Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks New Chapter for Latter-day Saints in Santa Rosa and Cabuyao

"This place is not just a building, But a place of hope and promises. Each time we come here, We remember the covenants we made."

- _{From "The Meetinghouse Brings Us Closer to the Savior," a poem by a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints whose love for the Savior is lived out in the faithful service of maintaining His meetinghouses}

With the symbolic turning of soil and hearts full of faith, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and local government leaders gathered on April 30, 2026, in Barangay Dita, Santa Rosa, Laguna, to mark the beginning of construction of a new stake meetinghouse for the Santa Rosa Philippines Stake.

The ceremony drew together Church members, civic officials from two cities, and community leaders in a shared expression of purpose, a visible sign that something significant is being built in this part of the Philippines, and not only in brick and mortar.

The new facility will serve as a dedicated center of worship, learning, and service for Latter-day Saints in Santa Rosa and Cabuyao, two of Laguna's fastest-growing cities.

A House of the Lord Open to All

Santa Rosa Stake President Rhodell L. Agustin spoke of the meetinghouse as more than a building,  a standing invitation. "Ang gusaling ito ay magiging sagisag ng paanyayang iyon. Ito ay magiging lugar kung saan ang lahat ay malugod na tinatanggap,  mga miyembro man o hindi. Ito ay magiging tahanan ng pagsamba, pag-aaral at paglilingkod," President Agustin said. ("This building will be a symbol of that invitation. It will be a place where everyone is warmly welcomed,  members and non-members alike. It will be a home of worship, learning, and service.")

That spirit of open doors was echoed by Mayor Dennis "Denha" F. Hain of Cabuyao, Laguna, whose words carried both civic warmth and spiritual depth. "Ang itatayo po natin dito ay hindi lamang basta gusali kundi tahanan ng Panginoon na bukas para sa lahat, mayaman, mahirap, pagod, masaya ay makakapasok," Mayor Hain said. ("What we are building here is not just a structure, but a house of the Lord that is open to everyone,  the rich and the poor, the weary and the joyful alike are welcome to enter.") "Nawa'y ang lahat ng makapasok dito ay matagpuan si Cristo, magkaroon ng kasiyahan, kaligtasan at kalakasan." ("May all who come here find Christ, experience joy, receive salvation, and gain strength.")

Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas of Santa Rosa affirmed the ceremony's significance beyond the boundaries of the Church, declaring: "The stake center that we are building here is not just a building,  it will be a foundation of faith for everyone here and for others, for the city of Santa Rosa and for Cabuyao."

Pioneers Look Back, and Forward

Among those present was Ava Lesano, one of the pioneer members of Santa Rosa 1st Ward, whose presence connected the ceremony to decades of quiet, faithful service that made this moment possible. For her, the groundbreaking was not merely a beginning, it was a continuation.

"This structure will be one of the pieces of evidence of our spiritual growth," she said. "Another step closer to gathering Israel in this part of the world, and we are continuously breaking ground."

Civic and Church Leaders Stand Together

The ceremony reflected a strong partnership between the Church and the communities it serves. Among the government leaders who attended were Barangay Captain Ian A. De Guzman of Labas, Santa Rosa, representing Governor Sol Aragones; Board Member Jose "Peping" C. Cartaño; Vice Mayor Arnold B. Arcillas of Santa Rosa; Barangay Captain Godofredo Z. Dela Rosa of Barangay Dita; and Barangay Councilors Ignacio E. Prats, Nomer B. Almodovar, Sarah Jane C. Napile, and Darius P. Barqueros.

Their presence underscored what President Agustin and both mayors expressed in their own words  that the meetinghouse being built in Barangay Dita belongs, in a meaningful sense, to the whole community.

Breaking Ground, Building Faith

Through inspiring messages, uplifting music, and the ceremonial turning of the soil, the April 30 groundbreaking stood as far more than the start of a construction project. It was a declaration of faith  by a congregation that has grown steadily, by a community that has welcomed their presence, and by leaders on both sides of the civic and spiritual divide who see in this new building a shared vision of hope.

And as one member put it in verse,  words that seemed to capture what no ceremony or speech could fully say:

“The Meetinghouse Brings Us Closer to the Savior”

In the meetinghouse we gather,

Our hearts filled with faith.

In every lesson we hear,

We find joy and understanding.

In every hymn we sing,

There is a feeling of hope.

Our hearts are full of gratitude.

 Through the lessons we learn,

We feel again the love of Jesus Christ.

This place is not just a building,

 But a place of hope and promises.

 Each time we come here,

We remember the covenants we made.

Through the word of God and our prayers,

We feel His love and guidance.

Even in our mistakes and trials,

This place reminds us of unity and love.

Here, hope grows again in our hearts.

When life becomes difficult,

The meetinghouse is where we go.

Through our leaders we learn and grow,

And our faith becomes stronger.

The meetinghouse leads us to the light,

 As we strive to follow Jesus Christ each day.

It reminds us of our baptism

And the covenant path we walk.

As we keep this house clean and sacred,

Our hearts open to greater hope.

And in this quiet place,

 We feel the love of our Savior.