UNIQUELY Filipino, both in its origins and character, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) will celebrate its centenary on July 27, the day Felix Y . Manalo gave legal standing to his church and his faith at the Bureau of Commerce. Born before the Philippine declaration of independence, Felix Manalo lived during a time when many Filipinos were trying to define and understand their place in the world outside the stamp of foreign influence. His search for beliefs that made sense to him in the context of his own life led to his new-found doctrines that became the INC. Now 100 years later and under the leadership of the third and current Executive Minister, his grandson Eduardo V. Manalo, INC now has members in over 100 countries encompassing over 100 nationalities. The last 100 years has truly been a remarkable journey of faith for the INC and its millions of Filipino adherents. In a free-thinking society we all have the right to form our own beliefs about the universe. But every church is also an institution of that society with its own impact. Felix Manalo was interested in the “nationhood” of the Philippines as in the spirituality of the country. He saw the poor as not having a sense of community and lacking personal loyalty. He once said, “Ang mga tao walang peso, pero may centavos sila. [The people do not have pesos, but they do have centavos].” While INC teachings are based on Christian doctrine, also important is good citizenship and nation-building, with the individual self-worth of Filipinos as a prime objective. The INC centennial also marks a century of nationalism and patriotism. Executive Minister Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo has led the church one step farther in a way that would certainly bring pride to his grandfather. Yesterday was the inauguration of the Philippine Arena at Ciudad de Victoria, a 75-hectare tourism enterprise zone in Bocaue and Santa Maria, Bulacan. The Philippine Arena is another jewel in the accomplishments of the INC as the world’s largest indoor arena planned to hold 50,000 people inside the building and another 50,000 outside. Its unique design and construction has been acclaimed by experts to be an important step in earthquake safety for a building of this type. The arena is a testament to the enterprise and pioneering spirit of the INC and its leaders throughout its history. We congratulate the INC on its celebration of 100 years of service and commitment to the nation and to Filipinos around the world. We thank Eduardo Manalo and the church for creating a world-class tourist destination in the Ciudad de Victoria and the Philippine Arena. Source: businessmirror.ph/index.php/en/news/opinion/35800-philippine-arena-a-crown-jewel-of-iglesia-ni-cristo
Posted on: Tue, 22 Jul 2014 10:16:54 +0000