Continuing to Journey with Christ

Members and parishioners in Toronto celebrate 120th Proclamation Anniversary of the Philippine Independent Church (IFI)

IFI Toronto on its 120th Proclamation Anniversary

Members and supporters commemorated Saturday Aug 20 the 120th Proclamation Anniversary of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church) in Toronto. A mass officiated by parish priest Fr. Dante Coloma at the All Saints Kingsway Anglican Church was followed by a fellowship lunch and a short program with solidarity messages, songs, community singing and dancing.

Parish priest Fr. Dante
Coloma of the Iglesia
Filipina Independiente,
Toronto

This anniversary celebration had for its theme “Continuing to Journey with Christ.” Starting the morning service was a reading of IFI Obispo Maximo Rhee Timbang’s message reaffirming the IFI’s commitment to “offer service and servanthood among our struggling people … make(ing) visible in our life the kingdom values of truth, freedom, justice, peace and love that renew the word and dignify human life.”

The IFI was established as a church on August 3, 1902 by workers and unionists belonging to the Union Obrera Democratica Filipina (UODF) led by the ilustrado from Ilocos Isabelo de los Reyes. Ateneo de Manila history Professor Francis Gealogo, in his speech at the Diocese of Rosales, Pangasinan commemorating the IFI’s 120th anniversary, recounts that “guided by the ideals of the Katipunan and drawing from the experiences of Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, and Jacinto, they were joined by Fr. Gregorio Aglipay as the church’s first Obispo Maximo. “ Aglipay, who became known as a guerrilla padre, led an armed contingent of the Ilocos revolutionaries against the Spanish colonizers, and in the Filipino-American War.

Attendees were treated to a sumptuous meal at the fellowship lunch, and solidarity messages were delivered by representatives of community organizations in the program emceed by IFI Youth member Justin Cuaresma. Marisol Veridiano of Migrante Ontario said that their organization stands with IFI in the patriotic and democratic movement “to effect basic social change in Philippine society even as Migrante members live and work overseas.” She expressed gratitude for IFI’s continuous support to their monthly migrant masses and their plight as migrant workers.

Interviewed for Radyo Migrante, Gloria Coloma-Asuncion, a personal support worker since 2014, said IFI members “assume their role as Aglipayans continuing to serve God and country, responding to people’s needs both in the Philippines and here in Canada.” Messages of solidarity were also shared by Anakbayan-Toronto, the Canada-Philippines Solidarity Organization (CPSO) and Bayan Canada.

Parish Council members Rogel Tolentino and Au Eclipse led a community singing of Diyos Ang Aming Gabay that they offered for the release of Visayas-Mindanao IFI volunteer Aldeem Yanez and all political prisoners in the Philippines. Members of the IFI Youth also did a musical number, there was a Kuarta o Kahon contest, and games for IFI kids were played.

Parish Council member Fely Cuaresma closed the day’s activities thanking the members, supporters and community organizations for their generous contributions and solidarity messages.

Parish priest and Parish Council chairperson Fr. Dante Coloma was very thankful for the solidarity of people’s organizations with the church. In his homily earlier at the mass, he reiterated that the fight for and advancement of justice and peace is the legacy of the IFI as a “church rooted in Christ – united with the downtrodden and the oppressed”. He rendered a song Lupang Pangako that portrayed the struggle of the Lumad in Mindanao who have been victims of military atrocities and destructive practices of corporate mining. He said people “cannot just keep silent in the face of problems plaguing society, the economy and the environment.”

(PRESS RELEASE)