Bro. Eliseo F. Soriano, the acclaimed host of the Ang Dating Daan radio-television show, will celebrate his 50th year of service to God on April 7 this year.
For the congregation that he leads at Members Church of God International (MCGI), the commemoration of Bro. Eli’s birthday coincides with the holding of their International Thanksgiving to God or “Pasalamat ng Katawan” (PNK).
Marking a historic first in MCGI’s history, this quarter’s PNK will have South America as the host venue.
Delegates from different countries will convene to celebrate for three days, beginning April 5, the offering of the sacrifices of thanksgiving to God of MCGI.
Service to God ‘Till Death
Bro. Eli was baptized at the age of 17 in year 1964 at Sineguelasan, Bacoor, Cavite. Not long after being a regular member he entered the Workers Ministry to help in the propagation of the words of God in the Bible.
Other than Ang Dating Daan, there is the Itanong Mo Kay Soriano, Biblia ang Sasagot (Ask Soriano, The Bible Will Answer) segment that made Bro. Eli a household name and sought-after resource person by many television shows from different media networks in the late 1990s to early 2000s.
Itanong Mo gives audience the chance to ask Bro. Eli live on air, whose answers he reads from the Bible, hence the popular “Basa!” (“Read!”) that the preacher utter to signal that the answer is truly derived from the passages of the Bible.
Bro. Eli is also known as a religious debate maestro. His impeccable and undefeated record in religious debates in the Philippines and abroad has many pastors of different religious groups veering away from entering into a debate agreement with the International Evangelist.
BES at 50: A Special TV Presentation
Meanwhile, television station UNTV will mark this milestone by airing a special program dedicated to Bro. Eli, a name the televangelist is more popularly known and called for.
Key milestones of Bro. Eli’s life will be especially highlighted in the TV Special, spanning the televangelist’s early life as a son to a close-knit family, a protégé worker of the former Presiding Minister and his promotion as first minister of the Church of God.
Other more significant sides of Bro. Eli’s personal life will also be explored, such as being dubbed as Bible-based scholar and reliable resource person, a Filipino evangelist well-embraced in foreign lands, a servant of God, a cook, and a loving Ingkong (grandfather) to his many apo (grandsons).
Tentatively, the schedule of airing has been announced to be on April 9, Wednesday (in the Philippines).
Early this year, Bro. Eli’s Bible-based preaching in television and radio was cited as outstanding by the Dangal ng Bayan Awards, a prestigious national tribute to world-class Filipino achievers.
In its 33 years, Dangal ng Bayan recognizes outstanding Filipino achievers in different fields of endeavors, whose contribution to society using their God-given talents and skills will ultimately inspire nation-building efforts.
Observers are convinced such award is a well-deserved honor for Bro. Eli Soriano. For truly, he is a world-class evangelist who lives his life with a purpose for 50 year in service to God and humanity.
(Written by Roy Cruz)
