(Eagle News) – The outgoing ambassador of the Republic of Panama visited the Iglesia Ni Cristo Museum on Wednesday, Oct. 16, for a farewell courtesy call on Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.
This was the second courtesy call of His Excellency Ambassador Rolando Guevara Alvarado to the INC Executive Minister. The first was in July 2017 when he became the first ambassador from Latin America to visit the INC Central Office in Quezon City.
“The visit this morning to the Executive Minister was overwhelming,” Ambassador Guevara said in interview.
“As it happened two years ago, when I came the first time, I was welcomed with the same warmth and hospitality, goodwill of the Filipinos. So I feel very pleased. And I’m very thankful and honored for the courtesy call visit to Executive Minister Manalo and also to the New Era University,” he said.
Ambassador Guevara has been the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Panama to the Philippines since 2015.
In his five years of stay in the country, he said he has also learned more about the INC and its activities, such as the Aid to Humanity which is helping communities not just in the Philippines but also around the world.
Brother Joel San Pedro, the head of the INC overseas mission office, said that during the Ambassador’s courtesy call to the INC Executive Minister he expressed his admiration for the Church’s work to help people in various communities, as he had also heard of the recent Aid to Humanity of the INC in the US, India and Africa.
In Panama, the INC has four local congregations, namely in Ciudad de Panama, Valle Hermon, Villa Grecia and Cobre.
“Since I got here, I learned more about the Iglesia Ni Cristo. I know in Panama there is a small congregation. I know what the Iglesia Ni Cristo has been doing here and also abroad – the latest is in Africa, the US, and other places,” Ambassador Guevara said.
“It is admirable and I wish that they continue doing this for the benefit of the Filipinos and the communities abroad. It is very commendable,” he said.
He also greeted in advance INC Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo for his birthday this Oct. 31.
“For the Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo, on behalf of myself and the people of Panama, really, I would like to congratulate him on his birthday,” Ambassador Guevara said, as he wished the INC leader good health and also commended him in leading the entire church and the good job it is doing around the world.
The Ambassador also said that the Philippines would always have a special place in his heart.
He said that the warm hospitality that he received here made him feel very welcome and comfortable.
“I feel like I am in my country in that sense,” said Ambassador Guevara who noted the similarities between Filipinos and Panamanians.
The ambassador also revealed that he acquired resident status in the Philippines and that he would definitely be visiting the country again.
“It has been a wonderful experience in this country which I will always remember, and have with me,” he said.
After the courtesy call to the INC Executive Minister, Ambassador Guevara also proceeded to New Era University (NEU) where he delivered a lecture on his country in a forum organized by NEU and Eagle Broadcasting Corporation.
He also extended his “deep appreciation” to NEU and EBC for their invitation for him to do a farewell lecture.
Ambassador Guevara is also the Non-Resident Ambassador of Panama to the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam since 2016.
From 2000 to 2004, he also served as Ambassador of the Panama to the Kingdoms of Belgium and the Netherlands, and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. He had also served as Ambassador and Chief of Mission of the Republic of Panama to the European Union.
