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
esoriano 
When the land was under martial law, one American called us Filipinos “the Philippines is a country composed “of 40 million cowards and one son of a bitch”….it hurts to read; ” otherwise he reasoned, they should have risen to the destroyer of their freedom”. This is what I wrote :”This one American , did not understand how it is to be a poor/ hungry Filipino. A poverty stricken man will accept anything, for a plate of food on the table”.(excerpts from my research paper for my Political Science class)
No, we are not cowards, we are peace loving people ready to sacrifice to prevent blood shed of innocent country men.
Sometimes I am inclined to believed that our politicians capitalized on our being sacrificial in nature.
I ended my paper something like this: ” it was more likely that the poor Filipinos represented by almost 60% of the population were busy gathering food to feed the hungry family. No, we are not cowards, but a hungry stomach can also lead to a malnourished brain which more likely was unable to process good judgment to claim what was right or wrong.”
One important agenda of the new president should be; boast the economy…
Now the manalista is very disperate the do anything against us.
I hope God will guide all of us brother Eli becuase we see the time is very near.
My prayer is that we must stay firm in Church until the last of our life.
To God be the glory.
I agree with you. So I say AMEN!
What a great relief having these people out of power. I can only pray that God not allow them to come back.
May God enlighten the heart of President Noynoy Aquino to see the very first in the country made by the members of Ang Dating Daan with God’s help, to mention the few : Transient Home, Free Education from Elementary to College with Mobile School, Free Medical & Dental Assistance, Law Center ni Kuya, Libreng Sakay all over the country, and many more to come. May God have mercy on our country.
Our beloved Philippines, there were so many things and people to be proud of. Many Filipinos were striving locally and internatioanlly, to give our country recognition and respect, to bring home pride.
But due to some malicious mind, using their political power and riches, deprive our country to be honored and be appreciated. Our country is listed internationally as one of the most corrupt government and dangerous place for foreign travellers.
What honor our people will bring if these malicious people even deprive our country men to hear the word of God? Instead of supporting the ministry (as if they also the same ministry) in preaching the gospel, they were hindering in spreading, specially to those more in need, the inmates. Bro Eli is right when he said, it is the first in the wolrd history. Philippines is a country where freedom is abundant. Are we going to satisfy their objectives to stop our freedom of finding true religion?
Lets open our eyes and lets us unite for the benefit of our country men, for the benefit of our country in the long-run. Lets voice out our right to be heard.
Go straight ahead Bro. Eli. You are the Elias and then the John the Baptist for this generation. John prepared the “way” for the coming of Christ. You have recovered that “old way” so the people will know which “way” to meet Jesus in his second coming.
Remember that John the Baptist ultimately lost his life to the caprice and whims of the demons of his time.
In the present times the devil is active in his churches, which are roman catholic church and the iglesia ni manalo. they have always wanted your fame to turn sour by hurling accusations against your person. They want you to be always reeling on the need for money to fund your defense in the courts against other yet baseless accusations, and ultimately, they are actually wanting you to die, and as Pilate did, they will wash their hands of your blood.
I believe that the God of the true heavens and his Son Jesus Christ will always keep you under their protection. If THEY should let you go the way all humans go, I am sure your way will be the way of dignity and holiness.
We pray for you always, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To God be the Glory, Amen!
Amen.. that also the first thing that came to my mind…why would they want to kill a man who preach and tell the truth?bcoz hes the only one that tells them right into their faces how absurd and stupid they are…
so, a catholic priest is behind this
you forgot to mention CHARICE as the first Filipino solo artist to reach Billboard Top10 in the US
If this problem persists, may the self-proclaimed reverend Nestor Caber and wardens Norberto Miciano Jr., Mario Solis and Felix Sariana be condemned FIRST in hell.
Rev. Fr. Nestor Caber, the Regional Chaplain BJMP6is likewise the Vicar Forane of Western Visayas (Region 6) which means he has authority as a Catholic arch-priest not only within BJMP6 diocese but over all the dioceses in Region 6. In an article featured in this site: http://goh.mom811.com/2009/04/15/a-salute-to-fr-nestor-r-caber/ , the aforementioned priest demonstrated his proclivity for double talk or doublespeak when he said:
“I am for religious freedom in the jails, but I don’t approve of any religion or denomination that would attack or belittle any other religious group that may cause chaos or conflict among inmates belonging to different religions or denominations. We have 23 different religious groups in BJMP Iloilo Province, but there is peace and camaraderie, with this rule being followed: No preaching of religion inside jails but rather preach and promote morality and spirituality.”
Imagine, declaring himself to be for religious freedom and yet would not allow religious preaching inside the jails! That’s a lot of nonsense! I hope and pray that this case is not the portent of things to come in so as far as Bro. Eli’s propagation of true Christianity under the reign of President Aquino is concerned.
Thanks be to God for this very inspiring blog. You are truly a sensible Blogger Preacher in our time
Despite of the negative firsts in my country, I’m still proud to be a Filipino. But definitely not proud with the corruption still present in our society. I wish the incumbent President will listen to the appeal of MCGI not to repress the religious freedom that should be enjoyed by all citizens of the land. If it is enjoyed by Catholics, it should also be enjoyed by other religious groups no matter how big or small they are.
I agree..It is even stated in the Bill of Rights of our constitution, Section 5, Article 3 which states-The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference SHALL FOREVER BE ALLOWED. I don’t know what agenda this people have for repressing freedom to religion.
May The LORD rebuke all instruments who prohibit the evangelization of the Gospel.
May GOD help you always Bro Eli.
May God’s blessing be upon all of us. This is one very good topic Bro Eli. Yes, there are many things we filipinos could be proud as being first, but not the first to be “evangelized” by the Spaniards. The catholic religion was their secret weapon to stiple resistance. All the prohibitions in the bible were done by the colonizers; grabbing lands, ladies, and wives of our forefathers, and many injustices were done under the guise of religion. The Katipunan was discovered thru the so called confession, and many more. The reason Rizal was shot to death, was because he exposed the abuses and the twisted gospel the Friars were spreading.
After the FIRST People Power, corrupt politicians like gloria arroyo succeded in the subtle grab of power thru corrupt generals and officers in the military and police. The rest is history and many more FIRST were listed, enrichment, murders, manipulations, and injustices, and conspiracies to eliminate freedom of religion.
President Noynoy Aquino might have the moral courage to refuse corruption and injustices, but I think he must be decisive to remove the arroyo’s remants in the judiciary, congress, and other government agencies.early and fast.
With God’s help, we might be FIRST again to recover from the wounds of strifes, corruption and injustices, if we will all pray and do our share like what Bro Eli is doing. The pride of the Philippines, being the FIRST sensible and biblical Preacher worldwide; the FIRST to open up the hearts and minds of so many souls in the 5 continents of the world in spite of all the persecutions from the enemy.
To all the Christians, you are the FIRST, please go on with your mission Bro Eli.
Wow, that’s a first. Having sinners especially in prison, stopping them to change lives through religion. Wow! It’s amazingly stupid.
It shall be, for we have Bro. Eli Soriano that will be able to do it. With God’s help, this is possible to happen 🙂
GMA found most corrupt president
I laughed when I have read this line. 🙂
Anyways, excellent post Bro Eli. God bless!
I’ll back you up Bro. Eli, I’ll give my best shot to support you to our campaign in spreading the word of God. To God be the glory!
Very interesting blog post, and for me personally, a very sad one. I am a citizen of the USA, but have done short term counter-cult missions four times in the Philippines, mostly in Cebu. I love the country, I love the people, and I pray for them often. May God root out the corruption in their nation (and in mine) very soon!
Love in Christ,
Timothy Oliver
I am very glad.. much of what the word really ment.. for a man named eli sorian0 had a mouth that never had enough – definition of gods wisdom^ that a race^ of pinoy are the one choosen by god.. to preach his word to sinner^ s0metimes i got confuced why! pin0y.. a very po0r, hipocrites, corrupt minds and idiology.. raced know to be ^maids of all powerfull races~ willing to do inhumane act just to survive hunger.. and after surviving hunger ,for it turns to a ^crab^ and worship. ^baal^ s0o sad indeed.. yet isang eli soriano ang sumigaw nang malakas^ isang katotohan maging mga hirang ay nagpapadaya^ humantong sa pagkasira nang kanyang pangalan^ with daya ni satanas^ yet i never had doubt of kapatid na eli ^ god i am proud and happi once in my life, i find the roads where eli soriano walked his whole life with,. salamat sa isang katulad m0^ eliseo soriano,