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Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, along with his wife Jennifer, visited Cebu on November 21, 2025. They met with over 100 members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Liloan Stake Center. Attendees had faced various hardships following Typhoon Tino, Super Typhoon Uwan, and a recent earthquake.
Philippines Area President Carlos G. Revillo Jr. and his wife Marie accompanied Elder and Sister Kearon during the visit. Stake President Rodolfo Torralba Jr. provided an update on local conditions, highlighting damage from both typhoons and a deadly 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu several months earlier.
“I bring you the profound love of President Dallin H. Oaks, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,” Elder Kearon said. “Our hearts have ached with you. We pray that you are receiving the help that will allow you to continue taking steps forward.”
The Church has responded to these disasters by supplying emergency aid such as food, drinking water, hygiene items, kitchen kits, and water filtration buckets to affected families in Cebu. Water filtration systems were installed at the Liloan Stake Center and other meetinghouses in areas most impacted by the storms to provide clean water for both members and neighbors.
Local church members who also suffered property damage participated in cleanup efforts alongside their communities to remove mud and debris left by flooding. Full-time missionaries helped families return to their homes.
“You have experienced storms and earthquakes,” Elder Kearon said, “but you have shown remarkable spiritual grace and resilience.”
After the devotional meeting, Elder and Sister Kearon met privately with Sister Jamella Andagan, whose family lost their seven-year-old daughter Jabesh during severe flooding.
Before leaving Cebu, Elder Kearon spoke individually with many survivors to offer comfort.
“Elder Kearon’s visit was truly uplifting and inspiring. After the typhoons, many were down and discouraged. His visit reminded us of the Savior’s love,” President Torralba said. “His words and his love brought hope and comfort to us all.”
The Philippines faces frequent natural disasters due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire. The Church continues supporting local communities through emergency aid programs while promoting self-reliance initiatives and helping families prepare for future emergencies.
