Article from GMA

Eraño Manalo, the head of the politically influential, vernacular-speaking, and home-grown Iglesia ni Cristo, passed away Monday afternoon, an INC official said.

In a recorded announcement aired on dzBB radio, INC spokesperson Bienvenido Santiago confirmed Manalo's death at 3:53 p.m. Monday, August 31, 2009. Manalo was officially the Executive Minister of the INC, but he was also its supreme, charismatic leader who took over the church upon the death in 1963 of the founder, his father Felix Manalo.

"Ikinalulungkot naming ipabatid sa buong Iglesia at sa buong sambayanan na ang tagapamahalang pangkalahatan ng Iglesia ni Cristo, ang kapatid na Eraño G. Manalo ay pinagpahinga na ng Diyos. Pumanaw siya sa kanyang tahanan sa ganap na 3:53 kahapon Agosto 31, 2009, sa gulang na 84 taon," Santiago said.

(We are sad to announce to the Iglesia and to the whole nation that the Executive Minister of Iglesia ni Cristo, our brother Eraño G. Manalo, joined our Creator. He passed away at his home 3:53 p.m. on August 31, 2009. He was 84 years old.)

Santiago said that according to Dr. Ray Melchor Santos, Manalo died due to cardiopulmonary arrest.

According to Santiago, Manalo's remains will lie in state at INC's Central Temple in Quezon City. Further details will be announced, Santiago added.

Manalo was born on Jan. 2, 1925. He was INC founder Felix Manalo's fifth child.

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We waited Tuesday night till morning, hunger, thirst, lack of sleep, rain, cold.. we endure all that just to see for the last time and bid farewell to our beloved Ka Erdy,I cannot help but breakdown and cry the minute I saw his coffin until I took a glance of his peaceful face. I thank him for all the love, help, guidance that he'd given us, I thank him for all the memories, we felt his care, concern and love for every brethren. We mourn yes, but we will still continue to be strong and faithful inside the Church, will continue performing our duties till the last breath until we reach the promise salvation and join our Brother Eraño "Ka Erdy" Manalo in the promised land.

Ka Erdy you will be missed, you are my inspiration... Goodbye...