Does Ka Erdy Manalo deserve his own holiday?

This news is also a shocker on my part... i was suppose to go to Manila on Monday to do a lot of things so now i would have to rearrange my schedule... i hope they announced that like yesterday... Well, i think a man like Ka Erdy who is revered by millions of Iglesia ni Kristo followers deserves his own holiday... i am Roman Catholic... but i don't confine myself with the four corners of my religion... but of course i also feel that this holiday declaration is somewhat rooted to politics...

Guys, Catholics get loads of holidays. Ninoy and Cory got theirs. The Muslims have theirs. Iglesia ni Kristo folks are also members of this country and compromise quite a percentage of our populace. Let them have their one day.

I guess the reason behind this holiday is the possible turnout of mourners for Manalo on Monday. Of course, its also politically motivated because INCs do block votes for any candidate their pastors endorse. But I was a bit surprised when I heard on tonight's news that Monday is a declared holiday.

I am not an INC member, but I agree with giving him his own holiday. Although it cannot be avoided that the public will think that GMA has a hidden agenda for this. Unfortunately, the public does not trust GMA and all of her actions are now bring questioned. I suppose this holiday issue will not be negatively reacted if it is still the time of the late president Cory Aquino. INC members are millions, and I think it's just fine to give them the priviledge to pay their last respect to their leader on a holiday. Thanks!

I dont think he deserves his own holiday. You are right because election is coming nearer, politicians are riding on a vehicle where they can be a star. If all the well known personality here in the Philippines will be given their own holiday, then what will happen to us? Only those people who have done something to the progress of the country and its countrymen deserves giving the holiday, not for a group of people only. If people will agree to it which i presume from the group he formed, it will be really unfair. And I suggests it should be reviewed by the government or organization who approves giving out holiday to the heroic personalityes.

I'm not surprised that Sept.07 has been declared a holiday. I understand that Ka Erdy Manalo was highly regarded and respected by a lot of politicians.

I too was surprised about GMA's proclamation of holiday at the last minute of the day. I only knew about it after work so I contacted our HR to confirm it that we don't have work on Monday. Looks like another set of long weekends again. I am not an INC member but I think giving them time to mourn and join their beloved leader is something that our government can do to them. INC has been a part of our history whether we like it or not. They started their religion here and it is one of the Filipino churches that has prospered and even was able to successfully expanded out of the Philippines. Their achievements cannot be denied that somehow helped many Filipinos find their faith in God. Their contribution to our history is really something that we should respect since they have been a very law abiding citizen for the past decades of their existence. Although, still I am not totally enrolled with the belief they are trying to preach but it seems that there are many followers and I just have to respect that. As to the hidden agenda, well I could not say anything about this since it is between the INC and the administration. We can only speculate this but cannot verify what their agreement was. INC on the other hand has been known to be a block voter when it comes to elections. That is why many from all sides of the political arena are trying to woo them to vote for them. I truly see that the INC would not find this declaration of holiday a gratitude that they have to pay in 2010.

I'm not sure if its suppose to be a holiday but, recognizing someone due to his great efforts wouldn't be that much. I honestly don't know anything about this person and I keep hearing my colleagues saying that the president just announced it for some political gain. So much so for speculations. Well, my other concern would be holidays getting moved at whim.. it seems to depreciate the significance of the holiday due to the versatility of its date on being celebrated.. well, that's just what it seems to be for me..

hello rivengodwind, the only thing that put in my mind, is because he has the power to tell his people in Iglesia who they will vote for the election and that person will have a big chance of winning. other than that, have no idea whatsoever, for i'm not one of them. but i admired their teamwork for they really do what their leader told them to do so. it's election time once again, that's why the president declare a holiday for him.

i think the holiday is for the members of the Iglesia ni Cristo and since there are a big number of Iglesia ni Cristo's people so they made it a holiday... Ka Erdie was the son of the late Felix Manalo who happens to be the founder of the Iglesia ni Cristo and its first executive (i think). Ka Erdie's family contributed so much in the continuous increase in number of their population.

The answer is simple.It is not politics but practical.so many members love him.Every one in the Church want to see him before he the interment.He was our guiding hand. For sure, if GMA won't make it a holiday, many still can't go to work just what happend in 1995 during the 75th anniversary.Many members attended and they occupied the whole Central avenue up to Philcoa.No one can even passed.It was surmised that this will happen again.It is for the benefit of many because no one can stop the members of the Church in attending the burial

It's all about the votes.

I think this again an obvious politcking tactic again from gloria macapagal arroyo and it is very not true that INC members is engaged in block voting, the church leaders only says so. Because if they do indeed, then danding cojuangco could have won the 1992 presidential elections easily as INC leaders openly endorsed the politician but lost. In my opinion sadly religion is being used by politicians and religious leaders are using politicians as well. This is to have solicits favors in return. Very sad way of politics in the Philippines.

With no offense to Ka Erdy (may God rest his soul) or to the INC faithfuls, I believe an honor such as this is only appropriate to be given to a Filipino who is considered a hero by the majority of the Filipino people by virtue of his or her individual contribution to the 'national' interest of the country. If our government continues to act this way, we will end up having long weekends every week because there are many people that resemble Ka Erdy in one way or the other.