Mission guide

Philippines Butuan Mission

The Philippines Butuan Mission serves in a historic river city known for ancient boats, trade, and rich cultural heritage.

  • Tagalog
  • Cebuano
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Philippines Butuan Mission Heart Map design

Philippines Butuan Mission shirts

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

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

Philippines Butuan Mission T-Shirt

$29.00

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

Philippines Butuan Mission Heart Map Shirt

$29.00

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

Philippines Butuan 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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About the mission

The Philippines Butuan Mission is connected with Butuan, a city in Mindanao and the regional center of Caraga. Butuan is known as the Home of the Balangays and the Timber City of the South.

Tagalog and Cebuano are spoken in the mission area. Cebuano is widely used in Mindanao, while Tagalog is the national language used throughout the Philippines.

At a glance

Country
Philippines
Main city
Butuan, 385,530 people (2024 census)
Time zone
Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8)
Climate
Tropical rainforest climate, with warm temperatures and heavy rainfall
Languages
Tagalog and Cebuano
Church in the Philippines
882,461 members, 131 stakes, 1,324 congregations, 26 missions

A short history of the area

Before about 1521, Butuan served as the capital of the Rajahnate of Butuan, a precolonial city-state known for metalworking and advanced boat building. By 1001, Butuan had contact with China’s Song dynasty and trade connections with Champa.

Butuan was founded on January 31, 1901, became a city on August 2, 1950, and was designated a highly urbanized city in 1985. In 1995, it became the regional center of Caraga.

The Church here

  1. 1940s–1950sA few Filipinos joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
  2. 1961Missionary work began in earnest in the Philippines.
  3. 1967The Philippine Mission was organized.
  4. 1973The first stake in the Philippines was organized.
  5. 1984The country’s first temple was dedicated.
  6. 1990sChurch membership in the Philippines grew to more than a quarter of a million members.

Temples nearby

Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple

Under construction · About 70 miles from Butuan

Davao Philippines Temple

Dedicated May 3, 2026 · About 130 miles from Butuan

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 →

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
  • PalihugPlease
  • Magandang umagaGood morning

Foods to try

  • Palagsing (a chewy delicacy made with unaw starch, young coconut meat, and brown sugar, wrapped in banana leaves)
  • Chicken adobo (chicken cooked with vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices)
  • Sinigang (a sour soup commonly made with meat or seafood and vegetables)
  • Lechon (roasted pig served for celebrations)

Fun facts

  • Archaeologists discovered 11 balangay boats around Ambangan in Barangay Libertad, one of Southeast Asia’s major concentrations of ancient ocean-going boats.
  • Balangay 1, kept at the Balangay Shrine Museum, dates to about 320 A.D. and was about 15 meters long.
  • Butuan’s annual Kahimunan Festival is held every third Sunday of January. The Lumad word “Kahimunan” means “gathering.”

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