Philippines Davao Mission

Free resources about the Philippines Davao Mission:

Mission address and phone number
Mission map
Video interviews with returned missionaries
Missionary blogs
Facebook groups
LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
List of past mission presidents
Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
Survey with RMs

*Other Mission Pages: Philippines LDS Missions.

Philippines Davao Mission Address

Here’s a recent address for the Davao Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.

Philippines Davao Mission
PO Box 80741
Davao, Davao City
8000 Davao del Sur

Phone Number: 63-82-234-0232
Mission President: President Pedro U. Adduru

Philippines Davao Mission Map

Here’s a link to the mission map for the Philippines Davao Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the Davao Mission:

Log into your LDS account here.
Click here.

Videos with Davao RMs

Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Davao Mission. We interview hundreds of returned missionaries each year, so check back regularly to see new RM interviews. Coming soon..

LDS-Friendly Videos about Philippines

Here are LDS-friendly educational videos about Philippines. We scoured YouTube to find the best quality videos about Philippines, that are free from inappropriate music, immodesty and profanity.

Philippines Davao Missionary Blogs

Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Davao Mission. This list includes the missionary’s name, blog URL and when their blog was updated.

*Send your missionary a gift (mission-specific shirts, ties, Christmas stockings/ornaments, pillowcases, etc.)

Mission Alumni	mission.net/philippines/davao	2016
Elder Alvin Martos	missionsite.net/elderalvinjohnmartos	2013
Elder Jefferson Marata	missionsite.net/elderjeffersonmarata	2013
Elder Romeo Ronda	missionsite.net/elderromeoronda	2012
Elder Roderick Araneta	missionsite.net/elderroderickaraneta	2012
Davao Mission	philippinesdavaomission.blogspot.com	2011

Philippines Davao Mission Groups

Here are Philippines Davao Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the Davao Mission.

Philippines Davao Mission Facebook Group (598 members)
Davao Mission Facebook Group (534 members)
Davao Mission President Pagaduan Group (306 members)
Philippines Davao Mission Alumni Group (209 members)
Philippines Davao Mission Facebook Group (161 members)
Davao Mission Returned Missionaries Group (111 members)
Davao Mission Alumni President Pangan Group (73 members)
Davao Mission Facebook Group (36 members)
Davao Mission – President Valdez Term Group (11 members)

Philippines Davao Mission T-Shirts

Here are T-shirts for the Philippines Davao Mission!

Shirt designs include Davao Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL. The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you.

*Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Davao missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.

*Click here to browse Davao Mission gifts

Recommended Mission Prep Books

(Fun Fact: John Bytheway served in the Philippines!)

Davao Mission Presidents

Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Davao Mission.

2017-2020, Pedro U. Adduru
2014-2017, Efren M. Lamoglia
2011-2014, Ferdinand P. Pangan
2008-2011, Jairus Cinco Perez
2005-2008, Moises M. Mabunga
2002-2005, Miguel R. Valdez
1999-2002, Arsenio A. Pagaduan
1996-1999, Emmanuel S. Mascardo
1993-1996, Modesto M. Amistad
1990-1993, Ruden G. Gapiz
1987-1990, Jovencio Llagan
1984-1997, Reynaldo Vergara
1983-1984, President Hall
1980-1983, Arthur J. Sperry Jr.
1977-1980, Layton B. Jones

Philippines LDS Statistics (2015)

Church Membership: 710,764
Missions: 21
Temples: 2
Congregations: 1,181
Family History Centers: 171

Helpful Tips about the Philippines (articles written by RMs)

Davao Missionary Survey

Here are survey responses from Philippines Davao RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.

*Click here to take a survey to help pre-missionaries going to your mission.

When did you serve?

2011-2014 (Neil)
2000-2002 (Ramie)
1999-2001 (Rodel)
1998-2000 (Roger)
1996-1998 (Albert)
1990-1992 (Scott)
1988-1990 (Garin)
1988-1990 (Rodrigo)
1988-1990 (Alex)
1986-1987 (Lilibeth)
1986-1987 (Cynthia)
1977-1979 (Domingo)

What areas did you serve in?

Bislig, Prosperidad, Davao. (Rodel)
Digos, Hagonoy, Gen San, Santo Thomas, San Francisco, Lanang (office) Kidapawan, Tagum. (Roger)
Matina, Davao City, Mangagoy, Bislig Surigao Del Sur, Pigcawayan North, Cotabato, Lanang/Bunawan, Davao City, Maco, Compostella Valley, Bansalan, Davao Del Sur. (Albert)
Digos, Carmen, General Santos. (Scott)
Davao city, Zamboanga city. (Garin)
Davao city. (Rodrigo)
Agdao, Digos, Gingoog, Medina, Zamboanga, Panabo. (Lilibeth)
Davao City, Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro City and Zamboanga City. (Cynthia)
Gensan, Pagadian, Dipolog, Iligan, Butuan and Cagayan de Oro. (Domingo)

What were some favorite foods?

Durian! “Smells terrible, but tastes like heaven!” (Neil)
Tinolang manok, sinigang na hipon, escabeche na isda sa bato, bulalo. (Ramie)
Sea foods like lobster, bangus, shrimps, haloan, all are delicacies of Bislig and Digos. (Rodel)
Sinugba, Tinolang Ulo ng Bariles, Sinigang na Pasayan, Kilawin, Ginataang Lobster. (Albert)
I really miss the fruit. You will never eat a better mango than the Cebu mango. You need to try durian. You have to try it a few times to acquire a taste for it. It is so yummy. The saying is “smells like hell, taste like heaven. Pansit and lumpia are some of my favorite Filipino rolls. I would really like a fresh tuna steak from the open air market. (Scott)
Tinola n manok, adobo, fried chicken. (Garin)
Adobong baboy, noodles, etc. (Rodrigo)
Lechon and the fruit is Marang. (Alex)
Talbos Ng kamoti. (Lilibeth)
Marang. (Cynthia)
Sliced Dole pineapple with evaporated milk. (Domingo)

What was a funny experience?

When my companion and I are having a companion study and then it turns into a deep conversation about our lives. (Neil)
Jumping and being shot in the mad. (Ramie)
When my companion and I were lost in the middle of the city. (Rodel)
When my companion let out gas during our discussion. (Albert)
When Elder Winsor was in Mati. (Garin)
When we visited our candidate for baptism in our area with Elder Suarez. I go ahead in their house- we pass through a fish pond and I was slip in the pond, our investigator cannot pull me from the pond, that is the unforgettable experience in Davao Mission. (Rodrigo)
Companions. (Lilibeth)
Some words means differently in Tagalog-it is either you or those you talk with would have that embarrassing look. For example: Libog which means lust in Tagalog while in Bisaya it means confused/confusion. (Cynthia)
While tracting my feet got caught on a ringed rattan along the rough rode and I tumbled like a log, haha! (Domingo)

What was a crazy experience?

When we went out of our apartment during a night of election campaign season in north Cotabato, then suddenly a grenade explosion was heard 2 blocks away from our apartment. (Neil)
We were stoned while walking the street. (Ramie)
We met the Abusayaf group on the way to our apartment before curfew. We thought they were militaries but as we notice the badges on their arms, it was different. They encircled us in the middle of the road and interviewed us asking where are we going. When their suspicions were wrong, they let us go and warned us not to tell anybody that they passed by. (Rodel)
During the all out war with MNLF and the government. (Albert)
Tracting in the mountain. (Garin)
When I left my companion in the apartment to go home in my dream. (Rodrigo)
The strafing, You always have to be on guard and ready to dive on the floor which I find it hard. (Cynthia)
When my companion and I got interrogated by military looking men who were drinking on the side of the road we were walking on… (Domingo)

What was a spiritual experience?

During a companionship study when joined by our mission president, we were talking about a concern for our investigator who is a father, and it turned out we were talking about our own fathers, in which our tears fell down. (Neil)
Testifying with love to our investigators and everybody in that house listened attentively…especially when we visited and the lesson almost turned into a debate. (Ramie)
Every baptism was a spiritual one. Another is when we witnessed a women with evil spirit. She was our investigator. (Rodel)
Every baptism and gospel discussion. When we baptized a known INC former minister and martial artist who was scheduled at 5pm but due to trials/challenges it turned to (I think) 11pm to proceed with the baptism after discerning the intent/desire and willingness of the candidate. (Albert)
Gospel study with my companion. (Garin)
More baptisms. (Rodrigo)
Reading the whole Book of Mormon. (Lilibeth)
It was storming however we have an appointment, It was dark and we always end up taking the long route going to the house of our investigator at the middle of a big farm. That night we prayed as we walk barefooted as we sank on the mud. It was ticklish as it was my first time to walk barefooted in the mud. Despite of all these barriers, we made it straight, easy and fast to the investigators’ house without any struggle. That evening, they said “YES” to be baptized. (Cynthia)
A certain couple with a little child we taught and got baptized…they were waiting for us to drop by their house whom we always passed by…until one day I was moved to knock on their door… (Domingo)

What are some interesting facts about the Davao Mission?

As a greeny, I was trained for 6 weeks then was transferred to the mission office as a financial secretary for 10 long months. During those times, I experienced dengue fever and was hospitalized for 5 days. I also extended my mission for 6 weeks which made my service 2 years and 1 1/2 mos long. (Neil)
Interesting facts that angels are always there to help the people, they do always exist and God always protects His Missionaries. (Ramie)
Davao is multi-language place. Some speak Tagalog though the majority speaks Cebuano. Some speaks Illonggo, Illokano, Tausog, Marano, Maguindanao, Chabakano, Liaan, Nitibo, Kamayo, Surigaonon, and Davaoinyo. Davao mission is rich on culture and historical landmarks. Plenty of fruits and vegetables of many variety. Sea foods are of high supply. That’s why food is affordable in Davao. All people speak at least two dialects. (Rodel)
Durian, Mangostine and Marang are the best fruit. (Albert)
When I met my relative in one of my areas. (Rodrigo)
When Rizal Ali capture the Recom 9 in Zamboanga because it was almost two weeks that we stayed in our apartment. (Garin)
I applied for a mission thinking I know a lot and could help a lot of investigators. As I go along, I realized, I was helping myself as I know a little. In here, I realized what the word “SACRIFICE” really is-Giving up something good for something better. (Cynthia)
I returned with honor! (Domingo)

What was the weather like?

Mostly hot and humid. Less typhoon experience. (Neil)
Hot. (Ramie)
Tropical. No typhoons. It is very hot in the city but foggy in some areas. (Rodel)
Tropical. Less typhoons- sometimes none in a year. (Albert)
Christmas weather, it’s codl to visit member. (Garin)
It’s good weather. (Rodrigo)
Hot and warm and rain. (Lilibeth)
Almost sunny all the time. (Cynthia)
Dusty and rainy. (Domingo)

Any things you really like about the area/people?

First I love the fact that it is very safe to live in Davao. It was declared one of the safest city in the world. And the prices of food are very low compared to Manila. You can buy a kilogram of eggplant for P10 only, a whole pineapple for P15 and P5/kilo of watermelon. (Neil)
They are hospitable, God fearing people and most of them are knowledgeable when we talk about God. (Ramie)
I love everyone in Davao…investigators and members. They are very hospitable. (Rodel)
Kind, friendly, loving, humble people. Davao city the safest city in the Philippines. (Albert)
Of course most people like the missionaries, that’s why you like more than sister. (Garin)
Their hospitality and kindness. (Rodrigo)
Good food. (Lilibeth)
The place is blessed with good natural resources and the fish, fruits and vegetable are cheap and fresh. The people are warm and helpful. (Cynthia)
Wonderful. (Domingo)

Any packing/clothing advice?

Just bring 6 pairs of proselyting clothes and 2 pairs of preparation day clothes and you can go. Don’t bring too many clothes. (Neil)
Always prepare in advance. (Ramie)
Bring shoes with thick soles. Bring more proselyting clothes and very few non-proselyting ones. (Rodel)
No need to bring lots of clothing. Some are enough so that on transfer day there’s no hassle. (Albert)
Fold and go. (Lilibeth)
Bring only light clothing (cotton is best) as it is a tropical place. (Cynthia)
Take what’s really needed. (Domingo)

What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?

First is that I got to deeply understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I felt like I was working side by side with Him. I learned to love the people around me especially my companions. (Neil)
A loving beautiful wife and pretty respectful daughters. (Ramie)
Many blessings. Being organized, using the commitment pattern in everything I do, learning how to set goals and plan and follow-up and evaluate have blessed me so much after my mission. (Rodel)
Strong testimony, loving family, especially skills that I currently have which the LORD gave to sustain the needs of my family. (Albert)
Have nice family relations. My beautiful wife is the greatest blessing from serving my mission. (Garin)
I learned a lot to follow my leaders. (Rodrigo)
Endurance. (Lilibeth)
Personal testimony that the church is really true. I won’t trade my faith for anything else. (Cynthia)
Meeting my wife after the mission and having a wonderful, growing family. (Domingo)

What are some skills you gained?

I learned how to play recorder flute, because one of the missionaries taught me. I learned more how to deal with people which helps me with my work now as a realtor. (Neil)
I know how to cooked, I learned to manage time and advance planning, I know how to budget money and groceries, and socialize with other people. (Ramie)
The use of commitment pattern. (Rodel)
Communication skills, leadership, management. (Albert)
Conversation with other people. (Garin)
Faith. (Lilibeth)
Expressive-vocal in saying you care and love people Confidence-That you have the truth and have to share it Resolving investigators’ concerns – Explaining in detail about a gospel principle. (Cynthia)
Interaction with different people. (Domingo)

What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?

I wish I already knew how to speak Cebuano and Ilocano languages before my mission. (Neil)
I think I was very prepared when I entered the mission. (Rodel)
To become a successful missionary- that’s what we did. (Garin)
Enduring. (Lilibeth)
That you should not expect perfection in any situation or people you will be with. Some members (Ward leader, missionaries) are pretending to be investigators and take you for a ride, so listen to the promptings. (Cynthia)
Having all the discussion memorized (back then we were using the “rainbow discussion” and big flip charts). (Domingo)

Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Davao?

For those who are preparing for their missions, I urge you to completely read the Book of Mormon, and learn to love your family. I know that as you do so, your faith will be strengthened and you will be more effective conduit of the spirit to further the Lord’s work on earth. Please love your companion, your Mission President and your investigators. As do that, the Lord will feel your love towards him. (Neil)
Serving a mission is only for two years or one and a half. Never waste your time spending it for personal reason or interest. Time is so short for you to do it. You will forever regret all the things you have missed to do while you’re there. Give your best shot. For that is only one shot. If you miss it, then you miss your eternal happiness. (Rodel)
Davao is one of the missions of the church, that is the best. (Albert)
Just like my son when he go to mission- work hard, enjoy the mission. (Garin)
Keep to the faith. (Lilibeth)
Stay focused and never compromise your standard. Prove that you made the right decision in serving in the Lord’s vineyard. (Cynthia)
Two years to put it all together and the rest of your life to think about it…so better have good memories… (Domingo)

What was a funny language mistake?

In my first area, we taught a less-active family and we were talking about cooking a goat. I asked the father how does he kill the goat? I said “binabanlian nyo po ba ng mainit na tubig?” The reaction of the father was like… “What did you say”?? My companion laughed at me because I spoke a deep tagalog language which our investigator didn’t understand because he spoke Cebuano language. (Neil)
I experienced a culture shock. I never expected it would happen because I am also a Filipino but it was so different in Davao. I spoke in Cebuano when approaching others in a bank or at the mall. To my surprise, one lady did not understand my queries because I spoke in Cebuano. I remember, one staff cued me and said: “Sir, please speak in Tagalog”. So every time I’m in the office or mall, I used Tagalog but I was told, “Sir, bisaya pop”. I was so confused what dialect to use. So next time, before I talk to someone, I always asked: “Bisaya or Tagalog?” then I’d got the right thing to do. (Rodel)
They need to find out, especially in the Davao Mission which covers two different dialects, which means one word can have different meanings. (Albert)
Ambot sa emo. (Garin)