Christmas Lights at Manila Philippines Temple Dazzles Guests

The Manila Philippines Temple grounds of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were illuminated with thousands of dazzling lights on November 29, 2024, continuing a cherished annual tradition that welcomes the Christmas season in the Philippines.

A special dinner held at the Manila Philippines Missionary Training Center preceded the temple's lighting ceremony. The Philippines Area Presidency — Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr., Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, and Elder Michael B. Strong — and their wives attended the event alongside guests from government, business, media, and interfaith communities.

In his opening remarks, Elder Revillo, President of the Philippines Area, expressed gratitude to the attendees: “More than the beauty of the lights that we will see, tonight is about reflecting on the Light of the World: our Savior, Jesus Christ."

"The initiative is not about lights or decorations but about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ by striving to live as He lived—through service, kindness, and love," he emphasized. This is the 38^th year of the lighting ceremony of the Manila Philippines Temple – one of the few Church of Jesus Christ temples that holds this yearly tradition.

Prominent guests included Senator Imee R. Marcos, sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.; Betsy Quisumbing, Chief of Staff of Senator Marcos’ Office; Quezon City Councilor Wencerom Lagumbay; Rev. Fr. Carlos V. Reyes, Minister for Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila; Fr. James Babao of the Holy Apostles Senior Seminary; TV hosts Paolo Abrera and Suzi Entrata-Abrera; and Rappler journalist Paterno Esmaquel II.

In her remarks, Senator Marcos shared how the annual temple lighting has become a symbol of hope and inspiration for communities surrounding the temple and that the event “marks the beginning of the Christmas season for so many,” not only for Latter-day Saints but also to the neighboring areas, "who time and again look for inspiration and hope as we pass your temple.”

She also fondly recalled former Church President Spencer W. Kimball's visit to then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos in Malacañang Palace, during which they discussed plans to construct the Manila Philippines Temple.

Rev. Fr. Reyes likened the lighted temple to interfaith collaboration, which he said helps hold back “entropy and chaos” around the world.

"Our friends from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are working very hard to light up this dark world, and we all have to work hard to hold at bay the darkness of sin," he said.

The special dinner was hosted by celebrated teen star actress Xia Vigor, who has hugely supported the #LightTheWorld events in the Philippines, including the Giving Machines project, for the past six years. Jairus Aquino, also a talented actor in the Philippines, attended the dinner and the lighting ceremony with his family.

Guests enjoyed musical performances by seminarians from the Holy Apostles Senior Seminary, full-time missionaries of the Philippines Quezon City Mission, and a violin and piano performance by brothers Josh and Lyle Nepomuceno.

The interfaith choir, led by HASS and young missionaries, is now a tradition at the annual lighting. Despite their hectic schedules, both groups exert effort and sacrifice to practice and prepare for their performances.

Anticipation mounted as hundreds of guests and onlookers gathered for the lighting ceremony. Elder Wong led the countdown and switched on the lights, illuminating the temple grounds in a radiant display of light and warmth.

The lights at the Manila Philippines Temple will turn on every day at dusk for the rest of the year. Latter-day Saints and friends from other faiths are invited to experience the display and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas — the birth and life of Jesus Christ.