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President Paul V. Johnson, Sunday School General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, meets with representatives of business and IT industries in Cebu City, Philippines, during a seminar on November 16, 2024.2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com. It is not for use by other media.
By Leah Haynes, Church News
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to spread its influence across the Philippines, as local members engage their communities in service and Church leaders give to others.
In just the past few weeks, Sunday School General President Paul V. Johnson announced the opening of a BYU–Pathway resource center in Cebu City, the Church donated various rescue equipment to Davao City and local members participated in a blood drive.
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President Paul V. Johnson, Sunday School General President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, left center, speaks with people at at a conference in Cebu City, Philippines, on November 16, 2024. President Johnson recently announced a new BYU–Pathway community resource center that will open in Cebu City in early 2025. 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.BYU–Pathway Community Resource Center in Cebu City
President Johnson, an emeritus General Authority Seventy and former commissioner of the Church Educational System, announced on November 16, 2024, that BYU-Pathway Worldwide will open a community resource center in Cebu City in early 2025.
Volunteers will facilitate the community center, which will provide free resources and services to students, including access to high-speed internet, over 100 computers, equipment to practice skills students are learning online, and classes to improve English-speaking and writing skills.
BYU–Pathway is an online institution of higher learning sponsored by the Church, offering access to degrees granted by Church-sponsored universities in the United States. In 2024, BYU–Pathway served nearly 75,000 students in more than 180 countries.
President Johnson and Elder Michael B. Strong, Second Counselor in the Philippines Area Presidency, met with over two dozen influential individuals in the city’s business and employment sectors, as well as business, information technology and workforce representatives in Cebu City.
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Community members gather in Barangay Maa in Davao City, Philippines, at a turnover ceremony on November 15, 2024, to show appreciation for emergency response equipment donated to them by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Church Donates Emergency Response Equipment in Davao City
“Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strive to follow the Savior’s two great commandments: to love God and to love our neighbors,” said Edgardo Fernando, the Church’s Philippines director for temporal affairs. “This donation is part of our broader effort to care for those in need and support the well-being of their families and communities.”
Barangay Maa, the village hall of Davao City, received emergency response equipment from the Church, including flotation devices, rescue helmets, headlamps and a fiberglass boat with a trailer in December 2024.
“On behalf of Barangay Maa, I would like to convey my deepest thanks to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its overwhelming generosity,” said Barangay Capt. Pacito D. Canete during the turnover ceremony November 15, 2024, at Maa National High School. “This donation will greatly assist us in responding to flooding and other natural and man-made calamities and will help with the safety and well-being of our community and our people.”
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St. Luke’s medical representatives receive tokens and certificates of appreciation at the annual blood donation drive on November 16, 2024, at the Don Antonio meetinghouse in the Philippines.2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Members Participate in Blood Drive
The Fairview Philippines Stake, in partnership with the Quezon City Health Department and St. Luke’s Medical Center, conducted its annual blood donation drive on November 16, 2024, at the Don Antonio meetinghouse, gathering 43 donors.
Vince Angelo Aquino, a 20-year-old donor, expressed his fear of needles, yet had determination to help those in need: “It’s scary because it’s my first time, but I’m just going to enjoy it so I can also help those who need blood.”
Of the 43 donors at the event, only 27 participants passed a screening and were deemed eligible to donate.
Dr. Miguel Gregorio M. Trespeses, blood program coordinator of the city Health Department, emphasized the need for blood donations: “Because blood is really needed, it cannot be manufactured or reproduced.”
He continued: “Who can the blood be given to? There are many — those with life-threatening conditions, those who give birth, have accidents and have blood disorders. The blood you donate can save lives. For example, I have a well-known child patient with cancer. He needs at least two blood transfusions a week.”
The Fairview Stake partners with local government and private agencies to help to others.
“From the Quezon City government and Quezon City Health Department, we thank The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Trespeses said, adding, “I hope that donating will continue. As early as every three months, you can donate again.”
Fairview Stake President Dave Aquino also expressed his gratitude to donors and medical representatives: “Thank you to those who gave blood, including those who tried to donate. Thank you for being here. We thank the St. Luke’s medical representatives. ... The scriptures teach us that when you give, the Lord will compensate. When you give a part of your blood, your body generates fresh blood. It rejuvenates the body’s system.”
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