Mang Lauro is not a political king, however, but a quasi-religious one. His story is quite interesting, all beginning with his career as a character actor in Philippine movies in the early 1970s. In those years, Mang Lauro was regularly cast as a bad guy who beats up the good guys and rapes the beautiful women. Interestingly, one of the roles he cherishes and fondly remembers was that of a sex maniac who attempted to rape bold star Stella Suarez.
His acting career made him a wealthy man. He ventured into several businesses, all of which, unfortunately, failed miserably. He had been gambling and womanizing, spending money like there was no tomorrow. To make matters worse, he said that he had been double-crossed by business partners, taking advantage of his novice experience in entrepreneurship. As a result , Mang Lauro became a very poor man--maligned and forgotten, wandering around downtown Quiapo without food to eat. He lost everything: his wife died, and his children abandoned him. One by one, his friends also deserted him. It was a very sad story.
Until the year 1981, when Mang Lauro claims the Senyor Nazareno took pity and possessed his being. From then on, Mang Lauro reinvented himself. Through donations, he was able to wear the garb of a holy man, and declared that the Black Nazareno had given him healing powers. He lost his original masculine voice, and was replaced by a small shrill voice resembling that of a small boy, which, he says is the voice of the Santo Nino--the Child Jesus. Amusingly, he could return his original voice when requested. Mang Lauro claimed that the Senyor Nazareno possessed him. He now called himself as "Kristong Hari", Christ the King.
Mang Lauro adopted a new life for himself consistent with his new identity as a king. He now wears a velvet cap and a cape with his name and title embroidered in large written words. He always raises his right arm to bless the people. He has managed to keep a few devout apostles who always followed him: Mang Abe, Aling Salome, and Aling Maria. Kristong Hari rewarded their devotion by elevating their status into saints. Mang Abe became the "Kordero" or the Lamb of God; Aling Salome became Santa Salome; and Aling Maria, Santa Maria. Together with a few others every Friday in Quiapo, they sit around in Plaza Miranda, ready to bless those who seek it, and to accept donations from those who may give it.
Mang Lauro and his apostles live in Banlat, Quezon City, in a small compound where his little church is located. Everyday, he waits for patients who wanted to be healed of their afflictions. He doesn't charge a fee for his healing services, but would be pleased for a donation. Bottles of oils and potions are also for sale for the believers. The oils and potions, Mang Lauro says, can heal even the most incurable diseases. Yet, for all the supposed effectiveness of his potions, fewer and fewer people flock into his church lately.
Mang Lauro expressed his desire to personally talk to world government leaders, presidents, and prime ministers. He specifically wants to have a dialogue with President George Bush of the United States and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He says he needed to urgently talk to President Arroyo to convey a most urgent message: that the end of the world will soon come if the President of the Republic of the Philippines will not help him financially.
But since he could not get direct access to Malacanang, Mang Lauro contents to hand-out xeroxed flyers with the written warning that those who do not help him with donations will suffer from incurable diseases and plagues. Those who help him, however, will have great fortune and eternal life. This last intrigued me and so I asked him if he has eternal life, and he said quickly, "Yes, I have eternal life. Kristong Hari will never die".
I asked Mang Lauro why he never entered the Quiapo Church, and it seemed he was just content with sitting around in Plaza Miranda. He smiles and tells me that it was not necessary as he was the Senyor Nazareno himself. I found that my question was silly. Indeed, why would Mang Lauro pray to himself?
Kristong Hari is also very interested to sell his life story to the movie producers, and he wants me to become his salesman. "You will earn a lot of money", he told me, "I have a very interesting life story". All this time, I was just nodding, because honestly, I didn't know how to react to his curious thinking.
I was in the middle of my interview with Kristong Hari in Plaza Miranda when suddenly, the church bells announces 6 0'clock. Mang Lauro stands up together with his followers. They sing and dance to the amusement of the crowd around Plaza Miranda. Mang Lauro performs some martial arts, doing karate chops, punching, and kicking in the air. The crowd loves his performance and some ask for his blessing, genuflecting in front of him. Kristong Hari is visibly pleased by their adoration.
When at last they finished this bizarre ritual, they return to their seats and assumed once more the air of piety. I thought that he must have been hungry now, after what must have been a strenuous dance and karate performance.
"Are you hungry?" I reverently asked him.
"Yes" he said smiling, but still with a hint of dignity.
I pulled seventy pesos from my pocket and gave it to him. He would not touch the money but instead motioned to one of his ladies to buy coffee and bread from the nearby bakery. After a few minutes, the lady came back with three cups of coffee and three loaves of bread.
I asked the kindly lady why she only bought three cups of coffee and three loaves of bread while there were four of them, she said: "Kulang ang pera eh" (The money is not enough!). I understood and pulled another 100 pesos so the other lady can also eat.
Meantime, it was beginning to get dark, and I bid my goodbye to Mang Lauro and his faithfuls. I knew he needed money, and I gave him another 100 pesos, which he accepted right away. He raised his right hand to give me his blessing. My interview with Kristong Hari ended, but I did not become a convert. I, however, offered a silent and fervent wish in my heart of hearts the hope and prayer that he shall find the One True God who will truly lead him into enlightenment.
His acting career made him a wealthy man. He ventured into several businesses, all of which, unfortunately, failed miserably. He had been gambling and womanizing, spending money like there was no tomorrow. To make matters worse, he said that he had been double-crossed by business partners, taking advantage of his novice experience in entrepreneurship. As a result , Mang Lauro became a very poor man--maligned and forgotten, wandering around downtown Quiapo without food to eat. He lost everything: his wife died, and his children abandoned him. One by one, his friends also deserted him. It was a very sad story.
Until the year 1981, when Mang Lauro claims the Senyor Nazareno took pity and possessed his being. From then on, Mang Lauro reinvented himself. Through donations, he was able to wear the garb of a holy man, and declared that the Black Nazareno had given him healing powers. He lost his original masculine voice, and was replaced by a small shrill voice resembling that of a small boy, which, he says is the voice of the Santo Nino--the Child Jesus. Amusingly, he could return his original voice when requested. Mang Lauro claimed that the Senyor Nazareno possessed him. He now called himself as "Kristong Hari", Christ the King.
Mang Lauro adopted a new life for himself consistent with his new identity as a king. He now wears a velvet cap and a cape with his name and title embroidered in large written words. He always raises his right arm to bless the people. He has managed to keep a few devout apostles who always followed him: Mang Abe, Aling Salome, and Aling Maria. Kristong Hari rewarded their devotion by elevating their status into saints. Mang Abe became the "Kordero" or the Lamb of God; Aling Salome became Santa Salome; and Aling Maria, Santa Maria. Together with a few others every Friday in Quiapo, they sit around in Plaza Miranda, ready to bless those who seek it, and to accept donations from those who may give it.
Mang Lauro and his apostles live in Banlat, Quezon City, in a small compound where his little church is located. Everyday, he waits for patients who wanted to be healed of their afflictions. He doesn't charge a fee for his healing services, but would be pleased for a donation. Bottles of oils and potions are also for sale for the believers. The oils and potions, Mang Lauro says, can heal even the most incurable diseases. Yet, for all the supposed effectiveness of his potions, fewer and fewer people flock into his church lately.
Mang Lauro expressed his desire to personally talk to world government leaders, presidents, and prime ministers. He specifically wants to have a dialogue with President George Bush of the United States and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He says he needed to urgently talk to President Arroyo to convey a most urgent message: that the end of the world will soon come if the President of the Republic of the Philippines will not help him financially.
But since he could not get direct access to Malacanang, Mang Lauro contents to hand-out xeroxed flyers with the written warning that those who do not help him with donations will suffer from incurable diseases and plagues. Those who help him, however, will have great fortune and eternal life. This last intrigued me and so I asked him if he has eternal life, and he said quickly, "Yes, I have eternal life. Kristong Hari will never die".
I asked Mang Lauro why he never entered the Quiapo Church, and it seemed he was just content with sitting around in Plaza Miranda. He smiles and tells me that it was not necessary as he was the Senyor Nazareno himself. I found that my question was silly. Indeed, why would Mang Lauro pray to himself?
Kristong Hari is also very interested to sell his life story to the movie producers, and he wants me to become his salesman. "You will earn a lot of money", he told me, "I have a very interesting life story". All this time, I was just nodding, because honestly, I didn't know how to react to his curious thinking.
I was in the middle of my interview with Kristong Hari in Plaza Miranda when suddenly, the church bells announces 6 0'clock. Mang Lauro stands up together with his followers. They sing and dance to the amusement of the crowd around Plaza Miranda. Mang Lauro performs some martial arts, doing karate chops, punching, and kicking in the air. The crowd loves his performance and some ask for his blessing, genuflecting in front of him. Kristong Hari is visibly pleased by their adoration.
When at last they finished this bizarre ritual, they return to their seats and assumed once more the air of piety. I thought that he must have been hungry now, after what must have been a strenuous dance and karate performance.
"Are you hungry?" I reverently asked him.
"Yes" he said smiling, but still with a hint of dignity.
I pulled seventy pesos from my pocket and gave it to him. He would not touch the money but instead motioned to one of his ladies to buy coffee and bread from the nearby bakery. After a few minutes, the lady came back with three cups of coffee and three loaves of bread.
I asked the kindly lady why she only bought three cups of coffee and three loaves of bread while there were four of them, she said: "Kulang ang pera eh" (The money is not enough!). I understood and pulled another 100 pesos so the other lady can also eat.
Meantime, it was beginning to get dark, and I bid my goodbye to Mang Lauro and his faithfuls. I knew he needed money, and I gave him another 100 pesos, which he accepted right away. He raised his right hand to give me his blessing. My interview with Kristong Hari ended, but I did not become a convert. I, however, offered a silent and fervent wish in my heart of hearts the hope and prayer that he shall find the One True God who will truly lead him into enlightenment.
Kristong Hari blesses one of his believers
Mang Abe, Kristong Hari's Kordero(The Chosen One),dances in the Plaza Miranda
Any amount donated to Kristong Hari is very highly appreciated. I promised to give a donation every Friday. The image of Christ the King above is the one being imitated by Mang Lauro.
Kristong Hari demonstrates his physical agility, throwing punches, kicks, and karate chops in the air.
Singing in Plaza Miranda
The Chosen One. On his cape is written "Hinirang ng Panginoon Kristong Hari, Haring Kordero ng Diyos, Santisima Trinidad, Espiritu Santo" (The Chosen One by Christ the King, Lamb of God, Holy Trinity, Holy Spirit)
Kristong Hari and his disciples who all carry the names of saints.
Kristong Hari predicts the end of the world.
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