APOLOGETIC CONFERENCE - THE TRUE CHURCH AND PETER THE FIRST POPE with Atty. Marwil Llasos of Defensores Fidei Foundation

Bro. Franz before the promotional Tarpaulin for the Apologetic Conference, few days before the event.

After long period of waiting and preparations the Apologetic Seminar was finally held last Thursday June 25, 2009 in Aemilianum College. THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD IT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS ALTHOUGH THE FULL IMPACT OF IT IS STILL TO BE SEEN AND COULD BE KNOWN TO GOD ALONE. And now I know why it is really very strange because it appears to me and also mentioned to me personally by my staff and friends that Satan seemed to be determined to stop the event. The subtle persecutions that we have received before and during the Conference was simply beyond the ordinary.

Aemilianum students waiting for the start of the Conference which was delayed due to unexpected brown outs.

It started in this Blog. The opponents of the faith seems to be very very angry to the point that they are using personally insulting words against me and against Bro. Mars. Thus, for the first time ever I made a series of 'deletion' of anonymous comments. Then during the actual day itself, one hour before the Conference when I went out of the school perimeter to meet Atty. Mars on the road I suffered severe cramps on two legs. It was too painful so that I could barely move. The guard and Bro. Mars guided me and I sat on the floored tiled of the school pathway while Mr. Valenzuela and the guard were massaging my feet. It was another 3o minutes before I was able to stand again which I think could be attributed to the intercessions of the Blessed Mother whom I called and secretly consecrated myself and the conference. Yet each of my steps for the next 3 days since then were painful. Along the way Mars told me that he is also not feeling well and his flight was almost cancelled for bad weather.

The image of Our Lady of Fatima shrined on the stage for the occasion

When we entered the Conference Hall we started showing Bro. Mars the PowerPoint presentations that he asked us to do. We gave him the arranged hand-outs while he and Bro. Franz started preparing the Biblical passages to be read during the talks which were divided into 3 parts: The Catholic Church as Founded by Jesus, The Lord established a Leadership in the Church through Peter & his Successors and the True Faith was Established in Jerusalem then transferred to Rome, thus, the claim that it is to be found in the Philippines is false. Being the main organizer I was calling the shots throughout while Bro. Franz became the right hand man of Bro. Marwil then.

Atty. Marwil Llasos before the Apologetic Conference

About ten minutes before the Conference proper the lights suddently turned off. I was told later that the electric supply control area burned because of over heat. OVERHEAT!!! How can it be? The place is newly renovated and refurbished including its electric supply. It was used last May 2009 by the council of deans and department heads of Colleges and Universities from entire Bicol Region yet nothing of this sort materialized. Then, the airconditioning was on for more than 8 hours and the TV coverage was for whole day. Now, we haven't started yet and there is already fuse burning for overheat. Strange.

Bro. Franz being asked by Bro. Mars to serve as his 'Timothy'... assistant during the expostion.

The Conference was delayed for 15 minutes because the electricians working for the renovations of electric supplies for AITV5 in the second floor were summoned to check the situation and provide practical solutions. They did a wonderful job. The lightings and airconditioning functioned agained and we started the Conference hosted by Prof. Elmer Valenzuela. Ms. Margarita Pacay, my news anchor for CHURCH NEWS INTERNATIONAL led the prayers. The singing fo the national anthem followed with the Welcoming Address of my good friend Fr. Romeo Sabayton, CRS.

The students-participants few minutes before the talks

After Fr. Bobby I was called by the host to give the reason for the Conference and gave the following:

1. The Main Topic: THE TRUE CHURCH AND THE PAPACY is inspired by the coming Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul this June 29. These two great Apostles are the patron saints of the Diocese of Sorsogon and of the entire Province.

2. The participants of this Conference are mostly my students in Theology and these topics are frequently arising in our classes and sessions.

3. Many text messages from the people of Sorsogon were sent to the program The Splendor of the Church asking us repeatedly on these topics.

4. We chose the best available date and time for Atty. Marwil to be here in Sorsogon so that he can enlighten us with his vast knowledge of Sacred Scriptures on Catholic Apologetics and strengthen the faith of our students and the people of Sorsogon.

Fr. Bobby Sabayton, CRS preparing his Welcoming Remark for Atty. Mars and the participants

The Conference Hall is not that large. It could only accommodate about 150 sitting participants and about 200 if we shall count those who were standing. Since this is our first Conference I decided not to gather the entire student population in the very large Gymnasium but I wanted the people of Sorsogon to fully appreciate first the talent and person of our speaker so that for then the growing request for more will be answered later by a bigger gathering. In fact, this one is much bigger than the first coming of Mars where he simply remained and discussed inside the studio. Hopefully next time, we can gather the entire College Body together and we will invite also students from other Colleges here.

Ms. Margarita Pacay, AB MassCom student, leading the opening prayer

The presentations focused on doctrines. Mars despite not feeling well articulately captured the attention of his young audience by providing the Biblical verses supporting the Catholic Church from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The youth present were surprised how the passages formerly meaningless for them have become living tools for understanding the will of God for the Church founded by the Lord Jesus. Although the presentation of Atty. Mars is unique actually he didn't go away in doctrine. He simply unfolded the ancient truths that the true Church must be founded by Jesus Himself that it must come from Jerusalem or the Holy Land, then it must be One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. Then this same Church was transferred from Jerusalem to Rome.

Prof. Elmer Valenzuela, Head of ACI MassCom department, serving as Emcee

When Mars was about to start explaining the Papacy with Peter as the First Pope, another unexpected brown out came. We rest for a while while waiting for the restoration of electric supply. When it finally came back we decided to lessen the lightings of TV cameras and didn't put the airconditions. In effect, we experience severe heat especially Mars who was so handsome in his business suit. We opened instead the doors of the hall and its windows for ventillation. The program must go on.

Fr. Romeo 'Bobby' Sabayton, CRS giving the Welcoming Address in behalf of Fr. Superior, Lino Juta, CRS.

Being in such a situation didn't diminish our resolved to bring the Conference to its fitting climax. The three of us became spirited all the more. And we were supported by the students who remained in their seats though they are free to leave if they want. Much more by opening the windows and doors more people watched and listened through them.

Atty. Mars, the main speaker, flanked by The Splendor of the Church hosts Fr. Abe Arganiosa, CRS and Bro. Franz Luigi Lugena.

After the Papacy presentation Mars applied the doctrines that we presented to the claims of Felix Manalo and Eliseo Soriano, namely their claims of being messengers of God and for Manalo his being an angel. Mars also specifically refuted the claim of Felix Manalo that the Church founded by Jesus succumbed to the Great Apostasy because the Church founded by Jesus is indestructible and protected from the poison of heresy.

The students were extraordinarily attentive during the Conference. They stayed for 3 hours of Apologetic presentations.

The conference ended with a long Question and Answer, the giving of Plaque of Appriciation to Bro. Mars and the final prayer and blessing given by Fr. Abe, CRS.

GLORY TO THE FATHER AND TO THE SON AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.

AVE MARIA PURISSIMA! Fr. Abe Arganiosa, CRS giving the reason for the Conference

The students participants with some professors, instructors and teachers sitting or standing at the back. Attentively listening also.

Atty. Mars spiritedly presenting and explaining the Biblical Foundation of the Roman Catholic Church.

Fr. Abe and Franz giving their own comments and explanations from time to time to support the explanations of Atty. Mars.

The control area for AITV5 showing the shots taken by live camera on the control panel showing exactly what was being broadcast live on TV.

One of the three sudden and unexpected brown outs we experienced that afternoon.

Atty. Mars showing the image of Felix Manalo from the Pasugo - the official magazine of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

Atty. Mars showing the image of the Statue of Felix Manalo

Bro. Franz, beside giving his comments and opinions, was also the Bible reader for Bro. Mars during the Conference.

The students opened the door of the hall and even the windows because the airconditioning suddenly stopped working.

Prof. Valenzuela during the Question and Answer portion

Arman Buendia of AITV5 covering the event to bring the event life to the people of Sorsogon.

The panel answering questions from the students and participants

Atty. Mars receiving the Plaque of Appreciation from Fr. Abe, CRS

Fr. Abe, CRS expressing gratitude to the Almighty for the presence of Atty. Mars and thanking Bro. Franz and all those who worked hard for the sucess of the conference as well as those who participated.

The young college students during the Closing Prayer

Fr. Abe, CRS leading the Concluding Prayer

Fr. Abe, CRS giving the Final Blessing to all present

At the end of the Conference Atty. Mars once again wearing his suit which he removed halfway of the Conference due to brown outs and malfunctioning of the aircondition system.

Bro. Franz, Atty. Marwil and Fr. Abe, CRS after the Conference

The Trio Again