The Bell Church is a Chinese temple of the Chinese Filipino indigenous religious organization of the

same name in La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines.

Brief History
The Bell Church was founded on August 4, 1960 in Benguet[2] by a Chinese immigrants from Canton,
China (now Guangzhou)[3] led by Ng Pee.[4]
In 1954, he first preached in a dining hall of a restaurant but eventually transferred the place of
worship to his residence along the Kilometer 6 mark in La Trinidad, Benguet due to increasing number of
devotees. Then known as the "Chinese Buddhist Temple", the temple's membership is composed of primarily
ethnic Chinese farmers. Membership continued to grow that the temple had to move again to its present site
along the Kilometer 3 mark in the 1960s and has since then became known as the "Bell Church". With support
from the local Chinese community, the house in the current site was converted to a temple.[4]
The current site of the Bell Church was chosen due to "good Feng Shui". According to the Ng clan, the
design of the Bell Church, both the interior and exterior, was made in accordance to the "guidance of saints"
and was later improved upon through the same. An arch ornated with colorful images of dragons and Chinese
inscriptions is situated at the entrance of the temple.
The pathways leading to the temple above the hill are littered with all sorts of Chinese markings and
green-scaled dragons. In Chinese culture, these dragons traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious powers,
particularly control over water, rainfall, hurricane, and floods. Before reaching the temple, we had passed
several ornate paifangs or Chinese gates before reaching the main temple.
The Chinese temple is situated in Barangay Balili of La Trinidad, Benguet[5] near the border of the city
of Baguio. It was previously located in the Ng family's residence in within the same town. It currently sits on a
10,000 square meters (110,000 sq ft) property and its hilly landscape according to the Ng clan reminds the
Chinese devotees of their hometowns in Hong Kong and Mainland China.[4]

The first thing we noticed as we entered the temple was the concrete stairs with undulating walls.
Along the walls, there are Chinese inscriptions written.
The site's pagodas features images of saints and the Buddha. A bust of the founder, Ng Pee is hosted
within the temple grounds. Two octagon ponds with lotuses are installed in front of the main temple structure.
The octagon motif known as the Bagua in Chinese culture represents the concept of rebirth and immortality,
and the lotus flowers signifies purity and beauty. The landscaping was done by the Chinese.
Lotus: The lotus is one of the most significant flowers in the Chinese culture. It symbolizes the holy
seat of Buddha. Because the flower rises from the mud and blooms in exquisite beauty it symbolizes perfection
and purity of both the heart and mind. It also represents long life and honor.
The koi fish has a powerful and energetic life force, demonstrated by its ability to swim against
currents and even travel upstream. Symbolic in Buddhism is to represent courage. It also represents Good
fortune, Success, Prosperity, Longevity, Courage, Ambition, and Perseverance.
Dragon's Gate on Yellow River
According to Chinese legend, there was a place called Dragon's Gate at the top of a large waterfall on
Yellow River. Carp would swim up the river, against the current to reach the base of the waterfall. Although
many would try, only a few were brave and able enough to attempt the final leap up the waterfall. It was said
that if a carp was able to complete the journey through Dragon's Gate at the top of the falls, then it would be
transformed into a powerful dragon. In Chinese culture, the dragon is a symbol of great power. The story
symbolizes that anybody who is able to persevere through great trials can accomplish their highest goals to
become great.