Cebu City – [May 17, 2024]—It’s 4 weeks into the school break and the Apolinario family could be headed to a theme park, the beach, or even going for a vacation for the weekend. Instead, Chiloi and Mecah Apolinario with their two kids are eagerly anticipating a three-day convention with a few thousand people who will come to hear exciting good news! 

"In every Regional Convention, my family and I are always excited to meet and greet our brothers and sisters from different congregations," said Mecah of Lapu-Lapu City. "We always look forward to receiving updates from the Governing Body, hearing shared life and ministry experiences inspired by our loving brothers and sisters, enjoying new Bible dramas, and welcoming visitors from World Headquarters. Also, we can't wait to see the beautiful smiles of everyone in the Assembly Hall and take pictures for keepsakes."

One of the largest convention organizations in the world returns to several venues in Central and Eastern Visayas, with a much-anticipated motivational program to comfort and encourage the public. Admission is free for all attending. 

In a world where bad news endlessly streams on social media, TV and radio, Jehovah’s Witnesses will present their 2024 “Declare the Good News”! convention series beginning the weekend of May 24, 2024. The free, three-day live event is expected to draw on the average of 2,000 to 4,000 attendees to the major cities or muncipalities over the course of 10 weekends – fueling the city’s economy with local spending at stores, hotels and restaurants. 

“We are excited to work once again with city or municipality officials in various locations in Central and Eastern Visayas to host our conventions,” said Atty. Bethuel V. Tanupan, spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Central and Eastern Visayas. “These conventions are a highlight of the year for thousands of people who want to experience some positivity in their lives, and we are happy to enjoy the program once again in various cities and municipalities hosting our convention.”   

The “Declare the Good News!” convention will present Bible-based videos, discourses and interviews, with the following program highlights: 

• Friday: Consider evidence that the good news about Jesus in the Gospels is an accurate record of his life. Learn how these Bible accounts can benefit us today.

• Saturday: What was prophesied about Jesus’ birth and childhood, and did those prophecies really come true?

• Sunday: In the Bible-based talk “Why We Don’t Fear Bad News,” learn why millions today have reasons to feel secure and confident despite worsening world conditions.

Saturday features a baptism of candidates from surrounding communities, while a two-part video feature will captivate the audience on Friday and Saturday mornings. Prior to each convention, local congregations will engage in a campaign to invite community members to this free event.  

Last year, nearly 13 million people attended more than 6,000 three-day conventions worldwide. To learn more about this free convention and to find a location near you, please visit jw.org > About Us > Conventions.  

Convention Venues and Dates

A. Cebu Province:

June 28-30, Toledo Sports center, Toledo City

July 5-7 and July 26-28, Hoops Dome, Lapu-lapu City

July 26-28, Poro Municipal Gymnasium, Camotes Island

B. Bohol 

May 24-26 and May 31-June 2, Jagna Cultural Center, Jagna

June 7-9, Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium, Tagbilaran City

C. Leyte and Southern Leyte

July 12-14, Southern Leyte State University, Southern Leyte

July 19-21 and July 26-28, Leyte Convention Center, Palo

August 2-4, Ormoc City Superdome

D. Samar and Northern Samar

June 7-9, Calbayog City Sports Center, Samar

June 28-30 and July 5-7, Palapag Multi-purpose Evacuation Center, Palapag, Samar

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