NPCP pays tribute to Bro. Eli’s humanitarian work for members of the press
Marje Pelayo • February 12, 2021 • 1405
MANILA, Philippines — The National Press Club of the Philippines (NPCP) has issued a resolution paying tribute to the contributions of Bro. Eli Soriano for the good and welfare of the members of the press.
In a said resolution, The NPCP said “the Club forever owes a debt of gratitude to Bro. Eli for his congregation’s silent but steadfast support to its many programs over the years.”
Among these projects was the NPCP’s scholarship program which Bro. Eli, together with the Members of the Church of God International (MCGI), helped sustain for more than a decade now and provided an avenue for members and their children to finish their college education.
Likewise, the NPCP cited Bro. Eli’s selfless dedication through MCGI and UNTV which enabled it to succeed in its regular monthly medical missions that helped thousands of families including the members of the press.
The NPCP also recognizes the MCGI and UNTV’s unrelenting support for the Club’s quest for justice to the victims of the 2009 Ampatuan Massacre.
“Ever the humble man that he was, Bro. ELi has clearly imparted all his good character traits to his congregation that the sole condition binding this strong partnership between the Club and MCGI/ADD/UNTV through the years is that we should not brag nor publicised it,” the NPCP said in the resolution.
“Hindi nagging ugali ni Bro. Eli na ipaghambog ang mga kabutihang ginagawa niya sa kaniyang kapwa,” it added.
The special resolution was approved on Friday (February 12).
The legacy continues as Members, Church of God International (MCGI) provided free breakfast with coffee to the residents of Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City.
Breakfast is dubbed as the most important meal of the day but, sadly, not everyone is able to take it.
Some would need to get to work early, skipping breakfast; while others don’t have enough to make or buy one.
In the spirit of helping others and sharing kindness, the MCGI in Pasig City offered free breakfast, KAPI Breakfast, to the people of Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City.
MCGI District Coordinator Bro. Melvin Arbo said they have prepared one of Filipinos favorite breakfast meal.
“Mayroong itlog – scrambled eggs, tatlong katamtamang size ng pandesal na siguro sapat na iyon para sa isang ordinaryong tao. Tatlong pandesal okay na iyon good to go na iyon for breakfast at may kasamang kape din iyon, (There are eggs- scrambled eggs, three medium-sized pandesal which I think would be enough for an individual. Three pcs of pandesal, that is already good for breakfast. We also gave coffee),” he said.
Around 250 Pinagbuhatan residents received the free breakfast. Rowena Palacio, one of the recipients is grateful for MCGI’s initiative.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Dios at naalala niyo po kami. Sa grupo niyo po maraming salamat po. MCGI po salamat sa Dios (I thank God that you thought of us. To your group, thank you. MCGI, thanks be to God),” she said. AAC (with reports from Lucille Lloren)
MANILA, Philippines — In celebration of the life and legacy of Brother Eli Soriano, the Members Church of God International (MCGI) set up a week-long public service to Filipinos and foreign beneficiaries in its various chapters in the Philippines and abroad.
The project entitled, “The Legacy Continues” is a tribute to Brother Eli’s unrelenting service to the poor and those in need during his lifetime.
The week-long celebration ran from April 4 to 10 and served thousands of beneficiaries here and abroad.
First among its public services is the MCGI Free Store where recipients can get their basic needs for free.
“Minsan kapag tinitignan mo parang imposible na mayroong ganun na manlilibre. Lahat nga tayo natamaan ng pandemya pero despite of that, itong MCGI ay gumawa pa rin ng paraan para at least kahit papaano makatulong sa mga nangangailangan,” said beneficiary Jerry Lingaling.
Among the beneficiaries are persons with disability (PWDs), persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and people of all ages, from all walks of life across the globe.
“I am actually surprised that there is such an organization.. It’s such a better world if everyone is willing to cooperate together,” said Aaron Quay, a Malaysian location/event planner in Kuala Lumpur who helped MCGI Malaysia chapter in organizing the event.
The project set the social media abuzz with images, videos and testimonies of recipients sharing their heartwarming experiences inside the MCGI Free Store.
One of them is Ederlinda Clariza who said it was her first time to experience shopping. Her image was captured by netizen Heidee Baderamos.
Pasensya na hindi ako Marunong mag grocery First time ko kasi ito
Netizen Josie Carl Le Blanc posted on his social media page that he left his house with only a P20-bill in his wallet but was grateful to go home with a bag full of free items from the MCGI Free Store.
Bente lang laman ng wallet ko, pero binigyan ako ni Lord ng libreng grocery 🥰
Thankyou Dating Daan #FREESTORE Thankyou 😘😘 Mark Kabigting Cenizal Lea Lizli-an Libaste Amper
Meanwhile, frontline medical workers of the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong City also took part in the initiative.
Instead of keeping the food packs from MCGI for themselves, they chose to give them to their patients.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa MCGI Feeding Program kasi napakasarap ang tumulong lalo sa mga maliliit, sa mga less fortunate na katulad ng mga in-patient natin,” said Esther dela Cruz, the Center’s assistant chief dietician.
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Netizen Kath Calibayan posted the heartwarming story of a homeless beneficiary who was able to reunite with his loved ones after his photo at the feeding program led to a way back home.
Kath received a text message from the man’s relatives after she posted his picture receiving a food pack from MCGI.
Kath’s posts showed the man’s new look after he was reunited with his family.
In Service to Humanity
From April 4 to 10, the MCGI was able to render the following services in the Philippines and abroad (as of April 11, 2021):
MCGI FREE STORE (Recipients may shop for free items they need from the store.)
Beneficiaries – 77,558 Locations – 2,030
MCGI FEEDING PROGRAM (Recipients receive free food packs prepared by MCGI Volunteers)
Number of Food Packs released – 634,063 Locations – 7,484
WISH GRANTING AND TABLET REQUESTS (MCGI grants free tablets for online classes and small livelihood packages by request)
Beneficiaries – 1,200
MCGI FREE POTABLE WATER PROJECT (MCGI installs free water pump in remote communities in the Philippines and abroad)
The week-long activity is just the start for Members, Church of God International (MCGI) as it is brewing more genuine charity works through its servant Brother Daniel Razon.
“Salamat po sa Dios, sa isang buong taon ng Kanyang pag iingat sa atin at sa pag gabay din sa atin dito sa ating Serbisyong Bayanihan. Pero hindi po dito nagtatapos ang ating paggawa dahil sa awa’t tulong po ng Panginoon, atin pong ipagpapatuloy ang pag abot sa ating mga kapwa tao may pandemya man o wala,” said Kuya Daniel.
“Gaya po ng aral na itinawid sa atin ni Bro. Eli Soriano na gumawa ng mabuti sa lahat with God’s help and mercy Bro. Eli’s legacy of hope, faith and most especially love will continue through the good works of the Members of the Church of God International,” he concluded.
MCGI’s week-long public service activity was aired over UNTV and on the Internet through its official social media accounts.
Several children in conflict with the law (CICL) in Zamboanga City were inspired by the kind deeds shared to them by Members Church of God International (MCGI).
These children, with ages ranging from 12 to 19 years old, have committed crimes and are sheltered by the City Social Welfare and Development.
Some of them were already abandoned by their families while others have not been visited by their relatives due to the restrictions amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to Josephine Orquia, Officer-in-Charge at the Center for Children in Conflict with the Law, the love and hope shared by the MCGI through its feeding program inspired the children to change their lives for the better.
She also hoped for a sustainable spiritual program in their center and said the center would be glad if the MCGI return to conduct spiritual sessions for the children.
“The CICL center here in Culianan Zamboanga City, would gladly be happy if the group of MCGI could come back and visit us and to have your spiritual sessions that could enhance the behavior of our children,” she said.
Orquia, through UNTV’s Serbisyong Bayanihan, also requested a laptop that the center can use during online hearings.
“Kung pwede kame makahingi ng tulong sa Sebirsyong Bayanihan ni Kuya Daniel. Mayroon naman kaming laptop pero hindi namin nagagamit ang speaker at ngayon sira na ang battery. Kasi since pandemic, ang physical hearing nawala iyon sa korte. So ngayon ang hearing namin is online. Napakalaking bagay sa mga bata namin na magkaroon sila ng hearing (If only we can ask for help through Kuya Daniel’s Serbisyong Bayanihan. We do have a laptop but we cannot use the speaker and its battery is already broken. Since the pandemic, the court has suspended physical hearings. Hearings are not held online. It is a huge help for the children for them to have hearings on their case),” she said. -AAC (with reports from Val Villaflor)
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