April 24th, 2025, 7am MDT
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Philippines, Latter-day Saints, have joined others in their community for the past few months to pray with others in their community, help young people and feed those in need.
On Sunday, March 23rd, Latter-day Saints in several cities worked with various faith-based organizations to distribute halal-certified food bags to Muslim communities.
This included distributing 600 breads of bread to the Quiapo community in Manila to make 5 kilogram rice bags and canned foods to Quezon City families into 500 kilogram rice bags and canned foods, according to a news release on the church’s Philippine Newsroom website.
These donations supported more than 1,100 Muslim families in observing Iftar’s diet. These are the meals I ate after the day I fasted during Ramadan. During this sacred time, Muslims engage in acts of charity and compassion all over the world.
“It’s like Christ to remember that charities have no boundaries because sharing is an act of faith,” said President Stephen Casio, president of Manila Philippines’ stocks. “Sharing with our Muslim brothers and sisters in Kiapo during Iftar has allowed us to experience a spirit of unity, compassion and service.”
Food donations serve as a symbol of unity and support, according to Howard Abukina, the Associate Director of Public Relations for the Church in the Philippines, who helped distribute food packs.
“These donations come from all members of the Church. The Church contributes prompt and prompt offerings to ensure that those in need are cared for,” he said. “It is a concrete expression of our desire to follow Christ’s example of loving our neighbors as ourselves, regardless of our religious beliefs.”
The project was a joint effort with the Church, Uniharmony Partner Manila, Religion for Peace, the Imam Council of the Philippines, the Pacific Dialogue Foundation, the Church of Quiapo, and other organizations.
Prayer gathering
Members of the Manila church participated in a prayer gathering at the International Judicial Mission Manila in the city of Pasig, Philippines on Thursday, March 13th.
“The prayers of different leaders strengthened everyone in the meeting,” said Elder Kenneth Lee, a 70-area.
With the goal of “protecting vulnerable people from violence,” the event led as a nonpartisan non-governmental organization aimed at protecting vulnerable people from violence, according to a news release from the Church’s Philippine newsroom.
“As we are united in prayer, we feel and understand that God hears the serious desires of our hearts,” Elder Lee said. “It was a privilege to be part of a special gathering and to be part of a community of people who pray together for those who need our help.”
11th Pagan Youth Peace Camp
On Saturday, February 1st, youths and young adults of various religions gathered at the annual Inter-Pagan Youth Peace Camp held at the Sanctuary of Philip in Antipolo, Philippines.
The camp was organized by the church in collaboration with Uniharmony Partners Manila and Peace Philippines religion. This was held at the 2025 World Interface Harmony Week. This is a UN initiative that promotes dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation between various religions around the world.
Participants were divided into several team building activities groups during camp. They also had the opportunity to share their beliefs, listen to others, and engage in meaningful discussions.
According to a release in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Youth of the Maranao Society of Resilient and Harmonious, Imam Council of the Philippines, the charismatic Anglican Church – King’s Cathedral, Senior Seminar Mary College of Gunn and Sank Karei Meir Karei Mean Karei Mean Karei College of the Apostles, Parish Committee of the Great Holy Spirit Youth at Grace, Parish Committee of Our Lady of Grace, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila, Christian Church of the Philippines – Paradahan.
Carlos Reiès, the Ecumenical and Inter-Pagan Minister of the Archdiocese of Manila, spoke during the opening exercises of the camp about understanding diverse faith traditions, about the importance of young people getting out of their comfort zones.
“Unity doesn’t mean uniformity, mutual respect and harmony require a sincere heart,” he said.
President Bernabe Magcino, the president of Stocks in Quezon City’s southern Philippines, said that regardless of their beliefs, all God’s children are expected to love and care for each other as part of their shared spiritual heritage.
“As children of a heavenly father, I think we are all brothers and sisters,” he said. “We have one father in heaven who loves us so much. As his child, we have to love each other.”
Hakima Mandya, a young man from the Maranao Association who is resilient and harmonious, said the camp would help young people become more open-minded and welcome the beliefs of others without judgment.
“We encourage all young people to share their faith with others, allowing more people, especially other young individuals, to learn about different religions,” Mandia said.
