Multi-stake Public Affairs Director Gomez Siady, assisted by Mayor Paz Radaza and Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong, cuts the ribbon to open the Family History Exhibit. Witnessing are (from left) Mandaue Stake Public Affairs Director Dr. Mary Ann Ompad-Duero, City Councilor Cipriano Flores, Stake President Romeo Duero and Councilor James Fantone. (CDN PHOTO/NORMAN MENDOZA)
The public can trace their family history for free at the Family History Exhibit at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall grounds until today.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), in coordination with the Lapu-Lapu City government, is offering free services to help anybody who wants to trace their roots.
The three-day Family History Exhibit is manned by personnel who will assist visitors in gathering information about their ancestors.
For more than 100 years, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving and sharing genealogical records worldwide.
“Isip pagtulun-an sa simbahan ni Hesu Kristo, kami nagtuo nga ang pamilya walay kinutuban, bisan atu-a sa laing kinabuhi, bugkos gihapon ang pamilya, mao nga importante alang kanamo ang pamilya (As taught by the church of Jesus Christ, we believe that families are forever; even beyond life, the family is still intact, thus family is very important to us),” said Romeo Duero, president of Mandaue Philippines Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Although we belong to different religious denominations, this event brings us together as we value the existence, importance and the role of families in our society. I know that family history is a very important part of your church’s culture and values. In fact, one of the teachings of your church is that families can be together forever,” Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said in her speech.
She said that like the Mormons, she and the rest of Oponganons also value their ancestors including their very own hero, Datu Lapu-Lapu.
“I personally have high regards on matters about family, for I believe that it is where we are first molded and is our foundation of what we are to become. It is in our respective families that we learn to be God-loving and good citizens of our community. It is in our respective families that we nurture our beliefs to our savior Jesus Christ. It is in our families that we learn to share and love one another,” added Radaza.
She further said “As we trace our family history, we may be able to understand ourselves and achieve greater sense of belongingness. Our family is our strength, our foundation.”
She encouraged the Mormon leaders to consider them in the city government as their family and help them in their endeavors in making Lapu-Lapu City a healthy, peaceful and God-fearing community.