Dedication of the Bacolod Philippines Temple
With the dedication of the Bacolod Philippines Temple, Elder Neil L. Andersen honored the history of the area’s pioneers and also looked to the future blessings of a house of the Lord in Bacolod City, known as the City of Smiles. “There’s been a great heritage of faithfulness and devotion to the restored gospel,” said Elder Andersen, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, in an interview before the May 31, 2026, dedication.
He was accompanied by his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen; Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, General Authority Seventy and first counselor in the Philippines Area presidency, and his wife, Sister Carol Wong; and Elder Steven R. Bangerter, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Temple Department, and his wife, Sister Susan Bangerter.
“We honor the wonderful Saints of Bacolod and the communities within the temple district who embraced the restored gospel when the Church was only beginning in this region of the Philippines,” Elder Andersen said. The Church has been on Negros Island, where Bacolod is the capital of the Negros Occidental province, since the 1960s. Since then, the gospel “has spread and grown in a marvelous way.”
Hannah Herbolario — who served as an open house coordinator with Sunny Herbolario — said she saw many people, both Church members and friends, who became emotional as they saw the inside of the temple and felt the peace and calm of the house of the Lord. She said she heard of many people who would come to the open house, saying “it’s like heaven” and wanting to bring their family and friends — and she would see them the next day. “The temple is a blessing for all Bacolodians,” she said.
Several members of the open house and dedication committee said the open house provided an opportunity to share information about the Church with the community and their beliefs in Jesus Christ, which helped to clear up any previous incorrect information. “We could explain how Jesus is the center of our faith,” said Desiree Areco, who served as the committee executive secretary. She added, “It’s the blessing of the open house that [people] can know who we are and what our beliefs are.”
Charrie Santillas, who was on the historical committee, has been a member of the Church since 1977 and has seen the Church grow. For her, one of the best things about the open house was seeing members, including those who may not have been to Church recently, be excited about the temple. “You can really see the joy in their eyes and in their expressions of how happy and proud they are to finally have our very own temple,” Santillas said.
Bacolod Philippines Stake President Marc Barredo, who is the grandson of the Barredos pioneers, and his wife, Sister Cristine Barredo, are the parents of two youth and a 7-year-old. “The temple here in Bacolod is a blessing and a responsibility for us,” President Barredo said after the dedication. “We stand on the shoulders of those pioneers.” Sister Barredo said, “We’re looking forward for children and the youth becoming busy entering the house of the Lord.”
Youth temple trips to the Cebu City Philippines Temple would be up to 10 hours or more one way, taking the bus or driving across the island, taking the ferry and then driving across Cebu. Because of the time and expense, these temple trips for the youth to do baptisms were annual, and the number of youth who attended at times had to be limited. “Now they can go every week,” President Barredo said.
Marie Lou Fernandez Calpito was 9 years old when her family joined the Church in the late 1960s, and she has seen the growth of the Church on the island. When the Bacolod Philippines Temple was announced, “I shouted for joy,” she said. Calpito volunteered as an usher during the open house and the dedication. “We’ve been waiting all these years to have a temple in Bacolod.”
Cadiz Philippines Stake President Dennis Ceniza said the culture of the Philippines is rooted in families. “Filipino culture is deeply rooted in strong family ties, respect, faith and unity within the community. Similarly, the Church teaches that through the sealing power of the priesthood and sacred ordinances performed in the temple, families can be together forever as they remain faithful and keep the covenants they make, strengthening the Filipino belief that family relationships endure beyond this life.”
Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “Bless this temple that it might be a light to all of Negros Occidental. Let our friends and neighbors come to realize that it is Thy holy house that stands before them. Let the power of Thy temple bless all who reverently seek to follow Thy Son.”
Read the dedicatory prayer of the Bacolod Philippines Temple here.
Timeline of the Bacolod Philippines Temple
A temple for Bacolod, Philippines, was announced by President Russell M. Nelson on Oct. 5, 2019. Roughly two years later, on Dec. 11, 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Bacolod Philippines Temple, where Elder Taniela B. Wakolo presided.
After a public open house from April 16 to May 2, 2026, the Bacolod Philippines Temple was dedicated May 31, 2026, by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Architecture and Design of the Bacolod Philippines Temple
Exterior and interior patterns of the Bacolod temple draw inspiration from Filipino barong shirt designs, with colors from local flora, like the bird of paradise and native lilies. Art glass throughout the building includes green, magenta and blue tones. Crema Marfil stone is used in the flooring, along with 100% nylon-tufted rugs and Bentley carpet in custom colors and patterns.
Doors are made of stained mahogany with decorative brass hardware, and millwork through the building uses stained mahogany and painted local hardwoods. Chandeliers, made of brass and crystal, use acrylic pendant lighting.
The 2,591.5-square-meter temple (or about 27,895 square feet) stands on a 12.3-acre site located at Airport Access Road, Barangay Bata, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, in the central Visayas islands.
Interior Photos of the Bacolod Philippines Temple
