PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Jesus
is Lord Church Anniversary Celebration is
an annual religious event in the Philippines that gathers as its name
implies, includes a birthday celebration of the religious group's founder, Bro.
Eddie Villanueva and a celebration of the Evangelical Roman Catholic
Charismatic Renewal religious group's anniversary since October 1979, in
commemoration of founding of Jesus is Lord Fellowship on October 5, 1978 that
is usually held at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila since 1990.
Organized by Jesus is Lord Church, together with the City Government of Manila,
the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Department of Tourism, the
National Parks Development Committee since October 1987, the event is dubbed as
"the annual, biggest, the grandest and the mammoth celebration in the
world". Jesus is Lord Church Anniversary Celebration is regarded as
one of the few biggest political, religious and cultural influential and
expensive events in the Philippines (along with the El Shaddai Anniversary
Overnight Celebration and Philippine Independence Day Celebration).
Church,
city and other officials started to brace themselves on Friday for the
anniversary celebration of the Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide, which is
expected this year to draw up to 15 million devotees from all over the
Philippines, including Metro Manila, composed of the City of Manila and the
cities of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa,
Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, San Juan, Taguig, and
Valenzuela, and the Municipality of Pateros, Ilocos Region, composed of Laoag
City and the Province of Ilocos Norte, Vigan and the Province of
Ilocos Sur and Province of Abra, Batac City and Candon City, Cagayan
Valley including the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Batanes, Quirino and Nueva
Vizcaya, Parts of Benguet are Municipalities of Itogon, Kabayan and
Bokod, Ifugao are Municipalities of Tinoc, Asipulo, Lamut,
Lagawe, Mayoyao, Aguinaldo and Alfonso Lista, Parts of Mountain
Province are Municipalities of Barlig, Natonin and
Paracelis, Parts of Apayao are Municipalities of Santa Marcela,
Flora and Conner and Parts of Kalinga are Municipalities of Pinukpuk
and Rizal, northern Luzon including San Fernando City and Province of La
Union, Baguio City and Province of Benguet, Banaue and Province
of Ifugao, Sagada and Mountain Province, Kabugao and Province of
Apayao, Tabuk and Province of Kalinga, Northern Parts of Ilocos Sur
are Municipalities of Tagudin, Suyo, Alilem, Sugpon, Cervantes,
Sigay, Quirino, Gregorio del Pilar and San Emilio and Parts of Pangasinan
are Municipalities of San Fabian, Sison, San Manuel and San Nicolas,
North and Central Luzon including Dagupan City and Province of Pangasinan,
Tarlac City and Province of Tarlac, Cabanatuan City
and Province of Nueva Ecija, Olongapo City
and Province of Zambales, Baler and Province of Aurora, San Fernando
City and Province of Pampanga, Balanga City and Province of Bataan, Malolos
City and Province of Bulacan, Southern Luzon areas including Batangas City and
Province of Batangas, Lipa City, provinces of Cavite, Laguna and
Rizal, Lucena City and Province of Quezon, provinces
of Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro and Romblon, Naga
City and province of Camarines Sur, provinces of Camarines Norte and
Catanduanes, Legazpi City and Province of Albay, provinces of Sorsogon and
Masbate, Visayas areas including: Cebu City and Province of Cebu, Dumaguete
City and Province of Negros Oriental, island-provinces of Siquijor
and Bohol, 4th and 5th Districts of Leyte, Ormoc City, province of Southern
Leyte, Bacolod City and Negros Occidental and Parts of Negros Oriental,
provinces of Aklan and Antique, Roxas City and province of Capiz, Iloilo City
and Province of Iloilo, island province of Guimaras, Tacloban City, provinces
of Samar, Leyte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Biliran, Southern Leyte
and Dinagat Islands, Mindanao areas including Davao City and provinces of Davao
del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental and Compostela
Valley, General Santos City and provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and
Sarangani, Central Mindanao areas including Cotabato City and the provinces of
Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat and Basilan,
Northern Mindanao areas including Cagayan de Oro City and Province of Misamis
Oriental, Ozamiz City and Province of Misamis Occidental, Iligan City and
Province of Lanao del Norte, Marawi City and Province of Lanao del Sur, Malaybalay
City and Province of Bukidnon, Dipolog City and Province of Zamboanga del
Norte, Pagadian City and Province of Zamboanga del Sur and Province
of Camiguin, Zamboanga peninsula including Zamboanga City, Isabela City and
Province of Basilan, Ipil and Province of Zamboanga Sibugay,
Provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and CARAGA including: Butuan City, Surigao
City, Bislig City, Tandag City, Bayugan City, Cabadbaran City, Provinces of
Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat
Islands, 20 million participants all over the United States of America,
including: Alabama,
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District
of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North
Carolina, North
Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, South Carolina, South
Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West
Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming and 500 million participants all over the
world, including Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Åland Islands,
Anguilla, Armenia, Aruba, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados,
Belize, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire, British Indian Ocean Territory, British
Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Christmas Island, Clipperton
Island, Cocos Islands, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador,
Egypt, Estonia, Federal Dependencies of Venezuela, Finland, French Guiana,
French Polynesia, Gabon, Gambia, Gibraltar, Greenland, Georgia, Germany,
Greece, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guernsey,
Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran,
Iraq, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan,
Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon,
Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau,
Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Maldives,
Martinique, Marshall Islands, Mayotte, Mauritania, Mauritius, Melilla,
Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro,
Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Nauru,
Navassa Island, Nepal, Netherlands, North Korea, New Caledonia, New Zealand,
Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Cyprus, Northern
Mariana Islands, Norway, Nueva Esparta, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine,
Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Réunion, Russia, Rwanda,
Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Saint
Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Andrés and Providencia, San Marino, São
Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone,
Singapore, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands,
Somalia, Somaliland, South Korea, South Ossetia, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka,
Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste,
Togo, Tonga, Transnistria, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan,
Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan,
Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe
to converge on the Quiapo Church or the Minor Basilica of the
Black Nazarene, Plaza Miranda and Rizal Park's Quirino Grandstand in downtown
Manila.
The
anniversary celebration, traditionally celebrated on October every year since
1979, draws millions of participants who experienced the wonderful works
of the Holy Spirit as they praised and worshiped Lord God and listened to His
Word as a sign of penance and thanksgiving for favors who received.
On
October 5, 1978, Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva invited his listeners for a
Thanksgiving Holy Mass and Worship and Healing Prayer Rally that was held at
the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Santa Mesa Campus on the Thursday
nearest his birthday, October 6. About one thousand people attended the affair
and experienced the miracle-working power of God!
Encouraged
by the success of the rally, Bro. Eddie scheduled a monthly Roman Rite Holy
Mass and Worship and Healing Prayer Rally at the DWRV Compound in Quezon City.
Some time later, as more people came to be led back to the Lord Jesus Christ,
the rally was held weekly. A monthly Catholic Life-in-the-Spirit Seminar (CLSS)
and a weekly fellowship were also held at the Strata 2000 Building, F. Ortigas
Jr. Ave., Ortigas Center in Pasig City.
After
a while, Bro. Eddie decided to air his program three times a week and began
thinking of a new title and theme song for it. At this time, a friend gave him
a magazine entitled "Jesus is Lord," which quickly aroused his
interest.
He
made a study of the meaning of the term and discovered that it was one of the
seven Covenant Names, by which God the Father revealed Himself to Israel.
Jesus
is Lord, the motto of the World Council of Churches. The most popular and
briefest was "Jesus is Lord" found in 1 Corinthians 12:3; Romans 10:9
and probably in the baptisms referred to in Acts 8:16; 19:5 and 1 Cor 6:11
since their being described as "in the name of the Lord Jesus"
certainly seems to imply that "the formula 'Jesus is Lord' had a place in
the rite". The phrase might be extended as "Jesus Christ is
Lord" as in Philippians 2:11. Shortly, he heard the song "Jesus
is Lord" over Radio DWRV 860 itself:
"Jesus
is Lord" by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
Jesus
is Lord
The cry that echoes through creation
Resplendent pow'r eternal Word our Rock
The Son of God
The King whose glory fills the heavens
Yet bids us come to taste this living bread
Jesus is Lord
Whose voice sustains the stars and planets
Yet in His wisdom laid aside His crown
Jesus the man who washed our feet
Who bore our suffering
Became a curse to bring salvation's plan
Jesus
is Lord
The tomb is gloriously empty
Not even death could crush this King of love
The price is paid the chains are loosed
And we're forgiven
And we can run into the arms of God
Jesus
is Lord
A shout of joy a cry of anguish
As He returns and every knee bows low
Then every eye and every heart will see His glory
The judge of all will take His children home.
Through
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the weekly fellowship came to be called the
DWRV Prayer Partners Jesus the Healer, since Radio DWRV was the broadcast
medium, he and his first listeners became prayer-partners, and Jesus is Lord
was the Divine Name revealed to him by God. Every week, God added thousands of
new prayer-partners to this community by means of the Good News aired over the
radio DWRV and the Mass and Healing Rallies held all over Metro Manila and
nearby provinces. As the community grew, they voluntarily gave their tithes and
miracle-seed-of-faith offerings to support the radio program "Jesus the
Healer" and the Roman Rite Holy Mass and Worship and Healing Prayer
Rallies. Some prayer-partners even volunteered to serve
without compensation.
Inspired
by the outcome of events, Bro. Eddie thought it was time to formally organize
the community. Thus, the Jesus is Lord Fellowship, Inc. was established,
which in due time was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
It was organized, primarily, as an institution where Bro. Eddie could channel
his tithes and donations derived from his real estate business and other
companies to support the religious activities of various Catholic charismatic
groups and some projects of charitable organizations. These however were not
enough to support the expenses of the newly-founded charismatic community,
especially the radio programs of DWRV Radio Veritas and the Roman Rite
Holy Mass and Worship and Healing Prayer Rallies. And so, he had to continue
shelling out funds from his own personal earnings. For him, though, it was
a great enough blessing from Jesus is Lord that his radio listeners came to
know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and was receiving answers to their
prayer-requests.
From
1986 to present, other chapters were formed in Abkhazia, Afghanistan,
Akrotiri and Dhekelia, Åland Islands, Anguilla, Armenia, Aruba, Azerbaijan,
Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire,
British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria,
Cambodia, China, Christmas Island, Clipperton Island, Cocos Islands, Cook
Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark,
Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Egypt, Estonia, Federal Dependencies
of Venezuela, Finland, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Gambia,
Gibraltar, Greenland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam,
Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guernsey, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong,
Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy,
Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati,
Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira,
Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Maldives, Martinique, Marshall Islands, Mayotte,
Mauritania, Mauritius, Melilla, Federated States of Micronesia, Moldova,
Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar,
Namibia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Nauru, Navassa Island, Nepal, Netherlands, North
Korea, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk
Island, Northern Cyprus, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Nueva Esparta, Oman,
Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Qatar,
Romania, Réunion, Russia, Rwanda, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Helena,
Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint
Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San
Andrés and Providencia, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia,
Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sint Eustatius, Sint
Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Somaliland, South Korea,
South Ossetia, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Taiwan,
Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Transnistria,
Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United
Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City,
Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe. These were formed by Filipino
prayer-partners working abroad, who were motivated by the desire to bear
witness to the love and goodness of Jesus Christ our Lord. With the emergence
of the chapters abroad, the corporate name registered with the SEC was amended
to Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide, Incorporated.
Later
in 1993, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) realized
that the growth of the Foundation, particularly since it was affecting
Catholics, could not be taken for granted any longer. Most Rev. Teodoro C.
Bacani Jr., DD, then-Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and Overall Spiritual Director
of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement (CCRM) in the Archdiocese of
Manila, invited Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry spiritual director
Pastor Wilde Almeda, El Shaddai Servant-Leader Bro. Mike Z. Velarde and Jesus
is Lord Church Worldwide founder and spiritual director Bro. Eddie Villanueva
to the CBCP Conference on January 24, 1993, to shed light on what was going on
in the Foundation. On that occasion, Bishop Bacani was beside Pastor Wilde,
Bro. Mike and Bro. Eddie, not to defend him, but to bear witness to what God
was doing through the Foundation. The result of the meeting was satisfactory
because most of the questions asked were clearly and humbly answered by Bro.
Eddie.
On
October 13 to 14, 1979, during its First Anniversary Celebration of Jesus is
Lord Fellowship at the DWRV Compound in Pasig City one year after the
founding of Jesus is Lord Fellowship on October 5, 1978, about five thousand
people witnessed and experienced the miracle touch of Jesus is Lord.
Some
eight thousand people gathered together on the Second Anniversary Celebration
of the Jesus is Lord Fellowship at the Philippine International Convention
Center (PICC) on October 12, 1980. Even the seemingly indifferent PICC staff
were surprised because the affair lasted one whole day and it was the first
time that its Reception and Plenary Halls were filled to capacity.
The
Third Anniversary Celebration of the Jesus is Lord Fellowship was celebrated
with an Overnight Roman Rite Holy Mass and Worship and Healing Prayer Rally at
the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Vito Cruz, Manila, from October 17 to
18, 1981. It rained heavily throughout the affair, but the estimated two
hundred thousand attendees stayed until it ended in the morning.
As
early as 9:00 a.m. of October 8, 1989, members and followers of the Jesus is
Lord Fellowship began trooping to the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Vito
Cruz, Manila to participate in its Eleventh Anniversary. By midnight of Monday,
October 9, 1989, the entire stadium was jammed with over half a million people
from all over the Philippines to take part in an overnight activity of praise
and worship dedicated to Jesus Christ. Bishop Teodoro C. Bacani, together with
some Roman Catholic priests from the different parishes in the Archdiocese of
Manila, Archdiocese of Lipa and Archdiocese of Cebu, led the Holy Mass.
From
October 13 to 14, 1990, the Twelfth Anniversary of the Jesus is Lord Fellowship
was held at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila. In attendance
were thousands of its members and followers, who experienced the wonderful
works of the Holy Spirit as they praised and worshipped to Jesus and listened
to His Word despite a storm which flooded some parts of the venue with
knee-deep water.
The
scenario of the Thirteenth Anniversary of the Jesus is Lord
Fellowship held at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila,
from October 12 to 13, 1991, was identical to that of its 12th
Anniversary. Nevertheless, the almost half a million attendees braved the monsoon
rains and knee-deep flood to give thanks, praise and worship to God.
On the
occasion of the Fourteenth Anniversary Celebration of the Jesus is Lord Church
Worldwide held at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila, from
October 17 to 18, 1992, more than one-and-a-half million prayer-partners
attended the affair. His Excellency, President Fidel V. Ramos, gave his
greetings to the congregation.
For
the first time in the history of Rizal Park and the whole of Metro Manila for
that matter, about three million people joined the Fifteenth Anniversary
Celebration of the Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide at the national park from
October 8 to 9, 1994. The participants crowded the 61-hectare national park and
adjacent areas-Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue, UN Avenue, T.M. Kalaw St., Port
Area, and Jones Bridge. Some of them came to the venue as early as three days
before the event. They came not only from Metro Manila, but also from Cavite,
Laguna, Pampanga, the Ilocos Region, Quezon, the Bicol Region, Sorsogon, Leyte,
and other distant provinces. Also present were members from different overseas
chapters of the Foundation.
His
Excellency, President Fidel V. Ramos was the guest of honor during the
Eighteenth Anniversary of the Foundation at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park,
Manila on October 13, 1996. In line with the anniversary theme, which is unity,
leaders from the different charismatic groups and religious groups were invited
to speak in a CLSS. During the Thanksgiving Mass officiated by Manila
Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, a mass wedding took place, in which eighty
couples who had been living together as common-law spouses finally tied the
knot.
Last
year, two days after the UAAP Season 75 Basketball Finals between the Ateneo
Blue Eagles versus UST Growling Tigers at Smart Araneta Coliseum on October 11,
2012, at least nine million participants participated in the 34th Anniversary
Celebration of Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide, with no less than the President
of the Republic of the Philippines, Benigno S. Aquino III as guest-of-honor in
the celebration, traversing a crowd from the 61-hectare Rizal Park to Port Area
to the Quiapo church in a celebration that lasted twenty-four hours from 9:00
a.m. of Sunday, October 14, 2012 to 9:30 a.m. of Monday, October 15, 2012.
The
Anniversary Celebration Themes are: "GREAT GOD. GREAT OUTPOURING"
(Jeremiah 33:3) in 2011, "Prepare the Way of the LORD" in 2012 and
"Revolution of Righteousness" in 2013
TESDA
Chief Emmanuel Joel Villanueva said the movement has begun its preparations for
this year’s annual festivities.
On
Wednesday, Jesus is Lord Church’s Fiesta Committee met with the Metro Manila
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council led by Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority Chair Francis Tolentino to discuss plans on how to manage
security, emergency traffic and crowd control during the event, would feature
the Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s birthday thank-offering salo-salo simultaneously
from the Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park to the Port Area to the Plaza
Miranda in Quiapo, Manila.
Most
of the attendees were already in the venue days before the overnight affair
beamed live nationwide via satellite over ABS-CBN Channel 2, PTV-4, ABC Channel
5, GMA Channel 7, RPN Channel 9 and IBC Channel 13, live over radio DZXL RMN
Manila 558, DZBB Radyo Bisig-Bayan 594, DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, DZRH 666 and
DZRV Radio Veritas 846 and also on RMN AM, Barangay FM, My Only Radio FM
stations nationwide and the special supplement published in Manila Bulletin,
Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star.
The
souvenir-type magazine contains the messages section, the photographs from 1979
to present, the official program and the Celebration includes the
National Thanksgiving Mass that contains Reverend Fathers including Roman
Catholic Parish Priests, Pastors, and Parochial Vicars from several Roman
catholic archdioceses and diocese, as well bishops, deacons and monsignors from
166 Archdioceses and Diocese belonging to Latin, Syro-Malabar and
Syro-Malankara Rites in India with the reference: "166 Diocese of Latin,
Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Rites" were published in pages 143 to
2,240 of The Catholic Directory of India 2013 as well the priests came from 195
geographical dioceses and archdioceses in the United States of America, 72 dioceses
and archdioceses in Canada, 117 dioceses and archdioceses in China, 7
dioceses and archdioceses in Taiwan, 16 dioceses and archdioceses in Japan,
18 dioceses and archdioceses in Korea, 86 dioceses and
archdioceses in the Philippines, 10 dioceses and archdioceses
in Thailand, 25 dioceses and archdioceses in Vietnam,
37 dioceses and archdioceses in Indonesia and 8 dioceses and
archdioceses in Malaysia.
Each
year, the anniversary celebration of Jesus is Lord Church and the birthday
celebration of Bro. Eddie Villanueva makes its way the participants crowded
along the streets of Rizal Park, Port Area and the Quiapo district, with
attendees reaching up to 6 to 8 million. In recent years, the traffic re-route
was altered due to a rise in vehicular and stampede accidents, and to afford
other neighbourhoods a chance to participate in the festivities.
Since
1993, the celebration held at Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila on the
second Sunday of October now commences at 9:00 a.m. with the praise and
worship, followed by the standing assembly in singing the Philippine National
Anthem. Representatives of various religious groups then lead the Invocation.
Before
noon of October 6, in observance of Bro. Eddie's birthday, the attendees
feasted on hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fried chicken, French fries, roasted
chickens, pigs and calves as a gift of the family and friends for his natal
day. Early in the afternoon, the crowd jubilantly caught with their umbrellas
inverted thousands of miracle-souvenir handkerchiefs thrown into the air from
several helicopters. A thanksgiving prayer was offered by Bro. Eddie
Villanueva for his annual birthday party and for the annual anniversary
celebration of the Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide. He also led the congregation
in prayer for their prayer-requests, which were tied to balloons and released
to the air at the signal of Bro. Eddie.
In the
2013 celebration last October 27, 2013 at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal
Park, Manila, His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, the guest
of honor in the occasion, gave his greetings and message to the crowd. The
President was with the Aquino Family. In attendance also were some members of
the cabinet; several associate justices led by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes
P.A. Sereno, several senators led by Senate President Franklin M. Drilon;
several congressmen led by House Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte Jr.; and friends
of Bro. Mike Velarde of El Shaddai from the business, entertainment, media,
legal, and religious sector:
Former
Metrobank president Tony Abacan, former Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice
Artemio Panganiban and Reynato Puno, Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Bea Zobel, Manuel
V. Pangilinan, Tessie Sy-Coson, Tony Tan-Caktiong, Ramon Ang, Alfred Ty, Arthur
Ty, Lance Gokongwei, Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Liza
Gokongwei-Cheng, Andrew Tan, Beth Lee, Fe Agudo, Washington Sycip, Felipe
Gozon, Kenneth Yang, Sanjiv Vohra, Philippine Daily Inquirer board chairman
Marixi Rufino-Prieto, Philippine Daily Inquirer president Alexandra
Prieto-Romualdez, Philippine Daily Inquirer editor-in-chief Letty
Jimenez-Magsanoc, US Embassy spokesperson Rebecca Thompson, as well guests were
media agencies and advocacy partners was seated next to Villanueva.
Two
tables away were former Negros and now Philippine National Bank director, Rep.
Miguel ''Mike'' Romero, socialite-TV personality Cory Quirino and designer
Sylvia Santos.
Fashion
designer JC Buendia, Randy Ortiz, Jojie Lloren, Dong Omaga Diaz, Joey
Samson, Ivarluski Aseron, Vittorio Barba, Gerry Katigbak, Frederick
Peralta, Rajo Laurel, Len Nepomuceno, Hindy
Weber-Tantoco, Ramon Esteban, PJ Aranador, Edwin Ao, OJ Hofer, Arcy
Gayatin, Tippi Ocampo, Avel Bacudio, Jerome Salaya Ang, Joel
Escober, Anthony Nocom, Albert Andrada, Noel Crisostomo, Ronaldo
Arnaldo, Kristel Yulo, Happy Andrada, Pablo Cabahug and James
Reyes, FDAP designers Johnny Abad, Ricky Abad, Dexter Alaza, Nino Angeles,
Delby Bragais, Karen Castro, Kirby Cruz, Ivan dela Cruz, Perry Diaz, Lynn
Roxas, Boyet Dysanco, Ricco Escaro, Rocky Gathercole, Genar Gozum,
Pristine de Guzman, Adin Lara, Paul Ranier Lim, Noelle Llave, Edgar
Madamba, Jontie Martinez, Nikkie Martinez, Ole Morabe, Vivo Nazareth, Dave
Ocampo, Lito Perez, Nholie Pilapil, Joyce Pilarsky, Aan
Pineda, Raoul Ramirez, Yako Reyes, Rholand Roxas, Edgar San Diego, Fanny
Serrano, Edwin Uy, Simon Ariel Vasquez, Geoffrey
Zordilla, independent fashion designers Jun Escario, Michelle
Sison, Patrice Ramos Diaz, Charina Sarte, Cary Santiago, Dennis
Lustico, John Paras, Bea Albert, Eric de los Santos, Maureen Desini,
Vania Romoff, Martin Bautista, John/Paul Herrera, Ronald
Mendoza, Audie Espino, Sidney Perez Sio, Goullee Gorospe
and Raoul Ramirez, country’s design icons Inno Sotto, Auggie Cordero,
Pepito Albert, Cesar Gaupo, Lulu Tan-Gan, Mike de la Rosa and Loretto, Efren
Ocampo and The Dean of Filipino Fashion Designers Ben Farrales were next
to bag designer Santos.
Lawyer
Esperidion Laxa, Jeanne Young, Boots Anson-Roa, Tony Ferrer, Lawrence Tan,
Atty. Joji Alonso, Lily Yu-Monterverde and Wilson Tieng, known
personalities in the movie industry, former Ilocos Rep. Roque ''Roquito''
Ablan, Tarlac Gov. Jose "Apeng'' Yap, Kapamilya and non-Kapamilya stars
also joined in the celebrations like Iya Villania with boyfriend Drew Arellano,
Bianca Manalo, Sitti, Jasmine Curtis Smith, James Blanco, Eric Tai, K Brosas,
Raymart Santiago, Randy Santiago, G Toengi, Kean Cipriano, Bamboo Manalac, Bb.
Pilipinas 2013 beauties Cindy Miranda, Bea Rose Santiago, Ariella Arida and Pia
Romero, Katherine de Castro, Ces Orena-Drilon, Oyo Boy Sotto, Rowell Santiago,
Gretchen Ho, Dominique Cojuangco, Mylene Dizon, Agot Isidro, Dina Bonnevie with
husband Ilocos Sur Vice-Governor Deogracias Victor Savellano, Dawn Zulueta with
husband Rep. Anton Lagdameo, Jericho Rosales, apl.de.ap, Eddie Garcia and
Richard Gomez, Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Sen. Sonny Angara with wife Tootsy,
Mega Magazine editor-in-chief Sari Yap, StyleBible.ph's Isha
Andaya-Valles, Summit Media President Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng & Cosmopolitan
magazine editor-in-chief Myrza Sison, YES! Magazine editor-in-chief Jo-ann
Maglipon, ABS-CBN Corporation Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Eugenio
Lopez III, ABS-CBN Corporation President and Chief Content Officer Charo
Santos-Concio, Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos, broadcast head Cory
Valenzuela-Vidanes, TV business unit head Laurenti Dyogi, business unit head
for comedy Linggit Tan, ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc. General Manager Ernie Lopez,
Dreamscape Entertainment Television President Deo Endrinal, Roxy Liquigan,
Riley Santiago, Robert Labayen, Mark Yambot, August Benitez, Nandy Villar, Rico
Camus, Raymond Miranda, Mark Lopez, Maricel Arenas, Happy Mabulay, Darwin
Cerrado, Aldrin Cerrado, Dino Laurena, March Ventosa, Chris Lopez, Carlo
Katigbak, Leo Katigbak, Paolo Pineda, Bong Osorio, Monchet Olives, Karen
Coloma, former ABS-CBN presidents Cito Alejandro and Freddie Garcia, movie and
television directors Johnny Manahan, Arnel Natividad, Toto Natividad, Malu
Sevilla, Rowell Santiago, Rechie del Carmen, Jojo Saguin, Jerry Sineneng, Tots
Mariscal, Erik Salud, Ruel Bayani, Ruel Naval, Jerome Pobocan, and Don
Cuarema, The Philippine STAR columnists RJ Ledesma, Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi,
and Tim Yap, Cristalle Belo-Henares, Ayala Land, Inc. president Antonino
"Tony" Aquino, Ayala Land vice president and head of operations
and support services commercial business group Rowena Tomeldan, AC Legarda,
Mark Sablan, Joseph Reyes, Maricris Bernardino, Pivi Diaz, Rina Rejanit, EVP
Bobby Dy and COO Rowena Tomeldan, The Philippine STAR lifestyle section editor
Millet Martinez-Mananquil and big stars Kim Chiu, Karylle, Jeric and Jeron
Teng, Enchong Dee, Joseph Marco, Lovi Poe, Rachelle Ann Go and Markki Stroem,
Liezel Martinez, Rachel Alejandro and Joanna Ampil and Christian showbiz personalities
Piolo Pascual, Donita Rose, Gary Valenciano and Kuh Ledesma were around.
4, 000
Lopez kin from all over the world, ABS-CBN Manila Radio and Sports
Division head Peter Musngi, ABS-CBN Integrated News and Current Affairs
Chief Ging Reyes and Choose Philippines head Charie Villa, TV director Bobbet
and son Kobi Vidanes, the members of the Daza, Valenzuela and Vidanes families
were seated to Boss Gabby Lopez, Charo Santos and Tita Cory Vidanes.
GMA
Network President-Emeritus Menardo Jimenez, Sr., GMA Network President Gilberto
Duavit, Jr., GMA Network Films, Inc. President Annette Gozon-Abrogar, Lito
Abrogar, GMA Senior Vice-President for Entertainment TV
Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA First Vice President for Program Support Regie C.
Bautista, GMA Vice-President for
Entertainment Television Marivin T. Arayata, GMA Vice-President
for Program Management Jose Mari R. Abacan, GMA Senior Vice-President
for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, GMA Associate Vice-President
for Talk, Magazines, Musical, Reality Productions and Television Specials
Darling P. De Jesus, GMA Associate Vice-President for Drama Cheryl
Ching-Sy, GMA Associate Vice-President for Corporate Affairs
Teresa L. Pacis, GMA Senior Program Manager for Entertainment Television Bang
U. Arespacochaga, and GMA Program Manager for
Entertainment Television Ali Nokom-Dedicatoria, TAPE, Inc.
president and CEO Antonio P. Tuviera, TAPE, Inc. chairman-emeritus Romeo
P. Jalosjos, TV5 President-Emeritus Atty. Ray Espinosa, TV5 President and
CEO Noel Lorenzana, News5 head Luchi Cruz-Valdes and Sports5 head Chot Reyes
were seated next to Pangilinan and Gozon.
Former PMAP board members and fashion luminaries Tina
Maristela Ocampo, Izza Gonzales-Agana, Desiree Verdadero-Abesamis, Marina
Benipayo, Patty Betita, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Myrza Sison, Den Abesamis,
Hans Montenegro, Grace Molina and Ariel Atendido, Robert Mananquil, models
Robby and Raya Mananquil, and Rissa Mananquil-Trillo with Valerie de los
Santos; Ateneo Blue Eagles team manager Paolo Trillo; Current PMAP president
Phoemela Baranda also came with Manila’s favorite models Grace Tagle, Bubbles
Paraiso, Luke Jickain, Mia Ayesa, Sanya Smith, Mika Lagdameo-Martinez,
Antoinette Enciso-Ocampo, Angel Agustin-Co and Marilen Faustino-Montenegro, were
seated next to his wife Millet Martinez-Mananquil.
Bench
big boss Ben Chan with Bench resident architect Miguel Pastor, Noel Manapat,
Public relations and events organizer Keren Pascual, Girlie Rodis, Star Magic
handler Monch Novales and BENCH/ Rajo Laurel Dos collection models Sam
Concepcion, Rocco Nacino, Steven Silva, Enzo Pineda, Sarah Lahbati and Regine
Angeles, model-turned-actors David Chua, Miko Raval and Mark Lopez, Luisito
Rabat, as well as travel friends Pops Fernandez, Doris Magsaysay Ho, Gina
Lopez, Evelyn Forbes, Marc Nelson, Ricco and Tina Maristela-Ocampo, Rikki and
Beng Dee, Philip and Tricia Cu-Unjieng, Sander and Mons Romulo-Tantoco,
Philippine National Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon, Raymond Gutierrez,
Dennis and Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Ernest Escaler, Maurice Arcache, Ces
Orena-Drilon, Karen Davila, Dyan Garcia, Jackie Castillejo-Guingona, Joji
Dingcong, Eric Quizon, Liza Ilarde, Ana Kalaw, Anton San Diego, Raul Teehankee,
Pepper Teehankee, McCann Erickson Client Service Director Bernadette
Chincuanco, Coca-Cola Philippines Marketing Director Anubha Sahasrabuddhe &
IMC Director Yasmin Mallari, Mariko Jacinto, Aye Nuguid, Leah Puyat, Anton
Barretto and Jack de Mesa, Coca-Cola ASEAN Business Unit President Manuel
Arroyo, Coca-Cola Philippines President & General Manager Guillermo Aponte,
marketing director Anubha Sahasrabuddhe and Franchise & Commercial
Leadership Director Peter Schaelstraete together with the Coca-Cola Philippines
team Johanna Hife, Steve Little, Rogie Delena, Raymond Villaflor, Teejae Sonza,
Jobert Dumlao, Sharon Tanganco, Roki Ferrer, Rachel Cruz, Francis Chua, Franz
Decloedt, Yasmin Mallari, Jenny Cinco, Jing Atienza, Criselda Pascual, Mavel
Banocnoc, Thess Acuna, Franco Jorge, Stephanie Castillo, Tish Condeno, Jaideep
Kibe, Nicamae Baylen, Jenalyn Perez, Barry del Rosario, and Nikki Lee, Ateneo
men’s basketball coach Norman Black and his players Nico Salva, Bacon Austria,
Kiefer Ravena, Emman Monfort, Tonino Gonzaga, Frank Golla, Oping Sumalinog, Von
Pessumal and JP Erram, UAAP
Juniors Basketball MVP Thirdy Ravena and celebrities Xian Lim, Jhong Hilario,
Vhong Navarro, Billy Crawford, Gerald Anderson, Chris Tiu, Young JV, Ervic
Vijandre, and Kevin Alas, former players Doug Kramer, JC Intal,
Macky Escalona and Jai Reyes, Mr.
Chinatown's Sky Yang, Jerome Tan & Randy See; Mark Lopez, Jairus Ferrer,
Alec Robes, Be Bench Model Search finalist Ron Morales; Carlos Concepcion;
Yeng Constantino; Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 scholar Hansen Nichols with his
twin brother GC, Suyen Corporation's Nene and Virgilio Lim, Bryan Lim and
Suyen Lim, Carlos Chan's children Carlson, Archie, Rinby, Larry, Oszen and
Shera, kart racer Michelle Bumgarner, actor-models Victor Basa and Victor
Aliwalas, and college basketball stars such as Arnold Van Opstal, Bobby
Ray Parks, volleyball stars Dzi Gervacio, Jem Ferrer, Fille
Cainglet-Cayetano, A Nacachi, Rachel Daquis, Jovelyn
Gonzaga, Alyssa Valdez, Denden Lazaro, Charo Soriano, Marge
Tejada, Melissa Gohing, Mary Jean Balse, Mayeth
Carolino, Michelle Carolino, Ella De Jesus, Kara
Acevedo, Karla Bello, Stephanie Gabriel, Mae Tajima, Jayson
Ramos, Maica Morada Jed Montero Michelle Laborte Sasa
Devanadera, Grethcel Soltones, Joy Benito, Rubie De
Leon, Mae Crisostomo, Ynna Hao, Tina Salak, JP Torres, Dahlia
Cruz, Nene Bautista, Aiza Maizo, Maika Ortiz, Rhea
Dimaculangan Denise Tan, Venus Bernal, Jheck
Dionela, Angge Tabaquero, Bea Pascual, Judy Caballejo, AJ
Pareja, Myco Antonio, Henry Pecana, Rex Intal, Waldors
Manila, Volleyball Donya, Dindin Santiago, Jaja
Santiago, Princess Gaiser, Bang Pineda, Mayette
Zapanta, Rosemarie Vargas, Jen Reyes, Angela Benting, Pau
Soriano, Peter Torres, Michelle Gumabao, Cha
Cruz, Stephanie Mercado, Wensh Tiu, Renz Casanova, Joanne
Siy, Loren Lantin, Mia Hirotsuji, Pamela Lastimosa, Ingrid
Reyes, Jessey De Leon, Carmela Tunay, Chloe
Cortez, Alex Cabanos, Patricia Rasmo, Illa
Santos, Joanne Bunag, Jacqueline Alarca and Ers Iratay, Alyssa and Almira
Teng, Dani Ravena, Kiefer's parents former PBA players Bong Ravena and his wife
former volleyball star Mozzy Crisologo, and Alvin Teng and his wife Susan
Uy, Baby Araneta Fores, Lisa Araneta, Cacho Marcos, Linda Oledan, Veana
Fores, Lorrie Reynoso, Vicky Zubiri, Maricris Zobel, Carol Garcia, Maripi
Muscat and Margarita Fores, Anton Mendoza, Monch Cruz, Chut Cuerva, Marcel
Crespo, Ipe Cruz of Rogue Magazine, Marco Lobregat, Ching Cruz, Tina Cuevas,
Agnes Huibonhoa, Fe Rodriguez, Susan Joven, Ian Giron, Andres Vasquez
Prada, Al Tengco, GMA celebrities Gloria Romero, Pilita Corrales, Aljur
Abrenica, Louise delos Reyes, Mark Herras, Yasmien Kurdi, LJ Reyes, Julie Anne
San Jose, Kristoffer Martin, Derrick Monasterio, Barbie Forteza, Bela Padilla,
Bea Binene, Max Collins, Rafael Rosell, Glaiza de Castro, Rochelle Pangilinan,
Mona Louise Rey, Jonalyn Viray, Kyla Calumpad-Alvarez, Jay R, Mark Bautista,
Chef Boy Logro, Manilyn Reynes, Angelu de Leon, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Gabby
Eigenmann, Raymond Bagatsing, Ricky Davao, Anjo Yllana and Wally Bayola
and GMA News and Public Affairs personalities Arnold Clavio, Sandra
Aguinaldo, Raffy Tima, Mariz Umali, Oscar Oida, Mark Salazar, Jun Veneracion,
Chino Gaston and Nathaniel Cruz were seated next to columnists Ledesma,
Zubiri-Crespi and Yap and celebrities Chiu, Teng brothers, Dee, Marco, Poe, Go,
Stroem, Martinez, Alejandro and Ampil.
Onstage
with the President were his battalion of Cabinet secretaries, including
Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa, Jr., Proceso Alcala of agriculture; Sonny
Coloma; communications, Ricky Carandang, communications and strategic planning;
Voltaire Gazmin, defense; Ramon Paje, Jr., environment; Florencio Abad,
Jr., budget; Dr. Enrique Ona, health; Manuel Roxas III, interior and local
government, Albert del Rosario, foreign affairs; Gregory Domingo, trade
and investment; Cesar V. Purisima, finance; Joseph Emilio A. Abaya,
transportation and communication; Carlos Jericho Petilla, energy; Julia
Abad-Razon, presidential management staff; Rochelle R. Ahorro,
appointments secretary; deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte,
and presidential spokesperson Atty. Edwin Lacierda.
Villanueva's
well-wishers from the Senate included Heherson Alvarez, Teresa Aquino-Oreta,
Butz Aquino, Nikki Coseteng, John Osmeña, Sergio Osmeña III, Pia Cayetano,
Alan Peter Cayetano, TG Guingona, Ernesto Herrera, Loi Estrada, Juan
Flavier, Robert Jaworski, Ping Lacson, Bongbong Marcos, Miriam
Defensor-Santiago, Nancy Binay, Vic Paterno, Nene Pimentel, Leticia
Ramos-Shahani, Santanina T. Rasul, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, Freddie Webb,
Ralph Recto, Vicente Sotto III, Edgardo Angara, Vic Ziga, Ernesto Tanada and
Francisco Tatad.
Congressmen
present were Speaker Sonny Belmonte, Pedro B. Acharon Jr. of South Cotabato,
Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzales II, Edgar R. Erice of Caloocan,
Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel of Malabon, Toby Tiangco of Navotas, Ma.
Theresa B. Bonoan-David of 4th District of Manila, Lucy Torres-Gomez of 4th
District of Leyte, Karlo Nograles of 1st District of Davao City, Pedro B.
Acharon Jr. of 1st District of South Cotabato and Manny Pacquiao of Sarangani.
Also
present were former President Estrada's sons, Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito,
former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, former
Philippine President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, current Quezon City
Mayor Herbert Bautista, former Quezon City Mayor Brigido Simon, Caloocan City
Mayor Oscar Malapitan, Malabon City Mayor Len-Len Oreta, Navotas City Mayor
John Rey Tiangco, Valenzuela City Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian, Mandaluyong City
Mayor Benhur Abalos, former Marikina City Mayors Bayani and Marides
Carlos-Fernando, current Marikina City Mayor Del de Guzman, former Pasig City
Mayors Vicente, Soledad and Bobby Eusebio and San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez,
Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin "JunJun" Binay, current Pasig City
Mayor Maribel Eusebio, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, current Pasay City
Mayor Tony Calixto, former Pasay City Mayor Peewee Trinidad, former Paranaque
City Mayors Joey Marquez and Jun Bernabe, current Parañaque City Mayor Edwin L.
Olivarez, Las Pinas City Mayor Vergel A. Aguilar and Muntinlupa City Mayor
Jaime Fresnedi.
Foreign
envoys present were United States ambassador Philip S. Goldberg, Canadian
ambassador Christopher Thronley, Spanish ambassador Jorge Domecq, Mexican
ambassador Julio Camarena Villaseñor, Bangladeshi Ambassador Major Gen. John
Gomes, Cambodian Ambassador Tuot Panha, Indian ambassador Ram Trasad,
Indonesian ambassador Ade Petranto, Japanese ambassador Toshinao Urabe, Korean
ambassador Hyuk Lee, Lao Ambassador Malayvieng Sakonhninhom, Malaysian
Ambassaor Dato Mohd Zamiri Vin Mohd Kassim, Burmese ambassador Aung Khin Soe,
Pakistani ambassador Safdar Hayat.
Seen
leaving the grandstand after the President's speech were Marichu Vera Perez,
Fr. Sonny Ramirez, MMDA Chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino, PAGCOR
Chairman-Emeritus Ephraim Genuino, PAGCOR Chairman Cristino L. Naguiat, Jr.,
PAGCOR president-emeritus Butch Tenorio and Rafael Butch Francisco, PAGCOR
Chairman Jorge Sarmiento, Philippine Olympic Committee Chairman Peping Cojuangco,
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Ricardo R. Garcia and representatives of
businessman Lucio Tan.
The
Thanksgiving Mass was led by Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome and the leader of
the worldwide Catholic Church together with His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal B.
Rosales, Archbishop-Emeritus of Manila, Luis Antonio Cardinal G. Tagle,
Archbishop of Manila; Most Rev. Oscar V. Cruz, Archbishop-Emeritus of
Lingayen-Dagupan, Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, Archbishop of
Lingayen-Dagupan, Most Rev. Angel Lagdameo, Archbishop of Jaro, Most
Rev. Jose S. Palma, Archbishop of Cebu, Ricardo Cardinal J. Vidal,
Archbishop-Emeritus of Cebu, Most Rev. John F. Du, Archbishop of
Palo, Most Rev. Fernando Capalla, Archbishop-Emeritus of Davao, Most
Rev. Romulo G. Valles, Archbishop of Davao, Most Reverend Orlando B.
Quevedo, Archbishop of Cotabato, Most Rev. Teodoro C. Bacani, Jr.,
Over-all Spiritual Director of El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation
International, Very Rev. Msgrs. Mariano T. Balbago Jr. of Antipolo Diocese
and Mario A. Castillo; and Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual and Rev. Fr. Sanny de Claro,
spiritual directors of the El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation
International. Joining them also were several spiritual directors from the
international chapters of the El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners
Foundation namely Reverend Fathers Bernard J. Nolan of Brisbane,
Australia; Leo E. Steinbock of Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.; and Thomas
Kawamura of Tokyo, Japan, as well as from the Philippines namely, Dwight de
Jesus; Remigio Mendoza of Mabini, Batangas; Manheim Abellana, SDB; Eligio
Santos of San Ildefonso Parish, Makati; and Stephen Punnakal and Victor Maung
Thit of the Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Malate, Manila.
Meanwhile,
environmentalists and community leaders around Quiapo area are calling for a
annual “green” celebration of the anniversary of Jesus is Lord Church
Worldwide.
Local
leaders and the environmental network Ecowaste Coalition urged devotees and
visitors to couple their devotion to the Jesus Christ our Lord Savior with
respect for the environment.
The
call came as participants leading to the annual anniversary celebration on
October every year since 1979.
“Combining
our people’s amazing devotion to the Jesus Christ our Lord with action
respecting, nurturing and defending Mother Earth will be a powerful force of
hope and deliverance against those who trash and ruin the environment,” Tin
Vergara, Zero Waste Campaigner of the EcoWaste Coalition, said.
“If
the millions of devotees who come to Rizal Park and Quiapo will simply not
litter and avoid waste in all its forms, we’ll have a feast that is pleasing to
the eyes and pleasing to the Lord,” she added.
Past
celebrations in 35 years have seen truckloads of garbage collected from Rizal
Park to Port Area to Ermita to Quiapo that included cigarette butts, candy and
snack wrappers, plastic bags, cups, bottles and straws, polystyrene food
containers and bamboo skewers that often cause injuries to barefooted
participants.
