Eraño Manalo

Eraño de Guzman Manalo (ɛˈɾaɲo mɐˈnalɔ; January 2, 1925 – August 31, 2009), also known as Ka Erdy, was the second Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), serving from April 19, 1963, until August 31, 2009. He took over the administration of the church after the death of his father, Felix Y. Manalo, in 1963. He was instrumental in the propagation and expansion of the church internationally. Eraño G. Manalo was born at their Home at No. 42 Broadway Avenue, New Manila, San Juan, Rizal (now part of Quezon City) on January 2, 1925. He was the fifth child of Felix Y. Manalo and Honorata de Guzman. His name came from a reversal and elision of the term "New Era", which his father used to describe what he felt was "a new Christian era" as the Iglesia ni Cristo was established. His older siblings were Sisters Pilar and Avelina, and Brothers Dominador and Salvador. His youngest sibling is Brother Bienvenido, who is currently the head of INC's construction and engineering department. Eraño completed his elementary education at St. John's Academy in San Juan, Metro Manila, starting at the age of six. Manalo initially took up law school, but left his studies to become a minister of the INC. He started attending the church's ministerial classes at the age of 16 and was ordained as a minister on May 10, 1947, in Locale Congregation of Tayuman, Ecclesiastical District of Manila, at the age of 22. He held various positions in the church including being the General Treasurer of the INC and circulation manager of the Pasugo magazine (now known as Pasugo: God's Message). During this time, he wrote a 64-page booklet entitled Christ-God: Investigated-False. On January 17, 1955, Eraño Manalo married Cristina Villanueva with whom he has six children (Eduardo V. Manalo, Lolita Manalo-Hemedez, Erlinda Manalo-Alcantara, Liberty Manalo-Albert, Felix Nathaniel Manalo II and Marco Eraño Manalo). On February 18, 1953, ten years before his father's death, Eraño G. Manalo was elected successor to his father as Executive Minister.