Portions of the Bible were first translated by Spanish friars into the Philippine languages in the catechisms and prayer materials they produced. The Doctrina Cristiana was the first book published in Tagalog Baybayin Script. Protestants published Ang Biblia in 1905 in Tagalog, based on the Spanish version of the Protestant canon. Jose C. Abriol, Filipino Catholic priest, translated from Hebrew and Greek into Tagalog. Most Protestant denominations use the New International Version of the Bible, since English is an official language of the Philippines. However, Mainline Protestant denominations in the Philippines tend to prefer the Magandang Balita Biblia. The Iglesia ni Cristo also uses the same translation. Jehovah's Witnesses use their own translation of the Bible, the Bagong Sanlibutang Salin which is published in Tagalog, 2000 edition, 2019 revision.
Versions
Ang Biblia, 1905, a formal Protestant translation published by the Philippine Bible Society and revised in 2001.
Ang Banal na Biblia, 1950, a dynamic Catholic translation of the Latin Vulgate with the original Hebrew and Greek texts translated by Msgr. Jose C. Abriol. It is published by the Daughters of St. Paul and is a semi-study bible.
Ang Bagong Tipan ng Ating Mananakop at Panginoong Jesucristo, 1952, a Catholic translation of the New Testament from the Latin Vulgate translated by Fr. Juan T. Trinidad and published by the Sacred Hearts Publication. Now out of print.
Ang Salita ng Buhay, 1977, a Protestant translation of the New Testament produced by Living Bibles International. Now out of print.
Ang Salita ng Diyos, 1998, 2003, a Protestant translation of the New Testament produced by OMF Literature Inc. Now out of print.
Magandang Balita Biblia or Tagalog Popular Version, 1973 OT/1980 OT, a dynamic ecumenical Bible equivalent to the Good News Bible published by the Philippine Bible Society. The 1980 edition is still used in the Tagalog liturgy of the Catholic Church. It is revised in 2005, 2012 and 2018. The 2018 revision is only available in Catholic edition published as May They Be One Plus Catholic Edition and it is the first Filipino bible printed in one year bible format.
Ang Biblia ng Sambayanang Pilipino, 1990, a dynamic Catholic translation equivalent to the Christian Community Bible published by Claretians and is a semi-study bible.
Ang Salita ng Dios, 2010, 2015, a dynamic Protestant translation equivalent to the New International Version produced by Biblica.
New Testament: Pinoy Edition, 2018, a dynamic ecumenical New Testament translation written in contemporary Filipino language or Taglish published by the Philippine Bible Society. It caters millenial Filipino youths and it is the first Filipino bible printed in journalling bible format.
Filipino Standard Version, 2009, 2018, a formal translation of the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs published by the Philippine Bible Society. It is a very unpopular translation compared to the other two 2018 publications of Philippine Bible Society.
The has translated the Bible into other major Philippine languages, namely: Ilocano, Pangasinan, Kapampangan, Bicolano, Hiligaynon, Waray, and Cebuano. Each of these languages has at least two Bible versions published by the society: one formal equivalence translation, and one dynamic equivalence translation. Jehovah's Witnesses also translate their Bible, New World Translation, in several regional languages such as Cebuano, 2000 edition, 2019 revision; Hiligaynon, 2007, 2014 edition; Iloko, 2000 edition, 2018 revision; Pangasinan, 2009, 2015 edition; Bicol, 2016 edition; and Waray-Waray, 2012, 2019 edition. Other languages of the Philippines:
Asi – spoken in towns on Tablas Island as well as the islands of Banton, Simara, and Maestro de Campo in Romblon province. It is known officially as Bantoanon language.
Cebuano – includes Boholano, Leytehanon, Mindanao Cebuano and Mindanao Visayan dialects. - New World Translation; 2000 edition, 2019 revision.
Surigaonon. May be closest to Cebuano.
Central Visayan – includes:
*Waray - two modern Bible translations; New World Translation; 2012, 2019 edition.
*Romblomanon which includes Sibuyan various dialects of Cajidiocanon, San Fernando-Azagra Sibujanon and the Magdiwang-Espana Sibuyanon variety, Ati, Capiznon, Masbatenyo, Porohanon, the Bisakol languages of Sorsogon and Northern Samar, and others.
Western Visayan – includes:
*Hiligaynon - New World Translation; 2007, 2014 edition.
*Kinaray-a,
*Aklan languages,
*Onhan or Loocnon - Eldon Leano Talamisan, 1999, Philippines, into the Onhan language or Bisaya-Inunhan
