Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) capped off its 36th anniversary celebration with a Special Worldwide Bible Exposition and distribution of 8,000 Bible copies for free.

Thousands of guests flocked the 15,000-capacity Mall of Asia Arena to join the celebration, listen to the words of God and get to ask questions of faith directly to Bro. Eli Soriano during the commemoration last December 9.

The event is simulcast in more than 1,360 satellite monitoring centers and streamed real-time through Facebook and YouTube Live.

The program’s main host, Bro. Eli Soriano, is the Overall Servant of the Members Church of God International (MCGI), while Assistant Overall Servant and public service advocate, Bro. Daniel Razon, serves as his co-host.

Ang Dating Daan prepared printed copies of the Bible, which were given to 8,000 guests during the special event. The award-winning program has been known for distributing Bibles for free to its listeners and televiewers since it went on air in 1980 (radio) and 1983 (television).

Songs of Praises

The Ang Dating Daan Chorale performed a heartfelt medley of songs of praises accompanied by a lively dance presentation from the Teatro Kristiano group of MCGI. It was followed by a series of solemn hymns before the opening prayer.

During last year’s anniversary, Ang Dating Daan and MCGI bagged the Guinness Book of World Records’ “Largest Gospel Choir” with 8,688 participants.

Quest for Truth

Via live video streaming, Bro. Eli greeted the audience present at the Mall of Asia Arena and those attending in more than a thousand coordinating centers across the country and abroad.

“We are happy to be with you at this moment in our quest for the truth. Ang anyaya po namin sa inyo ay salu-salo tayong mag-aral, mag-isip, at mag-bulay sa mga salita ng Dios. Umaasa po kami na makakasama namin kayo sa mga ilang sandaling ito ng ating pag-aaral ng mga salita ng Dios.”

Bro. Eli also asked for forgiveness to those who might be offended in the way he will answer questions. “Bago lang po tayo magsimula, ibig kong humingi agad sa inyo ng paumanhin mga kababayan on the course ng pag-sagot namin sa mga tanong. Kasi po ito ay, live po ito. Hindi po pwedeng i-edit, hindi pwedeng kontrolin ang mga nagtatanong sa iba’t-ibang points at iyan po ay imposibleng magawa. Kaya kung halimbawa, ang isang tanong ay nagre-require ng isang frank answer, isang definite answer, hindi pwedeng i-generalize, I have to use definite answers, not answering the question in a general manner.

Bro. Eli also explained the need to make comparisons in order to arrive at an understanding of biblical truth. “Gagamitin ko po ‘yung sinasabi sa Biblia na paraan ng pagtuklas ng reason, ng dahilan, gaya noong sinasabi sa Eclesiastes 7:27. ‘Yun pong pagtutulad o pag-aagapay noong isang bagay sa iba ay ang layon noon ay para matagpuan ‘yung difference, ang kadahilanan, ‘yung reason. Kailangan i-agapay ang isang bagay sa iba. Ginawa po ito ni Kristo nang ipangaral Niya ang evangelio. Basahin natin ang Mateo 6:7-8. Diyan po, makikita ‘nyong maliwanag iyong pagtutulad para ituro ni Kristo iyong totoo na kalooban ng Dios sa Kaniyang mga lingkod noong unang siglo.”

Message from Kuya Daniel

Bro. Daniel, also known as “Kuya Daniel,” welcomed the audience and gave a brief remark. “Ang atin pong format, kagaya ng inyong nalalaman, ay ang pagbibigay ng pagkakataon sa ating mga kababayan na makapag-usisa ng mga bagay na may kinalaman sa banal na kasulatan, sa Biblia, pati problemang espiritual.”

The veteran broadcast journalist also expressed his gratitude to the Lord for the 36 fruitful years of the program. “Una po ang ating pagpapasalamat sa Panginoon na umabot tayo ng 36 na taon sa pagsasahimpapawid. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Dios sa pagbibigay din sa atin ng mga katuwang sa pagtataguyod ng pagsasahimpapawid ng programang Ang Dating Daan, ang atin pong mga kasama sa [Members] Church of God International, at sa lahat ng mga tao din na nag-extend sa atin po ng courtesy sa iba’t-ibang lugar na pinagsagawaan natin ng ating mga Bible Expositions sa iba’t-ibang probinsya dito sa Pilipinas at gayun din sa iba’t-ibang panig ng mundo.”

Memorable Bible Exposition

Ang Dating Daan and its hosts are known for straightforward preaching. They welcome impromptu questions about faith and spirituality from the audience and give answers based from the Bible.

The question-and-answer portion started in 1993, and is now more popularly known as “Itanong Mo Kay Soriano, Biblia Ang Sasagot” (Ask Bro. Eli, The Bible will Answer).

The audience were able to ask questions about forgiveness, reconciliation with God, about being poor or wealthy, what matters most between faith or religion, if gays and bisexuals are accepted in the church and search for the truth.

Prominent personalities in politics, law practice, and movie and entertainment industry were also present during the event, including the Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor.

Ang Dating Daan: Through the Years

In line with this year’s theme, “Reviving Humanity’s Faith and Hope Through Evangelization,” Ang Dating Daan aims to continue its extensive propagation, with the help of God.

For the past 36 years, Ang Dating Daan persists in spreading the gospel, using all means possible – print, radio, television, internet and social media – in preaching the good news based on the Bible and in answering questions of faith.

The program is now gaining strong viewership in Latin and South America through its own 24/7 relay stations and various programs in local stations.

Ang Dating Daan is also known for its big heart for the poor, heeding Biblical admonitions. Aside from daily free medical and legal assistance and scholarship grants, the program also supports regular feeding programs, medical missions, mass blood donation drives, daily free rides and livelihood programs. It also maintains orphanages for the elderly and infant care facilities.

From its humble beginnings, the program is now airing in more than 70 countries carried by at least seven satellites and is being translated in different languages.

Written by Jayson Moy