In 1980, The Ang Dating Daan  (The Old Path) program was first aired over a local radio station DWWA 1260 KHz, having only 30 minutes airtime. It was the beginning of Brother Eli’s massive propagation of the gospel over the airwaves.

The very title catches attention, as viewers find it intriguing yet unique. It was derived from the book of Jeremiah, in Chapter 16, Verse 6, where it is emphasized that the old path is the suggested road by the prophet of God for people seeking refuge for their weary souls.

Bro. Eli consistently answers, whenever the title is in question, that in these modern days where morality is disintegrating through modifications in lifestyle, walking back to the former way of living through the guidance of the Holy Scriptures is the only guaranteed manner not to get lost along the track. Filipino listeners were awed at his candor in preaching, which paved way for him to be known among many local households, prompting him to get a longer program time.

A month of airing passed, and Bro. Eli’s popularity reached the ears of a known radio host, Don Manolo Favis of DZBB 594 KHz, with a widely patronized program called “Dis (This) is Manolo and his GENIUS Family” (GENIUS stands for God Eternal News In Universal Salvation). Eventually, Bro. Eli became a regular panelist of Don Manolo’s program broadcast every Sunday night from 9:00pm to 12midnight.

The program of Don Manolo was a panel discussion of different preachers and religious representatives in the country. They consisted of Bert Valinton and Domingo Filomeno (7th Day Adventist Church), Manuel Manzanilla (Jehovah’s Witnesses), Agustin Tabuñar (Iglesia Espiritista), Onnie Santiago (Iglesia ng Dios), Jess Patricio (Roman Catholic), Tydee Toloui (Baha'i Faith), Miguel Inciong (Iglesia ng Espiritu Santo), Severino Taril (a devoted follower of Dr. Jose Rizal), Romulo Aldana, Resty Policarpio, Aldon Tagumpay, Rudy Natividad, a certain Mr. Khempis, among many others.

In its initial years, Don Manolo’s program was accommodating a complete set of panelists. The collision of beliefs and doctrines intensified when Bro. Eli joined the panel.