El Shaddai at 42: ‘Faith, love, unity’

MANILA, Philippines — Religious group El Shaddai celebrated its 42nd anniversary at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park in Manila yesterday.

The two-day prayer, worship and thanksgiving event opened with the parade of banners from members coming from various chapters in Metro Manila, local provinces and international communities.

With the theme “Celebrate the God of Generations in Faith, Love and Unity,” the event featured performances from its members, with some also showing up on the stage to provide testimonies of faith as followers of El Shaddai.

“Praise be to God, for He removed Kawasaki Disease, UTI, pneumonia and kidney failure from my child. All clear and negative,” Mariel Arizobal from Davao shared.

Merlyn Cayago from Pangasinan shared how her faith has guided her daughter to finish college while she worked in Israel.

Calauag Councilor Frederick Fuenzelida, who was born with polio to a farmer and laundrywoman and was left for adoption as a child, shared how El Shaddai changed the trajectory of his life – from politics to entrepreneurship.

Prior to the overnight celebration, El Shaddai officials reminded its participating members to bring four prayer requests, four companions, five candles and four chicken sandwiches.

The Manila Police District said that as of 5:12 p.m. yesterday, the crowd estimate in Quirino Grandstand reached around 3,500 individuals.

El Shaddai was founded by Mike Velarde in 1984.