El Shaddai at 42: A Grandstand of Gratitude, Healing, and Generations of Faith

MANILA — The Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park became a chorus of praise this weekend as the El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Fellowship International marked its 42nd anniversary. For two days, from Saturday, Aug. 15, through Sunday, Aug. 16, the historic park transformed into a sanctuary of shared faith, where thousands of devotees — from Metro Manila, distant provinces, and overseas Filipino communities — gathered under the theme "Celebrate the God of Generations in Faith, Love and Unity."

The event opened with a vibrant parade of banners, each one representing a different El Shaddai chapter. Members marched with pride, their colorful standards telling stories of local communities and international outposts alike — a visual testament to how a movement that began with a simple radio program in 1984 has grown into the largest Catholic charismatic fellowship in the Philippines.

A Weekend of Faith at the Quirino Grandstand

The two-day gathering was more than just a celebration; it was a homecoming. The Manila Police District estimated the crowd at around 3,500 individuals as of 5:12 p.m. on Saturday, a number that swelled as the evening progressed and the overnight vigil began. The Manila Bulletin reported that some 5,000 devotees joined the anniversary rites over the two-day period. While the numbers are a far cry from the millions who once packed the same grounds in the movement's heyday, the fervor and intensity of the faithful remained undiminished.

For the uninitiated, the sight of thousands of people, many dressed in white shirts and carrying candles, might seem overwhelming. But for members of El Shaddai, this is the weekly "Family Appointment" — a sacred date with God that has defined their spiritual lives for decades. The anniversary celebration was special: a time to look back at 42 years of miracles, to give thanks for prayers answered, and to renew commitment to the faith that has seen them through both prosperity and hardship.

The program was a rich tapestry of worship, featuring performances from various chapters and, most poignantly, testimonies from members who took to the stage to share their personal stories of divine intervention — raw, emotional accounts of how faith had moved mountains in their ordinary lives.

Stories of Healing and Hope

Among the most powerful moments were the testimonies of healing. Mariel Arizobal, a mother from Davao, stood before the crowd with tears in her eyes, her voice trembling with gratitude. "Praise be to God, for He removed Kawasaki Disease, UTI, pneumonia and kidney failure from my child," she declared. "All clear and negative." The crowd erupted in applause and shouts of "Hallelujah!" For mothers in the audience, her story was a profound reminder of the power of prayer in the face of medical despair. In a country where healthcare costs can be crippling for average Filipino families, a child's recovery from multiple, life-threatening conditions is not just a religious testimony — it is a story of financial and emotional survival.

Her testimony resonated deeply with the Filipino value of family and the lengths a parent will go to for a child. It echoed the countless stories heard in churches and chapels across the archipelago, where mothers light candles and offer novenas for the health of their loved ones — and it underscored why the grandstand, with its view of the Manila skyline, became a sacred space where personal pain was transformed into public praise.

An OFW Mother's Story: Sacrifice and Faith

Perhaps one of the most relatable stories for many Filipino families came from Merlyn Cayago of Pangasinan. Her testimony was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by Overseas Filipino Workers who leave their families to work abroad. Merlyn shared how her faith guided her daughter to finish college while she herself was working in Israel, thousands of miles away from home.

Her story is the story of millions of Filipino mothers. They toil in foreign lands — as domestic helpers, nurses, or factory workers — enduring loneliness and hardship, all for the dream of giving their children a better future. For Merlyn, El Shaddai was the spiritual anchor that kept her family together despite the physical distance. The nightly prayers over the phone, the shared faith in a God who watches over both the mother in Israel and the daughter in Pangasinan, were the invisible threads that bound them.

In a country where remittances from OFWs are a lifeline for the economy, Merlyn's testimony highlights the emotional and spiritual cost of migration. It underscores the role of faith communities like El Shaddai in providing a support system for families separated by oceans — a surrogate family, a source of encouragement, and a reminder that they are not alone in their struggles.

From Politics to Entrepreneurship: A Councilor's Journey

The celebration also featured a testimony that bridged the worlds of faith, politics, and public service. Calauag Councilor Frederick Fuenzelida shared his remarkable life journey — a story that began with profound adversity. Born with polio to a farmer and a laundrywoman, he was left for adoption as a child. Yet, through the grace of God and the guidance of El Shaddai, he rose to become a public servant and an entrepreneur.

His story is a powerful counter-narrative to the often-cynical view of politics in the Philippines. It speaks to the possibility of leadership rooted in faith and a desire to serve, rather than personal enrichment. Fuenzelida's journey from a child with a disability, given up by his biological parents, to a councilor in Quezon province is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of belief.

He shared how El Shaddai changed the trajectory of his life, not just in politics but also in entrepreneurship. His testimony encouraged the crowd to see their own struggles as opportunities for God to work miracles — a beacon of hope for those who feel trapped by poverty, disability, or lack of opportunity.

Four Prayer Requests, Five Candles: The Rituals of Devotion

Prior to the overnight celebration, El Shaddai officials issued specific instructions to participating members, a practice that is both practical and deeply symbolic. Members were reminded to bring four prayer requests, four companions, five candles, and four chicken sandwiches. To an outsider, this list might seem arbitrary, but to the faithful, it reflects a structured approach to prayer and fellowship — being intentional in petitions, sharing the journey with others, and ensuring that no one goes hungry during the long vigil.

Forty-Two Years of El Shaddai: From Radio to Millions of Followers

The story of El Shaddai is inextricably linked to its founder, Mariano "Bro. Mike" Velarde. A successful real estate developer and lay preacher, Velarde's spiritual journey began after his recovery from heart surgery in 1978. In 1981, he acquired the radio station DWXI, and by 1984, the El Shaddai DWXI Prayer Partners Fellowship International was formally born.

The movement's growth was meteoric. What started as a weekly Bible-quoting radio show quickly evolved into massive live gatherings. The venue moved from a football stadium to the Quirino Grandstand, then to the PICC and CCP grounds in Pasay, and finally to the Amvel Business Park in Barangay San Dionisio, Parañaque, to accommodate the swelling ranks of followers. In 1992, the movement expanded to television on the government-owned IBC, and the weekly "Family Appointment" broadcasts ran for 28 years until 2020.

In 2009, El Shaddai inaugurated a P1 billion House of Prayer on a ten-hectare site in the Amvel Business Park. The structure, which seats 16,000 people with standing room for 25,000 more, was inaugurated by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Velarde's 70th birthday. The movement reportedly has a following estimated between three and seven million members in the Philippines, with some reports suggesting as many as eight million worldwide as of 2005.

El Shaddai, which is Hebrew for "God Almighty," is one of the names of God in the Jewish faith. The movement remains a lay movement within the Roman Catholic Church, with Novaliches bishop emeritus Teodoro Bacani Jr. serving as its spiritual adviser and Jessie Mercado of the Diocese of Parañaque as the diocesan bishop. Over the years, Velarde has also been a significant political figure, endorsing candidates including Bongbong Marcos for the 2022 presidential election.

What El Shaddai Means for Filipino Families Today

As the candles flickered and the prayers rose into the Manila night, the 42nd anniversary of El Shaddai was more than a nostalgic look back. It was a reaffirmation of a living faith that continues to adapt to the needs of its members. In a time of economic uncertainty and global instability, the message of "Faith, Love and Unity" is particularly resonant.

For the ordinary Filipino family, El Shaddai offers a sense of belonging and a framework for navigating life's challenges. It provides a community that prays together, celebrates together, and mourns together. It offers a theology of hope that assures believers their struggles are seen and that divine intervention is possible. Whether it is a mother praying for her child's health, an OFW seeking strength in a foreign land, or a public servant looking for guidance, El Shaddai provides a spiritual home.

The gathering at the Quirino Grandstand was a microcosm of the Filipino spirit — resilient, deeply religious, and community-oriented. As the sun rose on Sunday morning, the devotees packed up their candles and their offerings, their hearts full of renewed hope. They returned to their homes in the provinces, to their jobs in the city, and to their families abroad, carrying with them the assurance that they are part of something bigger than themselves — a movement of faith that has endured for 42 years and shows no signs of slowing down.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer