For 38 years, the Manila Philippines Temple has sparkled with lights each Christmas. And on Nov. 29, 2024, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continued the cherished annual tradition that helps welcome the Christmas season in the Philippines.
The Manila Philippines Temple is one of 10 temples around the world that invites the public to walk its grounds to view Christmas lights.
Local Church leaders held the 38th annual Temple Lighting Ceremony, featuring guest speakers, choirs and festivities.
A dinner was held at the Manila Philippines Missionary Training Center before the lighting ceremony. The Philippines Area Presidency — President Carlos G. Revillo Jr., Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, and Elder Michael B. Strong, all General Authority Seventies — and their wives attended the event alongside guests from the government, business, media and interfaith communities.
In his opening remarks, Philippines Area President Revillo expressed gratitude to the attendees. “More than the beauty of the lights that we will see, tonight is about reflecting on the Light of the World: our Savior, Jesus Christ,” he said. “The initiative is not about lights or decorations, but about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ by striving to live as He lived — through service, kindness and love.”
Various prominent guests attended the dinner, including Senator Imee R. Marcos. “This temple truly is setting the world alight,” she said.
In her remarks, she said the annual temple lighting has become a symbol of hope and inspiration for communities surrounding the temple. The event “marks the beginning of the Christmas season for so many,” she said, not only for Latter-day Saints but also for people in neighboring areas, “who time and again look for inspiration and hope as we pass your temple.”
Also in attendance was Reverend Fr. Carlos V. Reyes, minister for Ecumenical and Interfaith Affairs of the Archdiocese of Manila. He likened the lighted temple to interfaith collaboration, which he said helps hold back “entropy and chaos” around the world.
“Our friends from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are working very hard to light up this dark world, and we all have to work hard to hold at bay the darkness of sin,” he said at the dinner.
Guests enjoyed musical performances by seminarians from the Holy Apostles Senior Seminary, full-time missionaries of the Philippines Quezon City Mission, and a violin and piano performance by local Church members Josh and Lyle Nepomuceno.
At the temple lighting ceremony, Elder Wong led a countdown and switched on the lights, illuminating the temple grounds. The temple lights can be seen every night at dusk through the end of the year.
“The temple is a symbol of Jesus Christ,” President Revillo added. “It’s His house, and therefore it’s a commemoration of Christmas time and celebrating His birth by lighting the temple and lighting the world in the hearts of each and every one of us.”
