Droplets of rain kept on pouring outside the bamboo window. The sounds made music with the rhytmic movement of every spec as the sun was concealed within the array of clouds. The July storm has come once again and it hasn't stopped since the first day of that month. The surroundings were beginning to darken thought it was still in the midafternoon. Trees swayed in an unwavered motion as the coconuts fell on the ground -- unkempt by the strength brought by the season and the rushing winds. There were no signs of people trodding and strolling around that small barangay as they were during the afternoon. The marketplace was closed and vendors who have always come yelling for the goods they sold seemed stuck inside their nipa houses. Partly abandoned, that's the word.
In the middle of the weather's commotion laid a meager house with lanterns turned on, flickering and constantly waving reflections to the environment. The swarms of gamo-gamo that usually flocked around lamposts went to the very single light shone within the residences.It was loud outside, sounds of thunder echoed around the village, but it was even more dominant inside the old-looking nipa hut.
The man's voice thudded across the corners of the room, bounced through the muddy ground as it came to the ears of the listeners attentively digesting each word uttered by him. Feet soaked on the wet ground, bodies shivered with the icy cold breeze, but hearts and minds remained steady and focused. Another sound of thunder came as the rain continued to descend heavily. Even louder was the voice of the man contesting the wrath of the climate. On his hand, shoned by a small portion of the torch, was the Bible.
And the storm subsided.
Onto a small group of people mostly his relatives and kins, Brother Felix Manalo has once again blew the trumpet and sparkled the true words of God. The early Church of Christ here in the Philippines started as a mere group -- desecrated, mocked, discriminated, and judged. There in a small nipa hut, the first worship service gathering was held.
Ninety-five years have passed and it grew to be a glorious Church. Members as many as the sands in the sea, gathered as one during its anniversary celebration. I, myself, never thought and never imagined that the brethren's number would be that great. God has been doing His purpose.
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared July 27, the day of our anniversary, as a special working holiday, to be dubbed as the IGLESIA NI CRISTO DAY -- our moment.
We Will Rock the Country (And the World)
My whole family went off to Araneta Coliseum which would be the venue of the event as early as nine in the morning to think that it would be taking place at four in the afternoon. We were excited, of course, but that wasn't just the reason why we left too early. Right. We expected heavy traffic as almost every member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) would be going out of their homes around the country to witness that momentous day in Philippine history. That sounded good but please, no pressure.
Looking at all directions, I see signs of anticipation, early goers just like us. The 'Five Star' Bus skimming along the Quezon City Memorial Circle has just got me a hint that it was hired by the INC. A huge banner which read "Grand Anniversary Celebration - Iglesia Ni Cristo Day" posted on its metallic side caught the attention of the masses, no question, they're our brethren. I tried to wave at them through the windows of our car but it was then that I just found out that all of them inside the bus were waving at us with the green-white-red coloured flag of the INC, with smiles on their faces.
We also got a small flag raised on the antenna of our Sports Runner. That was why.
From the bus, I transitted my focus to the sidewalk along the Wildlife Park. White-clad people walked across it holding balloons and huge tarpaulin banners. It was July 27, 2009, the day of the last SONA of President GMA, well, hopefully and I had my first thought -- they are rallyists probably on their way to the Sandiganbayan. But we just skipped the Commonwealth junction and they there were, heading towards the opposite direction. Balloons - white, red, and green ones; shirts that had at the rear the phrase, "Glory be to God!"; banners saying the same thing as the one in the bus. I called it wrong. They are actually members walking their way towards the Big Dome. It was fun looking at them as they enjoyed the time as they were mistaken as activists, and being the point where every eye looked at. It's a risk after all.
Aside from th Big Dome, the Church has also negotiated with socialite people around the country to set venues for the big event. In Luzon, there were massive numbers of brethrens who gathered in Quirino Stadium in Ilocos Sur, the Central Integrated Terminal in Isabela, Narciso Ramos Sports Center in Pangasinan, Villa del Sol-Subdivision-Olongapo-Gapan Road in Pampanga, Ashton Field Subdivision Grounds in Laguna, and the Bicol University Sports Complex and Commencement Grounds in Albay. The islands of Visayas were united in a single celebration held at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod, and in Cebu Sports Center. In Mindanao, mammoth-sized population took part at Ipil Sports Complex in Zamboanga Sibugay, Davao Agro-Industrial Institute Football Field, and the Butuan City Sports Complex in Agusan Del Norte.
Groups of delegates from countries outside the Philippines have also attended the celebration in international venues at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, the Washington Convention Center, Central Hall Westminster in London, Parco Esposizioni Novegro in Milan, and at the Hills Center in Sydney.
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Tokyo, Japan - Santiago City, Isabela - Lingayen, Pangasinan
In the middle of the weather's commotion laid a meager house with lanterns turned on, flickering and constantly waving reflections to the environment. The swarms of gamo-gamo that usually flocked around lamposts went to the very single light shone within the residences.It was loud outside, sounds of thunder echoed around the village, but it was even more dominant inside the old-looking nipa hut.
The man's voice thudded across the corners of the room, bounced through the muddy ground as it came to the ears of the listeners attentively digesting each word uttered by him. Feet soaked on the wet ground, bodies shivered with the icy cold breeze, but hearts and minds remained steady and focused. Another sound of thunder came as the rain continued to descend heavily. Even louder was the voice of the man contesting the wrath of the climate. On his hand, shoned by a small portion of the torch, was the Bible.
And the storm subsided.
Onto a small group of people mostly his relatives and kins, Brother Felix Manalo has once again blew the trumpet and sparkled the true words of God. The early Church of Christ here in the Philippines started as a mere group -- desecrated, mocked, discriminated, and judged. There in a small nipa hut, the first worship service gathering was held.
Ninety-five years have passed and it grew to be a glorious Church. Members as many as the sands in the sea, gathered as one during its anniversary celebration. I, myself, never thought and never imagined that the brethren's number would be that great. God has been doing His purpose.
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared July 27, the day of our anniversary, as a special working holiday, to be dubbed as the IGLESIA NI CRISTO DAY -- our moment.
We Will Rock the Country (And the World)
My whole family went off to Araneta Coliseum which would be the venue of the event as early as nine in the morning to think that it would be taking place at four in the afternoon. We were excited, of course, but that wasn't just the reason why we left too early. Right. We expected heavy traffic as almost every member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) would be going out of their homes around the country to witness that momentous day in Philippine history. That sounded good but please, no pressure.
Looking at all directions, I see signs of anticipation, early goers just like us. The 'Five Star' Bus skimming along the Quezon City Memorial Circle has just got me a hint that it was hired by the INC. A huge banner which read "Grand Anniversary Celebration - Iglesia Ni Cristo Day" posted on its metallic side caught the attention of the masses, no question, they're our brethren. I tried to wave at them through the windows of our car but it was then that I just found out that all of them inside the bus were waving at us with the green-white-red coloured flag of the INC, with smiles on their faces.
We also got a small flag raised on the antenna of our Sports Runner. That was why.
From the bus, I transitted my focus to the sidewalk along the Wildlife Park. White-clad people walked across it holding balloons and huge tarpaulin banners. It was July 27, 2009, the day of the last SONA of President GMA, well, hopefully and I had my first thought -- they are rallyists probably on their way to the Sandiganbayan. But we just skipped the Commonwealth junction and they there were, heading towards the opposite direction. Balloons - white, red, and green ones; shirts that had at the rear the phrase, "Glory be to God!"; banners saying the same thing as the one in the bus. I called it wrong. They are actually members walking their way towards the Big Dome. It was fun looking at them as they enjoyed the time as they were mistaken as activists, and being the point where every eye looked at. It's a risk after all.
Aside from th Big Dome, the Church has also negotiated with socialite people around the country to set venues for the big event. In Luzon, there were massive numbers of brethrens who gathered in Quirino Stadium in Ilocos Sur, the Central Integrated Terminal in Isabela, Narciso Ramos Sports Center in Pangasinan, Villa del Sol-Subdivision-Olongapo-Gapan Road in Pampanga, Ashton Field Subdivision Grounds in Laguna, and the Bicol University Sports Complex and Commencement Grounds in Albay. The islands of Visayas were united in a single celebration held at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod, and in Cebu Sports Center. In Mindanao, mammoth-sized population took part at Ipil Sports Complex in Zamboanga Sibugay, Davao Agro-Industrial Institute Football Field, and the Butuan City Sports Complex in Agusan Del Norte.
Groups of delegates from countries outside the Philippines have also attended the celebration in international venues at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, the Washington Convention Center, Central Hall Westminster in London, Parco Esposizioni Novegro in Milan, and at the Hills Center in Sydney.
.jpg)
Tokyo, Japan - Santiago City, Isabela - Lingayen, Pangasinan
This only shows how far the Church has reached and how much people it has led onto the right path towards Salvation. News had it, classes were suspended in Metro Manila, and major leaders from different countries sent greetings to the Church. We meant nothing with this, only that we would want to show how we became a fruitful nation of God over the 95 years of our existence since its establishment in the Philippines.
To be continued...
To be continued...
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