Thousands of Mormons gathered at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City last Saturday night to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines.

More than 4,500 members, including children and youth, performed songs and dances that depict the Church's history as well as local history and culture. Traditional songs and lively dances were chosen to depict the cultures unique to the country. The youth started practicing their dance routines as early as two years ago.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our young members to demonstrate their talents and come together to celebrate the founding of the Church in the Philippines,” said Elder Miguel R Valdez, Area Seventy for the church and Chairman of the Jubilee Committee." The chance to celebrate a 50^th anniversary doesn't come around too often."

The show took the audience through the colorful history of the Philippines from pre-colonial days to the war years and the present. Intertwined in the script is the beginning and growth of the Church in the country. Historians said that the Philippines was opened to the church's missionary effort on April 28. 1961.

Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, who later became the world president of the Church, was joined by about 150 servicemen and their families at the American war Memorial in Makati in a special service held for this purpose.

The first four Mormon missionaries arrived in the Philippines in June 1961. Eight Filipinos were baptized that year. Fifty years later, Church membership has grown to over 650,000 with over 1,200 congregations nationwide.

Senior leaders of the Church as well as government and community leaders attended the event. The cultural celebration was also witnessed by thousands of members of the Church throughout the archipelago live via satellite.