Day 1 of Iglesia ni Cristo rally

Listed below are snapshots — and uncooked exchanges with Iglesia ni Cristo members — from Day 1 of their church’s three-day rally at Quirino Grandstand

MANILA, Philippines – A whole bunch of 1000’s of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members flocked to Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday, November 17, for the primary day of their three-day rally “for transparency.”

Whereas INC members mentioned they don’t favor or oppose any politician, it was evident in our conversations — together with their physique language — that they have been shaking their heads (or bowing their heads in disgrace) at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The bloc-voting church had endorsed Marcos and his erstwhile ally, Vice President Sara Duterte, within the 2022 presidential election.

INC members echoed the views of Duterte allies, together with the primary INC senator, Rodante Marcoleta.

Listed below are my reporter’s notes from my subject protection at Quirino Grandstand on Sunday.

4:29 pm: A teary-eyed mom’s plea

On my option to Quirino Grandstand, I spoke to some carrying the usual INC shirt for at present’s rally.

They each refused to be named however spoke on background as they waited under the LRT-1 UN Avenue Station.

The lady, 59 years outdated, prevented me, however I noticed tears in her eyes. “Pati tax ng anak ko ninakaw nila (They’re stealing even my youngsters’s taxes),” she mentioned.

The person, additionally 59, mentioned they aren’t in opposition to any particular politician. Their church’s stance is in opposition to corruption typically, he mentioned. After I requested if they’re offended at Marcos, he answered, “Galit kami sa magnanakaw (We’re offended at thieves).”

Hailing from Batangas, they’re ready to remain till Tuesday, November 18. They’ve checked into a close-by resort.

It’s deeply emotional for them.

6:08 pm: ‘Maraming mayamang Iglesia ni Cristo’

The seek for a good bathroom (an actual problem in coverages like this) introduced me to the close by Bayview Park Lodge Manila alongside Roxas Boulevard.

I chanced upon an aged INC member who regarded well-off, sitting on a sofa along with her legs crossed. Sporting three glistening coloured bracelets, a golden pendant, and branded sneakers, she refused to provide her title however spoke off the document.

The lady, 65 years outdated, lives in close by Santa Mesa, Manila, however determined to ebook three resort rooms for her household to allow them to attend the Quirino Grandstand rally.

One resort room value her P14,000 an evening whereas two others have been value P5,500. Multiplied by 4 nights, that’s simply P100,000 for her.

“We simply wish to be right here,” she informed me. “We did it at no cost.” At one level, she quipped, “Maraming mayamang Iglesia ni Cristo.” (Many Iglesia ni Cristo members are wealthy.)

When requested why she joined the rally, she mentioned: “I’m a taxpayer, I’m a Filipino. I simply occurred to be a member of Iglesia ni Cristo.”

7:09 pm: This fastfood department was a sea of white

Lining as much as purchase dinner, I used to be the one individual not carrying white on this Chowking department alongside Roxas Boulevard, Manila. Everybody dutifully got here in the usual INC uniform, labeled “Transparency for a Higher Democracy,” for at present’s rally.

Whereas ready for our information crew’s siopao-and-Coke order (Order No. 117), I took one of many few empty seats and spoke to a household from Santa Rosa, Laguna (Order No. 120) as they waited too.

The 63-year-old household patriarch, who refused to be named, mentioned they booked resort rooms for 2 days and three nights. What dedication, I assumed.

“Even when we’re members of Iglesia ni Cristo, we’re additionally Filipinos who’re affected by anomalies in our nation,” he informed me in Filipino.

He mentioned they aren’t essentially anti-Marcos — the Bible, in spite of everything, teaches that they need to respect the federal government — however they’ll refuse to observe leaders who’re confirmed to be “evil.” I didn’t totally perceive his level, however took it as is.

His 30-year-old daughter-in-law, who claimed their orders in a number of plastic baggage, mentioned she took a go away from work to attend the three-day rally. She is a paralegal, and her lawyer-boss can also be an INC member.

After I requested about perceptions that INC members have been “brainwashed” to attend this rally, she smiled and rapidly replied. “Ay hindi po, kusang loob po ito (Oh no, that is voluntary),” she mentioned.

Then they walked away with their Chinese language meals. (I already had ours too.) – Rappler.com

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