New Ward Brings Together Three Congregations in Fairview Stake

When the members of three Quezon City congregations gathered on Sunday for the first sacrament meeting of the newly organized Kalayaan Ward, the feeling in the room was unmistakable,  a mixture of tender nostalgia, quiet uncertainty, and something that felt, to many, like the early stirrings of something new and good.

The Kalayaan Ward of the Fairview Philippines Stake was organized from the consolidation of Bagong Silangan Ward, Batasan 1st Ward, and Batasan 2nd Ward. The ward's name - kalayaan, the Filipino word for freedom, was chosen deliberately. "For the sake of those who do not understand the word kalayaan," Stake President Dave Aquino explained to the newly gathered congregation with a warm smile, "kalayaan means freedom."

When People Adapt to Change, Something Wonderful Happens

Stake President Aquino anchored his message in the scriptural accounts of the Exodus and the Book of Mormon, reminding the Kalayaan Saints that change, however difficult, has always preceded the Lord's greatest blessings for His people.

"Change can be very challenging," President Aquino acknowledged plainly. But he was equally direct about what lies on the other side of it. "When people adapt to change, something wonderful happens."

His counsel to the newly formed ward was simple and grounded in covenant: unity. "If we learn to become one, wonderful things can happen," he said. Drawing from the sacrament hymn As Now We Take the Sacrament, he reminded the congregation that repentance, the act of moving forward and changing,  is at the heart of discipleship.

He closed with a promise: "As we walk with the Savior, He will be with us. The Lord is there. He can help. He will help… only if we learn to become one."

New Leaders Bear Testimony of the Savior

Newly sustained Bishop Eljon Serrano, the first bishop of Kalayaan Ward, offered a message rooted in his testimony of Jesus Christ, drawing from the hymn I Know That My Redeemer Lives as a reminder of what the Savior has done for each of His children. He spoke of the Atonement as the source of every member's capacity to begin again.

"With Jesus Christ, we have the strength to begin again, to improve, and to move forward with hope," Bishop Serrano said, asking the congregation for patience as leaders and members work together to build the ward.

His wife, Sister Jidilea Serrano,  a mother of three and an advocate for autism awareness, shared a testimony that moved quietly through the congregation. Reflecting on a video reenactment of the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane, she found unexpected comfort in the Savior's words: "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee. Take away this cup from me." For Sister Jidi, those words were not an expression of weakness,  they were honesty.

"Sometimes we feel overwhelmed. We feel like life is too much for us to handle  and that is okay. Like the Savior, we're being honest," she said. "Following God's plan doesn't mean life is going to be easy. It doesn't mean all our problems will go away or that we won't look for another option because we will."

Brother John Sombrero, first counselor in the bishopric, spoke of his journey in the Church and the responsibilities that have come with it. "Ang calling na ito ay galing sa Diyos," he said. ("This calling comes from God.") He humbly asked for the Lord's help to overcome his weaknesses to serve the ward. He lightened the mood when he shared his wife's observation: when he was called as ward clerk, she said he looked exactly like a ward clerk. Now called to the bishopric, she says he looks exactly like a first counselor,  a remark that drew knowing laughter from the congregation.

Brother John Eleazer Magno, second counselor, found meaning in what others might call coincidence, that the bishop's name is Eljon, the first counselor is John Sombrero, he himself is John Eleazer, and the ward clerk is John Carlo. Even the executive secretary, Brother Keon, he noted, is married to a Sister Jana. "Hindi po coincidence na tayo ang napili maging pioneers ng Kalayaan Ward," ("It is not a coincidence that we were chosen to be the pioneers of Kalayaan Ward,") Brother Magno said.

He invited members facing uncertainty to follow the counsel of Nephi: "I do not know all things, but the Lord knoweth all things."

Members Reflect on a New Beginning

For some members, the reorganization brought a wave of bittersweet emotion. Ruth Maglaya Aguilar, 43, the newly called Young Women president, came from Batasan 1st Ward, where she had raised her children from Primary through the youth program and into young single adulthood. She did not hide that she felt sad when she first heard the announcement.

But the sadness gave way to something unexpected. "Masaya dahil dati akong taga Batasan 2nd ward mula pagkabata. Makakasama ko ulit yung mga kaibigan ko simula noong youth. Parang balik tanaw," she said with a laugh. ("I'm happy because I used to belong to Batasan 2nd Ward since childhood. I get to be with my friends again from my youth. It feels like looking back.") On her new calling, she added: "Tahimik lang ako tapos mako-call ako na president." ("I was just quietly minding my own business, and then I got called as president.") Whatever the challenge ahead, her resolve was clear: "Kahit na mahirap, mahal ko si Heavenly Father at Jesus Christ." ("Even if it's hard, I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.")

For Bryan Embelledo, 25, baptized just a year ago, the change felt "nakakapanibago"  unfamiliar. "Iba rin yung members na mga nakasama ko," he said. ("The members around me are different.") "Pero excited ako sa bago kong matututunan." ("But I'm excited about what I'm going to learn.") When asked what first moved him to accept the gospel, Bryan pointed to the missionaries' focus: "Naka-focus sila kay Jesus Christ. Na-feel ko na kapag nagpa-binyag ako, mas mapapalapit ako sa Diyos." ("They were focused on Jesus Christ. I felt that if I got baptized, I would grow closer to God.")

Perhaps the most uncomplicated reflection came from Prince Obelle Aquebay, 10, who came from Batasan 2nd Ward and attended his first Primary class in the new ward without missing a beat,  he already knew exactly where to go. Asked how he felt about the first ward conference, Prince did not hesitate: "Exciting!" He liked all the messages, and made a promise of his own: "Gagawin ko po ang best ko." ("I will do my best.")

There was also the matter of one couple facing what Shela May Carpio, 27, described with gentle humor as a new kind of long-distance relationship. Due to the realigned ward boundaries, she will attend Kalayaan Ward while her partner, Julius Caesar "JC" Magturtur, 29, will remain in Batasan 1st Ward. "Malungkot dahil LDR na kami," Shela said. ("Sad because we'll be in a long-distance relationship now.") JC, for his part, offered a perspective that reflected something deeper than ward logistics: "Kahit magulo sa isipan, kapag sinustain natin ang mga leaders, maiintindihan din natin. May revelation sa mga ganyang announcements and instructions. We are in the Church of order." ("Even if it feels confusing, when we sustain our leaders, we will come to understand. There is revelation in those announcements and instructions.")

A New Chapter in Fairview Stake

As Kalayaan Ward opens its first chapter, its members carry with them the friendships, memories, and faith built over years in their former congregations,  and the conviction that the Lord's hand is in the change.

All are welcome to visit Kalayaan Ward's Sunday services, including friends of other faiths.