Mission guide
Philippines Dumaguete Mission
The Philippines Dumaguete Mission serves in a historic city known as the City of Gentle People.
- Tagalog
- Cebuano
Philippines Dumaguete Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Philippines Dumaguete Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
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Philippines Dumaguete Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Philippines Dumaguete Mission Flag Map Shirt
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Choose size & color →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.
Weak Things Become Strong, in the language of this mission
"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
More shirts in the language of this mission
Press Forward, in the language of this mission
"Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" (2 Nephi 31:20) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
Tagalog and Cebuano are spoken in the mission area. Cebuano is also called Bisaya in many parts of the Visayas.
At a glance
- Country
- Philippines
- Main city
- Dumaguete, 142,171 people (2024 census)
- Time zone
- Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8)
- Climate
- Tropical monsoon climate, with a wet season from June to November and a dry season from December to May
- Languages
- Tagalog and Cebuano
- Church in Philippines
- 882,461 members, 131 stakes, 1,324 congregations, 26 missions
A short history of the area
The settlement appeared as Dananguet in a 1572 record and was called Dumaguete by a 1734 mapmaker. Dumaguete became the capital of Negros Oriental in 1890 and was formally created as a city on July 15, 1948.
The Church here
- 1898Two Church members serving with a United States artillery battery began preaching in the Philippines.
- 1940s and 1950sA few Filipinos joined the Church.
- 1961Missionary work began in earnest, and the Church received official recognition in the Philippines.
- 1969Dumaguete was opened on November 19.
- By the end of the 1960sThe Church had a presence on eight major Philippine islands.
- 1973The first stake in the Philippines was organized.
- 1984The country's first temple was dedicated.
- 1990sChurch membership in the Philippines grew to more than a quarter of a million members.
Temples nearby
Cebu City Philippines Temple
Dedicated June 13, 2010 · About 80 miles from Dumaguete
Bacolod Philippines Temple
Dedicated May 31, 2026 · About 95 miles from Dumaguete
Cagayan de Oro Philippines Temple
Under construction · About 110 miles from Dumaguete
Iloilo Philippines Temple
Announced · About 110 miles from Dumaguete
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- Maayong buntagGood morning
- Kumusta ka?How are you?
- SalamatThank you
- PalihugPlease
Foods to try
- Balut (a fertilized duck egg, commonly sold as street food)
- Tempura (fried street food served at Pantawan People's Park)
- Kikiam (a seasoned fried street food)
- Fishballs (fried fish balls served as street food)
Fun facts
- Dumaguete's name is linked to the Cebuano word dagit, meaning “to snatch,” and dumaguet, meaning “to swoop.”
- Dumaguete is the smallest city by land area in Negros Oriental, covering 33.62 square kilometers.
- Silliman University, established in 1901, is described as the first Protestant university in the Philippines and the first American university in Asia.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.