Farewell Ka Erdy

NEWS DATE: 2009-09-02

Xevera-Mabalacat  -  “I did not only lost a dearly loved spiritual leader, but I lost my inspiration” said by Mayor Marino “Boking” P. Morales of this 1^st class town, Mabalacat.

            Boking, upon confirming from Ka Roger Tanglao, his Budget Officer an INC member, that the Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo has passed away, he hurriedly cancelled all his appointments yesterday for him to come to the wake of Minister Eraño G. Manalo known as “Ka Erdy” by his followers.

            At around 1:16 in the afternoon, the mayor was accompanied by the church’s officials to the remains of Ka Erdy and after which he was interviewed by NET25, the TV Network of the Iglesia ni Cristo.  The mayor expressed his utmost sympathy to the brethren in faith.  “Isang malaking kawalan ang pagpanaw ni Ka Erdy sa Iglesia, para sa akin, hindi lang ako nawalan ng pinakamamahal na spiritual lider, nawalan pa ako ng isang inspirasyon” said by the mayor when interviewed (The death of Ka Erdy is a big lost to the Church, for me, I did not only lost a dearly loved spiritual leader, but I lost my inspiration).

            The Iglesia ni Cristo is known to have an influential votes of millions.  Unlike other religious organizations or sect, Ka Erdy was able to persuade the members of the church to vote with unity.  This is the very reason why politicians have been courting the INC officials for them to be endorsed during the election.

            The good mayor was quoted saying that whoever sought for public office endorsed by the Church in his town is a sure winner.  He continued saying that from the time he ran for mayorship in Mabalacat, he was endorsed by the church and won his bid.

            The estate of Ka Erdy lies in the Central Temple at Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.  He passed away at the age of 84 years old after completing 46 years in Ministry as the Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo.   Ka Erdy succeded his father Ka Felix Y. Manalo who died in 1963, whom the Church recognized as the last Messenger of God in the later days, in caretaking the church.  It is during his reigns when the church spread its ministry globally.

            Unlike other churches that all originated from other countries, the Iglesia ni Cristo is the only one that emerged from the Philippines and spread all over the world.

            Before the mayor left the wake at Templo Central, in a low voice said "Farewell Ka Erdy".