MUNTINLUPA CITY, Philippines — Standing amidst the vibrant skyline of Metro Manila’s southern hub, the Alabang Philippines Temple was formally dedicated today, January 18, 2026, marking a historic milestone for Latter-day Saints in Southeast Asia.
 |
| exterior of the Alabang Philippines Temple as people arrive for the dedication in Muntinlupa City, Philippines, on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. |LDS Gospel |
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presided over the dedicatory sessions, offering a sacred prayer to set apart the building as a "House of the Lord." The event was broadcast to thousands of members across the newly formed temple district, which serves more than 50 stakes and districts previously traveling to the Manila Philippines Temple in Quezon City.
Bringing the Temple Home
People wait outside the Alabang Philippines Temple prior to its dedication in Muntinlupa City, Philippines, on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. | LDS Gospel
During his remarks, Elder Bednar emphasized that while the physical structure of the temple is magnificent, its true power is realized when members carry the spirit of the sanctuary into their daily lives.
"The goal is not just to come to the temple," Elder Bednar taught. "The goal is to have the temple—its covenants, its peace, and its promises—firmly rooted in us. We must strive to bring the temple into our homes so that our residences become places where the Holy Ghost can easily dwell."
He urged the Filipino Saints to view the dedication not as a conclusion of a construction project, but as the beginning of a higher level of personal discipleship. He noted that a home "patterned after the House of the Lord" creates a refuge for families against the increasing "commotion of the world."
A Beacon of Granite and Gold
The exterior of the Alabang Philippines Temple in Muntinlupa City, Philippines, on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. | LDS Gospel
The Alabang Philippines Temple is the fourth operating temple in the country and the second in the greater Manila area. Its architecture is a blend of modern elegance and local reverence:
• Exterior: Clad in white Oro Cristal granite from China, the two-story edifice features a single attached spire that rises 175 feet into the sky.
• Interior: The design incorporates honey-gold limestone and intricate floral patterns that reflect the local flora of the Philippines.
• Purpose: The 35,998-square-foot facility houses four instruction rooms and three sealing rooms, where marriages are performed for eternity.
The dedication follows a highly successful public open house held in late 2025, during which tens of thousands of visitors—including government officials and interfaith leaders—toured the sacred interior.
A Growing Legacy of Faith
People arrive for the Alabang Philippines Temple dedication in Muntinlupa City, Philippines, on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. |LDS Gospel
The Philippines now hosts one of the largest concentrations of temples in the world outside of the Americas. With 10 more temples currently announced or under construction in cities like Davao, Bacolod, and Cagayan de Oro, the dedication of the Alabang temple signals an era of unprecedented growth for the nearly 900,000 members in the archipelago.
Local member Maria Santos, who attended the broadcast in Las Piñas, shared her excitement:
"For years we fought the Manila traffic to reach the temple. Now, the Lord has brought His house to our doorstep. Elder Bednar’s message reminded us that we must now make our own homes worthy of this blessing."
As the sun set over Filinvest Avenue, the temple’s exterior lights were turned on, transforming the granite structure into a glowing beacon. For the Saints of Alabang, the message of the day was clear: the holiness of the temple is meant to be a lived experience, starting within the walls of their own homes.
0 Comments
Please Don't Spam!