In January 1984, former President Ferdinand Marcos has signed a law declaring third week of Sunday a special non-working holiday in the entire country to commemorate the Feast of Santo Nino.
Establishment of the DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation International
In August 1984, Bro. Mike invited his listeners for a Thanksgiving Mass and Healing Rally that was held in front of the DWXI Radio Station Compound on the Sunday nearest his birthday, August 20. About one thousand people attended the affair and experienced the miracle-working power of God!
Encouraged by the success of the rally, Bro. Mike scheduled a monthly Mass and Healing Rally at the DWXI Compound in Paranaque. Sometime 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 Queensway Building (owned by Bro. Mike) at 118 Amorsolo St. in Makati City.
After a while, Bro. Mike 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 “El Shaddai,” 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.
El Shaddai, a Hebrew word, when translated to English meant “The God Who Is More than Enough.” The Good News Bible translated El Shaddai as “God Almighty” (Genesis 17:1/35:11). Shortly, he heard the song “El Shaddai” over Radio DWXI itself. At this point, he realized that God wanted His Holy and Almighty Name to be proclaimed and made known throughout the world. He thus changed the title of his radio program to “El Shaddai.”
Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the weekly fellowship came to be called the DWXI Prayer Partners Family Appointment with El Shaddai, since Radio DWXI was the broadcast medium, he and his first listeners became prayer-partners, and El Shaddai 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 DWXI 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 “El Shaddai” and the Mass and Healing Rallies. Some prayer- partners even volunteered to serve without compensation.
Inspired by the outcome of events, Bro. Mike thought it was time to formally organize the community. Thus, the DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation, Inc. was established, which in due time was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It was organized, primarily, as an institution where Bro. Mike 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 DWXI and the Mass and Healing 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 El Shaddai that his radio listeners came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and were receiving answers to their prayer-requests.
In 1988, the first overseas chapter of the Foundation was established in Hong Kong. It started when Bro. Mike, who was then in Hong Kong for a vacation, was invited to share the Word of God before a Filipino Prayer Group at the St. Joseph Church on May 15. After the meeting, a group of seven Filipino prayer-partners working there and who were at the affair bonded together and held their initial prayer-meeting at the Jones Health Club, a gym formerly owned by Bro. Kenneth and Sis. Tessie Wong at North Point, drawing thirty persons.
On August 7, the group invited Bro. Mike, together with Rev. Fr. Archie Guiriba, OFM, for a Mass and Healing Rally at the St. Joseph Church Hall. The rally was such a success that it paved the way for the formation of the El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI Hong Kong Chapter with a core group of seven persons on August 21.
On November 20, the first healing rally under the chapter’s banner was held at the Christ the King Chapel of the St. Paul’s College. An estimated 800 people attended the affair. The chapter increased in number as the years passed that venues for its succeeding anniversaries were held in bigger ones from the Caritas Hall in Central, Hong Kong to Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Ko Shan Theater in Kowloon, Hong Kong Coliseum, Kai Tak International Airport, and Hong Kong Stadium. At the chapter’s 11th anniversary at the Hong Kong Stadium in November 1999, approximately forty thousand people attended the affair.
From 1989 to present, other chapters were formed in Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan City, Pasay City, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig, Valenzuela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Aurora, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Rizal, Romblon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Antique, Aklan, Bacolod City, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu City, Cebu, Mandaue City, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, Basilan, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Norte, Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Surigao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi and sovreign states of 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, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Transnistria, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, 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 El Shaddai. With the emergence of the chapters abroad, the corporate name registered with the SEC was amended to El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation International.
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 Bacani Jr., DD, Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and Overall Spiritual Director of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement (CCRM) in the Archdiocese of Manila, invited Bro. Mike 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 Bro. Mike, 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. Mike. This event paved the way for the recognition of the chapters of the Foundation by several dioceses and parishes of the Roman Catholic Church. It also initiated the launching of its Back-to-the-Parish program. As you read on, you will discover how the Foundation has grown dramatically through the years.
The Foundation Through the Years
On August 21, half a million people in Manila demonstrate against the regime of Ferdinand Marcos.
On September 1, Typhoon Nitang struck the Philippines. It killed 1,492 people and 1,856 more were injured. Roughly 1.6 million people were affected in the country. A total of 108,219 homes were destroyed and 142,653 more were damaged. However, President Ferdinand Marcos declared a state of calamity only after Nitang's onslaught.
On October 1, 1984, it became the Hainan Administrative Region, with a People's Government.
On December 1, Manila LRT Line 1 opened as the Southeast Asia's first rail line.
On January 19 to 21, 1985, the first-ever annual grand massive miracle crusade was organized jointly by the Foundation together with the City of Manila and the National Parks Development Committee and held at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila, attended by Pope John Paul II as mass celebrant for the final mass to celebrate the second world youth day in Manila. It was Pope’s second visit to the country after his first visit in 1981 to beatify Lorenzo Ruiz.
In February 1985, thousands of people received deliverance from sin, vices and ailments during the DWXI-PPFI Healing Rally at the DWXI Studio Compound in Pascor Drive, NAIA, Paranaque, Metro Manila with Bro. Mike Velarde as speaker.
“To all El Shaddai Music Ministry, it is now official to sing “Diyos ay Pag-Ibig” as substitute to “Purihin ang Panginoon” in observance of the Lenten Season,” according to ESGMM head Bro. Jojo Ingan dated February 20, 1985.
On the second quarter of 1985, the Foundation held Catholic Life-in-the-Spirit Seminars and fellowships in the following places: Cabuyao Parish, Laguna; Concepcion, Malabon; Balagtas, Bulacan; and Abucay Catholic Church in Bataan.
At that moment, it registered to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 14, 1985 as DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation, Inc.
On August 17 to 18, 1985, during its First Anniversary at the DWXI Compound in Paranaque City, about five thousand people witnessed and experienced the miracle touch of El Shaddai. In that same period of time, the maiden issue of the "Liwanag Magazine" (now "El Shaddai Bagong Liwanag Magazine"), the official publication of the Foundation, was released to the public.
In 1985, monthly Catholic Life-in-the-Spirit Seminar (CLSS) of the Foundation was moved to the Folk Arts Theater (FAT) at the CCP Complex, Pasay City, because the venue on Amorsolo could no longer accommodate the increasing number of participants. About twelve thousand people witnessed and experienced the tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the first CLSS held at FAT.
Following this, even more people attended the succeeding seminars, so they had to be conducted in three shifts until the FAT itself could no longer hold the crowds. Consequently, the CLSS was held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, wherein close to twenty-five thousand people participated.
On September 20, the Escalante massacre was an incident in Escalante City, Negros Occidental where paramilitary forces of the government gunned down civilians engaged in a protest-rally in commemoration of the 13th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. At least 20 were dead and 30 more were injured.
On October 18, Typhoon Saling landfalls on the Philippines. The typhoon left 101 dead and $68 million in damage (1985 dollars).
On December 2, the Sandiganbayan acquits all the accused including General Fabian Ver in the Assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr.
On December 9, the Philippine Daily Inquirer was founded by Eugenia Apostol, Max Soliven and Betty Go-Belmonte, as the broadsheet releases its first issue.
Negros del Norte was established under Batas Pambansa Blg. 885 which provided for the creation of the new province comprising the cities of Cadiz (the capital), San Carlos and Silay, and the municipalities of Calatrava, Enrique B. Magalona (Saravia), Escalante, Manapla, Sagay, Salvador Benedicto, Toboso and Victorias. The creation of the new province of was ratified on January 3, 1986.
On February 20, President Ferdinand Marcos declared himself as the winner of the snap elections. On the same day, his rival Corazon Aquino led a people's victory rally at Luneta where she called for civil disobedience.
On February 22, Past midnight, a meeting was in progress in the home of then Defense Minister Juan Ponce-Enrile. A speech was being finalized wherein he would proclaim himself as the head of a ruling junta. According to the plan, rebel troops would launch an attack at Malacanang on February 23 at 2 a.m. Expected to lead the attack was Col. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan.
However, while Enrile was preparing for his speech, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Fabian Ver was fortifying the Palace's security. Unknown to the rebels, top-secret details of the coup plot were being leaked to Ver.
At 3 a.m., Honasan discovered that a Marine battalion was sitting exactly at their planned point of attack. By dawn, it was already clear that they had been betrayed.
By noon, President Marcos met with US Ambassador Stephen Bosworth and Philip Habib, said to be U.S. President Ronald Reagan's "troubleshooter."
Before leaving home for Camp Aguinaldo, Enrile contacted AFP Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Fidel Ramos, asking for his support. Ramos answered, "Yes, sir, I'm with you all the way."
After meeting with some supporters of Cory Aquino in his house, Ramos finally arrived in Camp Aguinaldo to join Enrile. At 6:45 p.m., the two announced their defection from the Marcos regime. "We're going to die here fighting," declared Enrile. At 9 p.m., Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, through Radio Veritas, called on people to show their support for "our two good friends." "Leave your homes now. I ask you to support Mr. Enrile and Gen. Ramos, give them food if you like, they are our friends."
Radio Veritas continued with its blow-by-blow account of the unfolding siege.
At 10 p.m., Enrile talked to Cory Aquino over the phone. Ninoy Aquino's widow had just finished speaking at a rally in Cebu. Enrile warned her that her life was in danger.
At 10:30 p.m., Marcos appeared on television where he insisted that he was "in control of the situation." He told Enrile and Ramos "to stop this stupidity and surrender so that we may negotiate."
FEBRUARY 23 - From Cebu, Cory Aquino called on the Filipino people to rally behind Enrile and Ramos, and told “decent elements in the military” to join the defectors and side with the Filipino people. She also asked Marcos to step down for the sake of a peaceful transition in government.
Enrile and Ramos also met along EDSA surrounded by their throng of supporters.
Marcos and his officials mobilized forces. Columns of armored tanks formed barricades. But Filipinos came in droves and filled the streets of EDSA, acting as a shield of sorts that stopped the tanks from coming close to where Enrile and Ramos were.
For the rest of the day, the road between the camps was a sea of people carrying banners demanding Marcos’s resignation.
Enrile called the U.S. ambassador, hoping the White House will pressure the Palace to be more prudent in its actions. Later in the day, the White House issued a statement questioning the "credibility and legitimacy" of the Marcos government.
At about 6:30 p.m., Radio Veritas went off the air. its transmitters had been “neutralized” by the military earlier, and the emergency transmitter it was using finally gave way.
FEBRUARY 24 – On Jaime Cardinal Sin’s call, church bells tolled, and people flocked to the areas surrounding Camp Crame when word spread that Marcos's forces were going to attack the rebels' stronghold.
Marcos accused Enrile and Ramos of wanting to grab power and run the government under a junta.
Ver ordered an all-out attack by riot police using tear gas. Marcos loyalists came in as tear gas canisters exploded outside Camp Aguinaldo, but the civilians stood their ground.
At past 6 a.m., reports that the Marcos family had departed came. Ramos likewise announced a "confirmed report" of the departure of the Marcos family.
"This is the day of our liberation!" he and Enrile announced to a cheering crowd.
But their joy was short-lived. At 9 a.m., Marcos appeared on television to declare a state of emergency and announce that he had no plans to resign or concede. He also said his inauguration would proceed as scheduled.
Later in the hour, the television screen blacked out as Marcos was about to answer a reporter’s question.
Meanwhile, people continued to flock to EDSA and fill the areas of Greenhills, San Juan, Ortigas, Libis, Cubao near Crame to protect, Ramos, Enrile, and other officials.
In the afternoon, Aquino spoke to the crowd: “We have recovered our freedoms, our rights, and our dignity with much courage and, we thank God, with little blood. I enjoin the people to keep the spirit of peace as we remove the last vestiges of tyranny, to be firm and compassionate. Let us not, now that we have won, descend to the level of the evil forces we have defeated.”
In the evening, Enrile and Ramos announced an "almost complete" takeover and control of the “New Armed Forces of the People” in a press conference attended by local and foreign media.
At 7:30 p.m., the United States endorsed the provisional government of Aquino, abandoning their 20-year ally Mr. Marcos.
But Marcos appeared again on TV at past 8 pm to assert that he and his family in Malacañang were “prepared for any eventuality."
FEBRUARY 25 - The day began with more rumors of Marcos' flight.
Past midnight, soldiers fired at barricades of a group of rebel supporters. Several people were wounded.
President Marcos called his labor minister, Blas Ople, who was in Washington that time. Ople said there was an overwhelming negative attitude there. He suggested that the Marcos family should just leave the country but the president refused. Marcos said the first lady did not want to leave.
At 10:15 a.m., Aquino arrived at Club Filipino amid a crowd chanting "Cory! Cory! Crowd!"
Salvador Laurel took his oath of office as the duly elected vice president before Supreme Court Justice Vicente Abad Santos.
Aquino was then sworn into office by Senior Supreme Court Justice Claudio Teehankee.
At 11:55 a.m., it was Marcos' turn to be sworn into office. The ceremony was held in Malacanang's Ceremonial Hall amid cheers of "Marcos, Marcos, Marcos pa rin!"
But as the president raised his hand to take his oath, the live television coverage was abruptly cut.
Between 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Marcos called Enrile with an appeal for the rebels to stop firing at the Palace. The president mentioned his willingness to leave the Palace. Everyone in the Palace began to pack.
Tommy Manotoc, Imee Marcos' husband, called up his friend at the U.S. Embassy and accepted an offer of transportation out of the Palace.
But Marcos told his remaining Cabinet members and family members that he had decided to die in the Palace. His family pleaded in tears for him to take the helicopter and leave.
The U.S. Embassy notified the Palace of its arrangements. The Marcoses had two hours to leave.
Five U.S. helicopters were used to transport the Marcoses out of the Palace. At 9:05 p.m., the first helicopter took off, followed almost immediately by the others.
At 9:52 p.m., DZRH was first to report that the Marcoses had fled the country. Shortly after, the US Air Force TV station FEN confirmed the report. Celebrations erupted on the streets, and protesters rushed inside the Palace. There were those who took advantage of the situation and looted Malacanang, but the authorities immediately took control and prevented further damage to the Palace.
On July 11, 1986, the Supreme Court declared the creation of the province of Negros del Norte is unconstitutional.
Some eight thousand people gathered together on the Second Anniversary of the Foundation at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on August 24, 1986. 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. On that same period, the “Liwanag Magazine” was renamed, “Bagong Liwanag.”
Before the year 1986 ended, a crowd of more or less 100,000 attended a Foundation-sponsored CLSS and Mass and Healing Rally at the Rizal Baseball Stadium in Manila. That was then the biggest crowd ever gathered by a Catholic Charismatic Renewal Community in the Philippines.
Pope John Paul II returns to the Philippines for his five-day visit for the fourth World Youth Day in Manila from January 15 to 19, 1987.
A constitutional plebiscite was held in the Philippines on February 2, 1987. The plebiscite is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 3 which was issued on 25 March 1986 by the President Corazon Aquino which abolished the Office of the Prime Minister and the Regular Batasang Pambansa.
On February 9, 1987, Most Rev. Bishop Gabriel Reyes, Overall Spiritual Director of the CCRM of Manila, appointed Rev. Fr. Archie Guiriba, OFM, as the Spiritual Director of the Foundation.
February 10, 1987, A total 18 people, including a young Army lieutenant, are killed in Barangay Namulandayan, Lupao in Nueva Ecija near the foot of the Caraballo mountain range following a running gunbattle between communist rebels and Army troops. The soldier is identified as Lt. Edgar Dizon. His unidentified radioman is wounded.
February 11, 1987, Manila Standard, believing it can, among others, serve as an intellectual forum for ideas, whether clashing or complimentary, clambers up the newsstands in Metro Manila.
April 18, 1987, A Black Saturday, 56 rebel soldiers stage a raid on Fort Bonifacio but is repelled within the morning with one rebel soldier dead.
On March 1, ABS-CBN launches the Star Network for the relaunch of Channel 2 after six months and the first white tri-ribbon 2 logo laced with a rhomboidal star came to be.
On March 2, TV Patrol was launched as its first flagship evening newscast replacing the former flagship national news program Balita Ngayon.
On May 11, local elections were held for the first time.
On June 26, Philippine Airlines PR 206 crashes into Mt. Ugo in Itogon, Benguet with all 50 people on board killed. It is then the country's worst air accident since 1969. The air crash is also the second worst air disaster at that time.
The Third Anniversary of the Foundation was celebrated with an Overnight Mass and Healing Rally at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Vito Cruz, Manila, from August 22-23, 1987. It rained heavily throughout the affair, but the estimated two hundred thousand attendees stayed until it ended in the morning.
On August 28 to 29, coup attempt takes place when rebel soldiers made a threatened reprisal against Aquino and ended in a gunfight with 50 people killed and 200 wounded as Government troops fizzled the plot.
On October 18, canonization of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint.
On November 25, Super Typhoon Sisang slammed into Luzon, killing 1,063 people and what is believed as the worst typhoon to hit an area in the 20th century.
On December 12, the Foundation joined the Family Rosary Crusade Sapphire Jubilee at Rizal Park, Manila. Majority of the millions of people that attended the affair were prayer-partners.
On December 20, The MV Doña Paz, travelling from Leyte to Manila, and the oil tanker MT Vector collide, leaving a death toll of 4,386 people and 24 survivors, making the accident the deadliest peacetime maritime disaster in history.
From December 26 to 27, 1987, over 200,000 participants from all over the Philippines attended the Annual DWXI-PPFI Family Reunion with El Shaddai at the DWXI Compound in Paranaque. His Eminence, Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin graced the occasion.
On January 18, local elections were held in the Philippines.
On April 2, 1988, the leader of the August coup attempt, Lt. Col. Gregorio Honasan, that almost toppled the administration of President Corazon Aquino escapes from his prison ship in Manila Bay aboard two rubber boats along with 13 of his guards, according to the military.
On April 26, 1988, Hainan Island was made a separate province from Guangzhou, it was designated a Special Economic Zone in an effort to increase investment.
Before the year ended, one of Bro. Mike's most trusted associates in the management of the Foundation resigned from his post and incited other workers of the Foundation to join him. They then orchestrated an uprising within the Foundation and destroyed some important pieces of equipment in the radio station. They accused Bro. Mike of malversation of the funds of the Foundation and filed charges with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
In June, Political organization Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) formed.
On June 10, President Aquino signs the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) into law (Republic Act No. 6657), providing land reform for farmers; to be effective within 10 years; later extended.
On July 19, 1988, their allegations appeared in a daily newspaper with nationwide circulation. Despite this, more and more people attended the fellowships of the Foundation. After several court hearings, the SEC dismissed the case for lack of merit.
Because of the phenomenal growth of the Foundation, its Fourth Anniversary was held at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila, from August 20-21, 1988, where an estimated half a million-people packed the venue. It was the biggest crowd so far gathered by a particular group in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement in the Philippines. The testimonies on the healing and miraculous power of Psalm 91 inspired some prayer-partners to have the Psalm printed on handkerchiefs. These handkerchiefs have become an instrument of God's healing and miracles among the prayer-partners worldwide.
In October Former President Marcos and his wife are charged in the United States regarding illegal money transfer.
On October 17, Interior Bases Agreement was signed by the Philippines and United States.
On October 23–24, Typhoon Unsang struck into Luzon.
On October 24, Interisland ferry MV Doña Marilyn sinks off Leyte during a typhoon, killing 389.
On November 7, The Tower of Power transmitter was inaugurated by President Aquino and GMA Network board of directors following the transmitter's opening and a musical special.
January 5, 1989, some soldiers seize Camp Cawa-Cawa in Zamboanga City, after Rizal Alih kills seven people including Gen. Eduardo Batalla and Col. Romeo Abendan of the Philippine Constabulary.
On January 20, George H. W. Bush is sworn in as the 41st President of the United States.
On March 28, elections were held in the country's 42,000 barangays.
At the Catholic National Prayer Rally held at the Quirino Grandstand on July 16, 1989, the prayer-partners, constituting some eighty percent of the participants, were highly visible because they used the El Shaddai handkerchiefs as head coverings. By this time, several parish priests and bishops of the Catholic Church had begun to recognize and accept the chapters and prayer-groups of the Foundation in their respective parishes and dioceses.
On August 1, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao region was first created through Republic Act No. 6734 (the Organic Act).
On August 13–15, A hostage crisis at the Davao Metropolitan District Command Center (Davao Metrodiscom) occurred, perpetrated by the group of inmates led by Felipe Pugoy and Mohammad Nazir Samparani which resulted to the death of 5 hostages and all 16 inmates.
As early as 9:00 a.m. of August 19, 1989, members and followers of the Foundation began trooping to the Rizal Memorial Track and Football Stadium in Vito Cruz Street, Manila to participate in its Fifth Anniversary. By midnight, 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 El Shaddai. Bishop Teodoro C. Bacani, together with some priests from the different parishes in the Archdiocese of Manila, led the Holy Mass.
On September 20, Lea Salonga begins her performance in the West End production of Miss Saigon in London, for the leading role of Kim.
From November 18-25, 1989, the Hong Kong Chapter celebrated its anniversary at the Chung Hom Kok with Bro. Mike and Rev. Fr. Archie Guiriba as speakers.
On November 19, A plebiscite is held in ARMM, resulting in the ratification of RA 6734 that established the region, with the inclusion of the provinces of Lanao del Sur (except Marawi City), Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
On December 1–9, 1989, coup attempt is launched by RAM under Col. Honasan and Marcos loyalists under retired Gen. Jose Ma. Zumel, with Malacañang bombarded on the 1st and several military bases seized; rebels surrender on the 9th; the most serious attempt against President Aquino with 99 casualties.
From December 30-31, 1989, there was simply no space left unoccupied with people standing shoulder to shoulder during the Annual Overnight Family Reunion with El Shaddai at the Rizal Baseball Stadium in Manila.
In February 1990, many were healed of their ailments during the Mass and Healing Rally of the Foundation at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
On February 12, General elections are held for the first time in the newly created Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for the Regional Governor and Vice-Governor.
On March 4, Hotel Delfino in Tuguegarao, Cagayan was seized by suspended Governor Rodolfo Aguinaldo and his armed men of 200. The siege was immediately followed by a gunfight, killing Brigader General Oscar Florendo, his driver and four members of the civilian staff and several guests, and 10 more wounded. Aguinaldo was escaped in the mountains after a shootout in a military checkpoint.
From April 14 to 15, 1990, thousands of members and followers trooped to the DWXI Compound in Parañaque for the Easter Family Appointment with El Shaddai.
On April 25, Two U.P. Students, Ernesto "Cochise" Bernabe II and his girlfriend Anna Lourders "Beebom" Castanos were abducted and killed in Pampanga. (which their decomposing bodies were found on June 25–26)
On May 13, Gunmen kill two United States Air Force airmen near Clark Air Base on the eve of talks between the Philippines and the United States over the future of American military bases in the Philippines.
On July 16, The Luzon earthquake struck with a 7.8 Ms. The earthquake caused damage within an area of about 20,000 square kilometers, stretching from the mountains of the Cordillera Administrative Region and through the Central Luzon region.
During the months of July and August, the Foundation extended assistance to the earthquake victims of Aringay, La Union and Baguio Hills, Baguio City. A Mass and Fellowship was held thereafter.
On August 5, 1990, due to the overflowing crowd, a three-session Sunday Family Appointment with El Shaddai was held at the Folk Arts Theater.
From August 18 to 19, 1990, the Sixth Anniversary of the Foundation was held at the PICC-CCP Grounds in Buendia Ext., Pasay City. In attendance were thousands of its members and followers, who experienced the wonderful works of the Holy Spirit as they praised and worshipped El Shaddai and listened to His Word despite a storm which flooded some parts of the venue with knee-deep water.
On September 24, 1990, the servant-volunteer workers of the Foundation participated in the El Shaddai Community Leadership Seminar at its office in Amorsolo St., Makati, with Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bacani as speaker.
October 4, 1990, Mutinying soldiers stage a dawn raid on an army base in Mindanao. The seizure lasts for two days, ending with Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and 21 others capitulating to the government on Oct. 6.
On November 12, Typhoon Ruping slammed Visayas and affected Cebu City, Bacolod City, and other key cities in the Visayas.
On December 8, 1990, the Foundation joined in the National Cathetical Year held at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila. Brother Mike led a prayer at three o'clock in the afternoon.
From December 29 to 30, 1990, the Annual Overnight Family Reunion with El Shaddai was held at the PICC-CCP Grounds, Pasay City. Bishop Bacani led the Holy Mass. In his healing message, Bro. Mike urged the crowd to be delivered from their vice of smoking. Thus, many cigarettes were thrown onto the stage.
On January 29, merger of the Philippine Constabulary with the Integrated National Police to form the Philippine National Police.
On February 10, Lenny Villa, a first-year Ateneo Law student, died of serious physical injuries after three days of bloody hazing rites by the members of Aquila Legis fraternity.
On April 7, 1991, Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 3 created the Municipality of General S. K. Pendatun out of the municipality of Buluan.
In the second quarter of 1991, Bro. Mike, together with Rev. Fr. Archie Guiriba led a Mass and Healing Rally in Toronto, Canada and in Los Angeles, California, USA, and during the opening of the chapter of the Foundation in Singapore.
June 15, 1991, the second-largest volcanic eruption of this century, and by far the largest eruption to affect a densely populated area, occurs at Mount Pinatubo, an active stratovolcano in the Cabusilan Mountains near the tripoint of Zambales, Tarlac and Pampanga. The eruption after more than 600 years produces high-speed avalanches of hot ash and gas, giant mudflows, and a cloud of volcanic ash hundreds of miles across. More than 350 people die during the eruption, most of them from collapsing roofs. Disease that breaks out in evacuation camps and the continuing mud flows in the area cause additional deaths, bringing the total death toll to 722 people.
On June 28, SM Megamall was opened as the 3rd SM Supermall in the Philippines.
On June 30, The massacre of Estrellita, Carmela, and Jennifer Vizconde. Hubert Webb and the original suspects were released from prison in 2010 after they were acquitted by the Supreme Court.
On July 13, Maureen Hultman and John Chapman were murdered by Claudio Teehankee, Jr. The case was controversial as Teehankee is the son of a former Chief Justice.
The scenario of the Seventh Anniversary of the Foundation held at the PICC-CCP Grounds in Pasay City, from August 17-18, 1991, was identical to that of its Sixth 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 October 10, the Local Government Code is signed into law.
In November, former First Lady Imelda Marcos returns to the country to face charges against her. U.S. closes and surrenders Clark Air Base.
On November 4 to 5, Tropical Storm Uring lashes into Eastern Visayas, leaving 8,000 people dead as a result of widespread flooding in the coastal city of Ormoc, Leyte.
This time, the Philippines came close to clinching overall honors, finishing a gold medal shy of equaling Indonesia’s haul of 92.
President Aquino opened the Games during the inaugural rites at the Rizal Memorial Track and Field Stadium. De Vega, accompanied by Carlos Loyzaga, lit the SEA Games flame.
On the first day, the Philippines claimed nine of 20 golds in a stirring start. Swimmers Akiko Thomson, Eric Buhain and Leo Najera led the charge. Shooter Emerito Concepcion, the cycling road race team, gymnast Cathy Ocampo, fencer Walter Torres and snooker’s Leonardo Andam were others who struck gold.
Shooting, swimming and wushu accounted for 10 golds apiece. Athletics, boxing and taekwondo contributed eight each.
The national basketball team breezed to gold with Francis Rodriguez coaching stars like Victor Pablo, Johnny Abarrientos, Jun Limpot, Marlou Aquino, Vergel Meneses, Bong Ravena and Boyet Fernandez.
The country’s multiple medalists were bowlers Paeng Nepomuceno (one gold, three silvers), Norman Gonzales (one gold, two silvers) and Paolo Valdez (two golds, three silvers, one bronze), athletics’ de Vega (one gold, two silvers, one bronze), Elma Muros (two golds, one silver, one bronze) and Nene Pellosis (one gold, two bronzes), swimming’s Buhain (five golds) and Thomson (two golds, two silvers), tennis’ Felix Barrientos (three golds) and Roland So (two golds, one bronze) and wushu’s Lester Pimentel (three bronzes) and Bobby Hongliangyi (one gold, two silvers).
Sports where the Philippines failed to win a single gold medal were badminton, football, sepak takraw, squash, table tennis, traditional boat race and volleyball.
On December 1, 1991, the Cebu Chapter of the Foundation held its First Mass and Healing Concert at the Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City, from 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Bishop Bacani, together with Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Leo Tumulak and Rev. Fr. Mike Hisoler, led the concelebrated Mass. His Eminence Cebu Archbishop Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal talked about the need of unity among the various charismatic groups under the banner of the Foundation. Brother Mike, in his healing message, led the crowd in repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
On December 14, 1991, the Foundation joined in the CBCP-sponsored First National Day of Prayer and Renewal held at Rizal Park, Manila.
On December 29, the Annual Family Reunion with El Shaddai was held at the PICC-CCP Grounds, from 12 midnight to 11 a.m. The lame people in attendance were able to walk, even onto the stage, miraculously.
In the first quarter of 1992, Bishop Bacani appointed Rev. Fr. Anton T. Pascual of the Sto. Niño de Praga Chapel in Greenbelt, Makati City, and Rev. Fr. Alfredo Guerrero of the St. Joseph Parish in Tondo, Manila, as Spiritual Directors of the Foundation.
In January, Former First Lady Marcos is arrested and later released on charges regarding her accounts in Switzerland.
On January 15, Pag-asa was hatched in Davao City becoming the first Philippine eagle to be successfully bred and hatched in captivity.
On March 16, provincehood of Sarangani (Republic Act No. 7228), separating from South Cotabato.
On March 15, His Eminence Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal L. Sin celebrated his Episcopal Silver Jubilee with members and followers of the Foundation, together with some guests, at the PICC-CCP Grounds. During the fellowship, many were delivered from vices such as smoking, drinking liquor, and gambling. As a proof, bottles of wine, cigarettes and game cards were gathered at the stage as urged by Bro. Mike.
Sarangani was created by Republic Act No. 7228 on March 16 penned by Congressman James L. Chiongbian. His wife, Priscilla L. Chiongbian, was the first Governor of Sarangani.
From May 9-10, during the Special Prayer Vigil and Overnight Rally of the Foundation held at the PICC-CCP Grounds, former bitter enemies and 1992 presidential candidates Fidel V. Ramos and Imelda R. Marcos got reconciled in front of Bro. Mike and the thousands of people who attended the affair.
On May 11, plebiscites affirm the establishment of Biliran and Guimaras as regular provinces, separating them from Leyte and Iloilo, respectively, by virtue of Section 462 of Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) approved on October 10, 1991.
On May 24, Bro. Mike, together with Rev. Fr. Archie Guiriba joined the Toronto, Canada Chapter Mass and Healing Rally held at the Our lady of Assumption Church, wherein people of different nationalities-French, Canadian, Spanish, Italian, German, American, Mexican, Filipino and Chinese filled the church.
Ramos took his oath office on June 30, at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila and as mandated by the Constitution, this took place at noon. The oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Chief Justice Andres Narvasa. This is also the first inauguration after the 1987 constitution and the first inauguration after the 1986 EDSA Revolution. The inauguration took place at the Quirino Grandstand as mentioned by president Corazon Aquino on her final State of the Nation Address in 1991. Among those in attendance were outgoing president Corazon Aquino, vice president Salvador Laurel, former president Diosdado Macapagal and former first lady Eva Macapagal.
Back in the Philippines, Bro. Mike was the guest speaker during the First Anniversary of the Foundation's chapter in San Pablo City, Laguna held on July 7. Though a brownout occurred, this did not hinder Bro. Mike from proclaiming mightily and boldly the Word of God.
On July 16, during the El Shaddai Fellowship in Amorsolo, the former owner of DWXI radio station, Bro. Ernie Rosales gave his testimony on how he came to know Bro. Mike and how he was blessed upon seeing him being used by the Lord in this vineyard.
On July 26, the El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI Japan Chapter was inaugurated with a Mass and Healing Rally at the Nishi Chiba Catholic Church, in Chiba City. Reverend Fr. Vic Torres, the chapter's spiritual director, officiated the Holy Mass. After the healing message of Bro. Mike, everyone presents became joyful, experienced miracle healings in spirit and body, and received new lives in Christ.
On the occasion of the Eight Anniversary of the Foundation held at the PICC-CCP Grounds, from August 22-23, 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.
On September 5, 1992, Bro. Mike visited the Foundation's chapter in Roxas, Oriental Mindoro Chapter via a helicopter. The estimated 25,000 Mindorenos from different denominations, including the native Mangyans, were delighted as they listened to his healing message during a Mass and Healing Rally held at the Roxas Town Plaza, from 5:30 p.m. to 12 m.n.
On October and November 1992, the Foundation had a relief operation for the Mt. Pinatubo victims in Zambales and Tarlac. Before the distribution of relief goods, a fellowship was held amidst the heavy downpour of rain.
On November 6, the first Diocesan Mass and Healing Rally in Pampanga was held at the Pampanga Sports Complex in San Fernando, Pampanga, where Kapampangans filled the venue to the rafters.
On November 24, Subic Bay Naval Base closes as it is turned over to the local government, with a last batch of American soldiers finally leaving Naval Air Station Cubi Point and returning to the US, ending its military presence in the country.
On November 28, plebiscite approves the separation of Sarangani from South Cotabato by virtue of Republic Act No. 7228.
On December 12, the Foundation joined the Family Rosary Crusade Golden Jubilee at Rizal Park, Manila. Majority of the millions of people that attended the affair were prayer-partners.
From December 26-27, an estimated three million people attended the Annual Overnight Family Appointment with El Shaddai at Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila.
On February 10, 1993, the first Mass Wedding sponsored by the Foundation was held at the St. John the Baptist Church in Pinaglabanan, San Juan. Nineteen couples, who were together without the benefit of marriage from seven months to 34 years and some had already children, finally tied the knot.
From February 13-14, thousands of prayer-partners joined the Save a Child, Save the Family Movement at the Qurino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila. The event was held in protest of the anti-life programs of the government.
On February 25, for the first time, the Foundation participated in the 1986 Edsa Revolution Anniversary.
On February 28, Bro. Mike delivered the healing message during the DWXI-PPFI First Family Appointment with El Shaddai in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Laoag Bishop Edmundo Abaya, led the concelebrated Mass. Bishop Abaya was the first bishop who accepted the Foundation in his diocese.
On June 28 to 29, two University of the Philippines in Los Baños, Laguna students Eileen Sarmenta and Allan Gomez were abducted and killed by the men of Calauan Laguna Mayor Antonio Sanchez.
On July 2, the annual Bocaue River Festival in Bocaue, Bulacan is marred by the sinking of a floating pagoda, the centerpiece of the festivities, which results in the drowning of more than 200 devotees.
Close to two million people gathered to praise, worship, and give thanks to God for His love and goodness on the Ninth Anniversary of the Foundation held at the Quirino Grandstand, from August 21-22, 1993. The crowd filled the Rizal Park from Taft Avenue to Manila Bay at the back of the grandstand. The affair featured the mass wedding of two hundred thirty couples who had previously lived together without the blessing of the Church. During his healing message, Bro. Mike launched the "Love Our Police Movement," believing that through the Filipinos’ love and faith in the members of the Philippine National Police, the nation will change for the better.
In September, Marcos funeral: Remains of former Pres. Marcos return in the country upon permission from the government; are interred later in his hometown of Batac.
On September 24, 1993 Former First Lady Imelda Marcos is found by Sandiganbayan guilty of corruption and sentenced to 18–24 years in prison.
On October 13, 1993, Bishop Bacani led the First Morning Mass held at 3rd Floor, Queensway Bldg., Amorsolo St., Makati and aired live over radio DWXI (1314 kHz) AM from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Preceding the Mass was the early morning praise and worship from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. led by the El Shaddai Gospel Choir.
On November 15, the Foundation opened its Medical-Dental Clinic for its members and followers. On December 11, in spite of the heavy rains and muddy place, millions of people including the prayer-partners participated in the International Year of the Family launched by the CBCP at the Reclamation Area, Pasay City. Concelebrating the Holy Mass were their Eminences Cardinal Sin, Cardinal Vidal, and Cardinal Alfonso Lopez-Turjillo, President, Pontifical Council of the Family, Vatican City.
On December 13, Bro, Mike delivered the healing message during the DWXI - PPFI Cebu Chapter 1st Anniversary held at the Arellano National School Grounds, Cebu City. A concelebrated Mass was led by Most Rev. Manuel Salvador, Coadjutor Archbishop of Cebu, together with Very Rev. Msgrs. Esteban Binghay and Fred Kiekenbeek, Spiritual Director, Cebu Catholic Charismatic Communities; and Rev. Fr. Nap Lozada.
From December 24 to 25, 1993, close to three million people stayed for about fifteen hours during the DWXI-PPFI Overnight Annual Family Reunion with El Shaddai at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
The place was made very colorful by the holding of the First Christmas Lantern Festival, wherein the attendees brought home-made lanterns of different sizes and designs as instructed by Bro. Mike. Seventy-eight couple who were once living as common-law husbands and wives finally tied the knot during the Holy Mass led by Bishop Bacani. Before the affair ended, Bro. Mike delivered the Good News of Salvation.
Immediately after the Christmas celebration, Bro. Mike left for the USA for some speaking engagements. He first went to San Francisco on January 9, 1994, wherein close to a thousand prayer-partners and friends from all over the Bay Area and Northern California flocked to Newark Pavilion to attend the regular Mass and Healing Rally of the chapter. Reverend Fr. Apolinario Icarangal, a spiritual director of a chapter of the Foundation and a parish priest of Calauan, Laguna, who was then visiting the city, officiated the Mass. In his homily, Father Icarangal explained the word "El Shaddai" to the congregation. He also expressed his appreciation for Bro. Mike and the community in bringing together more than four million people during its 9th anniversary in Manila. As Bro. Mike delivered the Good News of salvation, the anointing of the Holy Spirit was felt all over the place.
On January 16, 1994, the Southern California Secretariat organized a special Mass and Healing Rally at the St. Kevin's Church in Los Angeles, which lasted for six hours. The Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Ramon Valera, associate pastor of the Holy Family Church in the area. Physical, emotional, mental and spiritual healing took place while Bro. Mike Z. Velarde shared his true-to-life experiences in relation to the Word of God amidst the joy and laughter of the crowd.
The Lord has His ways to let the people know of His presence. People, who have not gone to church before, ran to Him during the great earthquake. People thronged to the Mass and Healing Rally bringing with them torches, water and food. People in the Hollywood Palm Hotel, where Bro. Mike and members of the San Francisco chapter stayed, said that their hotel was free from any damage, although many buildings and hotels collapsed, because the servant-leader of the Lord's ministry checked-in there. Some churches were also condemned due to big cracks in the wall, however when the L.A. fire department checked St. Kevin's Church, the cracks were only superficial. Brother Mike conducted a discipleship meeting with the Northern and Southern California chapter officers and workers while in the area.
From USA, Bro. Mike flew to Japan for a Mass and Healing Rally held at the Nippon Kai Kan Hall in Tokyo on January 23, 1994. The theater was almost filled to capacity with people of different nationalities, particularly Japanese who were married to Filipinas. A Philippine Consulate officer and a Japanese interpreter graced the occasion. The Holy Mass was officiated by the chapter's spiritual director, Rev. Fr. Vic Torres. As Bro. Mike delivered his healing message, the theater was filled with the Holy Spirit and many hearts were touched and experienced emotional, spiritual and physical healing. Even the Japanese were moved into tears.
Rep. Ronaldo Zamora sponsored a House Bill which eventually became Republic Act Number 7675 otherwise known as “An Act Converting the Municipality of Mandaluyong into a Highly Urbanized City to be known as the City of Mandaluyong.”
President Ramos signed R.A. No. 7675 into law on February 9, 1994 (the 49th anniversary of its liberation from the Japanese), which was ratified through a plebiscite on April 10, 1994 making Mandaluyong the 5th city in Metro Manila after Manila, Quezon City, Pasay and Caloocan. Mandaluyong became a lone district with its own Representative in Congress.
From February 11 to 13, 1994, a Life-in-the-Spirit Seminar was held at Sai Kung in Hong Kong with Bro. Mike delivering the healing and salvation message-explaining the Eucharist to the believers. He also emphasized that the Foundation is a worldwide Catholic Charismatic ministry. Concelebrating the Holy Mass were Rev. Fr. Paul Guinnevan, OMI, the chapter's spiritual director and parish priest of Sai Kung; Rev. Fr. Niveo Vigano; and Rev. Fr. Carreon, a visiting priest from Pangasinan.
In the First Quarter of 1994, back from abroad, Bro. Mike opened the national diocesan centers in Cainta, Rizal (February 21); Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (February 26); Lipa City, Batangas (March 7); and Balanga, Bataan (March 21).
On March 29, the Philippines gets connected to the Internet. The Philippine Network Foundation (PHNet) connected the country to Sprint in the United States via a 64 kbit/s link.
On April 2, close to three million people gathered for the Foundation's Easter Overnight Celebration at PICC-CCP Grounds.
On April 10, a big healing rally of the Foundation, sponsored by the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Service Committee, was held at the Edmonton Convention Centre in Canada attended by many Filipino Canadians, including small groups from Vancouver and Toronto and a busload from Winnipeg. Reverend Fr. Bong Guerrero concelebrated the Holy Mass with local Canadian priests and Bro. Mike delivered the healing message.
On April 17, the Los Angeles Convention Center (Concourse Hall) in USA was the venue of the 3rd Anniversary of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Foundation. It was filled to its maximum capacity of 3,500. Catholics and members of different denominations converged in the venue to join the celebration. When Bro. Mike delivered his healing message, the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit was all over the place as thousands came to repentance, accepted Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, and received healing from various ailments, deliverance from the bondage of vices and spiritual transformation. Because of the countless miracles witnessed by those who were present, everybody went home with peace and joy, glorifying El Shaddai.
‘It’s Miss India,’ the Philippine STAR bannered on its front page, May 22, 1994 issue.
Sushmita Sen, the first Miss India to win the Miss Universe title, was crowned on May 21 amid glittering rites at the Philippine International Convention Center.
On June 10, Bomb attacks in Zamboanga City, perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf Group, kill 71 people.
On June 19, Bro. Mike was bestowed the Ulirang Ama Awards (Socio-Civic/Religious Sector) held at the Malacañang, Manila.
On June 24, the Foundation successfully held the First National Convention Seminar of its workers at the Folk Arts Theater.
On August 14, the Foundation led by Bro. Mike joined in the Catholic Church's protest rally against the government's population control program held at the Quirino Grandstand. His Eminence Cardinal Sin, together with Bishop Bacani, Manila Vice Mayor Lito Atienza, and Rev. Fr. James Reuter, led the affair.
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 Tenth Anniversary of the Foundation at the national park from August 20-21, 1994. The participants crowded the 60-hectare 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.
On November 24, 1994, the Foundation opened its chapter at the Batasang Pambansa, home of the House of Representatives, with a Mass and Healing Rally. Brother Mike spoke before several lawmakers and their staff that attended the affair.
On December 11, A small bomb explodes on Philippine Airlines Flight 434, killing a Japanese businessman. The bombing was a field test done by Ramzi Yousef to test explosives that would have been used in Project Bojinka.
From December 24-25, the Foundation held the biggest Christmas party in the Philippines during its Annual Family Reunion at Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila. The close to three million attendees feasted on thousands of roasted calves, pigs and chickens. In the early morning, thousands of doves for peace and prosperity were released by the attendees.
At the start of the year 1995, the Foundation participated in two events-the First National Congress of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement in the Philippines, whose various Charismatic member groups gathered for unity in the spirit, and the 10th World Youth Day, during which close to five thousand young members of the Foundation joined as delegates.
At WYD 1995, ten million people gathered at the Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park in Manila, Philippines, an event recognized as the largest crowd ever by the Guinness World Records.
It was surpassed by the anniversary celebration of Catholic Charismatic group El Shaddai last August 20-21, 1988 and August 20-21, 1994 and the anniversary celebration of Evangelical Charismatic Christian group Jesus is Lord Church to coincidence with the birthday celebration of Bro. Eddie Villanueva last October 9, 1994.
The participants crowded the 61-hectare park and adjacent areas-Roxas Boulevard, Padre Burgos Drive, Taft Avenue, Pablo Ocampo, Paseo Palisoc, Julian Felipe, Fernando Ma. Guerrero, E. Makabenta, Magdalena Jalandoni, Leandro Locsin, Vicente Sotto, Pedro Bukaneg, Zolio Hilario, Manuel Argilla, Leona Florentino, Atang dela Rama, Jose W. Diokno Boulevard, Senator Gil Puyat Avenue, Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, A. Mabini, Adriatico, Asuncion, Leveriza, Balingkit, Bagong Lipunan, Maginhawa, Lawin, Fidel A. Reyes, Castro, Quirino Avenue, San Andres, Remedios, Julio Nakpil, Alonzo, P. del Carmen, General Miguel Malvar Street, Dr. J. Quintos, Pedro Gil, Padre Faura, U.N. Avenue, Maria Y. Orosa, Churucca, Jorge Bocobo, San Carlos, Arquiza, Grey, A. Flores, Cortada, Marcelo H. del Pilar, L. Guerrero, Plaza Nuestra Senora de Guia, Alhambra, T.M. Kalaw Street, Escoda, Apacible, Leon Guinto Street, Felipe Agoncillo, General Luna, Gonzales, United Nations Avenue, Padre Burgos Avenue, Finance Road, Ayala Boulevard, Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Jones Bridge, MacArthur Bridge, Quezon Bridge, Rizal Avenue, Carlos Palanca Sr., P. Casal Street, General Solano, Nicanor Padilla, Gonzalo Puyat Street, Evangelista, Ronquillo, Estero Cegado, Germinal, Trinidad, Mabolo, Sales, Padre Gomez, Platerias, Palma, Carriedo, R. Hidalgo, Plaza Miranda, Villalobos, Z.P. de Guzman, F.R. Hidalgo Street, Carcer, Pasaje del Carmen, Concepcion Aguila, J. Nepomuceno, Arlegui, Fraternal, Vergara, Castillejos, Duque de Alba, Farnecio, Antonio Villegas, Natividad Almeda-Lopez, San Marcelino, Ayala Boulevard, D. Romualdez, Padre Faura, Apacible, Mahatma Gandhi, Angel Linao, Calixto Dyco, Syson, San Jorge, Nieto, Narra, Apitong, Dao, Lauan, Yakal, Mahogany, Tindalo, Narra, Guijo, Cristobal, Paz, Zulueta, Cuevas, Yangco, Leroy, Alfaro, Salvador, 13 de Agosto, Sto. Speulcro, Lopez Jaena, Santiago, Sagat, Felina, Icasiano, Lanuza Anak Bayan, Singalon, Tirona Benitez, Modesto, San Pascual and San Pedro.
On February 1, in order to deepen the spiritual nourishment of its service-volunteer workers and for them to appreciate the heritage of Catholic worship and the sacrament, as well as enhance their knowledge of Catholic teachings on Scriptures and basic doctrines, the Foundation started its On-Going Formation and Cathetical Seminar at Amorsolo handled by Bishop Bacani and Rev. Fathers Bong Guerrero and Anton Pascual.
Kalinga and Apayao are the result of the 1995 partitioning of the former province of Kalinga-Apayao; which was seen to better service the respective needs of the various indigenous peoples in the area.
On April 1, right after the Weekly Family Appointment with El Shaddai at Luneta, Bro. Mike held a press conference at the National Press Club in Manila to air his protest on the proposed cutting of diplomatic ties with Singapore, an offshoot of the Flor Contemplacion case, and with other countries.
The 1995 Ipil massacre occurred on the morning of April 4, 1995, in the municipality of Ipil in Zamboanga Sibugay province when approximately 200 heavily armed Abu Sayyaf militants fired upon residents, strafed civilian homes, plundered banks, took up to 30 hostages and then burned the center of the town to the ground.
On May 8, the plebiscite approves the division of Kalinga-Apayao into Apayao and Kalinga by virtue of Republic Act No. 7878 and the municipality of Muntinlupa, Metro Manila was converted into a highly urbanized city by virtue of Republic Act No. 7926.
On May 28, the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Family and Life and the Foundation joined hands in celebration of the First National Day of Life with the hope of arousing the awareness of the public regarding the evils of abortion and euthanasia, and instilling the responsibility of everyone to promote life in obedience to the plan of God. The celebration was held simultaneously with the Family Appointment with El Shaddai during the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ at the Reclamation Area, Pasay City. A Marian procession was held, accompanied by the recitation of the 15 decades of the Holy Rosary. Special intentions for the youth, doctors, pharmacists, teachers, handicapped, prisoners and victims of violence were mentioned during each mystery.
The Eucharistic Celebration was officiated by Bishop Bacani, together with Most Rev. Bishop Ramon Arguelles, Manila Episcopal Chairman of Marriage, Family and Life Ministry; Very Rev. Msgr. Vicente Salgado and Rev. Fr. Watin of Romblon. During the Mass, Bishop Arguelles read a special letter to all Filipinos from His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, imparting his apostolic blessings to the event.
From June 3-4, amidst the storm and flood, thousands of people converged at the PICC-PNCC Grounds for the DWXI-PPFI Pentecost Overnight Celebration. Bishops Ramon Arguelles of CALMANA and Rolando Tirona of PPLM led the concelebrated Mass.
Thousands of members and followers of the Foundation braved the early morning summer sun as they gathered at the Yorty Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center during the first USA and Canada joint Charismatic Healing and Prayer Rally held on July 2. Some prayer-partners gave their testimonies on the miracle healing and life-changing power of the Word of God. Among them were the Lawas brothers, who "littered the street" back in Manila, where they indulged in prohibited drugs, alcohol and almost all kinds of vices. The Lord has changed their lives through the Good News. Now, together with some members of their families, they have become part of the music ministry of the San Francisco Chapter. Reverend Fr. Alfredo “Bong” Guerrero delivered his homily with witty and charismatic jokes, to the delight of all attendees. After which, Bro. Mike expounded from the Holy Scripture the value of getting close to God Almighty and following the Golden Rule. He gave emphasis on how to become a true Christian by believing that God will give whatever we ask, as long as we have faith in Him. The Holy Spirit manifested Himself, through the physical and emotional healing experienced by the attendees, as the love, peace and joy of the Lord filled the Yorty Hall.
From August 14-15, over a thousand-people composed of the local and international parish chapter coordinators, service volunteer workers and staff of the Foundation held an overnight retreat at Puerto Azul, Cavite, in preparation for its 11th anniversary. Brother Mike delivered his first message at around 7:00 p.m. The congregation was held captive by his usual style and wit, that even the staff and workers of Puerto Azul Country Club took time to listen to him as he discussed the attributes that each one must possess in order to become a true servant of God. He was followed by Bishop Bacani who talked about "Faithfulness" as servants of God, and added cheerfully that a Christian's life is a series of hatching (birth), matching (marriage) and dispatching (death). The wee hours of the morning were spent in sharing and group interaction. At 5:30 a.m., despite the fact that everybody remained awake throughout the night, everyone joined the morning joyful praise and worship to give thanks to the Lord. Around 9:00 a.m., Bro. Mike gave his morning message. At 11:30, a sumptuous lunch awaited the workers while Bro. Mike brought the retreat to a close with a prayer for peace, unity and love to reign among workers in the vineyard of El Shaddai. Shortly after, everyone went home filled with joy and a sense of oneness, and with renewed strength from El Shaddai.
The Eleventh Anniversary of the Foundation was held at the PNCC-PICC-CCP Grounds, Buendia Ave. Ext., Pasay City, from August 19 to 20. Three days before the event, tents of sack, plastic and umbrellas had already mushroomed in and around the venue. The members and followers of the Foundation from the provinces arrived in buses, trucks, jeepneys, and other vehicles festooned with streamers bearing the name “El Shaddai.” In view of the huge numbers of people coming to the venue, the Buendia Avenue Extension was closed and a big number of those who came had to stay in their vehicles, go to the rooftops of nearby buildings, or sit on the sidewalks and simply monitor the celebration on their portable TV and radio sets. His Eminence Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, officiated a mass wedding of one hundred eighty-two couples.
On August 27, 1995, an estimated four thousand people attended the 4th Anniversary of the Singapore Chapter of the Foundation held at the Blessed Sacrament Church in 1 Commonwealth Drive. Reverend Fr. Philip Kolandaisamy of Johor, Malaysia, together with Rev. Fr. Frank Pidgeon, officiated the Eucharistic celebration. Singapore employers and guests from Malaysia and Thailand joined its members and followers as they sang and danced in praise and worship to the Lord. The church, including its aisles and choir loft, was jam-packed. Everyone felt the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as Bro. Mike delivered his healing message. The laughter of the audience echoed through the walls of the church which was a clear manifestation of God's living power.
From September 30-October 1, some two hundred thousand members and followers of the Foundation, weathered typhoon Mameng’s onslaught that fell in torrents over the PEA Grounds in Pasay City during the Weekly Family Appointment with El Shaddai, threatening to disrupt the rally. Lightning and thunder came in succession as the voices of the emcees, lectors, and choir members on-stage weakly filtered through the microphones which had already been turned full blast. Umbrellas were rendered useless against the strong winds and heavy downpour which left everyone soaking wet and shivering.
Despite this, the attendees were determined to hear Bro. Mike speak for the first time, after he met an accident on Sept. 16 wherein his arm was fractured during his routine jogging at Puerto Azul. It had been two weeks of continuous intercessory prayers for his recovery, especially before his bone surgery on Sept. 21.
It was indeed a miracle, for ten days after, the servant-leader was able to attend the Weekly Family Appointment with El Shaddai. It was around 4 a.m. when Bro. Mike, with his arm still in cast and sling, delivered the healing message amidst the rampaging storm.
On October 7, at the formal launching of the "Piso Para sa Pasig Fund Raising Campaign" at the Rizal Park Orchidarium spearheaded by First Lady, Mrs. Amelita Ramos, the Foundation through Bro. Mike Z. Velarde expressed his support for the PPP project, a special campaign to bring back life to the Pasig River.
Typhoon Angela, was a catastrophic Category 5 typhoon with 180 mph (290 km/h) sustained winds. Typhoon Angela was the third storm in a row that struck the Philippines, following Yvette and Zack. Typhoon Angela was the twenty-ninth tropical cyclone, and the fifth super typhoon of the moderately active 1995 Pacific typhoon season.
Angela caused 9.33 billion Philippine pesos in catastrophic damage across the Philippines, resulting in 882 fatalities. It was the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in 25 years.
The Hong Kong Stadium, a billion-dollar, state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex situated in Wan Chai, became the venue of the 7th Anniversary of the Foundation's Hong Kong Chapter held on November 22. An estimated 30,000 attendees eagerly participated in the Eucharistic Celebration with Bishop Bacani as the main celebrant; and Rev. Fathers Roman Carter and Nevio Vigano, spiritual directors of the Hong Kong Chapter, as concelebrants. Brother Mike once more shared the Good News of the Lord through his healing message. In between his talk, he gave examples of living testimonies of the miracles that God performed in the lives of our brothers and sisters. The whole assembly was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit as Bro. Mike's message closed with a healing prayer. Tears of joy and repentance welled from the eyes of those who have been touched by God's Holy Presence. The attendees, composed of Filipinos, Hong Kong nationals, and foreigners, went home joyfully renewed and united in the Spirit of the Lord.
Amidst the yuletide spirit and cheer, 110 couples who had been living together as common-law husbands and wives finally tied the knot during the Christmas Family Reunion with El Shaddai held at the PEA Grounds in Pasay City, from December 23-24, 1995. Close to three million people stood witness to the blessed event as Bishop Bacani officiated the mass wedding ceremony assisted by other priests. Romance pervaded the air, bringing smiles to the young and old alike who stood shoulder to shoulder, seemingly unaffected by the cool December breeze.
In January 1996, Bro. Mike Z. Velarde arrived in Japan early on his annual visit to the different chapters abroad. The chapter's members and followers have greatly increased since it was first opened in 1992. This was noted during the successful Mass and Healing Rally held on January 28. Some two thousand and five hundred Filipinos, Japanese, and other foreign national covenant members and friends joyfully converged at the Nippon Kyoiku Kaikan Hall, situated at 2-6-2 Hitotsubashi Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo.
On February 14, Violent clashes erupt between Filipino soldiers and Vietnamese boat people, as the Philippines government attempts to forcibly repatriate hundreds of Vietnamese asylum seekers.
On February 18, at least 50 people were killed when an overcrowded ferry capsized at the entrance to the port of Cadiz, Negros Occidental; the incident happened when passengers shifted to one side to avoid high waves.
On February 25, in response to Bro. Mike's call for unity, some 100,000 members and followers of the Foundation braved the scorching heat of the sun as early as 10:00 a.m. to join hands with the nation in commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the 1986 EDSA Revolution. The whole-day affair aimed to rally the nation for peace, unity, freedom and thanksgiving. The Foundation was assigned to lead the ecumenical prayer and worship activities.
After the Mass led by His Eminence, Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, the prayer-partners began their fellowship at about 6:00 p.m. with joyful praise songs. To the delight of everyone, Bishop Bacani, in his white robe and scarlet sash, expressed his joy and appreciation for the presence of the thousands of prayer-partners that evening. During the lighting of thousands of candles, a magnificent glow filtered through the darkness of the night filling the intersection of Ortigas Avenue and EDSA. Brother Mike delivered his healing message about the "Extraordinary People of the Lord." He concluded his message with a healing and deliverance prayer which included five particular intentions, as follows: that God forgive the sins of our nation; that He grant us the freedom we seek in our land; that He grant us "amnesia" from the past and the courage to look forward to our future with faith, love and unity; that He grant divine wisdom and extra-ordinary courage to our president so he could continue his vision of Philippines 2000; and that God grant to all of us the extraordinary power to remain firm in our faith. The fellowship ended at midnight.
On March 18, fire razes Ozone Disco, killing 162 guests including college graduating students and 95 more injured. The incident was officially acknowledged as the worst fire in Philippine history, and among the 10 worst nightclub fires in the world.
On March 24, a mining disaster occurs in the island province of Marinduque when the leftover mine tailings from the drainage of the Marcopper Mining Corporation are leaked into the river and spilled into the sea.
From April 4-7, the Foundation held its Holy Week Family Appointment with El Shaddai at the PICC-CCP Grounds beamed live nationwide via satellite on IBC TV-13. Sixty-five converts from other sects, young and old, was baptized during the Holy Mass on Easter Sunday.
The newly-baptized converts joined more than 300 more for confirmation during the Pentecost Overnight Celebration of the Foundation held at the PICC-CCP Grounds from May 24-25 beamed live nationwide via satellite on ABC TV-5.
In June 1996, when Bro. Mike flew out of the country to fulfill some engagements, a former service-volunteer assigned to security filed charges of illegal transfer of funds against him with the SEC. The allegations appeared in various newspapers, as well as on TV news programs, not only in the Philippines, but throughout the world as well.
Upon his return, denied the accusations and narrated the facts of the case in a Special Mass and Healing Rally held at the PICC-CCP Grounds on July 6, before close to a million people. He also invited his accuser and cohorts to look into the accounts of the Foundation.
From July 24 to 25, Typhoon Gloria lost rains and flooding that killed nearly 60 people on Luzon and Mindoro Islands.
On August 1, Sarah Balabagan, an OFW who was accused of killing an Arab employee, is freed. Mabuhay, moved to its new orbital slot. Mabuhay satellite, previously named Palapa B-2P, was acquired by Mabuhay Philippines Satellite Corporation on an earlier date this year. Mabuhay became one to be owned by a Filipino entity.
On August 14, the SEC Court through a resolution cleared Bro. Mike of the charges.
His Excellency, President Fidel V. Ramos was the guest of honor during the Twelfth Anniversary of the Foundation at the PICC-CCP Grounds from August 17-18. In line with the anniversary theme, which is unity, leaders from the different charismatic groups were invited to speak in a CLSS. During the Thanksgiving Mass officiated by Bishop Bacani, a mass wedding took place, in which eighty couples who had been living together as common-law spouses finally tied the knot. Brother Mike delivered the Healing Message about the "Miracle Touch of Unwavering Faith."
On September 2, 1996, Bro. Mike and Hon. Leonardo Quisumbing, Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), signed an agreement between the government and the Foundation to set up an El Shaddai Overseas "Desk" to look after the welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers worldwide. The signing took place in the presence of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., author of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995, at his Makati City residence. The Memorandum of Agreement states that the DOLE through the POEA shall allow whenever feasible and appropriate the Foundation to maintain an active Guidance, Counseling and Spiritual Assistance Desk at the POEA Action Center to attend to the morale, welfare and spiritual concern related to overseas employment and other matters; that the DOLE through the OWWA shall extend possible and appropriate assistance to its members who may be in need of guidance counseling and spiritual assistance as well as other welfare services while at the jobsite; that the Foundation shall assign at least two responsible members/officers to man its desk at the POEA Action Center and shall communicate to DOLE/POEA/OWWA the concerns of its members which require immediate action or solution. The said agreement is a positive step of the government in its serious efforts to help alleviate the plight of our Filipino migrant workers abroad.
On 22 November 1996, two days before the Economic Leaders' Summit, the US State Department, through its spokesperson Nicholas Burns, warned American citizens in the Philippines to take security precautions following threats against American diplomats attending the summit.
APEC Philippines 1996 was a series of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings focused on economic cooperation, held at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Subic, Zambales on Nov. 24-25, 1996. It was the eighth APEC meeting in history and the first held in the Philippines.
The House of Representatives Chapter of the Foundation held its 2nd Anniversary on Nov. 28, 1996 at the main lobby of the Batasang Pambansa Bldg., Batasan Complex, Quezon City. Several employees of the Congress and prayer-partners within the area including Cong. Dante Liban of Quezon City were present during the occasion. The affair started with the celebration of the Holy Mass which was officiated by Rev. Fr. Fernando Canicula, parish priest of St. John of the Cross, Pembo, Makati City. This was followed by a CLSS. Brother Mike delivered the message on the importance of being empowered by the Holy Spirit-the power that we need in order for us to overcome trials and temptations and to turn our problems into miracles.
Before the year ended, the Catholic hierarchy of the Philippines, through His Eminence Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, in solidarity with the instruction of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, called on Filipinos to participate in the launching of the Great Jubilee Year 2000-a 3-year celebration in preparation for the 2000th birth anniversary of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thousands of Catholics from the different religious and lay organizations including the Foundation responded to this call as they gathered at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on December 1. A concelebrated Mass, officiated by the bishops and priests led by Cardinal Sin, highlighted the affair. His Excellency Most Rev. Gian Vincencio Moreni, DD., Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, read a letter from the Vatican before the multitude. In line with the theme of the occasion, Bro. Mike focused his healing message on how to prepare ourselves for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He said, "let us not worry about anything, instead, let us put our trust in the Lord; let us fill our hearts with the Word of God and remain faithful in His love; and let us forgive those who have offended us and forget our past hurts. For forgiveness is a step to humility, humility to obedience, and obedience to Eternal Life."
From December 21-22, millions of members and followers of the Foundation joined in the colorful and joyful celebration of the Family Christmas Reunion with El Shaddai held at the PICC-CCP Grounds, Buendia Ext., Pasay City.
Just looking at the stage design, one can feel the Christmas season, wherein a giant Christmas tree were placed. The was made up of piled-up boxes with 5 in. x 5 in. x 7 in. in size covered by colorful Christmas wrappers. This is the same box, called Miracle Vision Prayer-Request Wish Box, which the attendees brought in the affair as instructed by Bro. Mike. The box had ribbons with color gold, symbolizing the virtue of faith; yellow, symbol of love; and white, symbol of good works. It had a hole to like a money-box, where the attendees put a duplicate copy of their 12 prayer-requests. During the Holy Mass, 101 couple who had been living outside the grace of God finally tied the knot. Some of them were the pair of Bro. Lucino dela Cruz, 64 years old, and Sis. Lolita Papango, 63 years old, who had been living together without the blessing of the church for almost 38 years. Notable among them was a Swiss national who married a Filipina, a couple both afflicted with leprosy, at a Muslim convert. Prior to this, close to 50 among them were baptized and confirmed first before they were allowed to get married, according to Church regulations.
From December 28-29, in order to welcome the coming year 1997, millions of people gathered for an overnight fellowship at the PICC-CCP Grounds beamed live nationwide via satellite over IBC TV-13. A Basic Christian Maturity Seminar was held led by several disciples of the Foundation.
On January 22-26, 1997, Filipino Catholics celebrated the CBCP-organized 5th National Eucharistic Congress held at PICC and Quirino Grandstand in Manila. During the 14-hour overnight vigil at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta which started at 7:00 p.m. of January 25, millions of believers and members of various lay organizations, including the Foundation, nuns and priests together with the cardinals, archbishops, and bishops, from all over the country, attended the vigil. An elder-disciple of the Foundation talked before the congregation on how to prepare oneself in receiving the Eucharist. In the morning of January 26, President Ramos gave his message to the assembly. Shortly after this, Papal Legate, His Eminence Anthony Joseph Cardinal Bavilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia (USA) led the concelebrated Mass, together with their Eminences Jose Thomas Cardinal Sanchez, Prefect, Congregation for the Clergy, Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal; Tuguegarao Archbishop Diosdado Talamayan; Most Rev. Gian Vincenzo Moreni, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines; and Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bacani.
On February 12, President Ramos signed Republic Act No. 8251 or “An Act Converting the Municipality of Las Piñas into a Highly-Urbanized City to be known as the City of Las Piñas.”
On March 14, the Eighth National People's Congress decided to merge the Sub-provincial city with the neighboring Fuling, Wanxian, and Qianjiang prefectures that it had governed on behalf of the province since September 1996. The resulting single division became Chongqing Municipality, containing 30,020,000 people in forty-three former counties (without intermediate political levels). The municipality became the spearhead of China's effort to develop its western regions and to coordinate the resettlement of residents from the reservoir areas of the Three Gorges Dam project.
On March 20, Bro. Mike was the Guest of Honor and Speaker during the luncheon meeting of the Manila Rotarians at the Century Park Sheraton Ballroom, Vito Cruz, Manila. In his message, he told everyone that what we need to realize our quest for national peace, unity and prosperity is the "Missing Part"-the Lord Jesus Christ.
A plebiscite held a month after approved the city status by its residents, and Las Piñas became the 10th city of Metro Manila on March 26, 1997.
The handover ceremony was held at the new wing of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on the night of 30 June 1997. The principal British guest was Prince Charles, who read a farewell speech on behalf of the Queen. The newly elected Prime Minister, Tony Blair, the Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, the departing Governor Chris Patten and General Sir Charles Guthrie, Chief of the Defense Staff, also attended.
On July 1, the Foundation's radio program, “Alay Pagmamahal” reached its first year of broadcast over Metro Broadcast-Metro Plus (1044 kHz) AM, a Hong Kong-based radio station. This is the only Christian radio program in Filipino being aired in Hong Kong. The program aired audio tape of "Alay Pagmamahal," a radio program of Bro. Mike in Manila being heard every Tuesday and Thursday over radio DWXI (1314 kHz) AM. The program tackles the ever-present problems in relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, parents-in-law and sons or daughters-in-law, and other members of the family; and gives advices or suggestions as solutions based on the Word of God. Since its broadcast, many Filipinos working there became its listeners and gave their testimony that they experienced strength, vigor and hope in life in spite of their homesickness, hardship in living there, and anxieties brought about by problems that they received from their respective family back home. Aside from this, many broken families were restored after they followed the advices they have heard on the program.
Prince Charles is making a whirlwind visit to the Philippines affirming East Asia's political and commercial importance to Britain after the handover of Hong Kong to China. The Philippine Navy band and three 21-gun salutes greeted (Thursday) the heir apparent to England's throne as he disembarked from the Royal Yacht Britannia on his eight-hour stop enroute home.
On July 2, Asian financial crisis affected numerous Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines, as well as South Korea.
On July 16, Sisters Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong were abducted and killed in Cebu City, the suspects were later executed which in turn would lead to the abolition of death penalty in 2006.
The Thirteenth Anniversary of the was celebrated at the PICC-CCP Grounds from August 23 to 24, His Eminence, Jose Thomas Cardinal Sanchez, Most Rev. Naval Bishop Filomeno Bactol, Bishop Bacani, and some Reverend Fathers and Spiritual Directors of the Foundation for local and overseas chapters attended the affair. A number of public officials also graced the occasion. Brother Mike presented the “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” Award to President Fidel V. Ramos, the guest of honor.
1997 WYD was held in Paris, France. 2000 WYD took place in Rome, Italy. 2002 WYD was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2005 WYD was celebrated in Cologne, Germany. Thomas Gabriel composed for the final Mass on 21 August 2005 the Missa mundi (Mass of the world), representing five continents in style and instrumentation, in a European Kyrie influenced by the style of Bach, a South American Gloria with guitars and pan flutes, an Asian Credo with sitar, an African Sanctus with drums, and an Australian Agnus Dei with didgeridoos.
Sydney, Australia, was chosen as the host of the 2008 World Youth Day celebrations. At the time it was announced in 2005, WYD 2008 was commended by the then Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd, and the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell. World Youth Day 2008 was held in Sydney, with the Papal Mass held on the Sunday at Randwick Racecourse.
The week saw pilgrims from all continents participate in the Days in the Diocese program hosted by Catholic dioceses throughout Australia and New Zealand. Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Sydney on 13 July 2008 at Richmond Air Force Base. Cardinal Pell celebrated the Opening Mass at Barangaroo (East Darling Harbour) with other activities including the re-enactment of Christ's passion during the Stations of the Cross and the pope's boat cruise through Sydney Harbour. Pilgrims participated in a variety of youth festivities including visits to St Mary's Cathedral, daily catechesis and Mass led by bishops from around the world, concerts, visits to the tomb of Saint Mary MacKillop, the Vocations Expo at Darling Harbour, reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and praying before the Blessed Sacrament during Adoration. The Mass and concert at Barangaroo saw an estimated crowd of 150,000.
The event attracted 250,000 foreign visiting pilgrims to Sydney, with an estimated 400,000 pilgrims attending Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI on 20 July.
On June 12, 2008, Xt3.com, a Catholic social online network and news site, was launched as the Official Catholic Social Network of WYD. It is considered to be a direct fruit of WYD08, just as Salt + Light Television was a direct fruit of WYD 2002 in Toronto.
In May 2007, it was reported that Guy Sebastian's song "Receive the Power" had been chosen as official anthem for World Youth Day (WYD08) to be held in Sydney in 2008. The song was co-written by Guy Sebastian and Gary Pinto, with vocals by Paulini.
"Receive the Power" was used extensively throughout the six days of World Youth Day in July 2008 and also in worldwide television coverage.
In November 2008, a 200-page book, Receive the Power, was launched to commemorate World Youth Day 2008.
Following the celebration of Holy Mass at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on 20 July 2008, Pope Benedict XVI announced that the next International World Youth Day 2011 would be held in Madrid, Spain. This event was held from 16–21 August 2011.
There were nine official patron saints for World Youth Day 2011 in addition to Pope St. John Paul II: St. Isidore, St. John of the Cross, St. María de la Cabeza, St. John of Ávila, St. Teresa of Ávila, St. Rose of Lima, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Rafael Arnáiz, and St. Francis Xavier patron of world missions. During his address to seminarians, Benedict announced that the Spanish mystic and patron of Spanish diocesan clerics St. John of Ávila would become a "Doctor of the Church", a designation granted to only 34 saints throughout the twenty centuries of Church history.
An estimated 2,000,000 people attended an all-night vigil to complete the week, more than expected.
Since 2002, World Youth Day has been held every three years. After the 2011 event the next World Youth Day was scheduled a year earlier than usual, in 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in order to avoid any conflict with the 2014 FIFA World Cup being held in 12 different host cities throughout Brazil and the 2016 Summer Olympics being held in Rio de Janeiro. More than 3 Million catholic youth had gathered for the event from across the world.
Pope Francis announced at the end of closing Mass for World Youth Day 2013 that Kraków, Poland, would be the venue for World Youth Day 2016.
An estimated three million people attended. Young people from many different countries around the world took part in the week-long event which began on 25 July 2016, and ended on 31 July 2016 with an open-air mass led by Pope Francis at Campus Misericordiae where he announced that the next World Youth Day will take place in Panama, Central America in 2019. The theme for this year's World Youth Day was "Blessed Are The Merciful, For They Shall Obtain Mercy", tying in closely with the Year of Mercy, which was initiated by Pope Francis on 8 December 2015 and concluded 20 November 2016.
At the Concluding Mass for World Youth Day 2016 in Kraków, Pope Francis announced that Panama City would host World Youth Day in 2019. The World Youth Day was held from Tuesday 22 January until Sunday 27 January.
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