Free resources about the Philippines San Pablo 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.
San Pablo Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the San Pablo 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 San Pablo Mission
Barangay San Juan, Alaminos
4001 Laguna, Philippines
Phone Number: 63-49-567-1330
Mission President: President Douglas K. Davies
Philippines San Pablo Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Philippines San Pablo Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the San Pablo Mission:
Videos with San Pablo RMs
Here are in-depth YouTube video interviews with returned missionaries from the Philippines San Pablo 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.
San Pablo Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the San Pablo Mission. This blog list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Philippines San Pablo Mission Groups
Here are San Pablo Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the San Pablo Mission.
- San Pablo Mission Facebook Group (768 members)
- Philippines San Pablo Mission Facebook Group (348 members)
- Philippines San Pablo Mission Facebook Group (167 members)
- San Pablo Mission Reunion 2012 Group (84 members)
- San Pablo Mission Best Mission Group (31 members)
- San Pablo Mission Moms (LDS) Group (2 members)
Philippines San Pablo Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Philippines San Pablo Mission!
Shirt designs include San Pablo 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: San Pablo missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse San Pablo Mission gifts
Recommended Mission Prep Books
(Fun Fact: John Bytheway served in the Philippines!)
San Pablo Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the San Pablo Mission.
- 2017-2020, Douglas K. Davies
- 2014-2017, Bart Arnold Mangum
- 2011-2014, George E. Peterson
- 2008-2011, Richard E. Anderson
- 2005-2008, Gerald E. Mortimer
- 2002-2005, Rulon R. Osmond
- 1999-2002, George E. Johnson
- 1996-1999, Roy Wennerholm Jr.
- 1993-1996, Lowell M. Taylor
- 1990-1993, Dean O. Peck
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)
- Joseph Smith’s First Vision in Tagalog
- Headstart on LDS Vocabulary in Tagalog
- Cool Tagalog Words
- Why I Love Filipinos
- Modes of Transportation in the Philippines
- American Influence on the Philippines
- Spanish Influences on the Philippines
- Japanese Influence on the Philippines
- Things You Can and Cannot Buy in the Philippines
- Sari-Sari Stores in the Philippines
- Filipinos and Karaoke
- Beverages in the Philippines
- Restaurants in the Philippines
- Rice in the Philippines
- Spaghetti in the Philippines
- Common Condiments in the Philippines
- What is Ube?
- Inspirational Tagalog Christian Quotes (LDS)
- 50+ Tagalog LDS Quotes, Memes, & Mormonads
- How to Make Pansit (a popular Filipino rice noodle dish)
- How to Make Lumpia (like eggs rolls but way better!)
- How to Make Puto (Filipino Rice Cakes)
San Pablo Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Philippines San Pablo RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
When did you serve?
- 2013-2015 (Audrey)
- November 2012 – December 2013 (Mark)
- 2011-2013 (Corrick)
- 2011-2013 (Nathan)
- 2008-2010 (Arnold)
- August 2004 – July 2006 (Betty)
- 2005-2007 (Jonathan)
- 2004-2006 (Jobert)
- 2002-2004 (Renante)
- 2001-2003 (Charles)
- 1998-2000 (Andrew)
- 1992-1994 (Margie)
What areas did you serve in?
- Balayan, Marinduque, Lucban, Lopez, Sta Cruz. (Corrick)
- San Jose, San Juan, Batangas, San Pablo, Lucena, Alaminos. (Nathan)
- Laguna, Region 04. (Arnold)
- San Pablo, Santa Cruz and Siniloan District. (Betty)
- Marinduque, San Pablo Laguna, Sta Maria Laguna, Lucena Quezon, Lopez Quezon, and Mindoro. (Jobert)
- Marinduque, Canlubang, Rosario, Batangas, Candelaria Quezon, Lemery Batangas. (Renante)
- Calamba. (Charles)
- Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon. (Margie)
What were some favorite foods?
- Sinigang, chicken adobo, fried fish, banana cue, pandesal. (Audrey)
- Sinigang, Karikari, Tinolang Manok, Tortang Talong, Bicol Express, Puto, and Kasaba cake. (Corrick)
- Tinola, it’s the best! Giniling, Baboy, Bicol Express. (Nathan)
- Mang inasal foods or Jollibee. (Arnold)
- Mango, pancit, adobo, pork sinigang soup, chicken curry. (Betty)
- Majayjay. (Jonathan)
- Bayawak and horse (Jobert)
- Local dish from Laguna, Batangas and Lucena pancit habhab. (Renante)
- Mango float. (Charles)
- Pancit Canton, Ginatang Manok, Tocino. (Andrew)
- Tinola, paksiw, sinigang, adobo at gulay. (Margie)
What was a funny experience?
- I had to go to the bathroom super bad while we were out proselytizing so we ran to the nearest mall. I thought that surely they’d have toilet paper there! I went and realized there was none in the stall so I foraged through my bag and I had run out. I asked my companion and she was out too! (Audrey)
- No electricity for one week. (Mark)
- There was an abandoned kitten in the grass on the ground one time. We saved it and traded it for bread at the local bread store. (Corrick)
- Walking in hanging bridge and rice fields. (Arnold)
- Our first New Year’s Eve seemed like we were in a war zone. (Betty)
- Marinduque island. (Jonathan)
- When we are knocking on their doors and they slap their doors. (Jobert)
- Assigned in Sta Cruz, Marinduque, a ghost town by 3 pm. (Renante)
- Riding a Carabao down a mountain. (Andrew)
- Nang mahulog sa kanal ang companion ko, hehe. (Margie)
What was a crazy/dangerous experience?
- When we found out during our practice baptismal interview that our investigator killed a man (it ended up being in self-defense and he got approved for baptism, but boy was it a scare!). (Audrey)
- We were walking across a bamboo bridge and it broke on my companion because he was pretty heavy. Luckily, he held on and went back up and around. (Corrick)
- My companion and I were walking home at night, and we heard a bang. We thought it was just fireworks, so we kept walking. We heard a motorcycle screaming up the street and both had the feeling that we needed to take cover. We did the best we could behind a pole, and saw two men on a motorcycle, completely covered in clothes carrying a smoking gun. We later found out that the Barangay Captain’s daughter had been shot that night. Pretty sure we witnessed the get away. (Nathan)
- Climbing mountains and stairs…with it raining. (Arnold)
- The traffic and their crazy driving can be very interesting! They do not have road rage like we do in America. They are kind people and just work it out in crowded places on the roads. (Betty)
- Mindoro pinamalayan. (Jonathan)
- Hiking in Mt. Makiling. (Charles)
- Caught by the NPA’s with E. Saoli. (Renante)
- Sabiting on the back of jeepneys. (Andrew)
- Nung ginabi kami ng uwi ng companion ko at isakay kami sa owner ng mga lalaki at ilampas kami sa bababaan namin, takot na takot ako kasi uso ang dinudukot nun at pinapatay. (Margie)
What was a spiritual experience?
- While waiting for a bus, I started talking to this teenager. He told me he didn’t believe in God but was a follower of Satan. The Spirit was really strong as I testified of God and both warned/invited him. I felt as I imagine Nephi felt when he stretched forth his hand to shock his brothers. I felt power beyond my own. (Audrey)
- Using priesthood power for the investigators and members, for sickness. (Arnold)
- Being guided by the Spirit in deciding what to teach the YW leaders at district conference meetings held on Saturdays in the mission. (Betty)
- Calamba ward. (Jonathan)
- During baptism of our investigator. (Jobert)
- Walking from Torrejos to Sta Cruz…it was a great comforter experience of the 3 Nephites. (Renante)
- We baptized an old investigator. (Charles)
- Kneeling and praying in the middle of a bamboo hut, and feeling the Spirit. (Andrew)
- Hndi aq pnbabayaan ng God at sa pamamagitan ng Holy Ghost lagi akong ginagabayan until now. (Margie)
What are some interesting facts about the San Pablo Mission?
- Some regions are known for having deep Tagalog. Only two of the islands so far, have missionaries. (Audrey)
- It’s one of the oldest missions in the Philippines, and is one of the largest geographical missions on Luzon. (Nathan)
- There are many volcanic lakes in our mission. It is a beautiful place! (Betty)
- I use sign language while I taught my deaf investigators. (Jobert)
- My mission has a lake in an island in a lake in an island. (Andrew)
- That mission is great and you will learn a lot of things n mai aaply mo sa buhay mo after your mission. (Margie)
What was the weather like?
- Hot and humid. Rainy with the occasional typhoon. (Audrey)
- Hot humid and sometimes very rainy. (Corrick)
- Hot during the hot season, rainy during the rainy season, and perfect in that brief little period of January and February! (Nathan)
- Hot and dry and hot and rainy. (Betty)
- Amazing. (Jonathan)
- Summer weather (Jobert)
- There are volcanos and surrounded by water. (Charles)
- Generally warm and humid, except for monsoon season, then it was just wet. (Andrew)
- Sunny…because there’s no darkness at all..every thing is fine..tama b? (Margie)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- Everything. The people are hospitable and friendly. Most of the time, it’s easy to find people to teach as long as you talk to everyone. And the people are religious. (Audrey)
- They are very friendly. They think higher of Americans, than Americans do. The more people you interact with and are in contact with, the better and more successful your mission will be. These are special people. (Corrick)
- Their wonderful accent! I served among the Batangueno for over a year, and they have the coolest dialect! The Batangueno loved that I understood and used their little dialect! (Nathan)
- Mountain areas. (Arnold)
- We love the people! They are friendly, have faith, and are happy and appreciative of what they have. They can be happy in any circumstance. They are sweet and childlike and humble and gracious! (Betty)
- Very nice, all places. (Jonathan)
- They were kind to me. (Jobert)
- Hospitable. (Charles)
- The great desire to be friendly and associate and communicate. Also the overwhelming willingness to share. (Andrew)
- Challenging ang place at dun masusubukan ang pagiging missionary mo at un ang masaya kc madami kng matuturuan n mababait at mapagmahal at marespeto. (Margie)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- Light shirts, one cardigan will do. I didn’t bring a blanket and I was fine. Bring waterproof shoes because sometimes the streets flood. I wouldn’t bring anything that you wouldn’t be okay giving away at the end of your mission. It’s nice to have stuff to give to people. (Audrey)
- Long sleeve church shirts. Don’t get rid of them in the MTC. Keep your filter water bottle they give you at the MTC. Don’t bring your hydration pack. (Corrick)
- Make sure your shirts are thin! Expect to lose a lot of weight, but there are tailors that can fix your clothes once you’re there. (Nathan)
- Don’t take much. You can have clothes made there for very little money. They are expert at sewing custom clothes and they have fabrics suitable for the climate. (Betty)
- Don’t pack a lot of dress clothing while preparing to go on your mission. Pack your exact clothes you need. (Jobert)
- Take first aid supplies. You will meet children with sores and injuries that you can help with Neosporin and some bandages. Cotton/poly blend shirts. Take only polyester ties. Pack plenty of breathable socks. Shoes get soaked and worn out, either take extras, or at least buy extras before you leave that can be shipped to you. Dress shoes might be difficult to come by, especially if you wear larger sizes. (Andrew)
- Dapat lng n maging maayos lagi ang mga gamit at wag pakalat kalat. (Margie)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- Impossible question. Many so far and many more to come. (Audrey)
- Direction in my life. I knew the plan that I had after serving was the correct plan. (Nathan)
- Temple marriage. (Arnold)
- Our family was blessed while we were away. We had great health. We were not sick. We never were in any car accidents. Our testimonies grew. (Betty)
- My wife and children. (Jonathan)
- I’m married in the holy temple to the most beautiful woman in the whole world, and to have two cute, and smart daughters. (Jobert)
- The finest wife. (Charles)
- Greater love and a desire to share. An understanding that people can be poor for other reasons than being lazy. (Andrew)
- Temple marriage, callings and family. (Margie)
What are some skills you gained?
- I was refined in many Christ-like attributes. I learned planning, how to work hard, how to talk to anyone, how to connect things to the gospel, how to study, Tagalog, how to work on a team and more! (Audrey)
- In the Philippines I gained a lot of skills. I washed my clothes by hand, sewed, learned how to cook Filipino dishes, learned about edible plants, spoke another language, communication skills, teaching skills, training skills, leadership skills, I learned how to catch crab, how to cook crab, how to cook catch and eat fish, the many uses of bamboo, how to build a roof on a house, how to not lay brick or do concrete work, the importance of school, cleaning skills, how to kill spiders, how to approach difficult situations. (Corrick)
- Dealing with different cultures, people and opinions. You cannot understand another culture without living among the people there. Filipino and American cultures are the opposites of each other. What we value, they mock, and what we mock, they value. Neither one is in the wrong, just different over all. (Nathan)
- Being hardworking and diligent. (Arnold)
- I learned how to read and understand some Tagalog. I learned how to speak in front of groups. I learned how to follow the Spirit. I learned about health and how to teach the missionaries about staying healthy. I was the medical specialist for the first year. I learned how to give TB tests and many other things. (Betty)
- Cooking. (Jonathan)
- Teaching skills and communicating with others. (Jobert)
- Communication skills. (Charles)
- I can do slight of hand magic. I can throw a top. I can talk to people that I haven’t met before about things that matter. (Andrew)
- My teaching skills improved and cooking skills too and a lot more. (Margie)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- You can do it! You will learn the language! (Audrey)
- Understand the Atonement, missionaries schedule and missionary rules, the area book, the importance of knowing your leaders, and everything about Ward Council and Priesthood Executive Committee. (Corrick)
- Do not be a robot. The rules are important, but the people you are serving are even more important. (Nathan)
- My parents become Latter-day Saint members. (Arnold)
- Missions are hard, so I’m glad I didn’t know everything, but missions are worth it! I felt very prepared and ready to serve. (Betty)
- To learn faster about the Restoration of the gospel through prophet Joseph Smith. (Jobert)
- Memorize the discussions. (Charles)
- I wish I knew that all the worrying I did about my girlfriend was time wasted. (Andrew)
- Na sana nakapag aral aqng mbuti about the gospel. (Margie)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to San Pablo?
- As you’ll learn… “San Pablo Mission is the best”! You’re needed there. (Audrey)
- Commit to follow the mission rules before going on your mission. Imagine what a boss would do if you didn’t follow the rules for his company, then imagine how God feels when we don’t follow the rules for His work. (Corrick)
- I know you will love it. Filipinos have a very special place in my heart, as does their country. It’s alright to be nervous, because you are going to a third world country. I promise that you will be able to adapt- it won’t be easy- but you’ll be able to. (Nathan)
- The most important thing is to have a strong testimony and also to know that it can grow. Accept church callings. Stay healthy and take Institute classes often throughout your lives (especially if you are going to serve as a senior missionary couple or sister.) (Betty)
- You must press forward and hard work on your mission. Missionary work is also true this is the blood of our religion. (Jobert)
- Build a foundation of faith. (Charles)
- Get a strong testimony. You need to understand why amazing people can be allowed to suffer in God’s plan. Religion is a way of life for most of the people in the Philippines. You must be able to provide more for these wonderful people than they are already receiving. (Andrew)
- Ang mssbi q lng give their very best kc minsan lng yang pagmimisyon at maging worthy para pag nktapos cla ng pagmimisyon matatanggap nla ang mga blessings n nakalaan para sa knla. (Margie)
What was a funny language mistake?
- “Magandang gabi” said with the wrong accent means “beautiful vegetable” instead of “good evening”. (Audrey)
- I heard a word in the Philippines that sounded like a word I didn’t know. I asked my Filipino companion what it meant. He said it meant obvious, but it sounded like abuse with his accent. So for the first couple of months I taught that as parents we shouldn’t abuse our children when they misbehave. But instead, I was teaching them it shouldn’t be obvious when our kids misbehave. (Corrick)
- I went through my mission teaching that the church was led by a nabuhay na propeta (resurrected prophet). My last companion told me after a lesson that what I should be saying is buhay na propeta. He told me this during my second to last transfer. (Nathan)
- Fricks. (Arnold)
- I got mixed up on some words like: buto and bata and bato. People laughed. (Betty)