Groundbreaking of the Bacolod Philippines Temple
Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, a General Authority Seventy and president of the Philippines Area, led the groundbreaking ceremony for a temple in Bacolod, Philippines, on Dec. 11, 2021.
In the dedicatory prayer on the site, Elder Wakolo said that this temple will “stand not only as a symbol of our membership in the Church, but as a sign of our faith in life after death and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families.”
Accompanying Elder Wakolo at the ceremony was Elder Yoon Hwan Choi, a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Philippines Area presidency. “May the Lord continue to accept your dedicated part and help you to prepare to be more ready to receive all the blessings of the temple when it is built,” Elder Choi told the congregation at the groundbreaking. “I want you to know that the blessings will be given even before the temple is physically completed.”
The Bacolod Philippines Temple is scheduled to be dedicated May 31, 2026, by Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
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 will be 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
