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Manila Bulletin, Malaya (July 14, 2014)

[ MANILA CITY RESOLUTION NO. 85 231 SERIES OF 2014, June 26, 2014 ]

REGULAR SESSION NO. 85
9th CITY COUNCIL

RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND EXPRESSING SINCEREST FELICITATIONS AND SALUTATIONS TO IGLESIA NI CRISTO IN THE COMMEMORATION, CELEBRATION AND OBSERVANCE OF ITS GRAND CENTENNIAL FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY ON JULY 27, 2014




PRINCIPAL AUTHORS: HON. EDWARD  V.P. MACEDA, President Pro-Tempore and Acting Presiding Officer, HON. ENESTO M. DIONISO, JR., Acting Majority Floor Leader, HON. ROLANDO M. VALERIANO, HON. JOHN MARVIN C. NIETO, HON. RAYMUNDO R. YUPANGCO, HON. SALVADOR H. LACUNA, Hon. Priscilla Marie T. Abante, Hon. Dennis B. Alcoreza, Hon. Irma C. Alfonso-Juson, Hon. Roberto D. Asilo, Hon. Don Juan "DJ" Bagatsing, Hon. Ruben F. Buenaventura, Hon. Antonio G. Capistrano, Hon. Arlene L. Chua, Hon. Joel R, Chua, Hon. Niño M. dela Cruz, Hon. Ma. Asuncion G. Fugoso, Hon. Joey S. Hizon III, Hon. Cristina A. Isip, Hon. Ernesto C. Isip, Jr., Hon. Rodolfo N. Lacsamana, Hon. Leilani Marie H. Lacuna, Hon. Numero G. Lim, Hon. Erick Ian O. Nieva, Hon. Roberto R. Ortega, Jr., Hon. Joel M. Par, Hon. Jocelyn J. Quintos, Hon. Science A. Reyes, Hon. Elizabeth Z. Rivera, Hon. Ramon M. Robles, Hon. Casimiro C. Sison, Hon. Christian Paul L. Uy, Hon. Manuel M. Zarcal, HON. MARLON M. LACSON, Majority Floor Leader and HON. FRANCISCO "Isko Moreno" DOMAGOSO, Vice-Mayor and Presiding Officer


WHEREAS, the Iglesia Ni Cristo was founded on July 17, 1914 under the divine leadership and guidance of the late Ka Felix Y. Manalo, who is considered as the last messenger of God and the first executive minister.  He was first baptized as a Roman Catholic but eventually joined various Protestant Denominations, namely, the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Disciples of Christ, the Christian Missions, the Seventh Day Adventists and even joined multitude of free-thinkers to examine their principles in search for a true and enlightened religion;

WHEREAS, in search for the truth, Ka Felix resolved to undertake thorough examination of the doctrines of different religions and denominations and discovered that erroneous interpretations of the Bible caused the existing squabbles among religions and denominations.  He took upon himself the task of preaching the words of God and laying down the foundation for the establishment of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, he started with only five listeners, but the numbers eventually grew prompting Ka Felix to officially register the Church with the government of July 27, 1914.  The Church started in praising and preaching in different venues until its first church was established in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila.

WHEREAS, the younger years of existence of the Iglesia Ni Cristo was full of hardship and persecution.  The established religions looked at the Church with dismay and contempt.  Consistently, and vigorously questioning its integrity and credibility to impact driving teachings and enlightenment.  Its founder, Ka Felix Y. Manalo was even implicated in a criminal case, elaborately orchestrated by his adversaries to finally remove his clout of credibility and the Church altogether.  But the Almighty, in His plan and the faith of its congregation, allowed the Church to overcome the persecutions;

WHEREAS, the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the midst of persecution, aggressively launched missions and established ecclesiastical districts in the various provinces throughout the country.  It also started to convert other nationalities through its missions abroad.  The Iglesia Ni Cristo has now become an established religion.  Its religious influence and importance recognized and respected, but still criticized and questioned by those jealous and envious over its accomplishments and impact on the world at large;

WHEREAS, when ka Felix Y. Manalo passed away on April 12, 1963, his eldest son, Eraño "Ka Erdy" Manalo, become the Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo.  Ka Erdy Manalo initiated significant innovations that greatly contributed to the further development and advancement of the Church in its organizational, spiritual and expansion missions.  He intensified global expansion in 1968 that resulted in the conversion of individuals belonging to multilateral nations and provided for an avenue for Filipinos around that globe to uphold and practice their faith.  He also strategically organized and launched media agencies devoted in spreading and propagating the words of the Almighty, thereby strengthening and extending the scope of spiritual discourse and workship;

WHEREAS, on August 31, 2009, at around 3:53 p.m. Eraño "Ka Erdy" Manalo, passed away.  His funeral was attended by more than 500,000 people from all walks of life, a manifestation of the impact and importance of the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the spirituality of the Philippine Society and his indelible contributions thereto.  His legacy was passed on to his son, the incumbent Executive Minister of the Church, the esteemed Ka Eduardo V. Manalo, like his predecessors is a charismatic and able leader, full of wisdom and faith.  He intently designed the organization and its programs to cater and benefit to the urban and rural poor, purposely launched medical, dental, feeding, housing and other civic projects that aim to alleviate the plights of the masses and express the sincerity of the Church in its quest of imparting compassion and divine faith.

WHEREAS, Ka Eduardo V. Manalo will lead the celebration of the Grand Centennial Foundation Anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo on July 27, 2014.  The Church had already launched various pre-centennial programs that started on July 28, 2013 as preparation and thank giving for the upcoming 100th Founding Anniversary and celebration of God's 100th year of love and guidance to the congregation.  The Church with the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation launched the Lingap sa Mamamayan, an outreach program and evangelical mission held in various places on different dates in the country that attended by more than a million individuals.  Relief goods, free medical and dental care were also catered as part of its devotion and love for the Filipino people;

WHEREAS, the splendor and magnificence of the Iglesia Ni Cristo can be manifested by the edifices constructed for the celebration of its Grand Centennial Founding Anniversary.  The world's largest dome, the Philippines Arena with a 50,000 seating capacity, the New Era University Sport Complex, the Eduardo V. Manalo Convention Center, the New Era University-Bocaue Campus, the Eraño G. Manalo Medical Center and the Iglasia Ni Cristo Music Center were all constructed for the commemoration of God's 100th year of love to the Church and to the people;

WHEREAS, the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the service of the people and in consonance with its divine mission held the Worldwide Walk in the City of Manila and 134 other sites in Europe, Australia, New Zeland, United States of America and other parts of Asia.  It registered two (2) Guinness World Records, the first, the Largest Charity Walk in 24 hours which was held in thirteen (13) time zones and fifty four (54) countries, within 24 hours and was attended by 519,521 participants and the Largest Charity walk in a single venue with 175,000 participants, and constructed the Eco-Farming and Resettlement Area in the Province of Leyte, both designed and purposely launched to benefit the victims of Typhoon Yolanda;

WHEREAS, even the Philippine Postal Corporation joins the celebration as it unveiled its Centennial Stamp Collection, commemorating the 100th Founding Anniversary of the Iglesia Ni Cristo and its founder, the revered, Ka Felix Y. Manalo.  Scores of organizations, whether private and public, are expected to join the Church as it celebrates a milestone in its existence;

WHEREAS, the City of Manila should recognized, acknowledge and cherish the indispensable, exemplary and countless contributions of the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the lives of the Filipino people and its effort and initiative to convert the multitudes of individuals belonging to 100 foreign lands, with the end-goal of imparting spiritual enlightenment, social discipline, economic relief and production harmony to the core of human existence: NOW THEREFORE, be it

RESOLVED, by the City Council of Manila to commend and express, as it hereby commends and expresses sincerest felicitations and salutations to Iglesia Ni Cristo in the commemoration, celebration and observance of its Grand Centennial Founding Anniversary on July 27, 2014; and be it FURTHER

RESOLVED, that this Resolution be published in two (2) newspapers in general circulation.

PRESIDED BY:

(Sgd.) EDWARD V.P. MACEDA
President Pro-Tempore and
Acting President Officer
City Council, Manila

This Resolution was adopted by the City Council of Manila at its regular session on June 26, 2014.

ATTESTED:

(Sgd.) LUCH R. GEMPIS, JR.
City Government Department Head III
(Secretary to the City Council)
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