Mission guide
Philippines Manila Mission
The Philippines Manila Mission serves in a country known for welcoming people, tropical weather, and a growing Church community.
- Tagalog
- Cebuano
Philippines Manila Mission shirts & apparel
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Philippines Manila Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
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Philippines Manila Mission Heart Map Shirt
$29.00
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Philippines Manila Mission Flag Map Shirt
$29.00
Choose size & color →I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission and English
2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Tagalog
$29.00
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I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Tagalog
$29.00
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I Glory in My Jesus Shirt – Cebuano
$29.00
Choose size & color →
I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink) – Cebuano
$29.00
Choose size & color →
I Glory in My Jesus Shirt
$29.00
Choose size & color →
I Glory in My Jesus Script Shirt (White Ink)
$29.00
Choose size & color →Weak Things Become Strong, in the languages of this mission and English
"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 languages of this mission and English
"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 important Philippine languages for missionaries and members. English is also widely used throughout the country.
At a glance
- Country
- Philippines
- Main city
- Manila, 1,902,590 people (2024)
- Time zone
- Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8)
- Climate
- Tropical monsoon, with a dry season from late December to early April and a wet season for the rest of the year
- Church in Philippines
- 882,461 members, 131 stakes, 1,324 congregations, 26 missions
- Family history
- 192 FamilySearch Centers
A short history of the area
On June 24, 1571, Miguel López de Legazpi established Spanish Manila and began building Intramuros. Manila later became the capital of the Spanish East Indies and the Philippines. The city was heavily damaged during the Battle of Manila in 1945, and Manila was reinstated as the national capital in 1976.
The Church here
- 1898Willard Call and George Seaman, Latter-day Saints serving in the U.S. military, held the first Church service in the Philippines and preached while stationed there.
- 1946Aniceta Pabilona Fajardo was baptized as the first Filipino convert to the Church.
- 1955President Joseph Fielding Smith dedicated the Philippines for preaching the gospel at Clark Air Base.
- 1961Elder Gordon B. Hinckley officially opened the Philippines for missionary work, and the first full-time missionaries arrived later that year.
- 1967The Philippine Mission was organized. It was later renamed the Philippines Manila Mission.
- 1973The Manila Stake, the first stake in the Philippines, was organized.
- 1984The first temple in the Philippines was dedicated.
Temples nearby
Manila Philippines Temple
Dedicated September 25, 1984 · Near Manila
Alabang Philippines Temple
Dedicated January 18, 2026 · Near Manila
San Jose del Monte Philippines Temple
Announced · About 15 miles from Manila
Urdaneta Philippines Temple
Dedicated April 28, 2024 · About 100 miles from Manila
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
- Kumusta?How are you?
- Magandang umagaGood morning
- SalamatThank you
- PaalamGoodbye
Foods to try
- Adobo (meat or vegetables cooked in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices)
- Sinigang (a sour soup often made with meat, seafood, and vegetables)
- Pancit (seasoned noodles served with meat, seafood, or vegetables)
- Lechon (roasted meat, often prepared for celebrations)
Fun facts
- Binondo, Manila’s Chinatown, was established in 1521 and is described as the oldest Chinatown in the world.
- Rizal Park, also called Luneta Park, covers 58 hectares and is described as the largest urban park in Asia.
- Arroceros Forest Park is known as the “last lung of Manila” and contains 61 native tree varieties.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.
Hoodies & shorts for this mission
The same mission, made for cooler days and the court.
