20/05/2026
“Invite everyone to come—and do everything you can to help them enter this beautiful gate, which leads to eternal life.” This quote form W. Mark Bassett, General Authority Seventy, was one of President Gerry Guerra’s “huling habilin” to the members of Dagupan Philippines Stake during the Missionary Devotional held last Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Arellano Chapel. He encouraged everyone to become missionaries - whether as full-time missionaries or faithful member missionaries, and help prepare the world for the Savior’s coming by sharing the gospel with all.
President and Sister Guerra are set to begin their new calling as mission leaders in the Philippines Davao Mission on July 1. The gathering also served as a tribute to them, as well as to the returned missionaries of the stake, while giving the youth an opportunity to hear testimonies of missionary service.
To Shyril Realin from 2nd Ward, the devotional became especially nostalgic as she shared the experience he and her husband had as they recited the verses they used to recite during every zone conference in their mission - Doctrine and Covenants Section 4 and the Standard of Truth - at the beginning of the program. “We felt the Spirit throughout the devotional and felt more committed to work with the missionaries every week,” she shared.
Also present that evening was Valeriano Escocio, the first missionary from Pangasinan, who served in Philippines Manila mission from 1969-1971, and a member of Dagupan Stake was recognized and bore his testimony during the devotional.
Among those who also spoke were Sister Charmaine Guerra, Elder Rex Vincent Duran, called to serve in Philippines San Pablo Mission, May 2026; Sister Rinoa Kirsten N. Radovan, called to serve in Philippines Butuan Mission May 2026 and President Mark Joseph D. Landingin of 8th Branch.
Every returned missionary attending the event wore their black name tags which they wore during their missions. Among the youth gathered that night, one young man proudly showed his father’s missionary name tag to his friends. Crylle Castro from Dagupan 1st Ward commented, “Excited na akong magsuot niyan!” while admiring the tag. She shared that seeing the returned missionaries so happy about their service, and hearing testimonies from returning members who attended their FSY Conference, increased her desire to serve the Lord.
In his remarks, President Oliver Bondad emphasized that missionary work is sacred and described it as the best 2 years of his life. He challenged and testified to the youth: “If you go and serve the Lord, happiness will follow.”
