In today’s fast-paced, competitive world; a world full of video games, television and Internet; a world where the adversary presents many temptations; our youth must make important choices. Students today are engaged in many extracurricular activities. They face many distractions, which sometimes make them choose to set aside the Church, said Roberto Querido, director of the Quezon City Philippines Institute of Religion. But the Church has established the institute program to help the younger generation develop a sure foundation in gospel truth that will help them overcome these challenges.
“The institute is an inspired program of the Lord, suited for the needs of the students nowadays,” Brother Querido added.
In November 1974, Senen Pineda became the first Filipino area administrator (Church Educational System (CES) associate area director) when Brother Iba returned to Salt Lake City. He served with W. F. Lionel Walters, the CES area director of the Southeast Asia Philippines Area, and Frank D. Day, the CES zone administrator.
With the growth of the Church in the Philippines came the expansion of the seminary and institute program. Through the Lord’s inspiration, the CES leadership felt the need to bring the institute classes to the students as it is done in the United States and other parts of the world.
A rented spare room on the fourth floor of Dona Remedios Conge Building on P. Paredes Street, Sampaloc, Manila, was renovated, and air-conditioned classrooms, offices, a lounge, and a library were created. The first Manila Institute of Religion (MIR) was inaugurated on February 25, 1982, with Patrick Howard Morgan Clair as its first director. During the same year, the first Latter-day Saint Student Association (LDSSA) officers were also called.
On July 24, 1985, a new institute of religion was inaugurated in Cubao (Metro Manila), with Francis Orquila as director. In 1986, the Philippines was separated from the Southeast Asia Area and was combined with Micronesia. Later on, Sherman D. Howard arrived in the Philippines to assume responsibilities as Philippines/Micronesia Area director. In 1987, Bienvinido Flores became the new area director, and five more men were called as multi-regional coordinators to assist in the areas of Visayas, Mindanao, Northeastern and Southern Luzon, Northern Luzon and other Metro Manila regions.
As a result of the continuing efforts of the leaders of the Church, more students became involved in the institute program, giving heed to the counsels of the prophets. It was also in 1987 that the Manila Institute of Religion produced 120 students who filled full-time missions and 20 couples who were married in the temple in a period of only one year.
On February 16, 1991, Stanley Peterson, CES area administrator, visited the Philippines for the second time and spoke to approximately 3,000 students, parents, and priesthood leaders in a multiregional devotional at the Manila Institute of Religion.
Today, more young men and women are serving missions to assist in building up the kingdom of God. More couples are also being married in the temple. As the Church in the Philippines has grown, the institute program also has grown and expanded, reaching more young people in different parts of the country. From a small rented classroom, there are now 21 independent institutes of religion all over the Philippines.
“The institute program enhances my leadership skills. It helps me have an eternal perspective and strengthens my testimony of the gospel,” said Jared Obial, a returned missionary from the Quirino Second Ward, Quezon City Philippines South Stake.
“I’ve been inactive in the Church for quite a while, and to fill in the spiritual gap, I now attend the institute,” said Reichelle Medina of the Tandang Sora Ward, Quezon City stake.
In this world of difficulties and challenges, the youth of the Church have found a rock on which to build their lives by getting to know the Savior Jesus Christ and learning more about His gospel in the institute of religion. Here they can find a sure foundation where they cannot fall.
“The week is incomplete without institute,” said Norielinda Batayola of the Marikina Philippines Stake. “Institute is my second home.”
Stephen Iba came to the Philippines in 1972 to start the seminary and institute program in the country. The first regular institute classes were held in a small rented room on the third floor of the JOBS Building, Claro M. Recto Street, Sampaloc, Manila. Brothers Augusto Lim, Angel Pedroche, and Isidro Pilobello were the first instructors. After low attendance caused regular classes to be stopped the following year, the institute program was continued in different wards and branches, using home study materials.
