Something happened during the temple openhouse ushering.

I am writing to bring to your attention serious concerns regarding the welfare of volunteers and ward members during the recent Temple Open House events here in Davao.

On March 23, 2026 (Media Day), several youth musician volunteers, aged approximately 12–15, their call time was 4:30 PM but were not provided food until 9:30 PM, a full five hours later. Two young women who experienced this had their parents reach out to me regarding the incident. These minors were left without meals during their shift, which poses significant health and safety risks.

A screenshot conversation between me and a mom of a volunteer (Evory Penaflor, Calinan Ward, Davao West Stake)

The other mom reached out to me verbally in the church hallways and was also very upset. I did reach out to the committee about this, but I'm not sure what happened next.

A similar incident occurred on March 31, 2026, affecting an elderly ward member assigned to a 7:00–11:00 AM shift. Although breakfast was prepared at 6:00 AM by the bishop (my husband), the supervisor strictly refused to allow volunteers or members to eat before the scheduled time of 11:30 AM. There had been an agreement for breakfast to be provided at 5:30 AM, but this was not possible because my husband needed to locate an open restaurant and coordinate transportation for some volunteers who requested his assistance.

During this four-hour period, no  food breaks were permitted. The elderly member experienced health complications following this shift, requiring urgent medical attention, IV treatment, and prescribed medications. Other vulnerable individuals, including my father and stepmother who were senior citizens, were similarly affected.

As far as my husband is aware, the only individuals who were unable to eat during their shifts were the ushers inside the temple and a few volunteers in the shoe wrap area, totaling approximately 15 people. My husband was able to provide breakfast for the volunteers in the Chapel and some volunteers in the shoe wrap before it was addressed by the supervisor. Several eyewitnesses, including the missionaries present in the shoe wrap area, can confirm these events.

These incidents caused significant distress and health concerns for the affected volunteers and ward members.

The screenshot above is prior to rushing her to the hospital the next day at Adventist Hospital in Bangkal, Davao City.

The food prepared by the bishop is not the budget from the Temple Open House, because the open house committee members asked my husband if they could use the ward's budget. I'm not sure if this is allowed in the guidelines of the church as the LUBA is for activities. 

I hope this helps clarify the situation. Had my husband been aware of the protocols requiring a four-hour shift without food, and knowing that some members were reportedly not allowed even to drink water or take restroom breaks, he likely would not have encouraged volunteers to participate. Likewise, I would not have asked my parents to serve in this capacity as this could have been fatal to them.