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Through a series of activities all held in June 2025, the Ecclesiastical District of Valencia City, Bukidnon celebrated its 60th anniversary. These activities were a special gathering, a clean-up drive, Pasugo Distribution, musical evangelical mission, and Unity Games, among others.
More than 3,000 brethren attended the special gathering that was held at the house of worship of Valencia City Congregation on June 9, 2025. Assistant district supervising minister Brother Michael Antig led a prayer after the singing of hymns of praise. Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) School For Ministers instructor Brother Garlando Gamboa then delivered the words of God written in the Bible.
In his biblical lecture, Brother Gamboa pointed out to the attendees that they must take courage in the face of many problems. Being members of the true Church, they are God’s true servants and they can always rely on Him. Brother Gamboa emphasized to the youth that they must not be influenced by the worsening condition of the world. Instead, they must value their divine election above all else.
“As a youth member of the Church Of Christ, I understand that I must avoid anything that could harm my divine election, so that I will certainly receive salvation on Judgment Day,” said choir member Zyre Schaianta Manansala from Valencia City Congregation.
“I thank the Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo as we in the district are among his concerns, providing us spiritual nourishment by sending a minister to preach in this sacred occasion,” said 77-year-old finance officer Helena Dagayday of the same congregation.
Led by district supervising minister Brother Ruel Zapata, brethren in the local congregations united in conducting a clean-up drive on June 11 at their chosen venues, which were public spaces, such as barangay halls, dikes, and schools.
“The Iglesia Ni Cristo has long been active in these kinds of socio-civic activities,” attested barangay (village) captain Marlon Lebrando of Lurogan, Valencia City. On behalf of his constituents, he added, “We are sincerely grateful for the continued support.”
“I’m happy to have joined the clean-up drive because it has allowed me to help keep the surroundings clean,” expressed choir member Cher Velle Gultiano from the Bagontaas Congregation. Also in the same congregation, finance officer Kaiser Vim Dollaga remarked, “It truly feels fulfilling to be part of this activity knowing that we, residents, likewise benefit from upholding cleanliness.”
In preparation for the upcoming musical evangelical mission on June 15, Church members in every local congregation of the district gave a total of 2,416 copies of the Pasugo: God’s Message, the Church’s official magazine, to their prospective guests two days prior, on June 13.
“Pasugo magazine is such a powerful tool for sharing the faith,” explained deaconess Naneth Benzula from Valencia City Congregation. “People from all walks of life can easily understand it being written in English and Filipino, among other languages.”
“This isn’t the first time I received a Pasugo magazine from the Iglesia Ni Cristo,” shared recipient Etheryl Lagutom from San Carlos, Valencia City. “Whenever I get the chance, I read it—that’s also one of the reasons I became curious about what the Iglesia Ni Cristo is really all about.”
Bantuanon Congregation head deacon Jemuel Condahan said on behalf of his brethren, “We’re happy to have united in distributing the Pasugo magazine because it allows us to help spread the words of God, so that more people can come to know the truth found within the Church.”
The musical evangelical mission on June 15 was held at Folk Arts Theater in Kaamulan Grounds, Malaybalay City. As the activity’s name signifies, the guests learned about God’s will through the Iglesia Ni Cristo original music that select talented brethren performed. Some of these were Ikaw na Aking Hinawakan mula sa Mga Wakas ng Lupa (You Whom I Held from the Ends of the Earth), Ikaw ang Magpapalakas at Mag-iingat (God Will Strengthen and Protect), Mga Alipin sa Malayong Silangan (Servants in the Far East), Tatlong Araw at Tatlong Gabi (Three Days and Three Nights), Nananalig (Believing), Babalik nang may Pananabik (Returning with Eagerness), and Tiwala’y Ilagak sa Diyos (Trust in God).
Among those given copies of the Pasugo magazine and thereby attended the musical evangelical mission was Etheryl Lagutom. “She enjoyed the beautiful songs,” attested finance officer Farah Ybañez from the San Carlos Congregation who brought along Lagutom and three other guests.
“I was truly happy because it’s my first time attending this kind of activity held by the Church. I felt joy as the gathering included songs of praise to the Lord God,” Lagutom affirmed.
A sense of healthy competition fueled the EVM Cup, where family members of ministers and ministerial workers in the district competed in basketball, volleyball (men and women), and badminton (men and women) on June 20 at the Lantapan Gymnasium, Bukidnon. The games emphasized not only athletic skills but the virtues of sportsmanship and brotherhood—ideals that echoed the anniversary’s overarching themes. Winning teams received trophies and medals.
“I’m grateful to the Executive Minister Brother Eduardo Manalo for approving this activity for ministers and ministerial workers along with our respective household,” ministerial worker Brother Diaz Sumaoang of the winning team expressed. “It brought us joy and renewed enthusiasm in fulfilling our duties even more diligently.”
Closing out the series of events was the Christian Family Organizations (CFO) Officers’ Unity Games held at Salay Gym in Barangay Batangan, Valencia City on June 28. Players represented the district’s areas, namely, Bangcud, Malaybalay, Valencia, and Violeta. They played badminton, basketball, chess, volleyball, Rubik’s cube, and track and field.
Winners received trophies and medal. They were as follows:
Badminton – Angelika Casiscon from Violeta Congregation (Violeta Area)
Basketball – Violeta Area
Chess – Ralph Canones from Valencia City Congregation (Valencia Area)
Volleyball – Valencia Area
Rubik’s Cube – Melanie Gomera from Lurogan Congregation (Bangcud Area)
Track and field – Jasmine Salo from Valencia City Congregation (Valencia Area)
“I’m grateful to our Lord God for utilizing the Church Administration in leading and guiding us,” Salo expressed. “We’re all filled with joy because we were able to hold Unity Games for the officers in the CFO.”
“We’re deeply thankful to our Almighty God who truly granted success to this district. For 60 years, He did not forsake our district,” said Brother Zapata on behalf of the brethren in the district. — With assistance from Justine Paul Patio, Renato Capuno III, and Bonniejhun Faelnar
