INC on Arroyo, Corona and INC lawyers

Never ending issues being thrown to INC even though the church has nothing to do with politics. INC is always mentioned when there are members who are government officials, are joined in controversies. For example, Bro. Cerafin Cuevas, a member of the church, decided to help Renato Corona on the impeachment, here are the reporters/media and gossipers who conclude that the INC is also supporting Corona...

While we, cannot notice any news that the religion of non INC lawyers are being mentioned in the news when controversies came.

Why is it that media is so UNFAIR when they are reporting news related to the INC or INC members? Does a member represents the church as a whole? So, if a catholic lawyer would support Corona, does that mean the Roman Catholic Church also supports Corona?

INC Government officials are just members, they are not REPRESENTATIVES of the INC. The INC do not meddle on politics. If INC have a stand about a particular issue, then the statement should come from Bro. Bienvenido Santiago INC spokesman, or direct from the church administration or maybe through the Representative of Alagad Partylist.


Common sense please...


Ill just post the malicious news from the web associating the church with the INC government officials and an interesting article of a member of the church about profession and religion...


Arroyo join forces with Iglesia ni Cristo

THROW in religion and perhaps my enemy would have second thoughts in seemingly trying to make a martyr of me.
This could have crossed the mind of former President and now Rep. Gloria Arroyo of Pampanga province when her camp officially announced late this week that she had hired the legal services of Artemio Tuquero—an Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) member and Justice chief of the Estrada administration—to defend her from charges of electoral sabotage filed by the government.

Tuquero was short-listed for the position of Ombudsman but President Benigno Aquino 3rd appointed retired Supreme Court (SC) Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.

He was appointed as a member of the Judicial and Bar Council but was later on not reappointed by President Aquino and was replaced by lawyer Jose Mejia as the JBC representative for the academe.

Tuquero said that his being the former president’s lawyer had everything to do with the legal profession.

“Being a lawyer for GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) has nothing to do with my religion,” he explained.

According to sources of The Manila Times, the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) and President Aquino are engaged in a “cold war” over his allegedly making negative remarks against the politically influential religious group.

The INC endorsed then-Sen. Aquino as its official candidate in the May 2010 presidential race but was said to be ignored later when the senator won.

The INC is known for its block-voting policy and many politicians seek its endorsement in every election.

The only INC member who still holds the job given him by Mr. Aquino is Director Magtanggol Gatdula of the National Bureau of Investigation.

The relationship between the INC and Malacañang even became more sour after Rep. Niel Tupas of Iloilo province, the chairman of the House justice committee, disclosed that the church was helping then-Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in her move to junk an impeachment complaint against her before the House of Representatives.

Gutierrez then was represented by another INC member—former Supreme Court (SC) Justice Sera-fin Cuevas.

Mrs. Arroyo and husband, lawyer Jose Miguel Arroyo and several others are facing poll-sabotage charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly manipulating results of the 2004 elections for senators.

During preliminary investigation on Thursday, Tuquero made a manifestation, saying that they will file the appropriate motion before the DOJ and the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which are jointly hearing the charges against the Arroyos and the others who are accused.

He questioned the impartiality of the DOJ-Comelec panel in the conduct of the preliminary investigation, saying that he was worried that the right to due process of his client would be violated.

Tuquero said that there might already be a pre-judgment of the case based on earlier pronouncements of the DOJ and the Comelec that some individuals would be charged in court in connection with the alleged election fraud.

Once the joint panel dismissed the motion, Tuquero said that they will file a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to stop the ongoing investigation.

The camp of the respondents in the alleged election fraud were furnished with copies of the criminal complaint and a report of the fact-finding team and the complaint-affidavit of Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd.

The panel set the next hearing for November 14, 2011 before which the respondents will have submitted their counter- affidavits.


source: manilatimes.net

_______________________________

83 year old veteran lawyer leads defense of Chief Justice in Impeachment Trial

MANILA, Philippines—The daunting task to prove the innocence of Chief Justice Renato Corona nearly caused his lead counsel to turn down his request to represent Corona in his impeachment trial in the Senate.
Serafin Cuevas, a retired Supreme Court justice, said he was reluctant to take on the challenge to defend Corona because of the physical demands of the job as lead counsel.
He said he also considered the several cases pending in the high tribunal that his law office had been handling.
“This is no ordinary case. I know I may have to stay in the Senate as late as 9 p.m. just to argue our point,” Cuevas told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
“I’m already 83 and I’m not getting any younger. I know this is a big burden for me,” he continued.
According to Cuevas, a high court official informed him that Corona had been looking for him after reports spread that the House would file the articles of impeachment against the chief justice.
He said he was actually “avoiding” talking with Corona since he knew that Corona would eventually convince him.
“When I visited the chief justice, he told me he wanted me to be his lead counsel because he saw me argue similar cases before,” Cuevas said.
“His wife (Ma. Cristina) wept when she spoke to me. So I consulted my family and they allowed me,” he continued.
The octogenarian lawyer said it took him two weeks to accept Corona’s invitation to lead a battery of over 30 seasoned litigation lawyers to prove his innocence.
He said his being a former associate of the Supreme Court also prompted him to be at the forefront in defending the institution.
Cuevas was appointed to the high court by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos on June 1, 1984. But he resigned after a popular uprising ended the Marcos dictatorship two years later.
“The attacks were directed against the Supreme Court and it pains my heart being a former associate justice,” he said. “What they (House panel) were saying were not true. A chief justice cannot prevail over the members of the court.”
He also doused speculations that his decision to join Corona’s defense team was an indication that the chief justice had the support of the influential Iglesia ni Cristo.

Said Cuevas: “The perception of the people is that wherever Cuevas goes, there goes the Iglesia Ni Cristo. But I’m only a member of the church. I happen to be a chief legal counsel of the Iglesia. But I’m not a minister or a deacon.”

As lead counsel, Cuevas said he would conduct the cross-examination of all the prosecution witnesses that the House panel would present in the witness stand.

source: inquirer.net

______________________________

Our Profession, Our Religion
I actually just want to comment to how the people think about us, members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

Just recently, there was a news report saying that the Iglesia Ni Cristo is backing up former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on the electoral sabotage charges filed by the government against her.
Actually, there is no official statement of the INC about this. The church administration will inform us if the whole church needs to do a thing in unity.
What really happens is that the former President and now a Pampanga representative, hired the legal service of Atty. Artemeo Tuquero who is a member of the INC.
If you are open-minded, and not one of those who are persecuting the Iglesia Ni Cristo, you’ll understand that when we are doing our profession, the one who is involved here is the professional not the whole church. If Atty. Tuquero will serve as the attorney of Rep. Gloria Arroyo, it doesn’t mean that the whole Iglesia Ni Cristo will serve as attorney of the former president.
This is just the same to if Mrs. Arroyo will hire a lawyer who is a Catholic. You will not of course think that the whole Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines will serve as lawyer of the Mrs. Arroyo, just because his lawyer is a Catholic. Now, why then if her lawyer is a member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo the people would immediately think that the whole church, Iglesia Ni Cristo, is backing up Mrs. Arroyo?
Well. Actually, it’s not the first. A lot of times that people or non-members of the INC are treating us unfairly. If one of the members of the INC committed a mistake, people would consider that mistake of one member of the church as the mistake of the whole church. For example: If a member of the church committed murder, people especially those in the media would report that the Iglesia Ni Cristo committed murder.
However, if a Catholic or a Protestant committed murder, people or the media would NOT say that the Catholic or whatever the name of the church that he was a member of committed a crime, instead they would mention the name of the criminal.

Actually, I just couldn’t understand why people treat us like that. …

source: jmlaplana.com

"iglesia ni cristo" means "church without Christ"?

Another created attack of jealous nonmembers is about the translation of the words "iglesia ni cristo" (spanish) to english, they say it should be translated as "Church without Christ".

Is this true?


What can we expect to them???^^


Here is what they say:

"iglesia" is a Spanish word, not a Filipino word. "Church" in Filipino is "simbahan."

"Cristo" is the Spanish spelling of Christ. "Kristo" is Filipino.

"ni" used in Spanish means "without" or "none."

therefore, correctly translated, "Iglesia ni Cristo" means "Church Without Christ."

It is true that words "iglesia" and "cristo" are both spanish words, but also tagalog words.


How this happened?

The official language of the Philippines is Tagalog, one of the many dialects in the Phil. spoken by people from Tagalog regions in Luzon. This dialect became the national language and the official language later became "Filipino".

Tagalog language has words borrowed from foreign languages like Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and English, the result of their influence to our country. While "Filipino" is said to be "tagalog-based" but also contain words from different dialects in the Philippines. (correct me if im wrong)

That is why "iglesia" and "cristo" are originally spanish words, while Filipino has "iglesya" and "kristo". Both languages has the same meaning, "iglesia or iglesya" in english is "church" while "cristo or kristo" is "Christ".

The word "ni" in spanish means "neither/nor" while "ni" in Filipino means "of".
For example, "Book of James" in english, its translation in tagalog or Flilipino is "Libro ni James".


Actually, this is nonsense to tackle but i just want to clarify things so that they will stop showing their ignorance.


This is the truth:

In Spanish ni never means without. Without is 'sin'. Church without Christ is iglesia sin Cristo. Ni means 'neither' or 'nor'. But you cannot say in Spanish iglesia ni Cristo just like in English you cannot say church nor Christ. So it is not correct Spanish at all. Neither church nor Christ is in Spanish "Ni iglesia ni Cristo". So you have to use both ni's.

So the name is Tagalog with Spanish orthography. It is not Spanish at all.

source: network54.com

Let us examine if this is true...

Spanish word "ni" means:

It can mean either "neither" or "nor."
It can mean, 'neither/nor' as in "Neither [Ni] sleet, nor [ni] dark of night..."
It can mean 'not even' as in "She didn't want to talk to anyone, not even [ni] her closest friends." In the imperative, it can mean "Don't even..." as in "Don't even [Ni] think about it." source: wiki.answers.com

Want more? Click here.

Lets check out google translate to know the truth.


The CORRECT translation of "Iglesia ni Cristo" (Filipino) in english is?






While the CORRECT translation of Iglesia ni Cristo (Filipino) in spanish is?






Therefore, Iglesia ni Cristo or Church of Christ have Christ, because this church is OF CHRIST.

faith or FANATICISM?

The Miraculous carved wood

MANILA, Philippines (5th UPDATE) - Almost 1,000 devotees were injured during the procession of the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila Monday, as millions of devotees gathered to celebrate the feast despite a terrorism threat.
The Philippine Red Cross has treated 421 injured devotees, while the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other rescue and first aid units have treated around 500 people.

World Class celebration

News footage of the procession showed a steel railing being toppled right after the Mass celebrated by newly installed Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle at the Quirino grandstand. An elderly woman and a barefoot man were also seen grimacing in pain before being carried off to get medical treatment.
ABS-CBN reporter Sol Aragones said hundreds of devotees surged forward "like a wave" to get near the relic right after the Mass. She said many devotees sustained leg and head injuries during the mini-stampede.
A man injured his neck after a fellow devotee who was trying to wipe his white cloth on the image fell on him.
Meanwhile, the procession was stalled after the rear tires of the carriage carrying the image of the Black Nazarene broke down. One of the ropes connected to the carriage also broke, causing a delay in the procession in the area of Roxas Boulevard and Padre Burgos Street near Manila Hotel.
The procession also stalled after and tension ensued after devotees refused authorities' efforts to shorten its route.
Manila police and some of the millions of devotees engaged in a shoving match at around 9 p.m. after authorities tried to implement the decision of Monsignor Clemente Ignacio, rector ng Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, to no longer follow the original route and instead bring the religious icon directly to the Quiapo church.
Devotees of the Black Nazarene became angry when police tried to direct the carriage carrying the image along Palanca Street left toward Villalobos Street in Manila.
People also tried to overturn an L300 van with a speaker system that police tried to address the crowd.
It has been stuck for more than two hours now at Palanca.
At least 2 million devotees from across the country are taking part in the traditional grand annual procession of the Black Nazarene.
The event highlights the 405th celebration of the feast of the traslacion, which commemorates the transfer of the sacred image from the Recollect Church in Intramuros, Manila to the Quiapo Church in 1787.
The procession from Rizal Park to Quiapo Church is expected to last from 10 to 12 hours, or until midnight.
President Aquino earlier warned that terrorists could carry out an attack during the procession for the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila.

source: abscbnnews.com

Maria Candidallia: Gusto kong yumaman! (I wanna be rich!)

It is a fact that devotees of the black nazarene make such devotion only because of the word "MIRACLE". Every year, many people injured, and even killed because of this event.

(2010 news) Church to Politicians: Dont Campaign on the feast!, Vendors on the quiapo market, i mean "church"^^, should leave!

This feast that is expected to be HOLY because it is a religious event puts the lives of the Filipinos on DANGER. They say in TV reports, "Faith is faith, its hard to explain to unbelievers", every year non catholics witness this occasion and compare to their assemblies that even they numbered as millions or tens of thousands, there no such stampedes, and so on.

People die and suffer in a WORTHLESS way. Can you imagine it is okay for them that their relatives or a member of their family died only because of the carved wood? They suffered so much and even injured just to touch and sweep their towel on the miraculous carved wood?


That is why many ask, is that really faith or FANATICISM?


I have watched TV patrol last night about the snatchers beaten by the mob in the feast of the black Nazarene. I asked to myself, why is it that, if it is catholics who beaten snatchers the news will be like this "The snatchers was beaten by the crowd" while if the INC will do something like that, the news will be like this "Mad INC members beaten up snatchers"??? Is there really a fair and balance reporting in the Philippines? Or it just means that nonmembers are really bias?

This is funny but i think this is an insult to our Lord Jesus Christ, their GOD.

Catholics said:

I cannot believe that I saw that "Kristong Hari" guy at the front of the church! I even saw gays also! They should remember that this is a religious celebration! Though I found them funny lol -nathandg0924

In the Holy Catholic Church a feast is a holy and solemn day. These people are doing blasphemous and sacrilegious acts. Please, if you are true catholic christian you must respect feast days. -bordz120891

"Some people make idols, but they are worth nothing. People treasure them, but they are useless. Those people are witnesses for the statues, but those people cannot see. They know nothing, so they will be ashamed." Isaiah 44:9

"They put it on their shoulders and carry it. They set it in its place, and there it stands; it cannot move from its place. People may yell at it, but it cannot answer. It cannot save them from their troubles." Isaiah 46:7

Feast of the Black Nazarene:
very disciplined, very orderly, very organized and very solemn! Wow!

La Motte Church finally dedicated to God

The formerly known Holy Rosary Catholic Church located in Iowa, USA was established in 1893 by the Catholic Church. 119 years ago, Catholic church leaders have used holy water around the sanctuary in order to do this, a common practice of Catholics during dedications.

And back to the present day, this same church has been dedicated again, but this time, by the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) with tears of happiness and religious fervor during a 2-hour ceremony attended by 850 people that tripled Jackson County's population of 260.

Aside from the several dozens of residents of the county, most of the attendees in the church and 3 more overflow areas were members of the Iglesia ni Cristo from all over the country. They have all come to this dedication to see and hear our Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V Manalo.

It took 2 months to turn an old church that stood empty for 5 years and renovate its sanctuary. The renovation stripped away the stained glass windows, crosses and crucifixes and has improved its utilities through adding of crystal chandeliers and high-tech media systems to name a few. Local firms were hired by the church to do the renovation which includes a rich wood interior altar furnishing. The church bought the church building in June 2011 for $180,000 and has so far put $621,000 into it for the renovations.

The brothers Mike and Gary Bonifas of the construction firm the church has hired to do the renovations said that the church members were "excellent" to work with, although the project was challenging.

"It was sad to see our church go, but doing this right like they did has given it back some of its glory," said Mike Bonifas.

"Sitting here empty, it was an ugly reminder of what was here, the social center of our town and our religion," added Gary Bonifas. "This is an overall plus for the community."

Buses from many states line the parking lot during the dedication although the actual membership of this new locale is only 22. The members expect growth in the next months and have been hoping to host regional events now that the church has finally been officially dedicated.

During the dedication, a 48-voice choir in white robes with sage-green trim marched in perfect step from the back to their seats in the front of the congregation. The hymns were rich and as these songs and prayers begin, the congregation were overcome by emotion, many quietly sobbing.

Beginning Wednesday, the towering church steeple was brightly lit at night, drawing attention to the highest point in La Motte. This is just one of the many churches dedicated in the past year.

"A palpable proof of (the church's) rapid growth and expansion is this house of worship now being dedicated to God here in La Motte, Iowa," said Brother Edward Maranan during an opening statement.

"I think people had reservations (about the new church) at first," said La Motte Mayor Paul Konrady, who attended the dedication, "But as a whole, they are pleased now. This brings this building back to life."

The Iglesia ni Cristo has "evangelical footholds" in 90 countries on 6 continents and counts its members in the millions.

*** Worship services at the Iglesia ni Cristo in La Motte, Iowa are 7:30 PM Wednesdays and 11:00 AM Saturdays.

source: chingmerano.blogspot.com

INC and the Hacienda Luisita

(Barrio Maligaya Resettlement beside Bagong Buhay Resettlement)

I had a research about the INC and Hacienda Luisita, if you have any knowledge about what happened please comment on this post. I havent watch the said "documentary" made by the church on the 1st anniversary of Brgy. Maligaya resettlement on the experiences of the brethren in the Hacienda. Please correct me if i have mistakes about the story.


This is my understanding about what happened:

My source about the story, click here. The Hacienda Luisita is a 6,435-hectare sugar plantation estate located in the province of Tarlac, Philippines, owned by the Cojuangco family, which includes the late former President Corazon Aquino and her son, incumbent President Benigno Aquino III. It spans various municipalities in the province, including the capital Tarlac City. (source: wikipedia)

There are many INC members who worked here, even until today. On May 8, 1964, 115 INC workers resigned in the UNION as it is prohibited in the church, to join LABOR UNIONS. But the UNION said it is unconstitutional because they are signed in the Collective Bargaining Agreement of August 2, 1962, for a period of 3 years.

This is a battle of INC workers vs. UNION, Tarlac development Corporation and Court of Industrial Relations in court.

The INC workers resigned on the UNION because of the circular from the church, dated April 1, 1959:

TANGGAPAN NG IGLESIA NI CRISTO
154 Riverside, San Juan, Rizal Abril 1, 1959

SA LAHAT NG MGA KAPATID SA IGLESIA NI CRISTO SA KAPULUANG PILIPINAS

Buong higpit na aming ibinababala sa inyo na sinomang kapatid sa Iglesia ay huwag aanib sa anumang uri ng kapisanan o samahang labas sa Iglesia Ni Cristo. Ang sinomang kapatid na sa kasalukuyan ay kaanib sa anumang uri ng kapisanan o samahan, ay dapat na umalis at huwag ng kailanman uugnay sa mga ito. Ito ay salig sa utos ng Dios na tayo ay 'huwag makikipamatok ng kabilang sa mga hindi sumasampalataya' (II Cor. 6:14).

Si ROSENDO PAULINO, dating kaanib sa Iglesia ni Cristo, ay itiniwalag sa Iglesia mula ngayon. Siya ay itiniwalag sa Iglesia hindi lamang dahil sa ayaw niyang umalis sa kapisanang kaniyang kinaaniban kundi naman kaniya pang ipinagkanulo ang Iglesia. Kaya, itinatagubilin namin sa inyo na siya ay huwag ninyong kakausapin o babatiin man lamang at huwag din ninyo siyang tatanggapin sa inyong mga tahanan (II Juan 1:10-11). Gayon din naman, aming ibinababala sa inyo na sinomang kapatid sa Iglesia ang lumabag sa mga tagubilin ng 'circular' na ito ay lubusang ititiwalag sa Iglesia upang kailanman ay huwag na muling mabalik.

UMAASA kami na ang mga tagubilin sa 'circular' na ito ay inyong tutuparing may katapatan upang manatili sa Iglesia at sa piling ng Sugo ng Dios sa Huling Araw. Tulungan nawa tayo ng Dios.


Ang inyong kapatid sa Panginoon (Sgd.)
'T. RAMOS 'TEOFILO C. RAMOS' (Exh. "J")

The Tarlac Dev. Corp. here is the company which the INC members works, both the company and the UNION encourage INC workers to be in the UNION especially for the "terms or conditions and whatsoever" the two agreed. But because it is prohibited in the church, INC workers resigned, this is what they have said:

'We believe our resignation is legal and it is within the purview of the freedom of religion guaranteed by our Constitution. Hence, it can not be made a ground for the termination of our employment nor a cause for discrimination against us'

What the INC workers want is to resign in the UNION and still work on the company, Upon the passage by Congress of Republic Act No. 3350, the Iglesia ni Cristo, in another circular dated October 13, 1961, informed all its followers about the provisions of said Act, as follows:

Nais naming ipagbigay alam sa inyo na nagkaroon ng susog ang batas ukol sa maggagawa ng pagawaan na tinatawag na Industrial Peace Act' na ngayon ay kilala sa tawag na 'Republic Act Blg. 3350.' Gaya ng alam na ninyo ipinagbabawal ng ating pananampalataya na umanib ang sinomang kapatid sa alinmang unyon o samahan ng mga manggagawa. Ang ating pananampalatayang ito ay kinilala ng panibagong batas na nagsasaad na hindi inaalis ang karapatan ng alinmang pagawaan na makipagkasundo sa alinmang unyon o samahan ng paggawa sa nasabing pagawaan, dadapuwat -

. . . ang nasabing kasunduan ay hindi maaaring sumaklaw sa mga kaanib ng alinmang sekta ng relihiyon na ipinagbabawal ang pakikiugnay ng kanilang kaanib sa alinmang kapisanan ng paggawa.

Dahil dito, aming tinatagubilin sa inyo na kayo ay pumanatag sa inyong pagtatrabaho sa pagawaang inyong pinapasukan, gumawa kayo na may kasipagan at katapatan at huwag ninyong ikabalisa na kayo ay aalisin sa trabaho dahil sa hindi ninyo paggawa o pagsanib sa unyon o kapisanan sa pagawaan ninyong pinapasukan.

Hanggang dito na po lamang muna at umaasa kami na ito'y malinaw sa inyo.'

On May 26, 1964 the UNION demanded to the company to fire those INC workers who resigned in the union, even though there is a law that exempt any workers of any religious sects that prohibits to join Labor Union, that is, the Republic act 3350.

There are petitions that happened made by the UNION just to say Rep. Act 3350 is unconstitutional therefore INC workers should be terminated. And there are also defense from the INC made by Eliseo M. Cruz, the counsel of the INC workers.

The decision of the court then favored the INC workers that even they resigned in the UNION they can still work in the Hacienda Luisita. But the dream of the INC workers didnt come true, as they were, not just persecuted, but what they experienced is SEVERE PERSECUTION. As both the company and UNION encourage them to be in the union, of course they are hated because they resigned in the union.

Here are just some of the examples of the persecution theyve got (from the fan page of this blog, ive asked this to the brethren):

Mac Jun Carlo Codera Gnun, po ba,nkwento lng din po skin ng mama q . .about dun., na pinalayas mga kapatid ntin sa H.L. May knlaman nga dw po ang pamilya ng president ntin dun eh. .aun . .tpos bsta lahat ng kpatid ntin dun trinato clang hndi kapwa tao. .ultimo pgbili lang sa tindahan kpg nlamang inc hndi bebentahan. . . >.<

Danny Sajul Añielsanto parang napanood ko dati sa Net25, dahil ayaw sumali sa union ang mga kapatid, ang mga bahay nila ay pinagbabato, pati ang pagsamba sa kapilya ay ginugulo noon. Tapos nalaman ng pamamahala ang nangyayari doon. Kaya lahat ng kapatid ay lumipat ng tirahan. Para ngang bayan ng Israel nung umalis sa Ehipto ang pangyayari. Lahat ng kapatid ang umalis ng naglalakad.

Danny Sajul Añielsanto ang alam ko, binigyan sila ng Relocation Site sa labas ng Hacienda ng Pamamahala. Ngayon ay subdivision na ito ng puro Iglesia lahat. Ang pamamahala ang nagbigay nito. Hindi sila pinalayas. Kusa silang umalis doon sa utos ng pamamahala. Lahat ng kapatid naglalakad paalis. At kumakanta sila at umiiyak, habang umaalis. Isipin nyo na lang yung israel sa ehipto. Sa trabaho, kung minsan papasok sila para magtrabaho, hinaharangan sila papunta sa work. Paano pa makakapag hanapbuhay ang kapatid.

Alan Galeon Aroy at hindi po sila pinahihintulutan na sumakay sa jeep ang mga kapatid kaya naglalakad na lang po sila patungo sa pagsamba.

Because of the situation of the brethren, "the church administration, through Bro. Erano Manalo, decided to relocate the brethren who were in the Hacienda Luisita to Barrio Maligaya in Nueva Ecija so they could be freed from the severe persecutions of Labor Unions..."

"Feb. 22, 1965... It was a fateful day when 145 families, all members of the Iglesia ni Cristo, were relocated from Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac to Barrio Maligaya in Nueva Ecija..." source: Pasugo Issue November 2006

(The brethren walked from hacienda luisita, Tarlac to Palayan City, Barrio Maligaya)

"The name Barrio Maligaya was taken from the name of Bro. Felix Manalo, from the latin word 'Felix' which means happy. The initial year of the brethren in Maligaya was truly a challenge. They worked hand in hand to help build or fix their homes and surroundings. While brethren from other congregations sent food and clothing and other daily needs in order to assist the new residents as they prepared their new abode. They vigorously tilled the the land and planted rice. With the help of Church Admin., an irrigation system was built. That is why, at the end of year 1965, a plenteous harvest was made."

(The locale of Maligaya with yellow highlight,
secondary and elementary school upper part)

"In their desire to provide for brethren's primary needs duplex residences with yards and landscape were set-up; a school providing elementary and secondary education was established; kiosks and a picnic grove that served as a place for rest and relaxation for the residents were built. In addition, a full health service center with a dentistry and a maternity ward was established in order to accommodate the various health needs of the brethren.

Barrio Maligaya enjoys a healthy harvest of rice and vegetables, and pride's itself on having a piggery with skilled veterinarians managing it. And in order to have an effective means of communication, especially with the Church administration, a radio transmitter was set-up. The concrete house of worship is the most imposing edifice in this community. With a capacity of 1,000 people, it serves as a sanctuary, a place of safe haven of the Maligaya tenants." source: Pasugo Issue November 2006

Let us read a review of a nonmember to the resettlement project of the INC:

IGLESIA NI KRISTO: PIONEER IN CHURCH-SPONSORED LAND REFORM
By Richard L. Deats, Ph. D.,
Associate Professor of Social Ethics,
Union Theological Seminary

Workers for Social Justice in the Philippines have been rightly concerned about the opposition of the Iglesia Ni Kristo to labor unions. Such opposition can be a real threat to the growth of an effective labor movement in this Republic; it also places the nation’s largest sect on the side of those vested interests working against social justice for laborers.

The Iglesia ni Kristo’s opposition to unions is based on its rule prohibiting its member from belonging to any organization other than their own church. The INK ruled, in 1959, that: Strictly do we forbid any member of the Iglesia to join any kind of club or association outside the Iglesia ni Kristo. Whoever is now a member of such clubs or associations should leave them and never again deal with them. They are against the commandment of God that bids us “not to be numbered with unbelievers” (II Cor. 6:14).

This ruling was given force in 1961 when Congress passed RA 3350, which allows exemption from trade-union membership for any person whose religion forbids such membership. Although labor unions fought this bill, because it undermines their right to a closed shop and collectives bargaining, it has not been repealed. As was expected, Manalistas resigned from labor unions in large numbers. This led to agitation at Hacienda Luisita, in Tarlac, when 115 INK members left the workers’ union there. Under pressure from the union, the hacienda laid off the 115 members and a long controversy ensured, which reached all the way to the Court of Agrarian Relations and the Department of Labor.


A New Settlement For The Workers

The Firing of the 115 workers by Hacienda Luisita led to the beginning of a unique experiment. The INK leadership, realizing the difficulty their members would have at Hacienda Luisita as non-union workers, even if a settlement wee made in their favor, decided to locate them elsewhere. In 1964, the Iglesia ni Kristo bought a large piece of land, eventually totalling 600 hectares, not far from Cabanatuan City, in Nueva Ecija.

This land, which is very near Fort Magsaysay, stands on the gentle slopes leading to the Sierra Madre. Though in rugged isolation from centers of population, this land, now known as Barrio Maligaya, has become the center of the one of the most creative and unique attempts to solve the agrarian problem in Central Luzon. A few at a time, the hacienda workers migrated from Tarlac to Barrio Maligaya. When one hears the story of how the settlers came to this isolated place and conquered the wilderness step by step, one is reminded of the hardly founders of the kibbutzim in Israel. As the land was cleared, crops were planted and simple dwellings were erected. First there were just a few men; the conditions were so difficult that families came only later.

Like the members of the kibbutzim in Israel, these communal farmers were bound closely together by a common ideal and discipline. Behind them they had the growing support of INK congregations over the country. Food, clothing, medicine, seeds, tools, even bulldozers and tractors, were donated to the commune. Volunteers came from the surrounding provinces to donate their labor in constructing houses and buildings and roads. What happened in just a few years was truly remarkable.


A Visit To The Settlement

When one goes to Barrio Maligaya today Cabanatuan he is first struck by the familiar sight of a large Iglesia ni Kristo chapel dominating the distant horizon. Then he notices green fields, several buildings and rows of simple but neat cottages. To enter the property, one must first pass the check-point and the armed guards. Entering the barrio, the fields impress the visitor, as do the irrigation system, the unusual sight of tractors and bulldozers, and other indications of industriousness. There is a central rotunda; on the right stands the chapel; and on the left are the school buildings and the health center.

The cottages line streets named after INK martyrs; one of the streets leads to the barrio hall, where the visitors is greeted by a security guard. The day this writer visited the barrio, several of the guards were wearing khaki pants and “Marcos for President” T-shirt. Thought they were armed with rifles, they were usually friendly and eager to talk about their project. About 140 families live in Maligaya. Each family was given a home, lights, water, and a two hectare plot of land to cultivate as his own. The Iglesia met the basic needs of the farmers in getting started; it gave them seeds, fertilizer, irrigation, the use of tractors and trucks, etc.

The harvest belongs to the individual farmer; out of his profits, he will pay the Iglesia for his two hectares of land. The bayanihan spirit is much in evidence as the farmers work together on the various projects of the commune. In addition to work on their two hectare plots (which appear as one common field), the farmers give their labor to overall projects belonging to the Iglesia. The most impressive of these is the planting of trees on the outlying slopes. On what was once almost barren, deforested land, there are now thousands of young trees and sapplings. The farmers proudly speak of their future forest of teak, narra, molave, and ipil, which has already been planted. Fruit trees have also been planted in abundance: 9,000 coconut trees, 6,000 mango trees, 2,000 banana trees, and hundreds of chicos, caimitos, calamansis and tiesas.

There is even an experimental grape vineyard! These projects are being supervised by trained agriculturists. NACIDA has also held training classes to teach the settlers how to conduct certain home industries. At one edge of the barrio, on a height overlooking the river is a large guest house for overnight visitors. There is also a home for Bishop Manalo, and a picnic grove under tall mango trees for the excursions of church groups that visit Maligaya. On the slope leading to the river, a park is being built by a young people who donate their labor during visits to Maligaya.


EVALUATION

Although the project is quite young, its success thus far has led INK officials to consider similar communal farms in other places throughout the Philippines; they have already purchased some land for additional farms.

Those concerned for the progress of the Philippines should take notice of Barrio Maligaya. There are few Roman Catholic or Protestant projects that are any more impressive that this one. What would happen if the Roman Catholic Church—the largest landowner in Pampanga—were to try similar experiments? Are there places where Protestants might have enough land, resources and discipline to do the same, even on a very modest scale?

Certainly we should not relax our efforts to get the government to implement its land reform program more extensively and effectively; but, in the meantime, the Maligaya communal farm stands as a significant testimony to what Filipino farmers can do to build a better life for themselves and the nation

Sadly, on the so called "Hacienda Luisita Massacre" it is believed that a number of killed and injured were members of the INC...

"On November 16, 2004, twelve picketing farmers and two children were killed and hundreds were injured when police and soldiers dispatched by then Labor Secretary Patricia Santo Tomas, on behalf of the Cojuangco family, stormed a blockade by plantation workers. The protesters were pushing for fairer wages, increased benefits and, more broadly, a greater commitment for national land reform. Despite witness accounts of police, government soldiers and security personnel firing into the picket line, no arrests were made." source: wikipedia

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Architectural design of INC chapels copied from Mormons?

INC critics say that the architectural design of the INC chapels are copied from the LDS church.

IS THIS TRUE?

We will answer that later.


It is true that architectural design of the INC chapels have similarities not only with the chapels of the LDS church but also to other churches like chapels of Roman Catholic Church.

How is this happen???

On answering this, we should first know what kind of architectural design is in the chapels of the INC.

I dont know what is exactly the kind of arch. design of INC chapels, but as what it is described by people, here is what they say:

as structures "which employ exterior neo-Gothic vertical support columns with tall narrow windows between, interlocking trapezoids, and rosette motifs, as well as tower and spires." -Culture and customs of the Philippines, a book published by Greenwood Publishing Group


INC churches can be uniquely identified for "its exuberant use of fanciful forms and ornaments [and a] brilliant white facade whose silhouette is a cusped Gothic arch or a flattened Saracenic arch." -Fernando Nakpil-Zialcita, an anthropologist from Ateneo de Manila University

Central Temple characterized by simples, elegant lines and towering spires pointing toward the heavens and seemingly reaching for the heavens, these structure manifest the church’s dedication to building edifices and become landmark that serve as a monument of faith. Central Temple uniquely designed which inspired by Neo-Gothic architecture, these mega structure continues to leave one awestruck by its imposing brilliance and un-ignorable majesty. The temple has strong five huge and ten small towering vertical spires with a sense of great height, huge size of cantilever in main entrance hall, detailed curving and asymmetrical windows, while inside it built with one huge arch vault and addition of two arc vault smaller than to its center ceiling covered the place of offerings and worshipping area.

Furthermore, it has balcony for further extension to address large number of people were faced the front choir area beside of it is called “tribuna” which is the placed where Ministers stand while preaching, it usually made of hardwood with a consistent and detailed curving. The Temple also have offices of District Ministers inside. Since its completion and dedication to God, the Central Temple today remains as beautiful and magnificent as ever, well-preserved trough the years. For almost 3 decades the Temple has borne witness to various groundbreaking events in recent church history. -Elmer Briginia


INC chapels are built distinct, unique, great, and modern which has some NEO-GOTHIC STYLE. These are the words on how they describe architectural design of INC chapels and the Central Temple.

On our Highschool days, we are taught about the different architectural designs of structures, like Neo-gothic, Gothic, Romanesque, Greek, Baroque and so on...

Different churches around the world has their own architectural design:

Like the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican of the Catholic Church is said to have the Renaissance and Baroque architectural style.




The Canterbury Cathedral of Church of England is said to be an example of Gothic Architecture.



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Incidentally, the Architectural design of one of the chapels of the LDS church, which is the Salt Lake Temple have Gothic mixed with diff. classical styles.




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This is an example of Neo-Gothic design:




source: about.com

Saying the the INC copied the architectural design of the LDS church only because both has gothic and neo-gothic designs, is called IGNORANCE. And if you still insist that the INC copied it from the Mormons, then i also insist that the Arch. design of Mosques of Islam are copied from the Catholic Church since CC existed first before Islam. And the Catholic Church arch. design are copied from the Hinduism since Hinduism existed first before CC.

A Mosque

Basilica of St. Mary of Health

A Hindu Temple

Going back to INC's architectural design...


Who are the key people of the INC's unique arch. design?

"Recent buildings are variations of Carlos A. Santos-Viola's designs on the Central Temple. These are designed to accommodate 250 to 1,000 persons while larger churches in Metro Manila and provincial capitals can accommodate up to 3,000 persons. Prominent architects, such as Juan Nakpil (a National Artist of the Philippines for architecture) and Carlos Raúl Villanueva, had been involved in designing INC churches while the Engineering and Construction Department of INC, established in 1971, oversees the uniformity in design of church buildings." source: wikipedia


What are the contribution of Carlos Santos-Viola?

"One of his most well known clients was the Christian evangelical group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). Although his first exposure to them (through the San Juan Bishop's Palace) was executed under Juan Nakpil & Associate, INC gave the second project (Cubao chapel or "kapilya") to Arch. Santos-Viola that initiated a long lasting work relationship building kapilyas all over the Philippines through excellent craftsmanship.

His strict construction supervision of the INC's skilled workers greatly influenced the final outcome of his projects. The Master valued strict attention to detail that was emphasized prior to, during and after each every construction. His designs were primarily based on functionality that was built with integrity, adorned with 20th Century geometric forms garnished with Gothic and Baroque lines.

Arch. Santos-Viola was a devout Catholic throughout his entire life. He served as a Eucharistic Lay Minister for his parish, Our Lady of Lourdes Church. The INC never ceased persuading him to join their group through endless but friendly debates after their work meetings." source: architectcarlossantos-viola.blogspot.com


Who conceptualized INC chapels?

1962
Establishment of an ecclesiastical district in Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian.

The Church continued to construct concrete and large houses of worship with the unique INC architectural design, which was conceptualized by Brother Felix himself. Before he passed away, he approved and instructed the plan to build the worship building of Bago Bantay in Quezon City, Philippines.

On his sickbed, Brother Felix sent for his grandson, Brother Eduardo, and placed his hands over the child’s head and blessed him in front of several witnesses. source: Pasugo Issue May 2011


Different INC's architectural Design on Houses of Worship in the Philippines
The INC chapel's exterior and interior designs evolves as time goes by...

First concrete house of Worship in INC's history:
Locale of Washington, Sampaloc manila (repainted)

Second concrete house of Worship in INC's history:
Locale of F. manalo, Riverside San Juan Manila

Other Houses of Worship...

Locale of Cubao

Locale of San Francisco Del monte

Locale of Malabon

Locale of F. Manalo, Angeles City

Locale of New Era, Dasmarinas Cavite

Locale of Cabanatuan

Locale of Cavite

Locale of Baguio

Modern Houses of Worship...

Locale of Gibraltar, Benguet

Locale of Concepcion, Marikina

Locale of Arayat Pampanga

And lastly, to where i was really amazed,
Locale of Pembo, Makati

Are INC chapels scary because of spires?

Its funny to hear stories on how nonmembers describe and give meaning to the spires on INC chapels, others say its for the chapels fly upwards to heaven on the last days or the chapels will be like spaceships that will fly to heaven on the last days. While others say those spires are missiles that means war, that will attack non INC members someday. Very Funny hahaha

If it is the case, then most churches around the world with spires, may it be of islam, catholic church, hinduism, and so on, all chapels that has spires, will also fly to heaven like these:

Felix Y. Manalo Foundation

INC nagsagawa ng taunang outreach program
by Meliza Maluntag Jan 2, 2012

MAHIGIT sa 2,000 katao ang nabigyan ng libreng serbisyong medikal at dental sa isinasagawang outreach program ng Iglesia Ni Cristo at Felix Y. Manalo Foundation sa isang compound ng mga kababayan nating taga-Mindanao sa Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

Ang ganitong outreach program sa mga kababayang taga-Mindanao ay taunang inilulunsad ng INC bilang paggunita sa kaarawan (Enero 2)ng yumaong Kapatid na Eraño G. Manalo.

Ayon sa Social Services Department ng New Era Hospital, karamihan sa mga nabigyan ng atensyong medikal ay yaong may ubo, sipon, pananakit ng katawan at may hypertension.

Kaalinsabay ng medical at dental services ay namahagi rin ng relief goods sa naturang mga residente sa Brgy. Culiat gaya ng bigas at mga delata.

Nagsimula ang programang ito nang nabubuhay pa ang kapatid na Eraño Manalo.

source: remate.com

Here you go, the Iglesia ni Cristo has now FELIX Y. MANALO FOUNDATION with the outreach program Lingap sa Mamamayan and abroad, the INC giving. I just wonder about the reason why catholic defenders and others mock and criticize the INC only because it has no official "foundation" or charitable institution? While without it, INC still gives help to its members and nonmembers in times of need every now and then.

Now, you have it. Our official foundation. Happy?^^