The Most Rev. Isabelo delos Reyes Jr.

Obispo Maximo IV, Iglesia Filipina Independiente

OM Beluco was born on February 14, 1900 in Barcelona, Spain. He is the son of Labor Union leader
and Iglesia Filipina Independiente founder Isabelo “Don Belong” delos Reyes, Jr.
He was ordained into priesthood September 24, 1923 and was elevated to Episcopacy in January 23,
1925, at Maria Clara Christ Church, Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Later, he was elected as the fourth Obispo Maximo in September 1, 1946 and was re-elected into office
in the general assemblies of 1949; 1953; 1951; 1957;1961; 1965; 1969.
In April 7, 1948, delos Reyes along with other bishops of IFI, received the bestowal of Apostolic
Succession at the Episcopal Pro-Cathedral of St. Luke, in Binondo, Manila.
He is also known as: theFather of Ecumenism in the Philippines, with marker from the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines. He was the founding Chairman of the National Council of
Churches in the Philippines (NCCP).

Under the competent leadership of OM Isabelo de los Reyes, the Church concentrated on developing
and nurturing its institutional life. Bishop de los Reyes strengthened the theological position of the
Church.

He ushered in the forging of concordat relations with various Churches in many countries, first on the
list was with the Protestant Episcopal Church of U.S.A. (PECUSA); and sought membership in
national and international ecumenical bodies such as the National Council of Churches in the
Philippines, Christian Confernce in Asia, the Anglican Communion, and World Council of Churches.

Obispo Maximo Isabelo de los Jr. took the helm for the construction of the new National Cathedral (the
Cathedral of the Holy Infant Jesus along Taft Avenue, Manila) to replace the Cathedral in Tondo that
was destroyed during the War.

He died on October 10, 1971, unable to finish his new term from his re-election in 1971.
 Isabelo “Don Belong” delos Reyes, Sr.
Founder and Honorary Bishop, Iglesia Filipina Independiente

Don Belong was born on July 7, 1864 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines to parents: Elias de los Reyes
and Leona Florentino, the First Filipina poetess. He had three wives during his lifetime, Josefa Sevilla,
Maria Um and Maria Angeles Lopez Montero and had 27 children from the three unions.
He spent his early years of education at the seminary in Vigan where he saw the atrocities of the
Spanish friars committed against Filipinos. This inspired him to advocate for freedom for his country
and the Filipino people.
With his journalistic skills, he fought against the Spanish authorities which caused his imprisonment
here in the Philippines and also in Spain. He founded and edited the first vernacular newspaper in the
Philippines, El llocano in 1889 and the first labor newspaper in the Philippines, La Redencion del
Obrero (The Redemption of the Laborer). He was one of the noted propagandists during the fight
against the Spanish colonizers.
At the start of the American colonization in the Philippines, he lobbied to Vatican the Filipinization of
the Church. But to no avail, he received a negative response from the pope.
In 1902, at the brink of his founding of the first labor union in the Philippines, the Union Obrera
Democratica, he also proclaimed the establishment of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. A Church free
from Rome and pointed Gregorio Aglipay, his fellow Ilocano Catholic priest, to be its first bishop.
Later, Aglipay accepted the challenge of leading the new church founded by the Filipinos for the
Filipinos.
He wrote the Officio Divino, one of the church’s early publications and guides for the liturgical
celebrations and was able to translate the Bible to Ilocano. He is also named the first Asian theologian.
Don Belong who uttered these words, “Lack of social justice causes social unrest” is often afforded
with the following titles:
"Father of Philippine Labor Union Movement"
"Father of Philippine Trade Unionism"
"Father of the Philippine Socialism"
"Father of Ilocano Journalism"
First Filipino labor union leader

Though he was an activist, Don Belong was elected into office as a Senator of the Philippines from
1922 to 1928 and also served as Council of the City of Manila.

He died in October 10, 1938.