When I was a child, I have been exposed to my parents’ religion, which is, like most Filipinos, Catholicism. However, they were never active members of the Catholic church. Which is why during my childhood, I was allowed to shift gears and become an active member of the Casilagan Pentecostal Church in our town. I was religiously involved in every activity: I always attended the group’s parties and youth camp activities. As time went by and I grew older, I became one of the children’s Sunday morning teachers.
When I reached my senior year in high school, I began feeling differently towards my faith. Something was amiss and I was determined to find out what it was. And so I searched for the truth. I listened to different pastors airing their sermons on the radio. This is how I was able to chance upon Bro. Eli Soriano’s preaching over DZCV Tuguegarao. I first came to understand the Bible through his teachings, in the year 2000.
It was in October 2001 when I began to look for a local chapter. There I met Bro. Danny Manuel in Naguilian, Isabela. He introduced me to Bro. Nick Janqui, a church worker. I can still remember the first Bible Study topic that I heard – it was about the use of the Bible in attaining salvation.
Early this year 2002, I underwent the indoctrination services of the Members Church of God International (MCGI). The church was still using VHS format at that time. Eventually, I was baptized on March 12 of the same year. On that blessed day, Bro. Sonny Catan officiated my baptism and 20 others.