El Shaddai-Winnipeg: charisma and discipleship

by Levy Abad

	El Shaddai first and second batch disciples with Fr. Peter Tran (Diocese of St. Boniface)

While having my coffee at the Garden City food court and listening to the discussions of senior compatriots about diaspora life and struggles, Bro. Juanito “Johnny” Camungol invited me to attend the 10th anniversary of El Shaddai’s Discipleship program at Canad Inns McPhillips. Johnny Camungol is known in the Filipino seniors’ hangout as a soft-spoken and self-effacing person, but someone told me that he was the pioneer of the El Shaddai Charismatic movement in Winnipeg (a branch of the Catholic Church).

Curious about the discipleship program, I asked Bro. Johnny, when it was founded. He shared that it was on January 1, 2016. He added that in the beginning, it was a struggle, but with God’s blessings, he eventually had some help from the pioneer disciples like Ricky de los Santos, Nene Roxas, Benedicta D. Camungol, Jesus Estillore, Edison Ambulo, Nestor Terrible, Romy De Leon, Rodolfo Velasco, and Gerry Marquez (Source: event program 2026).

According to Bro. Johnny, this group had the faith and humility to commit to the task. Nowadays, El Shaddai has a new set of disciples: Romy Ascencion, Michael Arididon, Floramante Bautista, Edwin Cases, Donell Custodio, Gerry Gamurot, Oliver Maguyon, Danny Martinez, Jerry Monsalud, and Dan Ruiz. (ES list of disciples 2026). I had the opportunity to meet them at the event. They are a warm-hearted group of servants.

Before I venture further, I would like to add that El Shaddai is a Catholic Charismatic movement that started in the Philippines, founded by Bro. Mike Velarde on August 20, 1984. Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani serves as its spiritual adviser. It is considered to be the biggest “Catholic charismatic movement in the Philippines” (Wikipedia). According to the same source, it has eight million members.

I remember attending El Shaddai’s big fellowships a couple of times in the 90s to observe. I found it interesting, given that I grew up in a basic Christian community in Davao Oriental and in a home where theological discourse was encouraged. But in the spirit of Vatican II’s call for “reading the signs of the times” (see Gaudium et Spes, Evangelii nuntiandi), faith, immersion/fellowship are paths to deeper understanding. Indeed, the Lord Jesus, by sending the Paraclete (John 14:16-21), will meet you where you’re at, and so is His Church.

I asked Bro. Johnny, how El Shaddai started in Winnipeg. He recalled that it was during the feast of Pentecost, June 7, 1992, when he invited members of the Radio 27 Club, families and friends to attend a workshop at St. Peter’s Church. This was during the time of Father Dado Parenas as the Vicar of the Parish. The speaker was Leo Panelo, who flew in from Toronto. There were about 32 people in attendance. After the workshop, Bro. Johnny was surprised when Leo Panelo told him to continue the task of gathering and training for Discipleship. He reckons that there was a core group formed after the workshop by Leo Panelo, composed of Sis. Elizabeth Ambrocio, Bro. Leopoldo “Pol” Gamo (Treasurer), Sis. Neneth Lorenzo (Coordinator), Sis. Juanita Toledo (Secretary-1992), and himself as Coordinator (1992-1995).

By 1995, at the suggestion of Bro. Mike Velarde, this core group would eventually transform into a seven-member council where the secretary/treasurer positions became permanent. Fellowships were held at St Peter’s Church. Eventually, they moved to different locations, such as Filcasa, and St. Edward’s. El Shaddai Winnipeg has already grown from a core group of five members to having two chapters and numerous disciples: St. Gérard under the Diocèse of St. Boniface, and another one formed in 2015 at St. Patrick under the Diocèse of Winnipeg.

Out of curiosity, I asked Bro. Johnny, if he received training or formation under El Shaddai. He noted that he was invited to the Philippines from November 1992 to June 1993 to attend the leadership/discipleship formation with topics on the Bible and theology under Fr. Dominador Medina, Fr. Bong Guerrero, and Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani.

At the 10th Anniversary of the discipleship program of El Shaddai, I noticed that Bro. Johnny has delegated most of the tasks, choosing to sit on one side to observe the new set of disciples taking on the task of servant leadership. After 33 years of service to God Almighty (El Shaddai) and to His church, El Shaddai’s charisma and discipleship continue. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam.