Not only the truth-seekers and faithfuls are attracted to the preaching of Bro. Eliseo F. Soriano on radio and television. Some of them are historians and comedians.
Pushing the Boundaries
History lecturer Van Ybiernas from De La Salle University said he started watching Bro. Eli’s program “Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path)” way back in 1990s to practice his Filipino language. But then he noticed the great concept and the manner of teaching that Bro. Eli was using in the program.
As an observer, Ybiernas also noticed the uniqueness of Bro. Eli Soriano’s style in teaching.
“He is there, you can ask him. He will answer and when he answers you may ask him again. It is a unique concept wherein differents parts of the world may ask him a question, they may interact with each other. I have not seen this being done by any religious groups,” said Ybiernas.
He also stated that the concept of the program is very laudable and is pushing the boundaries.
“I knew then this is history in the making. I just did not expect that it would really explode to this extent,” said Ybiernas, then adding, “When I first watched him [Bro. Eli] … I observed his styles on how he answers every question. You can learn many styles from Bro. Eli when it comes to lecturing.”
Brod Pete Greets Bro. Eli Soriano
Known for his now-defunct “Ang Dating Doon” segment on the comedy show “Bubble Gang”, Isko Salvador a.k.a Brod Pete admitted that Bro. Eli Soriano has become one of his inspirations on his career as a comedian.
“I have talked to a lot of people about our spoof program called Ang Dating Doon because they became curious on who we were impersonating; then they eventually watched the program (Ang Dating Daan) and became members of MCGI,” said Salvador.
Salvador described how unique the sense of humor and charisma Bro. Eli has, which caught his attention to track his programs in radio and television.
“Sometimes I compare him to Dolphy (Philippine’s King of Comedy). The topic is serious but is accompanied with satire, which makes it easier for him to send across his message to the audience,” added the host of “Celebrity Bluff”.
Salvador then greeted Bro. Eli Soriano on his 54th year of service to God and humanity.
“Happy birthday Bro. Eli! I look older than you. You’re already 71 years old, I’m just 39 (laughs). I wonder what your secret is behind your black hair, mine’s all white,” joked Salvador. “My wish for you is live as long as you want, God willing.”
Since its inauguration as a radio show in 1980 and then on television in 1983, Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path) is now being broadcast not only in the Philippines but also in South America as O Caminho Antigo and El Camino Antiguo, respectively.
The program is being produced by the Members Church of God International (MCGI) with program hosts, Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon, and is considered as one of the longest-running religious television programs in the country. Airing in more than 70 countries worldwide, viewers of the award-winning program come from the United States, Brazil, India, and more.
Written by John Kenneth Jaramilla