On April 19, 1999, in support of the Linis-Bayan program of the government, thousands of members and followers of the Foundation, led by its Servant-Leader Bro. Mike Z. Velarde, joined together in cleaning the stretch of Roxas Blvd. and Airport Road. This also served as their gift to President Joseph Estrada who celebrated his 62nd birthday on that day. In a telephone conversation, Bro. Mike told the President that it was the only gift that the Foundation could give on his birthday. In response, the President told him that he was elated and was thankful for the initiative taken by the group. As early as 6:00 a.m., the assembly of volunteers were seen sweeping the streets with their own broomsticks.  They were wearing white T-shirts printed with the slogan "El Shaddai Linis Bayan Troops: Linis Kalsada, Linis Konsensiya" (Clean Street, Clean Conscience). The volunteer-sweepers jubilantly cheered as Bro. Mike moved from one point to another of the long stretch in a motorcade. Brother Mike was joined by his wife, Sis. Belen, TV host Cory Quirino and supporters.

Not even the strong winds and heavy rain could dampen the spirit of close to 1.2 million people in joining the 15th Anniversary of the Foundation held at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila, from August 20-21.  Most of the attendees were already in the venue days  before  the overnight  affair beamed  live nationwide  via 

satellite over RPN TV-9. Before noon of August 20, in observance of Bro. Mike's birthday, the attendees feasted on roasted chickens, pigs and calves as a gift of the family and friends for his natal day. Early in the afternoon, the crowd jubilantly caught with their umbrellas inverted thousands of miracle-souvenir handkerchiefs thrown into the air from several helicopters. A thanksgiving prayer was offered by Bro. Mike for his birthday and for the anniversary of the Foundation. He also led the congregation in prayer for their prayer-requests, which were tied to balloons and released to the air at the signal of Bro. Mike. His Excellency, President Joseph E. Estrada, the guest of honor in the occasion, gave his greetings and message to the crowd. The President was with First Lady Eloisa Ejercito Estrada, MD. In attendance also were some members of the cabinet; several senators led by Senate President Blas Ople; several congressmen led by House Speaker Manny Villar; and friends of Bro. Mike from the business, entertainment, media, legal, and religious sector. A Thanksgiving Mass was led by His Eminence Jose Thomas Cardinal Sanchez of the Vatican City, together with Bishop Bacani; Very Rev. Msgrs. Mariano T. Balbago Jr. of Antipolo Diocese and Mario A. Castillo; and Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual and Rev. Fr. Sanny de Claro, spiritual directors of the Foundation. Joining them also were several spiritual directors from the international chapters of the Foundation namely Reverend Fathers Bernard J. Nolan of Brisbane, Australia; Leo E. Steinbock of L.A., Ca., USA; and Thomas Kawamura of Tokyo, Japan, as well as from the Philippines namely, Dwight de Jesus; Remigio Mendoza of Mabini, Batangas; Manheim Abellana, SDB; Eligio Santos of San Ildefonso Parish, Makati; and Stephen Punnakal and Victor Maung Thit of the Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Malate, Manila. Highlighting the Mass was the mass wedding of 50 couple who had been living together for a long time without the blessing of the Church. They decided to get married for they had known through their listening of the Word over DWXI (1314 kHz) AM, that they are living against the will of God, for it is written in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, "...Do not be deceived: Neither the sexual immoral...nor adulterers...will inherit the Kingdom of God." After the Mass, a candlelight ceremony was held followed by the delivery of the healing message of Bro. Mike.

On September 13,1999, after the press release of the CBCP Permanent Council Statement regarding its fraternal concern on the Foundation, the news media came out with the following issues: that the Foundation is becoming a cult because of some of its practices; that there is a lack of transparency in the administration of its funds; and that it will eventually break away from the Catholic Church and establish its own church. To clarify the stand of the Foundation on the issues, Bro. Mike called for a press conference on Sept. 16, 1999. It was held at 8th Flr., Queensway Bldg., 118 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City and attended by tri-media people from different establishments in the Philippines and abroad. Bishop Bacani and its spiritual director, Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual also gave their views on the issues during the forum.

On Nov. 13, 1999, in accordance with Executive Order No. 169 signed by the President, complementing Presidential Proclamation No. 47, declaring the second Saturday of November of every year as National Day of Prayer and Fasting Against All Adversities, thousands of people from different sects and religions in the Philippines joined together for the affair held at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila. Reverend Ephraim Perez and Bro. Boy Baldomaro of the New Hope of Life Church, Baliuag, Bulacan led the congregation in the singing of praise and worship songs. Bishop Efraim M. Tendero of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCES) exhorted the crowd about the importance of prayer. Reverend Reynaldo Santillana of the Christian Ministers Council of Bulacan led the invocation. This was followed by the offering of prayers of representatives of the different sects and religions, namely, Bro. Joe Villanueva of the Mission to All the World Ministry; Rev. Fred Magbanua of the Christian Leaders Alliance of the Philippines (CLAP); Imam Abdul Bashit Kareem Bantuas of the Muslim community; Rev. Kenneth Aguillera of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP); Minister Adriel Obar Meimban, Ph.D. of the Iglesia ni Cristo; Most Rev. Bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr. of the Catholic Church; and Bro. Bert Lotilla of the Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship. Their prayers for the nation were as follows: peace and unity, healing of the nation, lasting peace and prosperity in Mindanao, productive collaboration between the media and the government, eradication of poverty and graft and corruption in the public service, and bountiful harvest and improvement of economic growth and employment. A candlelight ceremony was held after the special message and prayer of the President. The congregation led by Bro. Mike joined together in the recitation of the "Our Father". He also prayed for unity among Filipinos amidst adversities and for progressive development of the nation.

At present, the number of members and followers of the Foundation has reached millions. They are united in mind and heart by virtue of the Good News of Salvation, which is disseminated through the publications, radio and television programs of the Foundation. The phenomenal growth of the Foundation is a sign that the One Who has founded and established this group is none other than God Almighty—El Shaddai! This also shows that a revival of faith is going on similar to what happened during the time of the Apostles, "Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the Apostles... Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:43,46-47).

Despite the tremendous growth of the Foundation, there is still much work to do. There remains so many souls that God wants to reach and save from the bondage of sin and vices. In this light, the Servant-Leader has envisioned that, by the year 2000, an El Shaddai DWXI-PPFI prayer-meeting will be conducted in every parish in all parts of the Philippines—Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.  

If every Filipino will come to know God in spirit and in truth, repent of all his sins, turn away from his wicked ways, and accept in his heart Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, peace and unity will reign in their hearts and minds.  If this happens, peace will prevail in every home.  And from every home, this will spread to every community, and to the entire nation.  Thus, not too long from now, a significant change will prevail in the Philippines.  This is what the El Shaddai "FLU"—Faith, Love and Unity—is all about.

Previous 
Pages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17