Felix Y. Manalo Foundation Receives Humanitarian Award in Texas
Michelle Peredo: Welcome to this special report of INC News World. I’m Michelle Peredo coming to you from the INC Media Studios in San Francisco, California.
The Coalition of Filipino-American Chambers of Commerce hosted its much anticipated first annual convention in Houston, Texas. During this event, a special recognition was given to the Executive Minister of the Church Of Christ Brother, Eduardo V. Manalo, and the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation for their outstanding efforts in conducting outreach across North America. Michael Robinson has a story.
[VIDEO STARTS]
Gerry Palon (President, Coalition of Filipino-American Chambers of Commerce): This humanitarian award is presented the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, the charitable partner of the Iglesia Ni Cristo or INC and Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo in recognition of his dynamic leadership and lifelong dedication to philanthropy and your exemplary dedication to the values in leading the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s humanitarian and advocacies and projects to relieve, uplift and alleviate poverty and generosity towards those who have less.
Michael Robinson: It’s here in Houston, Texas that we find one organization known for its humanitarian efforts throughout the globe being recognized at the annual convention of the Coalition of Filipino-American Chambers of Commerce. And they would give this special award to the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation for their ongoing humanitarian efforts in fighting poverty.
The Coalition of Filipino-American Chambers of Commerce, or COFACC, is a prominent and expansive organization that encompasses a wide network of Filipino-American business leaders and professionals across the United States.
COFACC has also recognized and celebrated individuals and organizations that demonstrate unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes, one being highlighted during its two-day Power Up convention would be the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation for its significant work of outreach.
Consul General Jerril Santos (Philippine Consulate General, Houston, Texas): The Felix Y. Manalo Foundation has been doing a really good, good job in helping the needy. There is no other organization that I know of that has made this significant contribution towards the betterment of society. This is not just done in the United States and in the Philippines, but in other places as well. And that has to be recognized.
Jo Ann Antenor (COFACC Vice President of Finance, Southern Colorado): The first time I really heard a lot about the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation. And the biggest thing that I was surprised about was the worldwide reach. We thought it was really, you know, more so just in the Philippine setting and in the Philippines. But the fact that it reaches up here, even here in the U.S., and doing outreach here in the U.S. is, I think, like a very admirable goal.
Michael Robinson: The compassion exhibited by the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation has been evident throughout numerous activities organized not only globally but across various states in the United States, including California, where the headquarters of the Coalition of Filipino-American Chambers of Commerce is located.
Ron Dizon (COFACC Vice President of Events, Cerritos, California): When I learned about the FYM foundation, it literally opened my eyes because I never knew there was something like this. They’re looking at the world. They’re not just looking at just, you know, the Philippines. They’re looking at changing other people’s perceptions and even in the United States, in other countries, and then building sustainable programs to continue this mission. So now, that’s huge.
Michael Robinson: Especially by the end of 2022, as the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation diversified and extended its efforts in response to the pandemic through the Care for Humanity project. This outreach didn’t go unnoticed. In November of 2022, in Toronto, Canada, the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation and Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, were honored with the esteemed Presidential Award for Filipino individuals and organizations overseas. This prestigious recognition bestowed by the Philippine government represents the highest distinction granted to individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing the well-being of Filipinos living abroad.
And now this esteemed award, recognizing the same ongoing efforts, was received by Brother Jun Pagaduan, the vice president of the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation in the United States, who accepted it on behalf of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister of the Church Of Christ, and Brother Glicerio P. Santos the fourth, the President of the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation.
Brother Jun Pagaduan (Vice President, Felix Y. Manalo Foundation U.S.): The efforts of the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation supported by the global volunteer force of the Church Of Christ members stem from its leader, the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo. His compassion to fight poverty is not only a biblical basis, but also his deep love and concern for others. We would like to emphasize that this award is not just about the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation. It is a shared success story made possible by the collaborative efforts of our teams, the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, the dedication of our partners and the support of the communities we serve.
Ellen Samson (Senior Vice President, COFACC and CEO of American Geriatric Care Management): I know it’s going to be for the good of the world. The Felix Y. Manalo Foundation is an instrument of God. I was so proud watching the video, so proud.
Brother Gino Ramilo (Supervising Minister, Ecclesiastical District of Texas): We are truly grateful to the Coalition of Filipino-American Chambers of Commerce, or COFACC, for acknowledging the many charitable works being done by the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation. We’re able to give our fellow man insight of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the Church Of Christ through acts of kindness.
Michael Robinson: The event’s second day brought yet another significant development as COFACC held workshop initiatives for the people they serve, like bringing awareness to mental health, like dementia. The FYM Foundation generously presented a substantial monetary donation to COFACC. This contribution underscores the foundation’s unwavering dedication to supporting COFACC’s initiatives and ensures they’ll continue provision of assistance to the Coalition and to those they serve.
Gerry Palon (President, Coalition of Filipino-American Chambers of Commerce): On behalf of the founding board of the Coalition of Filipino-American Chambers of Commerce, we really thank you. The FYM or Felix Y. Manalo Foundation for the great help you have extended us.
Brother Jun Pagaduan (Vice President, Felix Y. Manalo Foundation U.S.): The Felix Y. Manalo Foundation is also very concerned about our Filipino countrymen. That is why we also hold events that cater to help the Overseas Filipino Workers or our Filipino countrymen wherever they are in the world. We are confident that the monetary donation from the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation to the Coalition of Filipino-American Chambers of Commerce will be beneficial to our Filipino countrymen in this part of the world.
Michael Robinson: And this special recognition is just a testament of the ongoing humanitarian efforts being done by the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation. And in partnership with the Church Of Christ, they continue to reach people throughout the globe, doing good whenever possible.
To find out more about the humanitarian efforts done by the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation and the Church Of Christ, visit us at incmedia.org/incnewsworld. Michael Robinson, Houston, Texas, Iglesia Ni Cristo News Network.
[VIDEO END]
Michelle Peredo: All praises and glory be to the Almighty God.
Well, that does it for us on this special report on INC News World. Tune in every Saturday for new episodes of INC News World on incmedia.org, our youtube channel, and on streaming platforms. I’m Michelle Peredo. Thank you for joining us, stay safe, and we’ll see you next time. God bless!
