SAN CARLOS CITY, Pangasinan – The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) in San Carlos City has been honored with the “Pinabli Award” by the Philippine Red Cross Pangasinan Chapter, in recognition of the 308 blood units donated by INC members last year. The award presentation coincided with a blood donation drive held on September 20, 2025, at the Bayambang Event Center in Bayambang, Pangasinan, where 136 blood bags were collected from approximately 300 volunteers.

The term “Pinabli” comes from the Pangasinense language, meaning “beloved.” The award is for individuals or organizations that consistently support life-saving efforts through blood donation.

Brother Mark Rolan Duque, an INC Minister in San Carlos, said, “The Philippine Red Cross gave this award in gratitude to the INC because of the continuous help of the Church to those in need, thus giving them hope. The Iglesia Ni Cristo does not tire of doing this kind of activity.”

The turnout at the Bayambang blood drive impressed medical volunteer Princess Galur of the Philippine Red Cross: “At the previous blood donation I joined, I saw only a few people who were willing to donate blood. But here at the INC blood donation, I was pleasantly surprised to see so many people come to give blood voluntarily,” she said.

Brother Joseph Amarille, the INC Supervising Minister in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, led the event. He emphasized the biblical foundation of the initiative: “The members of the INC voluntarily came here to donate blood … We do this to fulfill the command of the Lord God to love our fellowmen,” he said.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo is a Christian religion with a presence in more than 160 countries and territories, widely recognized for its humanitarian and community outreach efforts.

For more about the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) and its activities, please visit www.iglesianicristo.net