Here’s a reprint of an article first published on Inquirer.net. All credits go to original writer and publisher.

Arena builders confident of meeting deadline

By Manolo R. Iñigo
Philippine Daily Inquirer

The builders of the 50,000-seat Philippine Arena are confident of completing the billion-peso project by early 2014, the centennial year of Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), owner of the multipurpose complex.
One of the major facilities in the planned city to be known as Ciudad de Victoria (City of Victory), the Philippine Arena, which I reported in an exclusive article, could very well be considered the world’s biggest indoor domed coliseum upon completion.
Built on a 75-hectare land located in the municipalities of Bocaue and Sta. Maria, Bulacan, the compound will also house the Eraño G. Manalo Medical Center and the New Era University Sports Complex and Stadium.
Construction of the Philippine Arena and its adjoining facilities will be undertaken by an international team of experienced engineers and contractors composed of leading firms from Korea (Hanhwa Engineering and Construction Co.), United Kingdom (Buro Happold) and Australia (Populous).
Said Kim Hyun-Chung, a top executive of Hanhwa Engineering: “The Philippine Arena is one of the largest indoor arenas in the world. It covers 245 meters in length and 185 meters in width. However, I believe that this prestigious project means more than its size. It is going to be a historical monument of the Iglesia ni Cristo in celebrating 100 years of its history.

Haters, both Filipino and foreign coming out of the woodwork to put down my nation? I could care less.

Were the Police sorely under trained? Yes absolutely. But that’s all you haters can complain about. Under trained and ill-equipped and they still tried their best  to do job. Brave in the face of death, selfless and caring. That is the filipino.

So to you haters out there you can stay out of my country!

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Adam Carolla

Adam Carolla, erstwhile sidekick of Jimmy Kimmel on The Man Show was never funny. At best he was caustic, rude and offensive. So no wonder why Jimmy Kimmel now his own late night show, which follows a BIG dancing show assuring him of a big audience, and Carolla does a podcast. Anyway, for you reading displeasure, here’s some of what Carolla said:

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“Pacquiao doesn’t believe, he says, he doesn’t give blood the month of a fight or a week before a fight because somehow it’s gonna weaken him and what have you.”

“I gotta tell you, if that was a white fighter and probably even a black fighter, if the black fighter was from Atlanta or somewhere like that, someone would go, ‘What the f**k are you talking about? Give your drop of blood. That’s not gonna make a difference.”

“But because he’s from the Philippines and because he’s prayin’ to chicken bones and stuff like that, everyone’s kinda like, ‘Well you gotta respect him for his belief system.’ No you don’t. He’s a f****n’ idiot.”

“They got this and sex tours, that’s all they have over there. Get your s**t together Philippines. Jesus Christ. I mean, again, it’s fine to be proud of your countrymen. But that’s it? That’s all you got?”

He also called Pacquiao “illiterate”.

Angry Filipinos flooded his tweeter account with all kinds of reaction ranging from those feeling sorry for his obvious stupidity to outright returning similar insults. Some even went so far as to call for the boycott of his show, and a demand for public apology.  I don’t care for any of that. He’s a sad, bitter man. I don’t want to take away any dignity left in him. Let him drown himself with whiskey.

It was reported he apologized on his twitter account and after reading it I couldn’t help but wonder how miserable and sad this guys life must really be.

(story  from Huffington Post and The Daily Inquirer)

You can listen to his racist comments in this clip from GMA News.tv)

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Most Rev. Ramon Arguelles, D.D.

It’s 2010. Knowledge and understanding as well as the means of disseminating it grows by leaps and bound. In this age of instantaneous information transfer, anyone living near the edges of a suburb would have the same equal opportunity for wisdom as any other inside the city. And so it bothers me to find out and read about this row concerning of all things prophylactics, or a condoms.

What’s the row?

Catholic Church Opposed Use of Condom as HIV/AIDS and VD Shield

A Philippine lawmaker is being criticized by the influential Catholic bishops for supporting a bill in congress that would promote the use of condom as a way of protection from the spread of HIV/ AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases.

The Roman Catholic church in the Philippines is opposing the Philippine reproductive health bill being supported by a congresswoman who is also a medical doctor. Rep. Janet Garin said the Catholic church is misleading the public by claiming that the use of condom will not guaranty users against unwanted pregnancy, transmission of AIDS/ HIV and sexually-transmitted diseases. On the contrary, the lady physician and lawmaker said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has even recommended the use of condoms for the protection of HIV and sexually-transmitted diseases. In the Philippines, the use of condom is being supported by the government to prevent the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases. The Department of Health had in fact spearheaded the use of condom in its recent valentine day campaign where condoms were given free to couples who bought flowers in a popular flower shop in Manila. Some government officials also claimed the use of condoms controls population growth in slum areas and in the countryside

read more here

Why does the Roman Catholic church oppose the use of condom not only for Family Planning purposes but also for the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS? This is what they said:

Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and other bishops take the position that condom distribution promotes promiscuity and that it leads to the increase of AIDS as the use of condoms is not an absolutely fail-safe protection, suggesting that abstinence is the best policy. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) even wants a total ban on condom advertisements and condom distribution announcements, clearly a violation of constitutionally protected free speech rights.

Condoms promotes promiscuity? really? You mean Filipinos will be far more promiscuous because of condoms? If you believe that then I have a bridge I can sell you for cheap. I have a question for the good Archbishop which beg and answer. Isn’t promiscuity a moral issue,  not medical one? And aren’t moral issues learned and instilled in the minds of people, in the home first by their parents and secondly in church by their religion? If so, then the question of promiscuity should be addressed in the homes and in the church, and not by the government but by religious leaders. Given that in the Philippines majority of the people are Roman Catholic then it falls into the control of Catholic parents and Catholic priest. It they’re doing their jobs, we wouldn’t need condoms.

What do you think?

Eli Soriano

Eli Soriano, professing his innocence concerning his legal troubles insinuated that the Philippine president Gloria Arroyo and her Justice Secretary are in cohoots to persecute him. He claims that a lower court had already dismissed the rape case against him but that on the orders of the President, the Justice Secretary refiled the case which resulted in the issuance of a warrant of arrest and hold departure against Eli Soriano.

[ad#Google Adsense - 250x250 box] He did this pronouncement on the internet using his video stream. There is a possibility that many people from different countries will stumble into his video stream, hear his disparaging remarks and form a conclusion that the Philippines is a country of criminals.

It should be noted that Mr Eli Soriano has a host of legal troubles waiting for him to return but so far Mr Soriano has refused to face his accusers and elected instead to live in a foreign country and broadcast from there.

The warrant of arrest stemmed from a radio broadcast wherein Mr Soriano cursed muslims and their prophet.

read more here

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Salamat po sa mga kapatid na binuksan ang kanilang tahanan upang magkasama-sama makapanood ng burol at libing ng Ka Erdy. Hindi po kayo nagdamot at dahil na rin sa inyong kabaitan, naibsan kahit konti ang kapighatian na tayong lahat ngayon ay nadarama.

Salamat po sa mga kapatid na kasapi sa GEMNET.TV at dahil sa inyong paguulat ay nakabahagi kami sa mga kaganapan sa Templo Central. Salamat po sa inyong mga pagpapagal.

Salamat po sa mga kapatid na pumunta sa Templo Central upang makita kahit saglit at sa huling sandali ang ating pinakamamahal na Ke Erdy. Salamat po sa inyong pagtitiyaga at pagtitiis. Gutom, puyat at pagod hindi nyo inalintana at dahil dito nakita ng buong mundo kung ano ang itinanim sa atin ng Ka Erdy. Maraming salamat po dahil naging maayos at marangal ang lahat.

Salamat po sa mga mahal sa buhay ng Ka Erdy at hindi nila ipinagdamot sa atin ang burol at libing ng ating Tagapamahala. Salamat po sa dignidad na ipinakita nyo sa buong bansa at ganon na rin sa pagmamahal nyo sa buong kapatiran.

Salamat po Ka Erdy. Ginugol nyo po ang inyong buong buhay para sa amin na inyong mga kapatid. Hinding hindi po namin malilimutan ang inyong pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit sa amin. Pinupuri po namin ang Ama dahil sa inyo. Salamat po at paalam. Hanggang sa muling pagkikita.

At higit sa lahat, salamat po Ama, salamat po Panginoong Jesus at hindi nyo po iniwan ang Ka Erdy hanggang sa huli. Dahil po sa inyong pagsusugo sa tagapamahala ng Iglesia, nakita po namin ang daan tungo sa tunay na buhay.

Maraming, maraming salamat po.

“The Lord made me do it”.

Ah, the all too familiar excuse “religious” leaders use when they want a piece of another pie, that is politics.

Mike Velarde of El Shaddai

Mike Velarde, leader of the Catholic sub-sect El Shaddai wants to be president in 2010. He’ll be joining other so-called “religious” leaders who chose to delve into politics, people like “Father” Ed Panlilio the current Governor of Pampanga and Televangelist Eddie Villanueva. Velarde said that it has been his dream to become president of the Philippines,

El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde on Wednesday revealed that he wants to run for president in 2010 and is “consulting” with the core members of the worldwide charismatic movement on his plan.

Velarde said he wants to get the approval of the religious group’s supposed seven million followers in the country because without their support, his dream may not materialize.

“My entering politics lie in their hands because we believe that the voice of the people is the voice of the Lord. That dictum is not just for any people. It should be for the voice of the people of God,” he said.

“I am in the process of consulting our members nationwide and worldwide what to do in the 2010 elections,” he added.

source: gmanews.tv

Ed Panlilio

But if Velarde is banking on his supporters to ensure his victory he needs to think again. Traditionally, the Catholic vote in fragmented at best.

A political analyst doubts El Shaddai’s estimated 3 million following would deliver the votes in the event that its leader, Mariano “Brother Mike” Velarde decides to run for president next year.

Professor Edna Co of the University of the Philippines’ National College for Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) said the Catholic church — under which the El Shaddai is a sub-sect — has no tradition on bloc voting unlike the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

Co said while El Shaddai members are more solid and bonded compared to the rest of the Catholic church and its other sub-sects, a politcal mechanism is needed to consolidate support and deliver votes for Velarde or his chosen candidate.

She also said that even if there are attempts to introduce bloc voting in El Shaddai and other similar movements, it would take some time before this is embraced by its followers.

“Sa kasaysayan kasi ng botong Katoliko, wala namang puwedeng masasabing isang solidong Catholic vote. So sa kalagayan ng El Shaddai, palagay ko, mahirap magkaroon ng kaagad na translation into votes, hindi katulad nung sa Iglesia,” she said.

Co said it’s different with the INC because it has practiced bloc voting from the start, and its ideology stresses unity of the flock.

“Hindi kasi religious following yung basis talaga. Kailangan pa rin ng isang political machinery, kailangan ng isang political education at saka yung isang pagkumbinse dun sa mga miyembro ng mga religious sect,” Co added.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Eddie Villanueva

Whether a “higher” power delivers the presidency to Velarde or the other two “Godly” candidates is to be seen. One thing is sure, there will be a lot of drama as these three and the other candidates uses every advantage to get to that post.

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Iglesia ni Cristo members from Candaba, Pampanga, Philippines

An estimated 500,000 well-wishers and guests are expected to congregate on July 27 at Villa Del Sol in this city to celebrate the 95th founding anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), the “Church of Christ.”

City officials here and those in Angeles City and Mabalacat have declared July 27 a nonworking holiday to allow INC members and well-wishers to celebrate the church’s anniversary.

Fer Caylao, this city’s administrator, said July 27 will be a nonworking holiday for government employees. There will be no classes that day. It will, however, be a working holiday for banking institutions and optional for private businesses.

Caylao said this Friday, the city government, traffic law enforcers and the Philippine National Police plan to conduct a dry run of their rerouting plans and security measures to avoid any untoward incidents for the actual event.

The INC is reported to be conducting all necessary preparations to ensure the success of the celebration, which includes transporting INC congregations, first-aid measures, prayers for the success of the anniversary celebration, and security.

Source: Business Mirror

The brethren from Candaba, Pampanga, Philippines extending their greetings to the brotherhood all over the world!

The Iglesia in Cristo emerged in the Philippines on July 27, 1914. From one individual member, the late Bro Felix Y. Manalo, the church is now in over 90 countries in all the 6 habitable continents. The members of the Iglesia ni Cristo belong to 102 diverse nationalities and culture. It has become a truly global church. Praises be to God, and to the Lord Jesus all praise.

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Eli facing lawsuits

List of pending cases:

- Criminal Case No. 06-3898 Crime Charged: Rape.
- Criminal Case No. 06-3899 Crime Charged: Rape.
- Criminal Case No 02-4236-mk Crime Charged: Frustrated Murder.
- Criminal Case No. Q-06-140772 Crime Charged: Libel.
- Criminal Case No. Q-06-140771 Crime Charged: Libel.
- I.S. No. 05-C-4974 Crime Charged: Libel.
- Criminal Case No. 5457-02 Crime Charged: Libel
- Criminal Case No. Q-04-124250 Crime Charged: Libel
- Criminal Case No. Q-03-123317 Crime Charged: Libel
- Criminal Case No. Q-03-123316 Crime Charged: Libel
- Criminal Case No. Q-05-136679 Crime Charged: Libel
- Criminal Case No. Q-05-136678 Crime Charged: Libel
- I.S. No. 06-410 Crime Charged: Libel
- I.S./K.O. No. 2006-012 Crime Charged: Libel
- IS. No. 2006-75 Crime Charged: Libel
- Criminal Case No. Q-06-140651 Crime Charged: Libel
- I.S. No. 07048 Crime Charged: Libel
- I.S. No. 05-2122 Crime Charged: Libel
- I.S. No. 2005-1362 Crime Charged: Obstruction of Justice
- I.S. No. 02-L-3288-89 Crime Charged: Obstruction of Justice

These cases cannot proceed until the fugitive Eliseo Soriano surrenders and be arraigned. From the looks of it, Eliseo Soriano has no intention of facing these charges and defending himself in a court of law. He’s apparently seeking Brazilian citizenship, this according to Case Unclosed a TV newsmagazine program of the giant television network GMA7, and hosted by the Arnold Clavio.

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Case Unclosed by Arnold Clavio

It was 3 years ago when one of his subordinates charged him with homosexual rape and sodomy.

“It was my spiritual birthday. He summoned me and I went thinking he was going to give me a gift. As it turned out, that was the gift. The same thing he did to the previous year.”

This was the revelation of the subordinate, with sadness still reflected in his eyes. One can only imagine the grief victims of rape must carry.

“It was in May of 2000 when he summoned me to his room. I was shocked at what followed. At that time I couldn’t resist his advances. There is a teaching in Ang Dating Daan which says the messenger of God does not commit sin, whatever he does to you. At that time, I was really terrified of him and there is a teaching in Ang Dating Daan that one must Soriano him at all times. Obey him,  otherwise you’ll be cursed. Something really really bad will happen to you if you disobey this supposed messenger of God.

“Rape was the charge. It is true, or is it a case of libel?” continues Clavio. “The case cannot proceed if the accused is not present because the accused needs to be arraigned in court” so say the lawyers of the subordinate. The subordinate thinks that if Soriano was in the Philippines, he will surely be in jail based on the evidences against him.

Clavio said he tried to contact Eli Soriano or any of his representatives to get their side of the story but did not get any response.

“If I don’t fight and speak up a lot of people will be in danger, and they need to know what he really is and that he is not sinless and he is not true.” the subordinate continues.

Soriano is a registered Brazilian resident and is currently seeking Brazilian citizenship. Brazil has no extradition agreement with Brazil. The case is held in court because Eli Soriano will not face his accuser. His next arraignment is August 11, 2009 at 8:30 am.

The Philippines anti-rape law Republic Act No. 8353 describes rape as any forceful act by man or woman against another.

Although Soriano denies any involvement or wrong doing, his appearance is the only way to clear things up.

95th anniversary iglesia ni cristo
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