But even though I was panning away my attention from Bro. Eli so I could do things that I like to do, his preaching kept ringing in my mind. Eventually, I felt that I was having a change of heart. Yes, he was actually guiding me, and I wanted to follow.
By Marie Viray
By Ulysses Glenn Arboleda
My childhood is nothing different from that of the others. My father was a Marine Master Sgt., and my mother, a typical housewife. I lived at Altabas, Aklan at Barangay Sinapian. It can be just another ordinary day but with the most confusing moments every time I remember my parents.
At the same time, I was hedging: I closed my ears to his words about false pastors. I was furious inside of me because of the way he lambasted pastors of other religious denominations, including that of the Baptists where I belonged.
By Ellen May Pama Bendol
By Ignatio Cogna Jr.
As a child, I vividly remembered that we were a picture of a happy family. We lived in the province of Bicol. I was born in Almendras Sorsogon, Sorsogon, and the only child in the family. All were just perfect until the day that I got home from school. That was the day that changed my life – a complete turn-around. I was in my third grade and was really looking forward to getting home as fast as I could, imagining the smiling faces of my parents who lovingly hugged me after school. A few steps from our house, my neighbor came rushing towards me. His greeting was unwelcome. He said that my parents were dead. There was numbness that covered my whole being.
That was year 1999. Adding to more heartbreak, it was the 3rd of March-my 7th birthday. It was a shock on my part. My neighbor that had seen how my parents were killed told me the whole story.
According to the witness, my cousin went to see my parents and tried to get some money. When they declined, he got furious as the witness saw it. He went there to get some financial support for his drug addiction. He was twenty three years old then. He got back and killed both my parents.
The witness cannot do anything because my cousin was with his gang. He was not alone while doing the crime. The witness had seen it all because he was able to peek at the hole to see everything.
After the murder, my cousin was nowhere to be found. I could not help but feel the anguish and much hatred that I had – to want to take revenge. Killing him was in my heart. I really wanted to go for him for taking the life of the people most dear to me. At 7 years old, my having that feeling of hatred for another especially towards my cousin was tormenting. Many issues wracked my brain, but first, how to survive was the all-encompassing one. Questions, questions, questions came to my mind, but I didn’t know… I didn’t know what to do.
After the wake, an aunt of mine took me back to Manila where she lived. The place was Poblacion, Mandaluyong. That only lasted for some time, however. As we know, living in Manila is hard and earning is just for a meal a day. Soon, she drove me away. She said that they could not take care of me anymore. Money was hard and it was difficult for her own family to survive. I was 8 years old by then. I felt sad that she had to push me away and never brought me to school.
For me to survive, I begged for alms along the sidewalks. I never tried rugby though, as other kids of my age did. I met someone my age and soon we became friends. We begged for alms, going through the small restaurants to eat the leftovers. I remember taking a bath and washing my clothes on the streets every time the MAYNILAD had some fixing to do over the drainage. At age 9, we learned to steal. We were taken by the head police in Quiapo to be their piggy banks. Every time we were caught, they took care of our freedom. They needed us to feed their gruesome stomachs. Those scumbags!
Does this sound like a movie you have seen? It may, but it’s true. Whenever we failed to steal, they would hurt us and poked their guns at our faces. We would beg for mercy for them not to kill us. At our young age, we were like professionals. We took anything and everything- in jeepneys, buses, sidewalks, every time an opportunity knocked. With the cops behind our backs, why worry.
The streets of Quiapo had become our home and jail was our pillow. That had been our routine; the jails were our recreation area. We were not placed together with the minors, but mixed with the hardened criminals. This had been going on until the age of 14 and we lived under the bridge of Quiapo near Cainta Market. My home was made up of sacks, plastics, cans, and I lay on cartons as my bed. As for my food, the small restaurants provided for that.
I remember that I almost got killed when I was 13 years old. I was caught when I tried to rob a jeepney driver. Lucky for him, he was able to drive fast to a nearby police station, but for me? They tortured me, and if not for one policeman that showed some mercy, I wouldn’t have gotten away from death. When they finally decided to let me go, I ran as fast as I could for dear life. I ran and walked and ran and walked, not noticing that I got back to Quiapo area by foot.
One night in 2007, I made a promise to the One above. I was asleep and someone knocked at my door. I measured the man from the other side and I felt safe by the way he spoke. He said to come along with him and won’t do me harm. I didn’t know what I had done to merit that kindness nor did I know him, but I got on my feet and tagged along with him. There was a sense of trust and calm on my part and I simply submitted to him. Calculating from his appearance, he was about fifty years old. The man brought me to a place and from the sign; I understood it was ANG DATING DAAN. I was confused why he brought me there because I was not a religious person. I was not in any manner into religions.
Nonetheless, we went in and I saw many people. That was in the old Quiapo theatre hall. When asked, I immediately said that I don’t know anything about any doctrine or anything connected to spirituality. They said that I just have to sit down and watch. I have no idea whatsoever. I remember calling Bro. Eli Soriano a pastor, which was immediately corrected afterwards. After watching Bro. Eli, my conscience dictated that I had to continue hearing the word of God. I related the story of my life to Bro. James Mallari, a Deacon in the locale of Malate, informing them about my status.
That very night, I went back to where I stayed and gathered all my things then stayed at Bro. James’ home. This was so because having relayed my story, they said I cannot go back there. The cops would kill me for the decision I’m making to turn back at them. For sure, they would seek every hole and every street just to wring my neck. During the indoctrination session, Bro. James took custody of me and finally I was baptized on May 11, 2007 by Bro. Roger Duriga.
With God’s help I haven’t missed any thanksgiving and worship services. After some gathering of opinions, brethren decided to let me stay at the locale of Malate. To be of help, I was active in the locales’ ADDPRO because there were no ADDPRO there. They let me learn how to operate the computer; I also served as a QUAT. For seven months I stayed there.
An announcement was made that ADD Construction needed some volunteers. I’ve presented myself and was interviewed by Sis. Baby de Jesus. I stayed for about five months in the old MMDO office. Bro. Narcing Soriano then asked me if I wanted to go to Apalit and I said yes. Then he decided to transfer me there. At first I was in the food committee, at the bakery, and anywhere there is need of service. Now, I am in a committee on general services called blue boys that are responsible for maintenance, specifically in the chapel area.
Above all, I’m really thankful to God and to our preachers because if not for them, I wouldn’t have known how to value life and its essence. As for me, it has always been a dream of mine to be freed of the pits that had stuck me in and with God’s help and mercy, I was called to His church, with Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel as instruments.
I believe that anything and every decision made by our preachers are based solely on the bible and really different from other religious denominations, that are mainly really after their own benefit. The sense of sincerity in Bro. Eli and Bro. Daniel are seen through their works. As for me, as a living witness to the good deeds they have been doing ever since the congregation had started, Thanks be to God, is all I can say.
———
NOTE: The author asked the interviewer not to publish his real name. He said in November 2011, he received a text message from a former member of the gang, stating that policemen were tracking him down for different “crimes” including attempted murder, among others – crimes he never committed.
My mother would tell me to wipe my handkerchief on the statue of their Jesus, so that I will get well and he will guide me. But I was really scared of that graven image. I was scared thinking that if I’m going to mold a clay and draw a picture or image that looks like the face of their Jesus, it can also be my God.
By Keemson J. De Leon
My family was a former Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) member, from my grandfather unto his children, which included my parents. My grandfather was the one who led them to be INC members. But, when my grandfather died the INCs buried him in a catholic cemetery.
Because of that, there were great changes our family: they became inactive in attending INC church gatherings and some switched to other religions. Some of them became Catholics and my parents became Born-again members. We became active in Born-again with my grandfather in my father’s side leading us to become Born-again members.
I didn’t understand their doctrines. I always thought and felt that there’s something missing and lacking in their teachings. Time passed that we became inactive in their fellowships.
Then I became sickly and for that cause, my mother began to attend church gatherings in a catholic church near our place. It was because of benefits, like free medical check-up and free medicines that my mother needed for me because of my sickness.
Every time we went to the Catholic Church my mother would tell me to wipe my handkerchief on the statue of their Jesus, so that I will get well and he will guide me. But I was really scared of that graven image. I was scared thinking that if I’m going to mold a clay and draw a picture or image that looks like the face of their Jesus, it can also be my God. After going to the Catholic Church after quite a time, nothing was changed in our lives; we were still the same.
As time went by, I noticed that my cousin, Oliver Diaz, was totally changing! He used to go with wicked friends. He was also a drunkard and smoker. He even used prohibited drugs like “shabu”, and was destroying himself. But he was becoming different! All of his wicked doings have gone away, but I was not able to know the reasons why and how he changed a lot.
Then one time, I visited their house near ours. I saw him watching something. I thought it was a debate, but at that time I didn’t know who Bro. Eli Soriano was.
I joined him in listening and watching. I came to understand that the man speaking who was Bro. Eli was right and that his rival is wrong.
It was my cousin, Oliver, however, that I was curious of. I noticed that he was always active in attending their church gatherings. All his doings then changed to good.
Still I didn’t come to know who Bro. Eli Soriano was.
After some time, my cousin Oliver invited Jason who is also my cousin. Jason was my companion in doing bad doings. We used to make trouble. We liked to have awful trips among those who we wanted. Like Oliver, Jason was also destroying himself.
Later on, I learned that Jayson was attending Church gatherings. He had also become a member of the Church where Oliver is also a member.
I always mocking Jayson and we used to have discussions. I always contradicted what he was saying. I always contradicted their doctrines, never having the idea that it was Bro. Eli Soriano who was teaching them.
I have observed, however, that he didn’t fight me back; he was always answering me using God’s words. Through Jason, I realized that, that was Bro. Eli – the very man I saw in a debate that I used to watch before with my cousin Oliver. It was also from Jayson that I learned that they are in the Church of God International and that they are members.
Then time came that Oliver invited me to attend their Church gathering in one of their locale in Marikina City. After having attended three times, I have understood that Bro. Eli is preaching rightfully and he is speaking the truth.
But after that I still ignored them and I continued to make friends with those who are drunkards and smokers and even drug addicts. Yet, I didn’t join my friends in their wrong doings and habits, because I always remembered Bro. Eli’s teachings.
Oliver invited me to attend their indoctrination sessions and I attended all of them. After that, I understood all of Bro. Eli’s teachings. In my heart I knew that this is the true church which I haven’t found in many other religions that I used to be a member before.
Here, I have found the doctrines that really changed my cousins, Oliver and Jason. I was thinking that when the time came that I’m going to receive my baptism, I won’t make my parents know because I know they will stop me. However, Oliver informed my parents so that they will not get angry. On February 19, 2010, I became a member of the Members Church of God International.
After my baptism, and having become a member of the Church of God International, the more I learned and liked the doctrines. I am a witness to the works of the members which are always good. And I can say that whenever Bro. Eli is being hurt, I also felt the same. Whenever he teaches us, I am really filled to the brim. My hunger for truth has vanished away, something I didn’t feel in my previous religions.
Though what he said were painful to us, my family and I had the growing interest to listen more to what Bro. Eli was talking about. Perhaps because we wanted to listen more of his attacks that we could study and desperately hope to rebut fully.
By Clavelyn Domingo
I grew up in a family that was not truly devoted in the Catholic faith; but then we all believed it to be the true church that would save us.
My grandma would strictly enforce us to believe in what the catholic priests were preaching; be it miracles, superstitions, or whatever. Lola was her mother and she would often ask why one had to believe in those. “Basta…sumunod ka na lang” (Just follow), was the order.
My mama wanted a sound basis or proof for everything, just like in mathematics (her field of expertise). That explains why mama was not a devoted catholic, though she followed the rituals and sacraments of the Catholic Church.
My papa, on the other hand, is a protestant. I don’t know much of this faith but when I was young, whenever we visited his parents, they sang whenever they prayed during meals which were odd for a little girl like me. Papa was a protestant, but he had converted into Catholicism when he married mama. But he wasn’t a devoted catholic believer either.
As a family, every Sunday, it was a habit for us to attend the mass. The mass wasn’t for me; it didn’t give me any joy. However, after that, my parents would treat us to Jollibee. This was what I wanted.
As I grew up, during my elementary years, I was able to slowly shape down my catholic faith. It started when I had my first communion when I was in the 2nd grade. Since I could participate in the Holy Communion, I liked the idea of attending since I could stand and line up with those being fed the host. Again, that was the part I liked. I was too young to understand what the priest was blabbering about during homily, so my friends and I ended up chatting instead.
All throughout the years, my state of religion was like that until I stepped on my 5th year in the elementary grades. (This is it!)
All of us in the family were avid watchers of the popular gag show in the Philippines, the BUBBLE GANG. Every Friday, we all gathered around the TV to watch the program. This show was very funny, that’s why. It was a time for family bonding for us too. We laughed and laughed. We really loved this show. In fact, we had memorized all that they did, including how they mimicked commercials and made fun of them.
We were just puzzled why the show was titled “ANG DATING DOON.” We were wondering what that was all about. The actors’ lines and actions were funny but we were wondering which commercial or TV sitcom they were spoofing.
I didn’t think we were alone in wondering like that. There were others like me who wanted to know the mystery. Thus the show decided one day to reveal who they were spoofing. It was the “ANG DATING DAAN” hosted by Bro. Eliseo Soriano. We didn’t have much reaction then.
Oh, that? Just that?
That was the first impression we had regarding the program of Bro. Eli. We didn’t mind learning more of it until such time that my dad opened the television and eventually scanned all the TV channels. Whenever papa scanned each channel, he would spend 30 seconds to a minute checking on what is currently shown. As he paused on IBC 13, he was able to watch Bro. Eli’s program, the ANG DATING DAAN.
Since it was what the BUBBLE GANG show impersonated, Papa had the interest to listen and watch. He even called us and invited us to listen. We began searching for the things being mimicked by Bubble Gang that made them funny. We paid attention to details and compared them.
But our attention was eventually diverted to what Bro. Eli was saying. At that time, Bro. Eli was discounting some beliefs of the Catholics especially kneeling before images. When I heard him saying that the images and saints of the Catholics are not true, inside of me, I honestly was very much angry.
What was he saying? Why was he telling us that what we are worshipping aren’t true? He’s out of his mind!” I then wanted to change the channel but the remote control was in Papa’s hand.
So, there, I was forced to listen also to the points Bro. Eli was making. I have then observed that for every point he has, he has basis from the Bible and even scientific and historic facts. Whenever he mentioned a verse and explained what the Bible meant, I would tremble because I knew my catholic beliefs were slowly crumbling into pieces.
You see, whenever I listen to the arguments of Bro. Eli, in my mind, I would also be searching for what to say and constructing rebuttals for him. But magically as if he could read my mind. He automatically blocked my rebuttals. It’s as if we were having a mind debate if ever there was such.
But truthfully and with all honesty, in my heart, I know that all he was saying were true. I just had the fear to accept the fact that the religion I was in isn’t the truth at all.
Though what he said were painful to us, my family and I had the growing interest to listen more to what Bro. Eli was talking about. Perhaps because we wanted to listen more of his attacks that we could study and desperately hope to rebut fully.
From there started our habit of listening to and watching Bro. Eli’s programs every night on IBC 13. And every night then, all my rebuttals ended up to nothing. Since then, I had the notion that Bro. Eli is not just an ordinary person. He is extraordinary and very much, much, much, different from all other preachers I’ve heard. But still, I had retained a small portion of trust in my catholic belief that it is the true church. That’s how stubborn I was.
I refused to follow them because just like the others, I didn’t like so many prohibitions. I was even angry because when there was a fiesta in our barrio, I had expected that as we customarily did, we prepare much food and invite people. But since they were already affiliated with the Church of God, they learned that it was wrong to get involved in these feasts, that it should not be done. I was angry; I was thinking of what the neighbors would say since we had no visitors and no food being served.
On that day, the house was quiet. There was nothing prepared whatsoever so I locked myself in my room hoping my frustration would fade away. Another thing that I was pissed off was when I was being prohibited to have my hair cut. I usually had long hair since I was a child but I always wanted it trimmed or have some layers and curls. But since they became members of the Church, they learned that cutting the hair for women is a no-no. Since I was just a 10 year-old kid then, I didn’t have that much freewill to decide on my own. Everything was subject to my parents’ approval.
Those were the instances that led me to hate what they believed in. I was so stubborn and hard headed. In fact, I was the hardest to convince by my parents to join them go to gatherings, more so with thanksgiving. Every Saturday, they would coax me to come along. My other siblings were already members and they have been baptized actually. It was just me that was not.
Hence, papa finally gave up his patience on me. One day, he told me that he won’t give me allowance anymore if I didn’t come along with them; therefore, I went with them. The moment I stepped in the locale, I had that certain feeling of shame. The people around me were so good to me and I felt so welcome. What I did was just to observe and listen to the preaching. Since I was a 10-year old, I belonged to the category of KAWAN NG CORDERO or KNC. My mama introduced me to another child named Clariza Oquias who was of the same age as mine.
I was a bit shy but I followed her to the KNC room. There I saw all the other kids. They were just seated and listening to the KNC Worker teaching them. Along with that, they have this Bible Quiz, seeing who would be able to open to the right verses the fastest.
Since I didn’t have any Bible that time, Clariza lent me hers. Together, we flipped the pages of the Bible quickly. Since I knew nothing of the arrangement of the books in the Bible, I could not help. Clariza was good in searching for the passages. I was amazed. I then wished I could be like that. Eventually, I enjoyed being at the KNC. I really had fun learning with the other kids so the next Saturday, Papa did not have a hard time convincing me to come along. I went with them willingly.
That started my journey in faith. I actively participated in all KNC activities. I even won first place in Bible preaching during the Zamboanga KNC Competition in 2003. What I did was just to wait for the right age fit for me to be baptized. As 2005 came, Clariza and I decided to undergo indoctrination. We were both 14 years old that time. But with God’s mercy, we were qualified to be baptized on January 18, 2005 at 4:09 PM.
That’s how I entered the true Church of God. Looking back, it all started with a gag show. It was a great instrument used by God to call me and my family to the one and true church. Every time I think of this, I cry. I have nothing else to say, but thank you Lord. The feeling of endless gratitude is unexplainable. The feeling is that every second, I would always want to thank God forever.
The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:
The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.
A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 9,400 times in 2010. That’s about 23 full 747s.
In 2010, there were 9 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 79 posts. There were 2 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 54kb.
The busiest day of the year was November 6th with 246 views. The most popular post that day was He is right: that tablet of Moses is impossible to be found today!.
The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, mcgi.org, elisoriano.com, en.wordpress.com, and mail.yahoo.com.
Some visitors came searching, mostly for key to the locked book, la verdad christian college, keytothelockedbook, armando policarpio, and locked book.
These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.
He is right: that tablet of Moses is impossible to be found today! November 2010
4 comments and 1 Like on WordPress.com,
My life revolved around insane risks behind guns and bullets before I joined the Church of God March 2010
52 comments and 1 Like on WordPress.com,
Bro. Eli is the only preacher in the world who uses those words January 2010
23 comments
My family and I were seeing another miracle from God – the God of my mother’s faith July 2010
24 comments
My hair was cut and I had the appearance of the dead January 2010
6 comments
