the temple is a step closer to home, the house of the Lord,  a place where we can be still, feel His love, and learn of Christ as we prepare ourselves and our families to return to Heavenly Father."

A First Look Inside

The Bacolod Philippines Temple is a single-story structure of approximately 2,480 square meters, situated on a nearly five-hectare site at the corner of Bacolod Airport Access Road and Buri Road.

Media representatives were given access to the temple’s interior, including the baptistry, instruction rooms and sealing rooms, spaces that, after the dedication, will be reserved for sacred worship by members of the Church.

The building features a domed cupola with metallic diamond shingles, backlit art glass, decorative urns, deep cornices and ornate window casings. An ancillary building of approximately 1,672 square meters on the property houses patron accommodations, an arrival center and a distribution center.

The temple’s first president and matron, Gregorio Horlador Lagaña and Maria Luisa Arnaiz Nain Lagaña, will oversee its operations following the dedication.

Significance for the Visayas

The Bacolod Philippines Temple will be the sixth operating temple in the Philippines and the second in the Visayas, following the Cebu City Philippines Temple, which was dedicated in 2010.

Its completion is especially meaningful for Latter-day Saints on Negros Island, many of whom previously had to travel to Cebu and Manila to participate in temple worship and ordinances.

The temple district includes Negros Island and the surrounding provinces. Church membership in the area traces back to 1967, when missionaries first arrived in Bacolod City.

For journalists from Iloilo and Tacloban, key cities that will also have temples in the near future, the Bacolod Philippines Temple Media Tour provided a preview of what their communities may anticipate as the Church continues to grow in the Philippines.

The Philippines is home to more than 900,000 Latter-day Saints. With 14 temples announced, under construction or in operation, the country has one of the largest concentrations of temples outside the United States.

Open House Information

Following the media day on April 13 and invited guest tours on April 14 and 15, the public open house for the Bacolod Philippines Temple will begin Thursday, April 16.

Open house dates: Thursday, April 16, through Saturday, May 2, 2026 (excluding Sundays)

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday

Location: Corner of Bacolod Airport Access Road and Buri Road, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental

Tour duration: Approximately 45 minutes

Admission: Free

The temple will be dedicated on Sunday, May 31, 2026, by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the second highest governing body of the Church. A dedicatory session at 10 a.m. will be rebroadcast to Church units in the temple district at 2 p.m.

About Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differ from meetinghouses, where Sunday worship services are held and visitors are welcome. Temples are considered houses of the Lord, where faithful members participate in sacred ordinances that unite families eternally and help individuals draw closer to Jesus Christ. After a temple is dedicated, entrance is reserved for members of the Church who are prepared and worthy to enter. The public open house provides a rare opportunity for people of all faiths and backgrounds to tour the building before it is dedicated.

For media inquiries and photo and video assets from the event, a media kit for the Bacolod Philippines Temple is available HERE.