By MARLEX C. CANTOR

COINCIDING with the 93RD anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) last July 27, 2007, the National Historical Institute unveiled a historical marker on the birth site of Brother Felix Y. Manalo, known to his flock as God’s Messenger in these last days.

The piece of land at Brgy. Calzada, Tipas, Taguig City, Metro Manila where the late Felix Manalo’s ancestral home used to stand was first declared by NHI as a national historical landmark on January 6, 1986. Today however the site has been converted into a 744-square-meter plaza of historical significance to the Filipino nation.

Representing the Church Executive Minister Brother Eraño G. Manalo, the Deputy Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, accompanied NHI Executive Director Ludovico Badoy in unveiling the marker.

The ceremony was witnessed by the family and relatives of the late INC founder led by two of his sons—Brother Salvador, a minister of the gospel, and Brother Bienvenido, head of the Iglesia ni Cristo Engineering and Construction Department.

Also coming as guests of the affair were several ministers led by the Church’s Economic Council; brethren who are natives and residents of Tipas; and local government officials, among whom were Taguig Vice-Mayor George Elias, Taguig Congressman Henry Dueñas Jr., and Supreme Court Associate Justice Dante O. Tiñga.

During the unveiling ceremony, Brother Eduardo Manalo conveyed the Church’s gratitude and appreciation to the Philippine government fore recognizing the contributions of Brother Felix Manalo to the country’s rich history and placing him alongside the country’s greats.

“No matter how far the Iglesia ni Cristo may go, no matter how diverse its membership have become, one thing is sure—Tipas, Taguig will always be remembered by the brethren as the place where Brother Felix Y. Manalo, whom we firmly believe is God’s Messenger in these last days, was born,” Brother Manalo said in his speech.

For his part, NHI Executive Director Badoy commended Brother Felix Manalo’s significant contribution to Philippine society which, he said, is worth recognizing and emulating.

“Kinikilala ng National Historical Institute ang mga naiambag ni Ka Felix Manalo sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino at sa kasaysayan ng ating bansa. Ang kaniyang mga gawa, turo at ang simbahang kaniyang pinasimulan ay nagpabago sa paniniwala at buhay ng maraming Pilipino. Marapat lamang na siya’y ipagmalaki at ipagbunyi ng mga taga-Taguig (The National Historical Institute recognizes Brother Felix Manalo’s contribution to [the enrichment of] the lives of Filipinos and of the history of our nation. His works, his teaching, and the Church he preached about have changed the lives and the faith of many Filipinos. He deserves the pride and the recognition of the people of Taguig),” Badoy said in an interview.

The unveiling ceremony was capped with the awarding of the certificate of transfer of the national historical marker to the Iglesia ni Cristo. An agreement was signed between the NHI, represented by Exec. Dir. Badoy and his deputy, Emelita Almosara, and the Church, as represented by Brother Eduardo Manalo and Brother Benefrido Santiago (acting General Secretary), turning over the responsibility, maintenance, and operations of the landmark to the Church.

(Reprinted from Pasugo – God’s Message, August 2007 issue)