CHURCH HISTORY IN LUBAO
Lubao. One of the first Christian settlement in the Philippines. Home to more than 140,000 Lubenians, consisting of 44 barangay's. The town recently celebrated it's 440th of Christianity on May 2012. The first colonizers in the area were the Spaniards who introduced the Chriastian faith in the community. Fortunately, Lubenians were very receptive to their message and accepted the preacher's invitation and were baptized and converted as Chritstians.
Even though it is 13,329.22KM (8282.39Mi.) far from Palmyra, New York, USA where all things started, distance is not a hindrance for the gospel to be preached here. Before 1961, the year that the country was rededicated for missionary work, during the Spanish-American War in 1898, two men from Utah who were members of the United States artillery battery, and who were also set apart as missionaries by the Church before they left the United States, preached while stationed in the Philippines. Missionary work ceased in the Philippines at the beginning of World War II and resumed again two decades later.On 28 April 1961, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley traveled to the islands and met with a small group of American residents, servicemen and Filipino members. He officially opened the islands for missionary work.
Not until 1973, the first Lubenians who were known to be baptized as Latter-day Saints, based on record, were Bro. Melencio Danan and his wife, they were baptized in Angeles City. After some years, on ________, the first branch to be created within the second district of Pampanga is the Guagua Branch. From then on, missionaries came to spread the restored gospel around the area.
At that time, Lubao was attached to the Guagua Area, on the same year missionaries were also proselyting in Lubao.On the year 1980-85 significant growth of members residing in lubao increased. Amidst the long hours of travel from the members houses to the worship place, they were still firm and committed to attend church services.
On April 1987, the Lubao Area was created and missionaries were assigned to preach the gospel here. Even though the town was opened fro misionary work members were able to perform their first sacrament service on August 23, 1987. Then President Ivan Anthony Hirro was called to be the branch president. From that time church serices were held at the rented building as the local meetignhouse of the church memebrs.
During the year 1987-1995, from a handful of Latter-day Saints. Membership grew at a significant numbers of about 200. Baptisms were held in Guagua Chapel and some in rivers, like the Porac-Gumain River (commonly known as Control). During that time frame, the destructive volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo happened, thus, affecting the numbers of active LDS in the area because some of them were rellocated or evacuated to nearby villages or provinces. This event strengthened the faithfulness and testimony of the saints. Still, Lubao is very fortunate because it did not experienced tremendous destruction as that of other nearby towns. After 10 years of that unforgettable event, Pampanga brought bak its glory. As the center of tourism, agriculture and commerce in the region.
Back to Lubao, which produced noble people, members were still firm in their testimony in the Church, that caused their willingness to share it to others.
We will now go to road of the 21st century. (1996-2000). During this time widespread problems in economy experienced by the common Filipinos. However, still unwavering in helping the community through service projects and civic programs. On July 2000, the first LDS chapel/meetinghouse was constructed and dedicated by Elder Val Christensen of the Seventy. Membership grew from _______ to _________.
2001-2005 – There came a provision that the chapel must be renovated and it will be used as the Dinalupihan district center. Church members were obliged to attend church services to the nearest chapel, the Dinalupihan branch chapel in Bataan province. Members must make sacrifices in order for them to travel every Sunday. Pres. Hirro was released, serving for almost 14 years, he was preceded by then Pres. Shiegfried E. Hirro, he served for 4 years (2001-2004). Following him, then Pres. Antonio Luna was called to preside the branch for only months (2004-2005).
2006-2010 - Pres. Roberto Juco Jr. was called as the branch president (2005-Present).During this period, rapid growth is an evidence of the unwavering courage of the fulltime missionaries who were assigned in the area. The new chapel was rededicated by Elder Keith R. Edwards of the Seventy on June 2007. Various activities with significance in the coummunity was held in the new cultural hall. Satellite broadcast is also available, thus providing members to watch and listen general conferences and other training staright from the USA. It hosted 11 Generel Conferences broadcasts and 1 temple dedication since its establishment. Church membership reached all time high of about 530.
2011-Present – The branch participated in the celebration of the Jubillee of the Philippine Rededication to missionary work. The branch made a goal to be divided in 5 years. Goals were set based on the new area goals. Establishing the church, strengthening families, rescuing the less actives and saving the rising generation. The branch is sending out large number of fulltime missionaries than any other year since its establishment.
Even though it is 13,329.22KM (8282.39Mi.) far from Palmyra, New York, USA where all things started, distance is not a hindrance for the gospel to be preached here. Before 1961, the year that the country was rededicated for missionary work, during the Spanish-American War in 1898, two men from Utah who were members of the United States artillery battery, and who were also set apart as missionaries by the Church before they left the United States, preached while stationed in the Philippines. Missionary work ceased in the Philippines at the beginning of World War II and resumed again two decades later.On 28 April 1961, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley traveled to the islands and met with a small group of American residents, servicemen and Filipino members. He officially opened the islands for missionary work.
Not until 1973, the first Lubenians who were known to be baptized as Latter-day Saints, based on record, were Bro. Melencio Danan and his wife, they were baptized in Angeles City. After some years, on ________, the first branch to be created within the second district of Pampanga is the Guagua Branch. From then on, missionaries came to spread the restored gospel around the area.
At that time, Lubao was attached to the Guagua Area, on the same year missionaries were also proselyting in Lubao.On the year 1980-85 significant growth of members residing in lubao increased. Amidst the long hours of travel from the members houses to the worship place, they were still firm and committed to attend church services.
On April 1987, the Lubao Area was created and missionaries were assigned to preach the gospel here. Even though the town was opened fro misionary work members were able to perform their first sacrament service on August 23, 1987. Then President Ivan Anthony Hirro was called to be the branch president. From that time church serices were held at the rented building as the local meetignhouse of the church memebrs.
During the year 1987-1995, from a handful of Latter-day Saints. Membership grew at a significant numbers of about 200. Baptisms were held in Guagua Chapel and some in rivers, like the Porac-Gumain River (commonly known as Control). During that time frame, the destructive volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo happened, thus, affecting the numbers of active LDS in the area because some of them were rellocated or evacuated to nearby villages or provinces. This event strengthened the faithfulness and testimony of the saints. Still, Lubao is very fortunate because it did not experienced tremendous destruction as that of other nearby towns. After 10 years of that unforgettable event, Pampanga brought bak its glory. As the center of tourism, agriculture and commerce in the region.
Back to Lubao, which produced noble people, members were still firm in their testimony in the Church, that caused their willingness to share it to others.
We will now go to road of the 21st century. (1996-2000). During this time widespread problems in economy experienced by the common Filipinos. However, still unwavering in helping the community through service projects and civic programs. On July 2000, the first LDS chapel/meetinghouse was constructed and dedicated by Elder Val Christensen of the Seventy. Membership grew from _______ to _________.
2001-2005 – There came a provision that the chapel must be renovated and it will be used as the Dinalupihan district center. Church members were obliged to attend church services to the nearest chapel, the Dinalupihan branch chapel in Bataan province. Members must make sacrifices in order for them to travel every Sunday. Pres. Hirro was released, serving for almost 14 years, he was preceded by then Pres. Shiegfried E. Hirro, he served for 4 years (2001-2004). Following him, then Pres. Antonio Luna was called to preside the branch for only months (2004-2005).
2006-2010 - Pres. Roberto Juco Jr. was called as the branch president (2005-Present).During this period, rapid growth is an evidence of the unwavering courage of the fulltime missionaries who were assigned in the area. The new chapel was rededicated by Elder Keith R. Edwards of the Seventy on June 2007. Various activities with significance in the coummunity was held in the new cultural hall. Satellite broadcast is also available, thus providing members to watch and listen general conferences and other training staright from the USA. It hosted 11 Generel Conferences broadcasts and 1 temple dedication since its establishment. Church membership reached all time high of about 530.
2011-Present – The branch participated in the celebration of the Jubillee of the Philippine Rededication to missionary work. The branch made a goal to be divided in 5 years. Goals were set based on the new area goals. Establishing the church, strengthening families, rescuing the less actives and saving the rising generation. The branch is sending out large number of fulltime missionaries than any other year since its establishment.
LINK: LUBAO @ 25
2013 LDS Church Lubao . Official Website
"This is not an official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints"
"This is not an official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints"