The Philippines is the first country in Asia to be colonized by the Spaniards who planted the root of “alleged Christianity” in this part of the world. The first baptism in Southeast Asia took place in Limasawa, Central Philippines.
Magellan led the first circumnavigation of the globe. He was born to a family of lower nobility and educated in the Portuguese court. Just like Columbus who came before him, Magellan believed the Spice Islands can be reached by sailing west, around or through the New World. As Magellan did not get any support from the Portuguese monarchy, he sought and got the assistance of the teenaged Spanish king, Charles I (a.k.a. the Holy Roman emperor Charles V) on March 22, 1518. Magellan got five ships. In September, 1519, he sailed with 270 men. His Italian crewmember, Antonio Pigafetta, kept a diary of and recorded the voyage. They sailed on to the Philippines, arriving on March 28, 1521. On April 7, 1521, he arrived in Cebu and befriended an island king—Datu Humabon. On April 14, 1521, Datu Humabon and 800 of his people were drawn in a mass baptism. Later, though, Lapu-Lapu killed Magellan in a battle in Mactan on April27, 1521.
The Philippines is also among the first countries to be invaded by the Japanese Imperial Forces of World War II.
The attack on the Philippines started on December 8, 1941 ten hours after the attack on Pearl Harbour in Hawaii. As at Pearl Harbour, the American aircraft were entirely destroyed on the ground. Lacking air cover, the American Asiatic Fleet in the Philippines withdrew to Java on December 12, 1941.
Japanese troops landed at the Lingayen Gulf on December 22, 1941 and advanced across central Luzon towards Manila. On the advice of President Quezon, General MacArthur declared Manila an open city on December 25, 1941 and removed the Commonwealth government to Corregidor. The Japanese occupied Manila on January 2, 1942.
It is also the first country in Asia to fly its own commercial airline.
Philippine Airlines took to the skies on March 15, 1941, using a Beech Model 18 aircraft amid the specter of a global war. It became Asia’s first airline.
The reign of Gloria Arroyo contributed to the many “firsts” in Philippine history. This country became “first” in Southeast Asia in terms of corruption during her reign but was considered second only to Iraq as the riskiest place in reporting the news! No wonder she was reputed to be the most corrupt president in the entire history of the Philippines. Interestingly enough, it grew to be the most dangerous country for journalists when the political allies of Gloria Arroyo massacred 32 journalists, among the about 60 people murdered in the Maguindanao Massacre.
Proverbs 29:2 (The American Standard Version)
When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh.
Group: Philippines most dangerous country for journalist
November 25, 2009|By Tom Evans, CNN
The Philippines this year has been the world’s most dangerous country for journalists, an official of the advocacy group the Committee to Protect Journalists told CNN’s “Amanpour” program Wednesday.
The killing of at least 18 reporters in a massacre that claimed the lives of almost 60 people this week means the Philippines is now even more hazardous than Iraq for journalists, said Bob Dietz, CPJ Asia Program coordinator
The massacre in the Philippines is the single worst mass killing of journalists in history, according to the CPJ.
It is also the first country where a President of the Land finishes her term and then re-emerges to a lower government position. Gloria is also the first president of the Philippines who, after 9 years in power, disgraced the Office of the President by running for Congress. Considering logic, I cannot, in my mind, accept that her running for Congress is insinuated by the desire to serve the people because if while she was president, holding the highest office in the land for 9 consecutive years, she was not able to give the best service to her province mates how can she, being only a congresswoman, do better? I am not alone in this opinion. I have talked to many of my countrymen abroad and they shared the same belief!
GMA found most corrupt president
Almost one of two Filipino believe that President is the “most corrupt (president) in the history of the Philippines,” a survey conducted from Oct. 20 to 31 by Pulse Asia showed.
The survey was done at the height of reports of cash payoffs to congressmen and local officials in Malacañang, the renewed calls for Arroyo’s resignation and the planned revival of impeachment moves against her, the Glorietta explosion, the continuing investigations on the broadband deal, the rift between Arroyo and Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., the grant of pardon to former President Joseph Estrada, the holding of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, and the rising prices of oil products.
The survey, which had 1,200 respondents, had a margin of error of plus/minus 6 percent.
Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo said: “This is what happens when media publishes accusations and insinuations against government without bothering to verify or even ask for the basis of charges.”
It is also during the reign of Gloria that my religious program, in radio and television in the Philippines, experienced the “firsts” and worst treatment from the MTRCB (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board) that operates under the Office of the President. My program, upon the slightest insinuation of the INC (Iglesia Ni Cristo) was time and again suspended by the MTRCB of record suspensions, ranging from a month to 4 months and indefinite suspensions which never happened in the history of the MTRCB! I began broadcasting in radio and in TV since the time of then presidents Ferdinand Marcos, Cory Aquino, Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada, making my program the longest running religious program in the Philippines. Her predecessors were more compassionate to our group than she was.
Phlippines most Corrupt, survey says
MANILA — Expatriate businessmen in Asia perceive the Philippines as the most corrupt country in the region, according to a survey released Tuesday.
Singapore was ranked as the least corrupt of the 13 economies surveyed, followed by Hong Kong and Japan, according to the annual corruption survey conducted by the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy, based in Hong Kong.
“The Philippines has the distinction of being perceived in the worst light this year,” the survey stated. “People are just growing tired of the inaction and insincerity of leading officials when they promise to fight corruption.”
The alliance of the INC (Iglesia Ni Cristo) with the corrupt government of Arroyo, led to the findings of the NCR-CHR (National Capital Region Commission on Human Rights) that my human rights were violated.
We hope that this “extraordinaries” will not happen again in the reign of now President Noynoy Aquino! But the problem is, there is a gang of midnight appointees left by the previous administration.
Now the ADD (Ang Dating Daan), for the first time in history, is being prohibited to conduct Bible studies in some prisons in the Philippines! It was even prohibited to baptize some converts in Talisay City and La Carlota, Negros Island and in Guimaras, Panay Island! I am appealing to the President of the Philippines. We have been preaching continuously for the last 2 decades in Philippine prisons, converting sinners to repentance and in belief in God. We have been helping neglected prisoners of their humane necessities, spiritual and otherwise!
I cannot see any valid and logical reasons for the following persons to prohibit us from continuing the spiritual effort to bring light to lost souls in prison: (Rev. Fr. Nestor Caber, the Regional Chaplain BJMP6, J/Insp. Norberto Miciano Jr., who is warden of Talisay City Jail, Negros Occidental, and S/Insp. Mario Solis of La Carlota Jail, including Insp. Felix Sariana of Guimaras Jail).
Shall the Philippines now become the first to prohibit converting sinners to repentance?
Sincerely In Christ,
Bro. Eli
