The Philippine Postal Corporation is coming up with a special stamp for the late Bro. Eraño G. Manalo of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), which will be issued on April 23, 2010.

Kind of Issue: Special

Denomination and Quantity: Php7.00 / 100,000 pieces

Date of Issue: April 23, 2010

Last date of Sale: April 22, 2011 (or as stocks allows)

Sheet Composition: 40 (10 x 4)

Size: 40 mm x 30 mm.

Perforation: 14

Printing: Litho offset (4 colors)

Paper: Imported Unwatermarked

Printer: Amstar Company, Inc.

Designer: Richard F. Juatco

Design/s: Photo of Bro. Eraño G. Manalo with the

INC Central Office in the background.

In honor of the late Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) head, the Quezon City government approved on Tuesday the ordinance renaming Central Avenue to Eraño G. Manalo Avenue.

The Quezon City Council said the ordinance changing the street’s name to honor the late INC leader is in recognition of “his greatness and nobility” in leading the powerful religious group.

In approving ordinance number SP-1961, S-2009, Quezon City Council Majority Floor Leader Ariel Inton said it is only proper to bestow honor to Manalo for playing a significant role in the development of Christianity and for propagating the teaching of universal love.

Inton said Manalo was an indispensable partner in community development, promoting human relations and strengthening the moral fiber of the society.

“It is only befitting to use his name on a street where motorists and pedestrians from all over Metro Manila and from different parts of the country can remember him for his good deeds,’’ Inton said.

Councilor Jimmy Borres of the third district of Quezon City said “Central Avenue’’ shall be printed below the Eraño G. Manalo Avenue for at least two more years to avoid confusion that may prop up in the delivery of postal documents.

At 95, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has over 5,400 locale congregations in 90 countries and territories, with a membership composed of 102 nationalities.

Here are some of the greetings around the world:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=INC+95th+anniversary&search_type=&aq=f

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Iglesia+Ni+Cristo+95th+anniversary&search_type=

Purihin ang Makpangyarihang Diyos! Praise our Almighty God!

By Arlyn dela Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 03:14:00 07/25/2009

MANILA, Philippines — Stage and theater artist Lea Salonga is lending her international star power to the worldwide celebration of the 95th anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo on July 27.

Salonga, the award-winning star of the Miss Saigon musical, will be interpreting two songs about the story of the INC, in a 1 1/2 hour-long musical that will be telecast worldwide on the eve of the INC anniversary on Sunday.

The songs, “Sumilang na ang Kanyang Liwanag” and “Alipin sa Malayong Silangan,” essay how the millions of INC brethren worldwide feel as they look back on 95 years of their church which “reemerged” on July 27, 1914 from its humble beginnings in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila.

During the taping of the musical last Wednesday to a live audience of 2,000 INC members, Salonga’s eloquence and sincerity almost reduced her listeners to tears.

“Sumilang” is a composition of Ryan Cayabyab with lyrics by INC spokesperson Bienvenido C. Santiago while “Alipin” is an original composition of the late National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro.

She was accompanied by the Filharmonika Orchestra conducted by her brother, Gerard.

Actress and television host Gladys Reyes, who was among the presenters that evening and is also a church member, could not contain her emotions as she thanked Salonga for her wonderful rendition of the two songs about the INC.

In jest, Salonga remarked that she can now boast that she made a known screen “kontrabida” cry.

The INC 95th Anniversary Special features Salonga and other singers and performers from different parts of the world who are also members of the INC. It will be aired on the eve of Monday’s grand celebration worldwide from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. over GEMTV-49 and Net-25.

The musical debuts for the first time in the Philippines an all-HD production shot with a 20-camera setup using the latest high-definition technology. It has for background a customized wide screen (40 ft x 18 ft) using 3 digital HD projectors.

The INC last held a grand celebration 20 years ago during the church’s 75th Anniversary in 1989. Tens of thousands of INC members assembled at the Central Temple, with delegates occupying almost the entire stretch of Commonwealth Avenue and major streets in Quezon City.

Salonga expressed her admiration for the tremendous growth of the INC. It was not the first time for her to sing in an INC occasion.

Song from the heart

“Being here today brings back memories of when I was young and I performed right here in Central … I think I was about 10 years old, not exactly here at the studio, but right here in Central. I can’t believe how much the Church has progressed and grown since the last time I was here. From a small country like the Philippines, it is now virtually in every corner of the globe. It’s undeniable that this Church has truly been guided by a higher power,” she said.

She offered her song “Journey” to every brethren of the INC worldwide saying it’s a song “from my heart to yours” and wished that the Church “be filled with God’s blessings and love” as the INC looks forward to more anniversaries.

5,400 congregations

At 95, the INC has over 5,400 congregations in 90 countries and territories and a membership composed of 102 nationalities.

On the actual day of the celebration on Monday, dubbed Iglesia ni Cristo Day, simultaneous worship services will be held in 14 venues in the country and five other sites in four other countries.

In Metro Manila, the centers of the INC celebration are the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila.

Purely spiritual

INC spokesperson Santiago clarified that what will take place on Monday is a purely spiritual gathering.

“There will be preaching and singing of hymns of praises. We are truly thankful to the Lord God for His guidance in His Church. It is God’s will that the church has reached its present splendor and we offer all the glory to God,” he said.

Félix Ysagun was born in the Philippines to Mariano Ysagun and Bonifacia Manalo, but later had his last name changed to Manalo after his mother’s death, in reverence for his mother, historians claim, and also to fortify his ministry, the name Manalo meaning ‘to win’ in Tagalog. Others claim the change was an attempt to leave obscurity, Manalo being a more prominent name than Ysagun (the “Y” is prounounced as an “ee”).

Manalo joined and left many religious organizations as a young adult. He was baptized a Roman Catholic, but at a young age went through a succession of faiths. He joined the local spiritist cult, and was an atheist at one point, but later joined the Methodist Episcopal Church after witnessing a debate. He attended their seminary and became a pastor. He later joined the Christian and Missionary Alliance, attracted to the way their converts were baptized, which was by immersion.

His ministry led him into a debate with L.V. Finster of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was defeated, and convinced into joining the Adventists. He then left the Adventist church after a disagreement regarding scripture.

After he finished reading the Bible in-depth (for what sources say was three days with neither food nor rest from sunrise to sundown only), he proclaimed God gave him a mission to preach the gospel and reestablish the first church founded by Jesus.

Manalo propagated his message within his local area, growing the Iglesia ni Cristo and converting members of other religions. As membership increased, he delegated others to spread the teachings of the INC and it eventually spread throughout the Philippines and to other countries.

It has been reported that the INC’s considerable political clout began under Felix Manalo’s leadership, when Manuel Quezon, the former president of the Philippines, referred to him as “bishop” and sought support from the church.

Manalo was married to Tomasa Sereneo, with whom he had a child who died in infancy. Tomasa herself was afflicted with tuberculosis and died as well. He later married Honorata de Guzman, a fellow former Adventist. Their fifth child, Eraño G. Manalo, is now the present Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo, while his grandson Eduardo is deputy Executive Minister. Felix Manalo was afflicted with an intestinal disease and died on April 12, 1963.

Felix has a daughter, Pilar who wrote the hymns sung in the Iglesia ni Cristo.