Ruben Ecleo Sr.
{{Short description|Filipino cult leader (1934–1987)}}
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{{Philippine name|Edera|Ecleo}}
{{Infobox religious biography
| name = Ruben Ecleo
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| religion = Independent Christian
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| known_for = Founder of Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association
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| nationality = Filipino
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| birth_name = {{nowrap|Ruben Edera Ecleo}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1934|12|9}}
| birth_place = Dinagat, Surigao, Philippine Commonwealth
| death_date = {{death date and age|1987|12|20|1934|12|9}}
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| spouse = Glenda Buray
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| children = 8, including Jade, Gwendolyn, and Ruben Jr. (d. 2021)
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| title = Supreme President and Founder / Divine Master
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Ruben Edera Ecleo Sr. (December 9, 1934 – December 20, 1987) was a Filipino religious leader who founded the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association in 1965, and the mayor of the municipality of Dinagat, Surigao del Norte from 1963 up to 1987.
Early life
Ruben Ecleo Sr. was born on December 9, 1934, in Cabilan island in Dinagat, Surigao (now part of the Dinagat Islands province).{{cite web |last1=Caña |first1=Paul John |title=The Strange Case of the Ecleos and the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association |url=https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/ecleos-philippine-benevolent-missionaries-association-a00289-20210525-lfrm |website=Esquire |access-date=17 September 2022 |date=25 May 2021}} He was baptized to the Philippine Independent Church at age one in the neighboring town of Surigao. His family moved the western portion of Dinagat island prior to 1941 in an area in Sitio Puyange which is now part of San Jose municipality.{{cite web |title= Ruben {{!}} Local Hero of the Province of Dinagat Islands |url=https://www.localherodinagatislands.com/ruben-biography |publisher=Provincial Government of Dinagat Islands |access-date=17 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120174650/https://www.localherodinagatislands.com/ruben-biography |archive-date=20 January 2021}}
Ministry work
Ecleo reportedly started his ministerial work at age eleven. He went to the United States in 1952 to undergo a months-long survey study tour before returning to the Philippines in 1953. He did mission work for the rest of the 1950s to the early 1960s, preaching in areas such as Davao, Bukidnon, Leyte, and Samar. It was around this time that his followers believe that his healing powers surfaced. There were claims that he was able to cure illnesses and even raise people from the dead. In the early 1960s, he was able to amass his first followers who became known as the "First Thirteen" and he began using the title "Divine Master". He would formally establish the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA) in 1965. The group's belief is described as a mixture of Christian, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and Akashic doctrines. He also held the title Supreme President within the PBMA.{{cite news |last1=Solinap |first1=Leo |title=Ecleo's group not a cult, says follower |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2002/06/24/165810/ecleo146s-group-not-cult-says-follower |access-date=17 September 2022 |work=The Philippine Star |date=24 June 2002}}
His son, Ruben Jr. succeeded him as leader of the PBMA after his death. A PBMA primer says that the group believes that Ecleo Sr. "reappeared" in the body of his successor son.{{cite news |last1=Seares |first1=Pachico |title=EXPLAINER: Lent episode of true-crime podcast Lagim tells of how PBMA members regarded Ruben Ecleo Jr.: their 'God the son, reincarnation of Christ.' Local media dwelt more on violent incidents, side issues in 2002 murder of Ecleo's wife, massacre of her family. |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/explainer-lent-episode-of-true-crime-podcast-lagim-tells-of-how-pbma-members-regarded-ruben-ecleo-jr-their-god-the-son-reincarnation-of-christ-local-media-dwelt-more-on-violent-incidents-side-issues-in-2002-murder-of-ecleos-wife-massacre-of-her-family|access-date=17 September 2022 |publisher=Sunstar |date=13 April 2022 |language=en-PH}}
Political career
Ecleo was elected as Mayor of Dinagat, Surigao del Norte in 1963. He would hold the position until his death in 1987.
Death
Personal life
Ecleo was married to Glenda Buray, who was a former member of the Surigao del Norte Provincial Board from and a House of Representatives member representing the 1st district of the same province{{cite web |title=Ecleo, Glenda {{!}} Personal Information |url=http://www.i-site.ph/Databases/Congress/12thHouse/personal/ecleo-personal.html |publisher=House of Representatives of the Philippines |access-date=17 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040423052418/http://www.i-site.ph/Databases/Congress/12thHouse/personal/ecleo-personal.html |archive-date=23 April 2004}} He married Buray in 1955, and they had eight children. He had also a relationship with other women who were known to be his "spiritual wives" including Reyneria Borja, with whom he had two children, including Ruben Al.{{cite web |title=Faith, Hope, and Politics |url=https://www.pcij.org/stories/1995/ecleos2.html |publisher=Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism |access-date=17 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218072947/https://www.pcij.org/stories/1995/ecleos2.html |archive-date=18 February 2008}}
References and sources
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External links
- [http://allaboutpbma.webs.com/informationfaq.htm All About the PBMA] - Unofficial website of Members of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, Inc.
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Category:People from Dinagat Islands
Category:Mayors of places in Dinagat Islands