Elder Wakolo Invites Members to Rededicate Their Lives to The Savior in Kamputhaw Chapel Dedication

Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, Philippine Area President, and his wife, Sister Anita Wakolo, visited Cebu to dedicate the newly built Kamputhaw Chapel and Stake Center located in the Temple Complex in Lahug Cebu City on Saturday, July 2, 2022. Several representatives from local government units and leaders from other faith-based organizations along with members from the Cebu City Stake (diocese) and neighboring congregations within Cebu City graced the event. 

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Councilors Nestor Archival and Joel Garganera attended the event together with Lahug Barangay Chairwoman, Hazel Ann Muaña-Empleo. Leaders and friends from faith-based organizations and the academe were also present.

A Unique Meetinghouse

The Kamputhaw Chapel is the second meetinghouse built in the Cebu Temple complex, parallel to the Lahug Chapel and Stake Center. The physical distance between these two chapels is only about 50 meters, making it the shortest distance between two chapels in the Philippines. 

Cebu City Stake President Dennis Dan Nuñez noted, “This meetinghouse will serve the needs of an ever-growing congregation.” Currently, the Cebu City Stake is composed of nine unique congregations and is preparing to be divided into two different stakes. The chapel will cater to three different congregations: Busay 1st Ward, Kamputhaw Ward,and Oppra Ward.

Elder Edmarc R. Dumas, an Area Seventy, expressed, “The Savior gives us a charge to be a light to all the people. This is the purpose why these chapels are being built. There is a lot of darkness around us. What a blessing it is that we have these facilities. We also have a responsibility to keep and maintain these chapels.”

Elder Wakolo also pointed out that between these two meetinghouses the temple is very visible. “Let us never turn our backs on the Temple. I invite you to love the Temple,” he further counselled.

Elder Wakolo invited the members to renew and recommit by dedicating their lives to the Savior Jesus Christ.

Open House

Prior to the dedication, the diocese organized an open house and invited members of the nearby communities, people of the academe, leaders, and representatives from the local government units. During the open house, members gave the community a glimpse of the Sunday services that the Church offers and the functions of the different rooms inside the meetinghouse. 

Eduardo Enriquez, a pioneer member, reflected on the significance of the new meetinghouse.

"It is very unusual to see two chapels built right beside each other. I thank God that I have reached this stage of the development of the Church,” he shared. Baptized in 1972, Bro. Enriquez further expressed, “My contemporaries were not able to witness this! We used to go to Church in a rented house, and as a leader, we used to cross oceans and go to faraway municipalities to visit other units to fulfill our callings. It's rare that you get to see all of this happening: from a small, rented house to two large chapels built beside each other in front of the temple!”

Community Event

Elder Wakolo thanked newly elected City Mayor Michael Rama along with City Councilors Nestor Archival and Joel Garganera, and Lahug Barangay Chairwoman Hazel Ann Muana-Empleo for their presence in the historic event. “We are partners in lifting hearts and minds,” he emphasized. He pointed out the sign displayed in all meetinghouses across the world - 'We welcome all visitors.'

A Cultural Show

After the dedication, the youth from different congregations presented various Filipino-themed folk dances and song numbers. Sister Antonia Lubid, 16, from Apas Ward said, "This is my first time to participate in an event such as this. At first, I was overwhelmed at what we were going to perform but we tried our best so that we could convey the message.”

The youth presented traditional Filipino performances like Balagtasan, Pandango sa Ilaw, Tinikling, and Singkil, to convey messages of nationalism, respect for tradition, and the sanctity of marriage.