President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today congratulated the El Shaddai – DWXI Prayer Partners Foundation on the occasion of its 18^th anniversary, a feat that she described as an "anointment from God."

In an extemporaneous speech during the anniversary celebration in Paranaque City, the President said: "If it was the handiwork of man, it will not reach 18 years. But this is truly the blessings of El Shaddai."

The President arrived at around 12 midnight and stayed until 4:00 in the morning.

In her speech, she recalled that when she was visiting El Shaddai prayer meetings with her former classmates when she was still a senator and then as vice president, "I would always prefer to seat in front of the stage to listen attentively to Brother Mike."

In one of those instances, one of her classmates had remarked: "Truly, this man (Velarde) is anointed."

According to her, the doubts that evolved during the early stages of the El Shaddai Prayer Partners were merely part of the trials from God.

She recalled a story in the Bible about a woman from the Gentiles, who had strong faith in God even when she was not part of God’s "chosen ones."

"How much more the children of Yahweh El Shaddai? How much more the Philippines which used to be the only Catholic nation in Asia? But now, there is East Timor. My brothers and sisters, the more we should hope for blessings of Yahweh El Shaddai," the President said.

She added that El Shaddai has now millions of people in its flock joining the celebration of their 18^th founding anniversary.

"The hope that Velarde has given the members of the El Shaddai Prayer Partners 18 years ago is not a false hope," she stressed.

In her speech, the President also asked the El Shaddai members to join her in praying for the good health of Pope John Paul II and to allow him to push through with his trip to the Philippines early next year.

Despite the trials confronting the country, the President urged the people not to lose their faith.

"We are all children of Yahweh El Shaddai," the President told the huge crowd.

At the same time, she conveyed her greetings to Mr. Velarde who will celebrate his birthday on Tuesday.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will visit Lucena City on Monday (August 19) and confer with local government officials on the progress of their province.

The visit coincides with the celebration of Quezon Day in the whole of Quezon Province.

During her visit, the President is expected to unveil the marker of the Quezon Convention and Training Center in the city.

She will also lead in the awarding of the Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan (Medal of Honor) at the training center.

The President will likewise preside in the orientation of newly-elected barangay officials, as she is expected to confer with municipal and city mayors of Quezon in a working luncheon.

Barangay officials, meanwhile, are anticipated to give the President their pledge of support in ceremonies at the training center.

On Monday, people in the province will commemorate the 124^th birth anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon. He died on August 1, 1944 while battling complications from tuberculosis.

President Quezon is best remembered as having worked for the institution of a national language based on Tagalog. He was the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth and was known as the principal architect of Philippine Independence.