Jan. 1, 2011: Est. population, 97,977,000; LDS Church Members, 695,304; Stakes,88; Wards, 568; Branches, 595; Missions, 21; Districts, 82; Temples, 2, another announced; percent LDS, .63, or one in 159; Philippines Area.
A large archipelago off the southeast coast of Asia, the Republic of the Philippines has a population of more than 70 million, speaking mainly English and Tagalog, along with seven other major dialects. More than 80 percent of the population is Catholic, due to a long period of Spanish rule, with the remainder being predominantly Protestant and Muslim.
The first attempt to introduce the Church in the Philippines was made in 1898 during the Spanish-American War by Willard Call and George Seaman, American servicemen from Utah, who had been set apart as missionaries prior to their departure. As opportunity arose, they preached the gospel, but with no apparent success. Following World War II, Maxine Grimm, who came to the Philippines with the Red Cross in 1945, introduced the gospel to Aneleta Pabilona Fajardo, who was baptized in 1945. She was the first Filipino to join the Church in the islands.
In 1953, during the Korean War, the Luzon Servicemen's District was organized under the direction of the Japanese Mission to accommodate the needs of Latter-day Saint servicemen stationed in the Philippines. The district became part of the new Southern Far East Mission, established under the direction of Joseph Fielding Smith in August of 1955. While in the area, President Smith also visited the Philippines. Although legal questions delayed the official assignment of missionaries to the country, some work was begun by LDS servicemen, in particular Kendall B. Schaefermeyer, a returned missionary serving in the U.S. Navy. By October of 1957 he had baptized four Filipino investigators and was teaching the gospel to more than 20 others.
During 1960, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, Assistant to the Twelve, and Elder Ezra Taft Benson of the Quorum of the Twelve visited the Philippines, focusing primarily on the work of the LDS servicemen's groups, but returning with encouraging reports of the prospects for missionary work among the Filipinos. The following year, on 23 January 1961, Southern Far East Mission President Robert S. Taylor was finally able to submit paperwork for the official registration of the Church in the Philippines.
Then on 28 April 1961, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley returned to the islands and met with a small group of servicemen, American residents, and Filipino members and officially opened the islands for missionary work. The first American missionaries, Ray Goodson, Harry Murray, Kent Lowe and Nestor Ledesma arrived in Manila less than two months later. Among the first of their converts were members of the Jose Gutierez Sr. family. By year's end, six others had accepted the gospel. By 1967, the work had progressed to the point where the Philippine Mission was organized, with Paul S. Rose as president.
The Church in the Philippines grew rapidly, with the first stake being established in Manila on 20 May 1973. In 1974 the mission was divided, creating the Philippines Manila Mission and the Philippines Cebu City Mission. Church President Spencer W. Kimball presided over area conferences in Manila in 1975 and 1980.
During his 1980 visit he also met briefly with Philippines President Ferdinand E. Marcos at the presidential palace. In 1983, the Church opened a missionary training center in the Philippines and the following year dedicated the Manila Philippines Temple. In 1987, the Philippines/Micronesia Area was established with headquarters in Manila.
Augusto A. Lim, the first Filipino General Authority, was called to the Second Quorum of Seventy in June of 1992. In 1996, President Hinckley returned for a visit with the saints in the Philippines, this time as president of the Church. His Philippines stop was part of an eight-nation tour.
In 2005, membership reached 553,121.
President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Manila Philippines Temple September 25, 1984
On June 13, 2010 , President Thomas S. Monson dedicated the Cebu City Philippines Temple.
President Thomas S. Monson announced plans to build a temple in Urdaneta, Pangasinan on October 2, 2010.
2011 was a Jubilee Year in the Philippines--as the country commemorated the 50th year since the commencement of missionary work in the land--"it was a time to look back with appreciation for all of those who have gone before and made possible the miracle of the present, to look at the situation today with a spirit of accomplishment marked by humility, and resolve to continue with enthusiasm and strong conviction the building of the mighty work which God himself restored in this the dispensation of the fullness of times."
On May 20, 2012, the Philippines Missionary Training Center (MTC) was dedicated. This MTC is considered the Asian hub since it serves as training center for missionaries who speak Mandarin, Thai, Khmer for Cambodians, Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesia, Mongolian and Urdu.
Sources: Southern Far East Mission, Manuscript history and historical reports, Church Archives. Philippines Manila Mission, Manuscript history and historical reports, Church Archives; Japanese Mission, Manuscript history and historical reports, Church Archives; Luzon District, Southern Far East Mission, A history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines, 1965; R. Lanier Britsch, "Faithful, Good, Virtuous, True: Pioneers in the Philippines," Liahona, February 1998, 41; Spencer W. Kimball, "A Report of My Stewardship," Ensign, May 1981, 5; Francis M. Orquiola, "Gospel Flourishes in Soil of Filipino Faith," Ensign, September 1984, 78; Francis M. Orquiola, "Temple Dedication Rewards Faith of Filipino Saints," Ensign, November 1984, 106. "Four New Areas to be Organized in August," Ensign, July 1987 July, 74.
Stakes — 78
(Listed alphabetically as of Oct. 1, 2009.)
No. / Name / Organized / First President
Philippines Area
1226 / Angeles Philippines / 18 Jan 1981 / Orlando D. Aquilar
2388 / Antipolo Philippines / 31 Aug 1997 / Arnulfo T. Roda
1281 / Bacolod Philippines / 5 Jul 1981 / Remus G. Villarete
1323 / Bacolod Philippines North / 7 Feb 1982 / Rufino Alvarez Villaneuva Jr.
2559 / Bacolod Philippines South / 4 Jun 2000 / Avelino N. Santillan
2609c / Bago Philippines / 13 Jan 2002 / Danilo C. Delos Santos
1573 / Baguio Philippines / 17 Nov 1985 / Carlos F. Chavez
1806 / Balanga Philippines / 7 Jul 1991 / Torbio Nuguid Santos
2331 / Batac Philippines / 23 Mar 1997 / Nathaniel Oasan Berroidan
2374 / Bayambang Philippines / 15 Jun 1997 / Jose Mirafelix Balajadia
1788 / Binalbagan Philippines / 3 Mar 1991 / Jose Vicente Pioquinto
1711 / Butuan Philippines / 19 Feb 1989 / Henry Ferrer Acebedo
1340 / Cabanatuan Philippines / 9 May 1982 / Arsenio A. Pacaduan
1884 / Cabuyao Philippines / 7 June 1992 / Tomas S. Merdegia Jr.
1572 / Cadiz Philippines / 10 Nov 1985 / Carmelino M. Cawit
1535 / Cagayan De Oro Philippines / 26 May 1985 / Loreto Balanta Libid
1748 / Cagayan de Oro Philippines East / 6 May 1990 / Danilo D. De La Vega
2528 / Cagayan de Oro Philippines West / 16 May 1999 / Harry Waga Tenestrante
2427 / Cainta Philippines / 18 Jan 1998 / Ramon De La Cruz Rodriguez
1238 / *Caloocan Philippines
*Kalookan Philippines / 17 Feb 1996
Caloocan Philippines / 22 Feb 1981 / Godofredo Hilario Esguerra
2804a / Catarman Philippines / 10 May 2008 / Jemmy Dumdum Pedrola
1545 / Cavite Philippines / 24 Oct 1989 / Charles W. Brooks
Makiling Philippines / 18 Aug 1985 / Jose Trinidad Aguilar
1220 / Cebu City Philippines / 11 Jan 1981 / Jacob Torres Lopez
2568 / Cebu Philippines Central / 27 Aug 2000 / Paul Johnson Reyes Codina
2538a / Cebu Philippines Liloan / 17 Oct 1999 / Allen Sagario Velasco
2554 / Daet Philippines / 30 Apr 2000 / Aquilino Zapanta Aloc
1229 / Dagupan Philippines / 25 Jan 1981 / Bernardo G. Reamon
2504 / Dasmarinas Philippines / 13 Dec 1998 / Remegio Evangelista Meim Jr.
1307 / Davao Philippines / 15 Nov 1981 / George S. Lavarino
1544 / Davao Philippines Buhangin / 18 Aug 1985 / Patrick Hartford M. Clair
1876 / Digos Philippines / 31 May 1992 / Paul Farinas Bunoan
2561 / Fairview Philippines / 11 Jun 2000 / Raul Antonio V. Jose
2461 / Gapan Philippines / 17 May 1998 / Roger Young Salvador
2084 / General Santos Philippines / 6 Aug 1995 / Fabian L. Simamban
2558 / Goa Philippines / 28 May 2000 / Edgar Pia Pesimo Sr.
2580 / Ilagan Philippines / 10 Dec 2000 / Honorato Tagao Macaballug
1908 / Iligan Philippines / 18 Oct 1992 / William C. Garife
1508 / Iloilo Philippines / 20 Jan 1985 / Hannibal Delgado D.
2316 / Iloilo Philippines North / 9 Mar 1997 / Eusebio B. Sollesta
2548 / Kalibo Philippines / 5 Mar 2000 / Winston Bantigue Del Rosario
1715 / Laoag Philippines / 23 Apr 1989 / Jose Miguel Tumaneng
1555 / Las Pinas Philippines / 15 Sep 1985 / Delfin T. Justiniano
1551 / Legazpi Philippines / 19 Aug 1985 / Jose P. Leveriza
1557 / Lingayen Philippines / 22 Sep 1985 / Oberlito R. Cantillo
2597 / Lipa Philippines / 1 Jul 2001 / Joselito S. Geling
2605e / Lopez Philippines / 16 Mar 2003 / Librado A. Azares Sr.
2503 / Lucena Philippines / 13 Dec 1998 / David D. Sanglap
841 / Makati Philippines / 29 May 1977 / Ruben Moscaira Lancanienta
1726 / Malolos Philippines / 11 Jun 1989 / Rogelio C. Coronel
1735b / Mandaue Philippines / 19 Nov 1989 / Cesar Abina Perez Jr.
613 / *Manila Philippines
Manila / 20 May 1973 / Augusto Alandy Lim
1210 / Marikina Philippines / 30 Nov 1980 / Augusto Alandy Lim
2560 / Montalban Philippines / 4 Jun 2000 / Hernelio Alos Baradi
1546 / Naga Philippines / 18 Aug 1985 / Avelino S. Babia Sr.
2332 / Narvacan Philippines / 23 Mar 1997 / William R. Beralta Sr.
2389 / Novaliches Philippines / 7 Sep 1997 / Bartolme M. Baldenor
2533 / Ormoc Philippines / 27 Jun 1999 / Reynaldo Saligo Delante Sr.
2340 / Oroquieta Philippines / 20 Apr 1997 / Arturo Bugas Macalisang
1309 / Paranaque Philippines / 22 Nov 1981 / Ruben M. Lacanienta
2430 / Pasay Philippines / 25 Jan 1998 / Eleazer Salipot Collado
1554 / Pasig Philippines / 15 Sep 1985 / Macario Molina Yasona Jr.
842 / Quezon City Philippines / 29 May 1977 / Augusto Alandy Lim
2417 / Quezon City Phillippines South / 30 Nov 1997 / Manuel Mendoza Agustin
2176 / Rosales Philippines / 10 Mar 1996 / Emmanuel Vallejos Damasco
2549 / Roxas Philippines / 12 Mar 2000 / Francisco D. Dariagan
1315 / San Fernando La Union Philippines / 6 Dec 1981 / Angel B. Salanga Jr.
2459 / San Jose Philippines / 10 May 1998 / Gavino Penales Apao Jr.
1552 / San Pablo Philippines / 20 Aug 1985 / Cleofas S. Canoy
1875 / Santa Cruz Philippines / 31 May 1992 / Rolando Pramis Nueva
2609 / Santa Ignacia Philippines / 2 Dec 2001 / Joselito Y. Velasco
2444 / Santiago Philippines / 22 Mar 1998 / Efren M. Lamoglia
2847 / Sagay Philippines / 28 Jun 2009 / Diovalre Ofianga Pastones
2762 / Tacloban Philippines / 12 May 2007 / Artemio A. Cabanag
1330 / *Talisay Philippines / 10 Aug 1989
Cebu City Philippines South / 21 Mar 1982 / Bienvenido Pangilinan Flores
1321 / Tarlac Philippines / 13 Dec 1981 / Mario de Jesus
1721 / Tuguegarao Philippines / 21 May 1989 / Quirino Sumabat Donato
1558 / Urdaneta Philippines / 22 Sep 1985 / Felino Caparas Ocampo
2435 / Valenzuela Philippines / 8 Feb 1998 / Godofredo Hilario Esguerra
1571 / Zamboanga Philippines / 10 Nov 1985 / Catalino A. Dugupan Sr.
Stakes discontinued
1547 / La Carlota Philippines / 18 Aug 1985 / Antonio V. Custodio
Discontinued 4 Jul 2004
2537 / Agoo Philippines / 22 Aug 1999 / Ricardo Castillo Lopez
Discontinued 22 Feb 2004
2411 / *Bauang Phillippines / 22 Aug 1999
Aringay Philippines / 23 Nov 1997 / Buenaventura Soriano Obscena
Discontinued 30 Nov 2003
1807 / Camiling Philippines / 14 Jul 1991 / Celso Arenzana Nicolas
Discontinued 3 Aug 2003
1877 / Kidapawan Philippines / 31 May 1992 / Rodolfo Bergado Estrella
Discontinued 19 Feb 1995
1789 / *Mangaldan Philippines / 22 Aug 1999
San Fabian Philippines / 17 Mar 1991 / Loreto D. Querimit
Discontinued 17 Aug 2003
1577 / Munoz Philippines / 24 Nov 1985 / Juanito Wytangooy Tanedo
Discontinued 31 May 1992
1713 / Olongapo Philippines / 5 Mar 1989 / Richard Noboru Kivabu
Discontinued 5 Sep 1993
1780 / Ozamiz Philippines / 25 Nov 1990 / Wilfredo Tumampos Romero
Discontinued 7 Nov 1993
2592 / Burgos Philippines / 20 May 2001 / Rogelio Sumaoang Martin
Discontinued 22 May 2005
Missions — 15
(As of Oct. 1, 2009; shown with historical number.)
(268) PHILIPPINES ANGELES MISSION
1827 Gumain Street
Redwood Villas
Clark Field, Pampanga 2009
Philippines
(110) PHILIPPINES BACOLOD MISSION
P.O. Box 660, Bacolod City
6100 Negros Occidental
Philippines
(172) PHILIPPINES BAGUIO MISSION
P.O. Box 380
2600 Baguio City, Benguet
Philippines
(211) PHILIPPINES CAGAYAN DE ORO MISSION
PO Box 0400
Cagayan de Oro City 9000
Misamis Oriental, Philippines
(194) PHILIPPINES CEBU MISSION
P.O. Box 338
Cebu City 6000
Philippines
(157) PHILIPPINES DAVAO MISSION
P.O. Box 80741
8000 Davao City, Philippines
(256) PHILIPPINES CAUAYAN MISSION
Burgos Street
Cauayan
Isabela, Philippines
(76b) PHILIPPINES MANILA MISSION
P.O. Box 1997
Makati Central Post Office
Makati City, Metro Manila 1200,Philippines
(223) PHILIPPINES NAGA MISSION
P.O. Box 8857
Camarines Sur
4400 Naga City, Philippines
(219) PHLIPPINES OLONGAPO MISSION
National Highway, Mangan-Vaca
2209 Subic, Zambales
Philippines
(192) PHILIPPINES QUEZON CITY MISSION
Ortigas Center PO Box 1505
Emeral Avenue
1600 Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines
(250) PHILIPPINES SAN PABLO MISSION
P.O. Box 38
San Pablo City, Laguna
4000 Philippines
PHILIPPINES TACLOBAN MISSION
P.O. Box 69
6500 Leyte, Tacloban City
Philippines
PHILIPPINES LAOAG MISSION
#50 Suba Road
Makati Central Post Office
Metro Manila 1200, Philippines
PHILIPPINES BUTUAN
LDS Chapel
Montilla Blvd, Butuan City
8600 Agusan del Norte, Philippines