Brother Eraño G. Manalo, Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, passed away last August 31, 2009, he was 84. He was laid to rest today at the INC Tabernacle inside the INC Central Complex in Quezon City.

His passing gave me a sense of emptiness inside me. I felt a loss I have never felt before in my life. I was very sad.

Since I learned of his death I have wanted to write about him and his great achievements for the church, but words fail me. An unexplainable grief engulfed the whole of me that even thinking of writing about his death is unbearable. My sadness even deepened as I watched his wake which was held at our Central Temple in Quezon City. Thanks to our website Gemnet.tv I was able to update myself of the things happening through the live streaming feed provided by the site.

I should have been there, together with all other brethren that came from every corner of the Philippines and other parts of the world. I should have been one of the thousands who queued in line for more than 8 hours just take a last glimpse of his remains. I felt very terrible that I couldn’t even see him for the last time, even in his present state. I should have been there mourning with all of them, but I simply can’t. And that hurts me a lot.

It was in this state of mind that I remembered the last time I saw Ka Erdy. I just graduated then from college and was actively applying for job openings. At one time I went to Glorietta in Makati City early to prepare myself for an interview. Coming out of the restroom after wearing my tie, I observed a lot of security aides lurking around the mall. “May VIP sigurong pulitiko na andito ngayon kaya madaming guard…” I said to myself as I walked toward the mall’s exit. On my way out, there he was, walking side by side with his two sons Ka Angel and Ka Mark. I was so awestruck that I wasn’t able to speak when they passed by me. All I was able to do is whisper “Si Ka Erdy un ah…” to myself. A security aide must have noticed me and immediately approached me. He instantly asked me my locale and if whether I hold an office in the church. I replied to him that I am from Molino, Cavite and is a member of the choir. Satisfied with my answer, he asked me a favor. He told me to please refrain from following wherever Ka Erdy was going or to even try to speak with him. he also said that, “Kilala mo naman si sir, pag kinausap mo yan hindi pwedeng hindi ka i-e-entertain, e ngayon lang nakakalabas at nakakapamasyal si sir kaya kung pwede sana pabayaan muna natin siya makapag-relax.” I immediately obliged to the security aide’s request, but before I could leave, one of his sons, Ka Angel, approached me and thanked me for understanding. That was the closest encounter I had with Ka Erdy and I would never ever forget it.

Ka Erdy has touched my life through the biblical lessons he tirelessly prepare for every worship service. This was where he expressed his love and care for every church member’s spiritual, moral and social well-being. And for that I thank him, for without those teachings I would never have had the strong faith in God that I have now.

Salamat po Ka Erdy. Paalam po at hanggang sa muling pagkikita…