So the people may know...

(This is the electronic version of the original paid advertisement that appeared on the May 17 issue of The Manila Times. – Ed.)

The ever increasing spate of persecutions and harassments systematically being committed against us by our religious detractors known for their vaunted political influence in government is a compelling reason for us to avail of this alternative avenue of airing our strongest protest and condemnation against such unabated injustices and unfair practices. With God's help, we hope in the process to still be able to realize a positive outcome in our continuing quest for the elusive "sense of righteousness and fairness" in the midst of a social atmosphere of growing disaffection and discord.

Let it be known to all that we advocate nothing but fair share of justice from government instrumentalities that exercise responsibility in administering the same. Being haled to court is a reality we can easily live with as long as "equal protection of law" is observed and law enforcement is applied to all without fear or favor. Unfortunately however, we are at times deprived of legal remedies which on the other hand are easily available to our detractors. Court records will bear us out for instance that Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is ordinarily granted to our accusers within hours upon filing of request while our own request for the same has not been acted upon several months after it has been filed.

So many instances of unfair treatment have been experienced by us from the very agencies supposedly tasked to protect our guaranteed constitutional rights. However, the recent resolution from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) comes out to be a fitting climax to the shocking demonstration of selective curtailment of our supposedly inviolable sacred religious freedom and freedom of speech and of the press. All programs related to Ang Dating Daan are row banned from being televised indefinitely so declared by MTRCB! What a way to deprive us of our basic constitutional and human rights!

As if to add insult to injury, our tormentors and their cohorts in government backed up by groups of police escorts in an excessive show of force, trooped to our Ortigas Center UNTV studio. Clearly, their act is intended to harass and take the wits out of us despite our earlier compliance to the latest MTRCB ruling.

We wish neither to be alienated from this government nor the government be alienated from the people. What we are hoping for is for the government to govern not for a particular interest group or two but for all Filipinos so that in the process, the budding seeds of disaffection among many people may be properly addressed and checked even before such disaffection could further develop into a full blown protest.

In like manner, we wish that our detractors and tormentors amidst the darkness of their days would come to see the light of TRUTH, the brightness of our days. We hope that they emerged out of the unlighted closets of their fortress and further explore the deeper wisdom of the WORD OF GOD. Holding out to the doctrine of spiritual fairy tale is a desperate effort to preserve total materialism at the expense of spiritual salvation. For how can one be saved by embracing for example their unbiblical and mythical 'The Angel and the Big Four" theory of salvation while propagating the practice of supper (allegedly the "Holy" type) during breakfast time? Indeed, it is this kind of mythical and cultist approach in a different kind of evangelism that eventually led them to invent a blatantly blasphemous doctrine that Jesus Christ has not a pinch of divinity. Moreover, they claim that there is no salvation outside their church so that the Catholics, Muslims, and Protestants among others are hopeless and hell bound according to them. Such inherent spiritual wickedness, corruption and deception characterize the kind of psychological designs being used by them to gain and control adherents albeit temporal. Their uncanny ability to promote the doctrine of LIES in shameless defiance of TRUTH and RIGHTEOUSNESS is coupled with the mastery of deceptive diversionary tactics. Such a devious method is likewise employed by them in a desperate attempt to evade the onslaught of TRUTH from our end hoping to escape the prospect of self-destructive exposure of spiritual defeat. This explains their cowardly refusal to accept our religious debate challenge invoking lame excuses and reasoning out some mouthful of nonsense. Instead of meeting the challenge to prove their worth, a wicked method of serialized persecutions and harassments has been implemented to silence us and take the heat off them but they are wrong. We will forever be vigilant in guarding against deceptive religion for the sake of TRUTH and spiritual salvation. With the present situation prevailing, we could only pray for our detractor's enlightenment and wish that they repent.

Finally, we hope that legitimate grievances herein mentioned would merit the attention of those concerned for the greater interest of TRUTH, JUSTICE, and FAIR PLAY.

From WORKERS, OFFICERS AND MEMBERS of ANG DATING DAAN.

-- Kaanib Correspondents

A better place to live

The world will be a better place
A better place to live in
Every nations in harmony
Where peace in heart within

The world will be a better place
A better place to live in
Without Joseph Smith
Who killed before he died

The world will be a better place
A better place to live in
Without also Felix Manalo
Who promotes violence and injustice

The world will be a better place
A better place to live in
Without Charles Russel
Who gave false hope in this world

The world will be a better place
A better place to live in
Without Catholicism
Spanish friars have killed Jose Rizal

The world will be a better place
A better place to live in
When this world will come to its end
And new heaven and earth begins

Why I left Casilagan Pentecostal Church?

This is a story of my life when I was in my former religion. I became a member of the Casilagan Pentecostal Church in our barangay. It is a small church of less than 100 members, including my relatives and some of my neighbors. It is up to now situated in barangay Casilagan. That barangay is consisting the Hacienda San Antonio. In the southeartern portion of Ilagan town.

I was not aware of the story of this religion. I forgot the name of a man who founded it. And how it became started. The doctrines of this religion have something similarities of other religions. Such as the group of born-again movements and other religion carrying the pentecostal name. They gathered themselves on sunday. First, they have sunday school early morning. Then they do their holy super on 10:00 am and then praying... with speaking in tongue but no body understand.

I even became a sunday school teacher. Teaching children in the bible some in year 1998. But their teaching materials came from a ministry of religion in which was published in the USA. Which is not part of pentecostal. Their pastor bought this from USA. In which there is a direct connection to the American cultures.

The members call their pastors as reverend. Which is against the bible. Wearing of good business suit with neck tie. With members who are poor in life, have nothing to eat sometimes and taught their members to pay tithes.

With my notebook and pen, I always recorded everything about Casilagan Pentecostal Church. Every friday, it was always gathering of young people. A group of youth from age 13 upto 19 years old. Here, the youth are supposed to attend. Everyone are allowed to speak for something. Every youth may stand as a teacher. Practicing themselves to become a pastor someday.

On saturdays, starting from two in the afternoon. These young people are going to prepare the chapel for the sunday gathering. On this day, young people are taught to sing a song, to make a presentation, etc. They have projects to meet such as piso mula sa puso for buying instruments. In the evening of saturdays, there are prayer requests, there are singing from the congregation but not all the members attend. Most of the members are not so serious in attending ceremonies.

The name of this religion was Casilagan Pentecostal Church, and they have revised it. They call it now Casilagan Church. I dont know the reason but I think they have taught for themselves that Pentecostal was not found in the bible. Atleast they have the mind to do so.

But what is the reason why I left Casilagan Pentecostal Church? I left the Casilagan Pentecostal Church because they are wrong. What the bible teaches us is the church of God. And for those who people who are still there, believing that someday, they will be saved. I am calling to the members of Casilagan Pentecostal Church and to the people of barangay Casilagan to avoid it. They are not telling you the truth. If they are telling the truth, I should remain a member up to now.

I remember some people there who are so thoughtful. Atleast, I feel something good to them. Some have done me good and some are bad. As I am following the scriptures, that is to follow what is good in the sight of God. but I have found a better place to go, and that is the Church of God in the bible.

Why I came to believe Bro. Eli?

For the first time I hear Bro. Eli, is something memorable. I remember the time when I was searching for religious programs like the El Shaddai, a charismatic group of Mr. Mike Velarde and also the Iglesia Ni Cristo, a religious gourp of Mr. Eraño Malano founded by his very own father.

To my surprise, I found Bro. Eli on that seven evening of some May 2000. I like the program. With biblical citations which verses being read I am very ignorant. Even those verses that I didnt hear to any pastors on that time even when I was in my former religion.

Listening to Bro. Eli has became my habit. I even took recording his program Ang Dating Daan for my benefit. To play it again and again and again. I begin telling Ang Dating Daan to my coursins and I invited them to hear also. And I found out that one of them was angry about it. That was my surprise, that not all those who hear Bro. Eli like him and his program also. Just like what happened to Jesus Christ that not all the Jews like him. But he was telling the truth.

I was even told to stop hearing Bro. Eli Soriano. It was advised by my false pastor in my former religion. I didnt take it. I believe that it is my right to know and to search who is telling the truth. Even with my mother told me to stop it. But I dont believe anyone of them.

Several months of listening, I feel something inside me... something interesting... that is to read the bible and studying. I have known the God that I didnt know in the past. Through the efforts of Bro. Eli Soriano from the the program Ang Dating Daan by propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ from scriptures.

Later 2001, it came to my attention to be a member of this church which the bible tells human to abide. The Church of God in the Christ Jesus, in I Timothy 3:15 on that verse.

I believe Bro. Eli Soriano because he is telling the truth. Not only me but to the people who listens to him. I came to believe because I hear him for two years. And two years was enough for me to prove that he is telling the truth. If ever I am Bro. Eli, I will do these things also. I will tell also the truth that is in the bible. I will tell the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I came to believe Bro. Eli because of the gospel of Christ.

It's 21 years old me and more

I am now 21 years of age and happy birthday to me!

Turning this age is a significant milestone, marking the transition into adulthood. Here are some of my suggestions for what you can do to make the most of this exciting time:

1. Celebrate: Plan a special celebration with friends and family to mark this special occasion.

2. Travel: Take advantage of your newfound freedom and explore new destinations or revisit your favorite places.

3. Pursue your interests: Focus on developing your hobbies, interests, and talents.

4. Get involved in your community: Volunteer, attend local events, or join a local club or organization.

5. Start saving: Start building a strong financial foundation by setting aside money for emergencies, retirement, and other future expenses.

6. Improve your health: Start a fitness routine, eat a balanced diet, and take steps to maintain good physical and mental health.

7. Expand your education: Consider continuing your education or enrolling in a course or program to develop new skills or knowledge.

8. Network: Make connections with people who share your interests and passions, and develop a strong network of friends, mentors, and colleagues.

9. Set goals: Define your short-term and long-term goals, and develop a plan to achieve them.

10. Embrace your independence: Enjoy the freedom and responsibility that come with being an adult, and make the most of each day.

Remember, everyone's path is different, everyone has different perspective, so focus on what is meaningful and fulfilling to you. The most important thing is to be true to yourself and enjoy the journey.

The year 2004 and these are what I am looking for

My goals and aspirations for this year are the following:

1. Career advancement: Many people may have been focused on advancing their careers, such as finding a new job, pursuing promotions, or exploring new industries.

2. Education: Some individuals may have been interested in continuing their education, such as enrolling in college courses, completing a degree, or gaining new certifications.

3. Personal growth: Many people may have been focused on personal growth, such as improving their health, learning new skills, or developing new hobbies.

4. Relationships: Some individuals may have been seeking to improve their relationships, such as finding a romantic partner, repairing existing relationships, or building new friendships.

5. Financial stability: Many people may have been focused on achieving financial stability, such as saving money, paying off debts, or investing for the future.

These are just a few examples of common goals that people might have had during that time. Your own goals and aspirations would depend on your personal circumstances and priorities.

What we have this year is the upcoming national and local elections where we will be selecting the leaders of what we will become in the future. I hope to be part of the solution rather than being a problem of small stuff.

Officially 20 years old

It's a happy 20th birthday to me! As I enter my 20s, I know that this is a time of growth and discovery. I will continue to embrace the ups and downs, and trust that these will shape me into the person I am meant to be. I will keep myself to be surrounded with positive and supportive people. I will not be afraid to follow my heart and pursue my passions. Always remembering to stay curious, keep learning, and never stop growing. Here's to a decade filled with love, laughter, and adventure! See you in my 30s, God willing!