Caesar Vallejos
Eagle News Service correspondent
Persecution to pride.
That summed up the journey of some Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) members who experienced from being laughed at, discriminated and sometimes barred from their exercise of their religious freedom to receiving accolades for the parade of victories that the Church of Christ has manifested being God’s chosen nation.
Now a global church, INC has spread to 130 countries and territories around the world, and the Bible exposition and video presentation held last October 30, 2016 provided thousands of people at the Philippine Arena and other parts of the archipelago including the countries of China and Japan, greater awareness about the 102-year old Church that was first registered in the Philippines in July 1914.
‘My ignorance has faded all away today’
Dr. Elma Mercado-Haar tried to escape from the invitation of the Iglesia Ni Cristo featuring the Church’s role and relevance to humanity in a video presentation. Eventually, “I opened up,” she said.
“I have life-long prejudices but today, they’re toppled down. Prejudices come from ignorance,” Haar added. Refusing to divulge what those prejudices were, she gave a hint by mentioning that she came from a family of Catholics whose mother was converted to Baptist and she was forced to join as well.
“Living in different countries and cultures, I have developed many prejudices and today, my last prejudice has been peeled off and I thank God for that. Just sitting here and listening to the message have taken my ignorance away,” she explained.
“I don’t want to be part of divisiveness, but INC is not only inclusive, it is embracing. You are embracing me today and accepting my difference. I like that, I like to belong and be like your adopted sister,” Haar said.
“You are not teaching only about a Filipino Church, you are teaching the message of the Church of Christ. So it wouldn’t matter if you were a Filipino or African. You share the message that Christ wants us to know. You are making a big difference, which is what I am most impressed about today. Your Church is touching the lives of communities, families and individuals,” Haar said.
Haar was reacting to the video presentation of outreach programs conducted by the INC in various parts of the world including Bundaberg, Australia; Kumamoto, Japan; New York City; Johannesburg, South Africa and Tacloban City, Leyte.
The Church’s big difference
“What is the reason why we live? It’s to live fruitfully and change the lives of one person at a time, and to uplift the level of how one lives. That is your Church’s big difference. That touched me. I know that you exist with the churches that I can see. I have developed prejudices about your Church but my ignorance has faded all away today,” Haar announced.
“One day you can not only adopt me but clone me to be one of the members of your family. But this thing does not grow instantly. I have to learn and be in sync with a lot of things: mind, body and soul but and I was touched in various levels,” Haar ended.
Commanding power, charm and wisdom
Viva Films talent Ronnie Liang, the voice behind the hit song “Ngiti” and more famously known from the reality-talent search Pinoy Dream Academy said that, “kapag narinig mo ang INC, ang unang papasok sa isip mo ay disiplinado. They strictly follow do’s and dont’s, they have rules.
Since high school, I have seen that INC members are very respectable. They also dress up properly when attending worship services. “May kasama yung Tatay ko na diakono at napansin ko na kapag nag-dadamit siya sa pagsamba, napaka-respetado, he narrated. Liang grew up in Angeles, Pampanga.
Liang had a first-hand observation on how faithful INC members are. “I know some of my co–actors na kahit galing sila sa show na maaga nang natapos, they need to attend the worship service. So kahit na madaling araw na natapos ang show, di-diretso na sila sa pagsamba,” Liang narrated. He even asked the author innocently, “wala bang pagsamba ng hapon?”, to which the author explained that there are many worship service schedules and it varies from one locale to another so INC members can attend comfortably based on their preference.
It was Ronnie Liang’s first time to enter the Philippine Arena and his first time to perform at an INC event. “I was overwhelmed,” he said. “The Church is administered very well. Ka Eduardo has this commanding power, charm and wisdom. I am very thankful that I was invited to perform to celebrate the birthday of Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo,” the singer said.
“The INC is a good example to the community. I hope that you continue to share your goodness and credibility,” Liang added.
Filling the gap
The former Chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was surprised to see INC’s projects and activites outside the Philippines. “Nakaka-sorpresa na makita ang nagawa na ng Iglesia hindi lamang sa buong Pilipinas kundi sa ibat-ibang parte ng mundo lalo na kapag may kalamidad. Doon ako nagulat,” he revealed.
He acknowledged the role of the INC in the society, which fills the gap of the shortcomings of the government, and some sectors especially in times of calamities.
“Nakita ko po yung pabahay ng Iglesia sa Bayan ng Alang-alang na tinamaan ng bagyong Yolanda sa Leyte. Yung pagkukulang ng pamahalan lalo na sa pabahay ay napupunuan ng Iglesia,” Tolentino said.
“Nagkakaroon din ng pagsasaayos ng ating relasyon sa ibang mga bansa sa pamamagitan ng mga nagagawa ng Iglesia,” Tolentino continued.
The video presentation highlighted the messages of various political leaders in many calamity-stricken areas outside the Philippines to INC’s aid including the courtesy calls of ambassadors of different countries who trooped to the INC Central Office to meet Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo.
“Bilang Pilipino, ikinararangal ko ang mga ginawa ng Iglesia Ni Cristo,” he said.
Feel free to send your thoughts in the comments section to narrate the reactions of your guests at the Philippine Arena.