The public is invited to tour the newly completed Bacolod Philippines Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during a public open house scheduled from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, May 2, 2026 (excluding Sundays), from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Individuals and families of all faiths are welcome to attend. Admission is free for everyone.
The temple is located at the corner of Bacolod Airport Access Road and Buri Road, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
More information is available at churchofjesuschrist.org/featured/bacolod-philippines-open-house.
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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for the Community
The open house provides a unique and rare opportunity for neighbors, friends, and community members of all backgrounds to walk through the interior of a Latter-day Saint temple. This experience will not be available again once the building is dedicated.
During the open house, guided tours lasting approximately 45 minutes will allow visitors to explore the temple facilities and learn about the purpose of these sacred buildings. Representatives of the Church will be present throughout the tour to answer possible questions.
A media day is scheduled for Monday, April 13, followed by invited guest tours on April 14–15, 2026, before the public open house begins.
About the Bacolod Philippines Temple
A single-story structure spanning approximately 2,480 square meters, the Bacolod Philippines Temple stands on a 12.3-acre site and features a distinctive domed cupola with metallic diamond shingles, backlit art glass, decorative urns, deep cornices, subtle curves, and ornate window casings, a design that reflects both classical beauty and the spiritual significance of the building.
In addition to the main temple structure, an ancillary building of approximately 1,672 square meters was also constructed on the property, housing patron accommodations, an arrival center, and a distribution center, ensuring that members traveling from distant areas can be served with comfort and convenience.
The temple includes a baptistry, instruction rooms, and sealing rooms, spaces dedicated to the sacred ordinances performed within Latter-day Saint temples.
A Sacred Place of Worship
Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differ significantly from the Church's meetinghouses or chapels. While Sunday worship services and community activities are held in chapels, which are open to all, temples are considered the most sacred edifices of the Church. They are considered as literal houses of the Lord where members participate in sacred ordinances that strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ and their eternal family relationships.
Once dedicated, the Bacolod Philippines Temple will be reserved exclusively for sacred worship by members of the Church who hold a current temple recommend.
A Historic Milestone for the Visayas Region
The Bacolod Philippines Temple was first announced by then Church President Russell M. Nelson during the October 2019 General Conference. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 11, 2021, presided over by Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, then president of the Philippines Area, joined by government officials, interfaith leaders, and local Church members.
When dedicated, it will become the sixth operating temple in the Philippines and the second in the Visayas region, following the Cebu Philippines Temple dedicated in 2010. For members in Negros Occidental and surrounding areas who previously had to make long journeys to the Cebu temple, which currently serves 46 stakes (dioceses) and 29 districts, the Bacolod temple represents a significant step toward making temple worship more accessible.
Bacolod City lies on Negros Island in the central Visayas. The temple district will serve thousands of Church members throughout Negros Island and the surrounding areas.
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will preside at the temple's dedication on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with a rebroadcast at 2:00 p.m. The dedicatory session will be broadcast to all Church units in the temple district.
The temple's first president and matron will be Gregorio Horlador Lagaña and Maria Luisa Arnaiz Nain Lagaña.
Growing Presence of Temples in the Philippines
The Philippines is home to nearly 900,000 Latter-day Saints worshipping in approximately 1,325 stakes (diocese), one of the fastest-growing Latter-day Saint populations in the world. The Bacolod temple is part of a historic wave of temple growth in the country: 2026 alone will see three temples dedicated in the Philippines, tripling the number of operating temples from three in late 2024 to six in less than two years.
With 14 temples announced, under construction, or operating in the Philippines, the nation has enjoyed unprecedented growth since the first few missionaries came in 1961.
Visiting the Open House
Dates: Thursday, April 16 – Saturday, May 2, 2026 (excluding Sundays)
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday
Location: Corner of Bacolod Airport Access Road and Buri Road, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Admission: Free
More information: Visit churchofjesuschrist.org/featured/bacolod-philippines-open-house
Tour duration: Approximately 45 minutes (walking tour)
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Editor’s note: Photography and video recording inside the temple during the tour are not permitted. Large bags should be left in your vehicle. Service animals are not permitted inside the temple. Please refrain from smoking or drinking on temple property.