MANILA, Philippines — The small community just outside of Manila was buzzing with excitement as they welcomed Elder Neil L. Andersen from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Andersen is in the country for a nine-day visit.
The church has been instrumental in a project that has provided water to hundreds of families in the area.
The residents of the area, known as “Cardinal Sin Village”, had prepared a warm welcome for Elder Andersen and his entourage. They had a band playing, banners waving, and even organized a parade around the apartment complex. Hundreds of children joined in the celebration, running alongside the vehicles.
Elder Andersen, touched by the warm welcome, stepped out of his vehicle to interact and share a moment with the children.
The cause for this grand celebration was something most of us often overlook — the availability of water. The residents were overjoyed to finally have a regular water supply.
“It’s a blessing. We now have water every day, morning and night,” shared Emma Cabahug with KSL-TV, who were also covering the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square’s international tour. “Life without water is unimaginably hard. Water is life.”
For several months, the church has been collaborating with the Catholic community to construct three new water tanks atop the apartments. The old tanks were corroded and incapable of holding water.
“We are on the eighth floor of the building. This is the water tank that they requested to be replaced,” explained Bernabe Magsino, a local resident whose company was responsible for building the tanks.
“The experience has been incredible,” Magsino said about the project. “The old tank could only be filled up to a third of its capacity due to numerous holes.”
Elder Andersen, along with Catholic leaders, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and collectively turned on a faucet, marking the restoration of the water supply. The seven-building complex is home to 1,200 families living in 980 units.
“Now, instead of having to carry water up to their apartments, they can simply turn on their faucets. No wonder they are so overjoyed,” Elder Andersen said. “Being around children, you can’t help but feel God’s love. Their innocence, their goodness, their eagerness to embrace us.”
“I’m extremely moved and grateful. I’ve been here for ten years, and I understand their struggles,” said Father Richard James Baboa of the Catholic Church. “Working together has made us realize that we are all brothers and sisters, and this experience has helped us to be more open and less judgmental.”
For residents like Virgina Catipon, this project has been life-changing. She no longer has to carry water up several flights of stairs to her seventh-floor apartment.
“It’s wonderful to have a plentiful supply of water,” Catipon said. “This is my faucet — my water — look!”
However, this wasn’t the only humanitarian event Elder Andersen participated in during his visit to the Philippines.
He also met with Filipino youth and other beneficiaries of the church’s Giving Machines, which collected donations during the Christmas season. The total contribution from the machines and the church to six different charity partners amounted to approximately $67,000.
Disagree – The Church should focus on providing spiritual guidance, not just material aid.
Disagree – Material aid is just as important as spiritual guidance in helping communities in need.
Disagree – Material aid is just as important as spiritual guidance in helping communities in need.