Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi

The Iglesia Watawat Ng Lahi, Inc. (lit. 'Church of the Banner of the Race'; abbreviated as IWLI) is a socio-folk religious group based on Lecheria Hill in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines^[1] which believes in the divinity of José Rizal, a historic figure of the Philippine Revolution. It is often considered as the original Rizalist group among the many other Rizalista religious movements.

History[]

The group believes in the divinity of Jose Rizal

The Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi, often considered as the original Rizalist group, was established on December 25, 1936. Rev. Fr. Luis Fabrigar and Jose Baricanosa was the sect's first Supreme Bishop and president respectively. The founder od Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi was Arsenio Deguzman ^[2]

The sect's headquarters is located in Calamba, Laguna and has established 100 chapters throughout the Philippines. In the 1980s, the number of Rizalista converts was about 100,000 the highest amount in sect's history^[2] but within the same period, the group experienced a schism with four new groups seceding from the Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi. .^[3]

The sect is led by Msgr Juanito Malvaros during the crucial days of Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi when the huge group disengaged from the original Iglesia Watawat ng lahi to Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi Malvarosa faction Inc. The name Malvarosa was named after Msgr. Juanito Malvarosa who lead the Priesthood to claim the original name of Iglesia Watawat ng lahi during the time of dispute between Priesthood and the Lupon Tagapagpaganap headed by Dr. Luis Parabuac.( IWL Presiding elder) who allegedly change the name of Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi to Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi presiding elder. From corporate aggregates, Mr. Parabuac changed it to a corporation sole. This is one of the reasons why the Church become separated and the members from different part of the Philippines was divided and some of them organized their own groups.

Beliefs and practices[]

The Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi's doctrine was derived from the teachings of the Banal na Tinig. The holy voice (Mahal na Magulang) who spoke to the people on top of the Lecheria Hill from 1936 to 1986. The holy voice leads the followers of Dr. Jose Rizal and teaches them the idealism of Dr. Jose Rizal and to spread the virtue of the 3 golden principles 1. The Love of God. 2. The Love of Fellow men and 3 The Love of thy country the Philippines. As we believe that the Philippines is the chosen land of God at the end of time, the Philippines will rise above all nations and become the nation of God. Also, the evangelical teachings of Jesus Christ must be one of the foundations of the creed of the sect. The Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi origin happens on December 25, 1936, when the 4 People had their same dreams that GOD invites them to go to The Lecheria Hill to handover to them a significant gift. These 4 people are not related to each other and they are about to meet the holy voice in their dreams on top of the Lecheria. In the middle of the night, the Holy Voice meets the 4 people he chooses to spread the holy teaching and instructed them to establish the religion of the Filipino People the "Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi". Later on, this small group becomes huge and scattered in the entire Philippines and becomes one of the most respected church. The Holy Voice keep of teaching, healing, and giving advice to the member of IWL. The Holy voice teaches and preaches for 50 years and the Filipino becomes independent in terms of Religion. But because of the prophecy, these groups will be disunited. Currently, the Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi has many Factions and the most significant one is the Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi Malvarosa faction Inc. This group is the group of the priesthood that continuously following the doctrine of the Holy Voice. They maintain the tradition of joining the annual parade honoring the deeds of the national hero Jose Rizal as being invited by the City government of Calamba every 19th of June while celebrating the "Buhayani festival" https://tl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buhayani_Festival.

Divinity of Jose Rizal[]

The Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi believes that Rizal is the incarnation of Holy Spirit. They believed that Rizal was never truly killed during his execution in Bagumbayan. The point out that when Rizal's body was about to be exhumed in Paco Park, Rizal was nowhere to be found and that a tree trunk and a pair of shoes were found at the site. The sects have their version on the account of Jose Rizal's life. Jose Rizal as a baby was found by Francisco Mercado and Teodora Alonzo, who was recorded by documented historical accounts as his biological parents. The couple wanted to baptize Rizal as Jove Rex Al, but the name was turned down due to it being close to Christ's name by the officiating Catholic priest. The baby was then baptized as Jose Rizal. The first preachers of the sect were referred to as the Banal na Tinig (lit. 'Holy Sound').

The birth and death anniversary of Rizal are considered one of the most important holidays for the sect. During these days the sect celebrates Misa de Tres an elaborate celebration of flowers, flags, and parades. Gomburza Day, Bonifacio Day and other national holidays are also important holidays for the sect. The sect also celebrates Christmas every October 3, the date they consider as the true birthday of Jesus Christ.^[2]

Other customs and beliefs[]

The altar of an Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi church.

The Iglesia Watawat ng Lahi requires the aspiring priests to study in an institution somewhere in Bicol. Their priests are also allowed to marry after they have served the church for at least five years. As if the priest if Old testaments the priest are allowed to marry like Aaron the brother of Moses and the tribe of Levi priest, Like The father of John the baptist Prophet Zachariah is a married man a priest. Sect officials are not paid and are supported by voluntary donations only by the sect's financially able members.^[2]

Alongside the Bible, they also have the Sugong Kayumanggi (lit. 'The Brown Messenger'), the second most important book for the sect. Rizal's two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo is considered by some as the sect's counterpart of the Bible of the Catholics by some elders.^[2] They also have only three commandments. The Rizalistas are taught to love God, people, and society.

During many religious celebrations, sect members often wear clothing with the colors of the Philippine flag.^[2]

References[]