Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Netizens Celebrate With Bro. Eli On Debate Win

Congratulatory messages and commendations poured in for the televangelist Bro. Eli Soriano, after the emphatic victory of his debate against Pastor Rubens Sodré of South America on September 22 (PHT).

Sodré uses no biblical verses to support his arguments and uses only his own explanations to tackle the issues of the discussion.

One issue, is that the South American Pastor believes that there's no need for Christians to congregate or assemble.

Bro. Eli told him that "If I can read in the Bible that we need to  physically congregate, you will admit that you are wrong?"

Then Bro. Soriano read the verse at Hebrews 10:24-25 that says "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

At one point of the debate, Sodré requested the lapel microphone of Bro. Eli to be removed for he thought someone is dictating the verses to Bro. Eli!

It reaped a good laugh from everyone and cheering by the audience for Bro. Soriano ensued. Sodré admitted his mistake and apologized to Bro. Eli.

The lapel mic by Bro. Eli was requested to be tested by Pastor Rubens Sodré for
he thought someone is dictating verses to him! The latter admitted his mistake
later on and apologized for it. (Photo twitted by @maryjocm)

What he didn't know, but what Filipinos know so well — after years and years of Bible Expositions and debates in the country — is that Bro. Eli knows the Bible by heart.

"My poor opponent thought that somebody is dictating verses to me during the debate; Yes, SOMEONE dictates but not through the headset or mic!" Bro. Soriano tweeted after the debate was concluded.


Bro. Eli said that God is that 'SOMEONE' who is dictating all the answers that he needed for the debate win. 




Even though the debate started at midnight of Monday (September 21), in the Philippines, Filipinos still made time to watch the debate, which is streamed live on O Caminho Antigo's Youtube channel.

Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter was filled with photos and messages from the debate which is streamed live on Youtube.

From the Philippines and also in countries abroad, netizens shared their thoughts online by Tweeting using the hashtag #LiveDebateWithBroEli during and after the event.

Here are some of the tweet highlights during the night:








(Translation: "Before I only hear Bro. Eli Soriano debate in Filipino. Now, [his debate] is in another language! Amazing! )
The replay of the debate can be viewed here at the official Youtube channel of O Camiho Antigo.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Debate Between Bro. Eli Soriano and South American Pastor, Set

Bro. Eliseo Soriano, host of the Ang Dating Daan religious program, signed himself for another debate, scheduled on September 21 this year, at 1 PM (Brazilian time).

This time around, the debate is between the International Evangelist and Pastor Rubens Sodré from South America.
A live debate featuring Bro. Soriano and a Pastor from South America will be witnessed live on Youtube.
A screen grab of the debate invitation at Bro. Eli Soriano's
official Facebook fanpage.

The agreement for a debate started when Mr. Sodré attended one of Bro. Soriano's Worldwide Bible Expositions at South America.

During the Exposition, Mr. Sodré expressed that he does not believe that a Church has a hierarchy and that it has its leaders.

Bro. Eli explained to him that there are leaders of the Church of God like St. Paul at his time. He read verses from the Bible including the one at Acts 14: 12 that says "And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker."

Sodré also said that he can prove that Bro. Eli is deceiving people.

To answer him, Bro. Eli told him that: “Do not accuse me of deceiving people. You cannot prove that.” Then he added that “Now, if you want to prove, let us set a discussion or debate.”

To formalize the debate, they agreed on the mechanics of the friendly discussion. Each side will be given time to present their arguments then each presentation will be followed by a cross-examination by the opposing party.

Also, both sides agreed on the date of the dialog which incidentally is 12 m.n. of September 22, a Monday in the Philippines.

The debate could be watched live worldwide via a live video streaming at the official Youtube channel of O Caminho Antigo.  (This is the counterpart of 'Ang Dating Daan' in the Portuguese language.)

Unlike here in the Philippines, Bro. Eli is not yet known by religious leaders abroad. In the country, after a series of debates in the 90s, only a few had the courage to face Bro. Eli on a friendly debate again.

Filipinos have seen, and now South Americans are seeing (and will see on this upcoming debate) that the results of all debates of Bro Eli is only one: HE IS ALWAYS THE WINNER, but as he says, only through God's help.









Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Netizens Denounce Sofitel Manila’s Move Against UNTV, #NoToSofitel Ranked First on Twitter

Using the hashtags #NotoSofitel and #BoycottSofitelPH, netizens filled Twitter with outcries of foul and discrimination in connection to Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila’s removal of UNTV in the TV listing of the hotel.
#NotoSofitel ranked #1 while #BoycottSofitelPH ranked #3
on Twitter Philippine Trends, 2 p.m. of Monday (7/14/14).

During the early morning show Good Morning Kuya, the move by Sofitel was revealed by host Daniel Razon. He also called on to the supporters of UNTV to counter boycott Sofitel Hotel.

Netizens took to Twitter to express their disappointment with the hotel, which just recently was used as a venue for “Isang Araw” movie showing, a project launched by UNTV to support the various public services that it sustaines.

Part of the proceeds of the event was also for the benefit of the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. 

Merely hours after Razon disclosed the move by Sofitel,  #NotoSofitel hashtag ranked 1st on Twitter Philippine Trending topics. Both #NotoSofitel (1st) and #BoycottSofitelPH (3rd)  ranked on Philippine Trend, 2 p.m. of July 14, 2014. 

The protest by supporters denounce the discrimination in media suffered by the public service oriented channel, UNTV.


A Massive But Peaceful Protest

A massive but peaceful protest was launched by supporters of UNTV on different platforms of social media. The campaign, which was very popular on Twitter, also received a huge support on Facebook and Instagram.
A Facebook user posted this image on his account in
support of the campaign. (Link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152337078954858&set=o.320029076567&type=1)

This photo taken from Instagram was posted in support of the
boycott camapaign against Sofitel Manila. (Link: http://instagram.com/p/qdD-2ZAsoq/)
Bro. Eli Soriano, host of Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path), a program aired everyday at UNTV, also denounced Sofitel’s move by Tweeting on his account @BroEliSoriano encouraging followers to sustain the campaign for sake of justice.

The preacher tweeted “Let the power of feelings offended be known unto all the world! The pen of Dr. Jose Rizal was proven to be more potent than a thousand bolos.”



According to netizens’ posts, the campaign (#NotoSofitel and #BoycottSofitelPH) for boycott will continue on the web for days to come.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Collection of Tweets | Ang Dating Daan Bible Exposition | June 6, 2014

The Ang Dating Daan  Worldwide Bible Exposition was held in various ADD Coordinating Centers in the Philippines.

The event was witnessed in more than 1,300 locations through the use of satellite technologies.

In the web, participants share what they learn during the night through live tweeting. Here are selected tweets to give you an overview of the discussions during the event.















It was a very informative evening. If you haven't attended a Bible Exposition of Ang Dating Daan before, must I say, it is worth a try.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Bro. Eli: There Are No Coincidences To Those Who Love God

It would have been a typical day for Wilson Concepcion, if he have not seen the Ang Dating Daan Mobile Coordinating Center parked at his university grounds the night of March 7, this year for a Bible Exposition.

Wilson Concepcion, at the screen, looks on after asking Bro. Eli his question
during the night of the ADD Bible Exposition at Nueva Ecija, Philippines. 

He said that he could not fight the tears streaming down his eyes when he saw the ADD Bus at the Central Luzon State University that will broadcast the live Worldwide Bible Exposition hosted by Bro. Eliseo Soriano that Friday night.

“I told myself, God is already the one approaching me. I don’t want to turn Him down again,” Mr. Concepcion said in an interview.

Wilson Concepcion, a BS Chemistry graduate from CLSU, recalled that he had been listening to Bro. Eli for a long time, but he kept telling himself that he is not ready to join the Church yet. There are many things that is crossing his mind hindering him from joining the group.

 Bro. Soriano, the Presiding Minsiter to Members Church of God International (MCGI), is the longtime host of program Ang Dating Daan.

Back when he was still studying in college, Wilson promised himself he would join the Church of God after his graduation. But after he got his Bachelors degree, he did not follow through with what he said.

Five months have passed since then, he saw the ADD Mobile Coordinating Center parked right in front of him on March this year, suddenly his promise of joining the Church resurfaced in his heart. So, even though it is abrupt, he decided to attend the Exposition that night.

Wilson was the first one to arrive at the venue.

While he watched the Teatro Kristiano cheerfully dance for the opening number of the Exposition, he was already in tears. He began to realize how God helped him finish college, but he did not carry out his promise to Him.

While at the Bible Exposition, he also found out that an MCGI locale is just a few meters away from his boarding house. He could just walk to the locale if he decided to attend the indoctrination sessions offered by the group.

With another unexpected turn of events, the first two who signed up to ask Bro. Eli, left early. Wilson then, had the chance to ask a question to Bro. Eli that night.

He asked the International Evangelist if the events that had happened to him are mere coincidences and how he could remove the doubts in his mind in joining the Church.

Bro. Eli Soriano answered him by citing the verse in Romans 8:28 that reads “all things work together for good to them that love God.”

“To a person who loves God, there are no things that happen as a mere chance,” Bro. Eli explained, “everything that happens is supportive of God’s cause.”

Bro. Eli also pointed out that if there is someone whom God wants to call to His Church, everything that will happen will sum up to His purpose to call that person. The preacher also encouraged Wilson to attend the Mass Indoctrination to remove all doubts in his mind hindering him to join the Church.

After Bro. Eli answered his query, Wilson decided that it is time to follow what he felt was God’s call to him.

“I will do everything that I can to finally be a member,” he said.

On March 25, Wilson Concepcion, was one of the newly baptized member of the Church.

Stories like this are often heard from members of the Church of God wherein they did not intentionally tune in to one of Bro. Eli’s programs but due to some events, they are led to listen to the preacher. Many have described to having listened to Bro. Eli on television or radio only by accident.

The Bible Exposition that Wilson went to had thousands of other attendees. More than 1,200 monitoring centers tuned in to the event. Viewers abroad, on one hand, watched the gathering through live internet streams.

On Friday this week, May 9, another Bible Exposition will be hosted by Bro. Eli Soriano. Another chance for people to understand biblical teachings.

Ang Dating Daan coordinating centers will be opened to everyone wanting to witness the Worlwide Bible Exposition by Bro. Eli and ask him questions about the Bible.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

UNTV37 Recognized in the 22nd KBP Golden Dove Awards

UNTV37 garnered recognition from the 22nd KBP Golden Dove Awards held at the CCP Complex on April 29, this year.
UNTV37's "Caring for the Elderly" advocacy and "KNC Show" recognized by 22nd KBP Golden Dove Awards 2014
KBP Golden Dove Award trophies given to UNTV for "Caring for the Elderly"
advocacy and for the Bible-based children's program "KNC Show".

The TV station was awarded as having the “Best Public Service Announcement” with this year’s theme “Caring for the Elderly”, and the “Best TV Children’s Program” for the “KNC Show”.

The advocacy “Caring for the Elderly” was pioneered by Kuya Daniel Razon, CEO of UNTV-BMPI, to promote the welfare of senior citizens. The TV station focused their public service initiatives in reaching out to the elderlies.

The TV station roamed to different homes for the aged to give different forms of aids to the lolo  and lola who were separated from their loved ones.

Shows of UNTV also gave emphasis on topics relevant to those who are advanced in years. Some of the topics discussed were about the nutritional diets fit for the elderly, skin care, common health issues, and legal topics that are beneficial to them as well.

The Bible-based kiddie oriented program KNC Show, on one hand, advocates wholesome presentations for kids based on the Bible. Their various segments include diverse topics about the natural wonders of the world, hobbies for kids, news for kids, and much more.

KNC Show was also recognized last year by the Gandingan Awards as the “Best Educational Program Finalist”.

UNTV delegates at the KBP Awarding include Atty. Reggie Tongol, Angela Lagunzad, Wylla Soriano, Jeffrey Santos, and Jovan Marquez.

“For a young network to be at the helm with other bigger networks, it’s really a big step for us and I’m really proud to be part of UNTV,” says Jeffrey Santos, Operations Manager of UNTV Rescue.
Jeffrey Santos, Operations Manager of UNTV Rescue, expounds on the big steps
UNTV has taken to be worthy of recognition by KBP alongside other bigger networks.

 “Kuya Daniel always reminds us that with recognition or not, our works will continue,” Mr. Jovan Marquez, Assistant Head of UNTV Programming and Productions, says.

All UNTV programs are geared towards giving educational, truthful, and genuine public service to those that are in need. When Daniel Razon took over the management of the television station, UNTV removed itself form the typical approach of programming and became a center of public services in the country.

Friday, April 4, 2014

Bloggers Share Enthusiasm for Bro. Eli Soriano's 50th Year of Service to God

On Bro. Eliseo F. Soriano's upcoming anniversary celebration for his 50th year of service to God, Wordpress and Blogspot bloggers share their enthusiasm for the Ang Dating Daan host's jubilee celebration.


Bro. Eliseo conducting Bible studies on television
Bro. Eliseo Soriano in a Portuguese episode of Ang Dating Daan
(O Caminho Antiguo).
[Screen capture from A Bíblia Responderá channel at youtube.com]

The blogger at Footnotes & Fillings shared what she learned from Bro. Eli about music. She mentioned how she understood how old music really is and also the importance of praise songs by listening to Bro. Eli.

She also shared some of Bro. Eli's tweets about music as well as the charitable musical events spearheaded by the preacher to provide for the public services that he sustains.

Bro. Eliseo Soriano and music
A screenshot of Footnotes and Fillings' header text. The author wrote an entry
about the things she learned from Bro. Eli about music.

There’s More to Music, I’ve Learned from Bro. Eli

 And as I tried to craft songs too— on plain papers, on edges of lecture notebooks, and on my phone— I realized that it is a wonderful outlet for my emotions. 
But, throughout the years, I have learned that music can be so much more than that. Bro. Eli Soriano, a man of music and a much-loved evangelist celebrating his 50th year of service to God this year, has taught me important things about this well-adored indulgence.
Read full article here. 

Another blogger, from With Letters and Time, shared the experience that she had when she first saw Bro. Soriano on television. The author mentioned the way that the preacher speak in public — without hypocrisy and in a straight to the point manner. To start the article, she wrote in a very striking first line:


 "He shouted at me. This man on TV shouted at me. And boy, he could shout."



The Man Who Shouted, Woke Me Up and Made Me Drop My Book 

He said in a very loud voice, "Makinig ka ha kapatid? Makinig ka." Listen okay, brother? Listen. 
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.  
My head spun. Each word an elephant weight to my chest, pounding heavily to make sure I won't forget. 
Read full article here. 


The blogger of View Points and Angles expressed his admiration to Bro. Eli by gathering his fellow Bread Society members and posting fan signs for the Televangelist. One of the fan made testimonies said:

Bro. Eli was greeted by numerous individuals for this 50th spiritual birthday.
A screen capture of one of View Points and Angles' fan signs coming
from Bread Society members.


Bread Society Pays Tribute as Bro. Eli's Golden Years of Service Nears

Brother Eli is my candle in the middle of the vast darkness. With the Biblical teachings he imparts, with God’s help, he is able to inspire me and guide me to the right path. I am really thankful to have a very caring preacher like Ingkong (Bro. Eli).
There are innumerable things that make Bro. Eli way different from other preachers. But one thing that I want to emphasize is his genuine care and concern to the Congregation.
Read full article here.

Warmth & Words' blogger reflected on Bro. Soriano's importance to him. Reading his article, he takes the audience back in time by recalling how he was convinced that Bro. Eli is speaking true biblical teachings at the time when he was still a believer of his previous religion.

A Certain Thing I'm Thankful For
It’s hard writing how much Bro. Eli Soriano means to me.
It will be his 50th birthday in the spirit come April 7 this year. And fathoming feelings of love and gratitude for a person as special as he is is never easy.
Most certainly, such depths of emotion do not stem from fanaticism as some may easily and soullessly accuse me of. 
Read full article here.

A writer in the vernacular Filipino language, Prospathow's author share the reasons why she follows Bro. Eli on Twitter. She also posted some examples of Bro. Eliseo Soriano's tweets that has helped her.
Si Bro. Eli Soriano at ang Twitter
Isang bagay lang naman ang nasisiguro ko kaya ako nag-Twitter -- para i-follow si Bro. Eli Soriano at basahin ang mga makabuluhan niyang tweets at mga sagot sa mga tanong ng ating mga kababayan. 
Sadyang maraming bagay ang matutunan sa pagbisita sa Twitter ni Bro. Eli Soriano. Sa katunayan, hindi lang tungkol sa Biblia, pananampalataya o kaya problemang espiritwal ang maaari mong ikonsulta.
 Read full article here.

 The blogger at Amaris37 created a list that features 50 facts about Bro. Soriano which is actually very useful. Some of the following may not be known to many of his listeners.

50 Wonderful Facts About Bro. Eli 
2. Bro. Eli is the 7th child in their family. 
25. During the 1990’s Bro. Eli published a book entitled, “Leaving behind the Fundamental Doctrines of Christ.” 
33. Bro. Eli is a very good cook.