A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ILOCANO CONGREGATION OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN METRO MANILA
In November 5, 1954, Bros. Alonzo Ablog and Florentino Cabalteja secured the Cruzada Church Elders’ approval for the formation of an Ilocano congregation and use of their facilities on a time-slot basis. Ilocano worship was started at Cruzada Church, Quiapo, Manila in January, 1955,. Elpidio Batalla was the first p
astor (1955-March, 1956), followed by Bro. Bonifacio Martin (August, 1957-early 60s), Bro. Narciso Umandap (assisted by Bro. Florentino Cabalteja), and Bro. William Bagain in April, 1973. In October, 1981, the congregation was incorporated with the SEC as The Ilocano Congregation of the Church of Christ in Metro Manila with SEC No. 010384. On January, 1990, the congregation moved from Cruzada Church to a property at P. Tuazon, Cubao, QC which was acquired through the initiative of Bro. Lupo de Peralta, as Chairman of the Board of Elders, and Pastor William Bagain. Since then, worship service and other church functions were done at a building that was being built at a slow but well-planned and steady phase. The church activities were mostly undertaken through the partnership of Bro. William Bagain and Sis. Nita Queral-Bagain, supplemented by the cooperation and concern of the church members. The church regularly hold two worship services, multi-level Sunday School, and visitations during Sundays. A church choir was organized and enjoyed a high level of fellowship and musical skill, which later became the envy of growing churches. Danilo Banggo later assumed the Chairmanship of the Board of Trustees. Danilo Banggo resigned in 1993, Bro. Ephraim P. Jimenez moved up as Chairman and was assisted by Bro. Arthur Gabriel (Vice-Chairman), Bro. Benito Castillo, Jr. (Secretary), Bro. Clarito Calaramo (Asst Secretary), Sis Sandra Arce-Diaz (Accountant), Bro. Edwin Ramos (Auditor), Bro. Danison Columna (PRO), and Bro. William Farinas (Board Member). Regular mid-week meetings were held to address concerns and issues that have to be resolved. William Bagain left the congregation in September, 1997. Edward Caspe came in as Senior Pastor and was assisted by Bro. Menerio Esleta (Youth Pastor) and Bro. Edwin Ramos (Associate Pastor). Caspe motivated senior, able and committed church members to act as Sunday School facilitators, resulting with more Sunday School classes established, and people given the opportunity to serve in church. During this time, regular worship and other church functions were held at Payatas through a partnership arranged with the Holy Spirit Church of Christ. In 2005, Bro. Ronnel Savellano was accepted as Pastor and was assisted consecutively by Bro Henry Almasen (Associate Pastor), Bro Randy Ororita (Youth Pastor), and Bro Ryan Torino (Youth Pastor). Later, Bro. Clarito Calaramo accepted the challenge to sit as the Chairman for the Board of Elders. When Pastor Savellano left in April, 2010, Bro. Franz Vicente and Bro. Bryan De La Cruz were invited to continue the exciting work for the Lord at Cubao. Since then, group Bible studies were organized, cell groups were made more active, and neighborhood evangelism was pursued.
