MANILA had its own version of shutdown last Monday as some 2 million Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) people descended to the city. (In this case, the people caused the shutdown. In America, the Republican congressmen caused the shutdown.) The parochial Philippine sect conducted what they called Evangelize campaign around the city highlighted by food giving to indigents and medical mission to poor Manilans. The Manila exercise is part of INC s global preparations for its centennial observance in 2014. The sect s numerous and passionate members from the provinces north and south of Manila converged in the city, which, according to news reports, triggered the worst traffic nightmare ever. Classes in all levels of schools were ordered suspended by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. 1 / 7
A good number of streets were closed. It is well known that Estrada had been supported by INC throughout the former s political career. So, no problem for INC to close the city in deference to their presence and day-long activities. It is obvious why the inner sections of Manila were selected by the sect. They were in safe territory. Apparently, they wanted to make an impression, too, with their number. I was wondering why they needed the presence of members from nearby provinces if they merely wanted to distribute gift bags and offer free medical treatment to indigent patients. It may be recalled when the Iglesia Ni Cristo had a show of force at the Luneta last year when one million of their members showed up for prayer rally, but in truth, some newspapers in Manila reported it was a show of force by INC because, at that time, the Aquino Administration was not acting on the appointment of ranking INC members being considered for top positions in the Aquino government. Show of force? Last Monday, in my reading, was another show of force by the runaway group from the Catholic Church. 2 / 7
In my observation, it was a reminder to those who are prosecuting close INC allies in Philippine Congress in connection with the pork barrel scandal to slow down. INC has fallen victim to the scandal when they had to let go senator and actor Bong Revilla from playing the role of Eduardo Manalo, INC Executive Minister, in their big movie for their centennial celebration. Revilla is one of three senators charged in the Ombudsman in connection with the pork barrel corruption. Iglesia Ni Cristo has gone a long way since it was founded by Felix Manalo in 1914. It claims a membership of up to 10 million in more than 110 countries with 5,600 congregations. In August 2011, INC led the groundbreaking of the Philippine Arena on a 75-hectare field in Bocaue, Bulacan. The 55,000-seater multi-purpose structure, said to become the world s largest indoor domed arena (by seating capacity), is expected to be completed in time for the INC s centennial celebration in July 2014. Other major projects of the church as part of its centennial celebration are the EVM Convention Center and Iglesia Ni Cristo Museum along Central Avenue, Quezon City, the Legal Department Building and the INC Media Center Building inside the INC Central Office Complex in Quezon City, the 20,000 seat Philippine Stadium, and the Philippine Sports Center. In that area now called Ciudad de Victoria (City of Victory) will also rise the 600-bed capacity EGM Medical Center and the New Era University-Bocaue Campus. 3 / 7
One of the most significant of these centennial projects is the new College of Evangelical Ministry being constructed along Central Avenue. Eduardo Manalo has ordained 1,620 new ministers within the span of his three-year administration. In September 2011, the INC bought 59 parcels of land in Scenic, South Dakota for approximately $700,000. Scenic is a ghost town in western South Dakota. No plans for the land have been revealed by the church. *** Here in the U.S., INC has also been making headway. We see more and more INC churches being built in places where Filipinos reside, like New York and New Jersey. Last month, I was invited to a similar Evangelize gathering by INC people in New Egypt, N.J. (first time I heard of New Egypt, N.J.). I had a brief but interesting conversation with the Wright Town congregation s new and young minister, Edmund Legaspi. 4 / 7
The minister showed a video and delivered a talk before some 150 guests and members about INC. INC beliefs For readers information, the following are beliefs of Iglesia Ni Cristo as provided by Wikipedia: 1. INC believes that it is the true church established by Jesus Christ in the first century, and that its registration in the Philippines is the fulfillment of Bible prophecies that Jesus Christ s church would reemerge in the Far East. 2. INC believes that the Bible is the sole basis of all their beliefs and practices. One of those beliefs is that the absolute oneness of God the Father who is the Creator and is the only true God. They believe this is the teaching of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Thus, the INC rejects the trinity as a heresy. Happy birthday! Belated happy birthday to Jersey City Council President Rolando Lavarro, Jr. The Fil-Am councilman surprised his guests at his birthday party last Saturday evening (including this writer) with his new army-style haircut. 5 / 7
His hair was so short that I had to ask if he was, indeed, the Fil-Am councilman. Being always a winner, he won again. This time, his opponent was balding (LOL)! Seriously, the council president and his colleagues in City Hall, led by Mayor Steve Fulop, had been keeping themselves busy trying to fulfill their campaign promise of making Jersey City the best mid-sized city in the nation. They have introduced a number of new measures. Earthquake This space sympathizes with the casualties of the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu last Monday. We feel for the victims, especially the poor who hardly have anything to replace what they lost. ANCOP USA has launched Monday night an online fund-raising site at www.donatedisasterrelief-ausa.org. Proceeds will be sent to CFC Manila, which, is already coordinating a disaster assistance program in Bohol and Cebu. 6 / 7
Incidentally, I went to the website of the United States Geological Survey (USGS). It is a scientific agency of the U.S. Government that studies the country s landscape, its natural resources and natural hazards, including earthquakes around the world. Read what the site says on top of each page as a result of government shutdown: Due to a lapse in Federal funding, the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program has suspended most of its operations. While the USGS will continue to monitor and report on earthquake activity, the accuracy or timeliness of some earthquake information products, as well as the availability or functionality of some web pages, could be affected by our reduced level of operation. mcaball241@aol.com 7 / 7