Editing Ruben Ecleo Sr. (section)

==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 Region|Davao]], [[Bukidnon]], [[Leyte Island|Leyte]], and [[Samar island|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.<ref name="esquirre"/> He also held the title Supreme President within the PBMA.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

His son, Ruben Jr. succeeded him as leader of the PBMA after his death.<ref name="esquirre"/> A PBMA primer says that the group believes that Ecleo Sr. "reappeared" in the body of his successor son.<ref>{{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}}</ref>