By Caesar Vallejos
EBC Correspondent
The largest gathering of Christian families that uniquely combined livelihood, interaction, values and entertainment in a grand event called INC LIVE celebrated the exciting facets of contemporary Christian living.
Attended by almost 100,000 people, INC LIVE was held at World Trade Center Manila in Pasay City, December 23-24, 2016.
While governments around the world including the Philippines pursue intensified drive on the drug menace, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) through INC LIVE showcased activities that make Christian families stronger in faith, more united in facing life’s challenges while doing activities that make them happier together.
“Twenty eight districts from all over Luzon participated at the INC LIVE,” Bro. Charmil Castro, Office of the INC Christian Family Organizations (CFO) said. The project was envisioned by INC Executive Minister Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo to further strengthen the faith and uplift the spiritual lives of INC families.
Under the guidance of the overall CFO coordinator, Bro. Angelo Erano V. Manalo, the INC LIVE showcased the following organizations: the Buklod (organization of INC married members), Kadiwa (organization of unmarried INC brethren aged 18 or older), Binhi (youth organization under 18), Childen’s Worship Services (CWS), Christian Society of the Deaf (CSD), Christian Employees Association (CEA), Christian Brotherhood International (CBI), CBI High School, Society of Communicators and Networkers (SCAN), Multimedia Bureau that includes INCTV, INC Radio and the INC News and Updates; New Era Training Center, Alternative Learning Center and the Summer Pre-Kindergarden Program, among others.
Blaire Basilio, an INC member from the Locale of Bel-Air, Metro Manila who brought his whole family at the INC LIVE said, “this activity organized by the Church Administration provides our family the opportunity to spend quality time together, and brings other families away from worldly unchristian ways of life.” Basilio’s sons are CWS choir members.
Livelihood
The Buklod organization shares many opportunities to earn a decent livelihood in accordance with God’s teachings. At the 2016 INC LIVE, the special Livelihood showcase included free seminars, guiding would-be entrepreneurs in setting up their own micro businesses.
For existing entrepreneurs, sessions included free trainings on how to sell and promote products in the marketplace. These were conducted by experienced INC brethren who have made it in their respective fields of business.
One of them is INC celebrity Gladys Reyes-Sommereux, also an entrepreneur, who gave free insights and demonstrations on the reseller and distributorship program of her skin care business.
“It is my simple way of helping back INC brethren who want to build a business using a small investment,” Gladys shared. “I was overwhelmed by my personal interaction with brethren from various locales,” she added.
From the newly established locale of New Era University and an entrepreneurial wellness coach, Jerson Mananes said that the sheer number of brethren who trooped to their booth overwhelmed him.“The struggle we encountered was not the people that we should market our services to but how to serve the huge volume of interested brethren who wanted to avail of our free wellness check services. This gives small business like ours a huge break in terms of market access,” he said.
“But as a Church officer, it was not my primary obligation to establish a livelihood here. My family’s primary objective is to participate actively in INC activities. It is however, a great feeling that I accomplish them all in one event – be united with the Church Administration and bond with my family while building a business,” he stressed. Mananes runs a nutrition club with fellow coaches offering weight management products and services.
Interaction
As 2016 comes to a close, INC LIVE gave the opportunity for brethren to interact with other members of the Church from various locales in Metro Manila and the neighboring provinces. It was a form of socialization between and among the brethren who just recently conducted thanksgiving worship services.
Highlighting the Interaction module of INC LIVE was the pavilion of “This is KADIWA” which presented exciting activities that promoted youth-oriented interests including cybergames, karaoke, meet-and-greet and fun-filled games and contests.
Several computers were also set up that provided Internet access for Kadiwa members in Manila to interact with their counterparts in at least 32 ecclesiastical districts outside Metro Manila and abroad including South California and Canada, giving them opportunity to share how they perform their Church duties and know more about each other’s common interests. Art sessions, talent auditions, handicraft making and live games engaged Binhi and CWS members.
Values
Life in INC was captured by a photo exhibit mounted by the INC Museum, which exhibited all the values that INC members hold dear.
It is also a reminder of the importance of serving God through Church duties that are related to the theme “Press Onward To Further Victories Of The Church Of Christ in These Last Days.”
It was a profound display of the INC brethren’s strong conviction in keeping and fighting for their faith while maintaining their obedience to the Church Administration.
Entertainment
Another exciting track of INC Live was its Entertainment module enhanced by the world-class talents of the INC brethren and the intensive creative work by the INC Music Department.
The INC Christian Music has recently released 17 albums that included songs inspired by Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo’s homilies.
INC LIVE highlighted the recapped victories in the field of arts and culture that includes mounting of an international piano and choir singing competitions. Selected songs of praise were performed by various choral groups under the INC Music Department.
“It is through songs and melodies that sometimes make us cry, not necessarily due to sadness or pain but our joyful cries are reminders that through the messages in our Christian music, there is hope, faith and love and that God is always there to bless our lives,” Henry Pingol, a pioneer Sanctuary member said.
A booth by INCinema displayed the trophies and awards received by the film, “Walang Take Two” from award-giving bodies around the world.
The two-day event was replete with musical performances that contain messages of hope, love, faith and the pride of being a member of the Church of Christ.
INC Life
“It was not easy for some brethren to come to this venue as most of them came all the way from the provinces. But the INC LIVE once again showed the unity of the INC and the submission of the brethren to the Church Administration. The booths and other activities were just a bonus; to them, what was more important was their expression of being united with the Church Administration,” Bro. Castro added.
INC LIVE inspired the Christian families and may inspire others to accept Church duties and responsibilities.
“When people get busier and do a lot more things, they tend to forget to worship God. But inside INC, the busier the INC brethren get, the more activities they do in their lives, the more that they think of worshipping Him. That makes the INC Christian life different,” Bro. Castro said.
