Today, the 27th of July 2009, marks the 95th anniversary of the reemergence of the Iglesia Ni Cristo in the Philippines. I join all the brethren around the world in celebrating this momentous event for the church.

As part of the celebrations, huge religious assemblies were held in fourteen venues around the Philippines and in five sites in four other countries. In Metro Manila, the “Iglesia Ni Cristo Day” were held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and at the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila. In the provinces, the brethren gathered in the following venues:

• Butuan City Sports Complex in Agusan del Norte
• Bicol University Sports Complex and Commencement grounds in Legazpi City, Albay
• Cebu Sports Center in Cebu City
• General Santos City Oval Plaza, South Cotabato
• Davao Agro-Industrial Institute Football Field in Davao City
• Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur; Central Integrated Terminal in Santiago City, Isabela
• Ashton Field Subdivision grounds in Calamba City, Laguna
• Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
• Villa del Sol Subdivision-Olongapo-Gapan Road in San Fernando City, Pampanga
• Narciso Ramos Sports Center in Lingayen, Pangasinan
• Ipil Sports Complex in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga-Sibugay

Abroad, gatherings were also held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. and HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, USA; Central Hall Westminster in London, UK; Parco Esposizioni Novegro in Milan, Italy; and Hills Center in Sydney, Australia.

Here in Sharjah, because we were far away from the said venues, a celebratory gathering was also held at our temporary house of worship that we are using at Pioneers Modern School (PMS) in Dasman.

By joining us in celebration of the church’s anniversary, Malacañang last month announced July 27 of every year as a special day to commemorate the founding of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. A TV anniversary special was also aired on Sunday , July 26 at 8 p.m. over GEMTV-49 and Net-25 that featured international renowned singer Lea Salonga and other INC talents. Last Saturday, July 18, the INC through its “Lingap sa Mamamayan” socio-civic program, conducted a health service mission in the village of Maharlika in Taguig City as part of the anniversary celebration. Around 20,000 residents benefited from the free medical and dental services, vitamins and medicines, and a package of rice and canned goods.

At 95, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has over 5,400 local congregations in 90 countries and territories, with a membership composed of 102 nationalities,