Mission guide
Philippines Olongapo Mission
The Philippines Olongapo Mission serves in a city shaped by Spanish naval history, American ties, and a growing Church presence.
- Tagalog
- Cebuano
Philippines Olongapo Mission shirts
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Philippines Olongapo Mission T-Shirt
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Philippines Olongapo Mission Heart Map Shirt
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Philippines Olongapo 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.
About the mission
Missionaries speak Tagalog and Cebuano. English is also widely used in the Philippines.
At a glance
- Country
- Philippines
- Main city
- Olongapo (264,903 people, 2024 census)
- Time zone
- Philippine Standard Time (UTC+8)
- Climate
- Tropical monsoon, with a wet season for much of the year and the heaviest rain in July and August
- Church in the Philippines
- 882,461 members, 131 stakes, 1,324 congregations, 26 missions
- Mission
- Philippines Olongapo Mission
A short history of the area
The United States returned 56,000 acres of Olongapo territory to the Philippines in 1959. Olongapo became a chartered city in 1966 and a highly urbanized city in 1983. After Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the former U.S. facility was converted into a freeport in 1992.
The Church here
- 1940s-1950sA few Filipinos joined the Church.
- 1961Missionary work began in earnest, with four missionaries transferred to the Philippines.
- 1967The Church organized its first separate mission headquartered in the Philippines.
- 1974The first Philippines mission was divided, and a second mission was organized to serve the central and southern Philippines.
- 1983A Missionary Training Center opened in the Philippines.
- 1984The country's first temple was dedicated.
- 1990sChurch membership in the Philippines grew to more than a quarter of a million members.
- 1994The mission formerly known as the Quezon City West Mission was relocated to Olongapo.
- 2004The Olongapo, Ilagan, and Baguio missions were reconfigured to create the Laoag Mission.
Temples nearby
Manila Philippines Temple
Dedicated September 25, 1984 · About 50 miles from Olongapo
San Jose del Monte Philippines Temple
Announced · About 50 miles from Olongapo
Alabang Philippines Temple
Dedicated January 18, 2026 · About 60 miles from Olongapo
Urdaneta Philippines Temple
Dedicated April 28, 2024 · About 80 miles from Olongapo
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?
- SalamatThank you
- Magandang umagaGood morning
- 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, or vegetables)
- Lechon (roasted meat, commonly pork, served at celebrations)
- Halo-halo (a cold dessert made with shaved ice, milk, fruit, and sweet ingredients)
Fun facts
- Olongapo pioneered a color-coded public transportation system, with jeepneys and tricycles assigned colors based on their district, zone, or route.
- During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay received 215 ships per month at its peak and employed 15,000 Filipino civilians.
- Mount Pinatubo is 20 miles, or 32 kilometers, from Olongapo. Its 1991 eruption caused 36 hours of darkness known as Black Saturday.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.