Mission guide

Philippines Bacolod Mission

Bacolod, the City of Smiles, is the main city of the Philippines Bacolod Mission.

  • Tagalog
  • Cebuano
  • Hiligaynon
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Philippines Bacolod Mission Heart Map design

Philippines Bacolod Mission shirts

Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.

Philippines Bacolod Mission T-Shirt in Solid White, front view

Philippines Bacolod Mission T-Shirt

$29.00

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Philippines Bacolod Mission Heart Map shirt in White: Philippines outline with a red heart, front view

Philippines Bacolod Mission Heart Map Shirt

$29.00

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Philippines Bacolod Mission Flag Map shirt in White: colors of the Philippine flag in the outline of the Philippines with navy lettering, front view

Philippines Bacolod Mission Flag Map Shirt

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission

2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.

I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Tagalog on White: “Ako ay nagpupuri sa aking Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Tagalog

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Tagalog, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “Ako ay nagpupuri sa aking Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Tagalog

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Cebuano on White: “Ako naghimaya sa akong Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Cebuano

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Cebuano, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “Ako naghimaya sa akong Jesus”, 2 Nephi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Cebuano

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus shirt in Hiligaynon on White: “Nagakasadya ako sa akon Jesus”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Hiligaynon

$29.00

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I Glory in My Jesus script shirt in Hiligaynon, white ink on Dark Chocolate: “Nagakasadya ako sa akon Jesus”, 2 Nefi 33:6

I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Hiligaynon

$29.00

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About the mission

The Philippines Bacolod Mission is in the Philippines, with Bacolod as its main city. Bacolod is on Negros Island.

The mission uses Tagalog, Cebuano and Hiligaynon (Ilonggo), the language most spoken in Bacolod and western Negros.

At a glance

Country
Philippines
Main city
Bacolod, 624,787 people (2024 census)
Time zone
Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8)
Climate
Tropical monsoon, with a wet season from May to December and a dry season from January to April
Church in the Philippines
882,461 members, 131 stakes, 1,324 congregations, 26 missions
FamilySearch centers
192

A short history of the area

Bacolod began as a small settlement by the Magsungay River. After an attack in 1755, residents moved to a hilly area called Bacólod, and the town was established in 1755 or 1756. The name comes from the Old Hiligaynon word bakólod, meaning a hill or small elevation.

Bacolod became a parish in 1788 and the capital of Occidental Negros in 1889. It became a city in 1938 and was classified as a highly urbanized city in 1984. The city is known as the City of Smiles and hosts the annual MassKara Festival.

The Church here

  1. 1940s-1950sA few Filipinos joined the Church.
  2. 1961Missionary work began in earnest in the Philippines.
  3. 1967Bacolod City opened to proselyting on May 15.
  4. By the end of the 1960sThe Church had a presence on eight major Philippine islands.
  5. 1973The first stake in the Philippines was organized.
  6. 1984The country's first temple was dedicated.
  7. 1990sChurch membership in the Philippines grew to more than a quarter of a million members.

Temples nearby

Bacolod Philippines Temple

Dedicated May 31, 2026 · Near Bacolod

Iloilo Philippines Temple

Announced · About 25 miles from Bacolod

Cebu City Philippines Temple

Dedicated June 13, 2010 · About 70 miles from Bacolod

The Book of Mormon here

Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.

Tagalog Read it free → Cebuano Read it free → Hiligaynon Read it free →

Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Before you go

Phrases to learn

  • Kumusta?Hello or How are you?
  • SalamatThank you
  • PaalamGoodbye
  • Magandang umagaGood morning

Foods to try

  • Piaya (muscovado-filled flatbread)
  • Cansi (beef shank and marrow soup)
  • Chicken inasal (chicken with a distinctive marinade)
  • Napoleones (layered puff pastry with custard cream and a sugar glaze)

Fun facts

  • Bacolod is known as the City of Smiles and hosts the MassKara Festival each October.
  • Panaad Stadium seats 15,500 people and can hold around 20,000 with standing areas.
  • Bacolod Baywalk opened in 2013 and reopened to the public in 2022.

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