ADD’s 34th Year Bible Expo Surpasses Previous Crowd Record

An old record is broken.

When Ang Dating Daan (ADD) celebrated its 25^th anniversary in 2005, hoisting a staggering 22000 in a single BibleExposition, the program bested this record when it held another Bible Expo last October 30. From the first to the fifth levels of the 25000-seater Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines, the celebration was quite a well-attended event. Those who insisted coming in despite the crowded atmosphere managed to stand and patiently listen to ADD’s Bible Expo host, international televangelist Bro. Eli Soriano. 


The Sights and Sounds of the Celebration

People have lined up in front of the Coliseum’s gates as early as 12 noon, although the Bible Expo was scheduled at five o’clock. As soon as the entrances were opened, the buzz of people drowned the noise of honking vehicles that passed in front of the historic dome.

Public Service Channel UNTV caught the view of the crowd marching like ants toward the entrances, seen through the drone hovering at a distance above the Coliseum. UNTV is ADD’s principal media partner.

ADD supporters rang loud cheers during the opening presentations. The excitement rushed more when the ADD Chorale  sang an intense high-note praise song to kick-off the program. Another song, Itanong Mo Kay Soriano, (Ask Soriano), made all clap and sing until the lines climaxed at “Biblia ang sasagot, itanong mo kay Soriano!”  (The Bible will answer, ask Soriano!). ADD supporters joined in the forceful call to guests to ask Bro. Eli Soriano anything about the Bible. 


Bible Exposition: ADD’s Unrivalled Legacy 

The Bible Exposition is the highlight of ADD’scelebration of its 34th year in broadcast. 

Brother Eli Soriano answered questions coming from 15 major points worldwide. At one point, an old inquirer openly challenged anyone in the Coliseum to debate on purgatory and trinity, and he will prove those are biblical doctrines. He reconsidered after Bro. Eli himself accepted the dare. The inquirer eventually lost his interest after the international evangelist explained that the terms are nowhere to be found in the Bible, even their essence. 

Video testimonials featuring Latinos and Africans who have heard Bro. Eli Soriano were also shown. The ADD program is fast-becoming popular especially in South America where the show isbroadcast in Spanish and Portuguese. Many natives in the Latin American continent have long been waiting for a preacher who will teach the true and unadulterated Gospel, which they have found in Bro. Eli Soriano. 

Ang Dating Daan is a veteran in holding mass events like the Bible Exposition. The program prepares well ahead for a tremendous flocking of congregants from Members Church of God International (MCGI), loyal ADD viewers, and religious freelancers. Bible Expo’s are usually held twice a month, and all MCGI locales nationwide and abroad are opened to accommodate huge arrivals. In special occasions like the 34^th ADD anniversary, the Expo is held in an outdoor facility like the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, with MCGI main coordinating centers also opened. 


ADD, A Shaper of Moral and Social Welfare Consciousness 

Prior to the Expo, ADD had launched several local and international socio-civic activities that suggest the theme for this year – “Shaping a Nation Zealous of Good Works.”  For years already, these works have shaped the identity of Ang Dating Daan as an architect of, and active participant for social welfare. These year’s activities included clean-up drives, medical missions, feeding programs, blood donations, among others. These were shown in a video documentary before Bro. Eli entertained questions. 

Local government officials and high-ranking executives of organizations who have worked with Ang Dating Daan praised the program for its advocacies. Their greetings were shown in a documentary aired both in Araneta and UNTV. 

Brother Eli unhesitatingly said that MCGI members, even the Ang Dating Daan program, are not liabilities of the society. He says that the examples that Ang Dating Daan are showing to the public prove that the program is only for the spiritual, moral, emotional, and social welfare of its viewers. 

Before the celebration ended, Bro. Eli Soriano expressed his hope that the program will continue for many years and that the “seeds of faith shall continue to prosper in the hearts of people who were touched by the Gospel.”