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As the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) celebrated its 110th anniversary on July 27, 2024, the Ecclesiastical District of Los Angeles County, California, conducted two simultaneous humanitarian events in Monterey Park, California, earning recognition from government officials.
City officials from Monterey Park, including Mayor Thomas Wong, Mayor Pro Tem Vinh T. Ngo, and Council Member Henry Lo, presented a certificate of recognition to the Church Of Christ.
“We truly appreciate organizations like the Church Of Christ for coming together to showcase their culture. They bring the community together and welcome individuals from all backgrounds, helping them learn about each other,” said Mayor Wong.
Mayor Pro Tem Ngo added, “Congratulations on your 110th anniversary and thank you for your congregation’s service to the Monterey Park community and many parts of Southern California. Your day of giving is very well thought out, and we’re glad you chose our beautiful city for this momentous occasion.”
On behalf of the Church, Brother Artemio T. Pilon, Jr., district supervising minister; Brother Wilfredo B. Santos, assistant district supervising minister; and the resident ministers and ministerial workers received the certificate.
Vice Consul Levi Anthony B. Malaylay from the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles was also present to recognize the Church and express appreciation for the tireless efforts in organizing the outreach activities.
He said, “Your tradition of service solidly contributes not only to the welfare of our kababayans but also to the prestige of Filipinos here in America. I understand that this is a worldwide event happening all across the world simultaneously and this is in commemoration of INC’s 110th Church Anniversary, so having said this, I wish to congratulate all of you for this momentous feat and wish you continued success for the future.”
“We hope this event has inspired you to continue with your mission and may the spirit of bayanihan (cooperative endeavor) continue to live on with each and every one of you. Hand in hand because as long as we stand together as one community, there’s nothing we cannot achieve,” further said the vice consul.
For the back-to-back activities, members of all 14 local congregations in the district, along with officers from the Christian Family Organizations (CFO) including KADIWA, Binhi, and Christian Brotherhood International (CBI), arrived early at the venue to set up, decorate, and manage interactive booths for the event.
Continuous live entertainment featuring talented brethren performing INC original music delighted attendees on the amphitheater stage. A video presentation introducing the Church and the various INC Giving activities conducted in different communities was also shown.
Neighborhood appreciation activity
Over 100 residents attended and benefited from the Neighborhood Appreciation activity, which took place at the Barnes Park Amphitheater on South McPherrin Avenue.
Eighteen booths were set up, offering a variety of activities and services. These included free health screenings for blood pressure and glucose monitoring, family fun games with prizes, arts and crafts, toys, books, preloved clothing for adults and children, and cultural food tastings from the Philippines, China, and the United States.
Blood donation drive
Organized in coordination with the Felix Y. Manalo (FYM) Foundation and Vitalant blood donor center, the blood donation was held at the nearby Barnes Park Service Club House.
In a letter addressed to the Church, Susan Noone, regional director at Vitalant, wrote: “The recent blood drive at Iglesia Ni Cristo, in partnership with the Felix Manalo Foundation, exceeded our expectations. We aimed to collect 54 units of blood, and thanks to your incredible generosity and commitment, we collected 62 units. Each unit of blood can help up to three people, so your efforts have the potential to save or improve the lives of over 180 individuals in our community.” — With reports from Eva Basallaje
