MAKING THE BIBLE KNOWN

One common misconception that people have with the Filipino Deaf is that it would be easy for them to communicate through reading and writing. While some do practice these skills, many actually find it difficult to understand the written word. Because of this, the best way to engage with the Filipino Deaf Community is still with their heart language.

Following its mandate of making the Bible known, the Philippine Bible Society (PBS) has been working to produce a new Bible translation in the heart language of the Filipino Deaf—Filipino Sign Language (FSL). On November 28, 2025 PBS held the release and dedication of its FSL Bible.

Around 39 Filipino Deaf participants, as well as hearing interpreters, gathered at the 3rd floor of the PBS Ministry Center for the event. Representatives from various Christian traditions such as the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), and independent churches were also present, along with PBS Translation Consultant Dr. Anicia Del Corro and PBS Translation Officer Ptr. Alvin Bailon.

The attendees had the opportunity to view Mark 1:35-38 in FSL—a sample passage from the 44 videos that were produced by the FSL translation team. Afterwards, Rev. Ernesto Eleazar, a Deaf pastor from Logos Deaf Church, shared an inspirational message focusing on the importance of the Word of God and what our attitude towards it should be. He also expressed his gratitude towards the Lord for the FSL translation.

Rev. Eleazar said the following, as relayed by an interpreter:

“Right now, nakikita ko na it’s not really easy for you to read the Bible. It’s very difficult, lalo na sa atin [from the Deaf Community]… But again, because of the Filipino Sign Language translation team, we’ve [been] given a chance to understand God’s Word [more] deeply.”

He added:

“Alam n’yo po ba na, ako mismo, it’s really a struggle for me? There was no sign language [back then]. There’s no community, no videos. My wife and I have been to WCF, and I asked someone from among the ministers to illustrate the stories in the Bible. Kasi tayong mga Deaf, very visual tayo. So I was praying to God.”

“[Ngayon,] hindi lang pala comics. Ang ginawa ng Panginoon are videos na nasa language natin mismo. At talagang namangha ako and I really enjoyed [them]. I was just expecting na merong illustrations behind the Bible stories. But again, God works, ‘no? So we entrust everything to him. Alam ng Panginoon ang ating mga pangangailangan.”

Several representatives from different churches and groups also sent congratulatory messages on the release of the FSL Bible.

The FSL Bible builds on earlier translation work, which includes the 45 Follow God How? Bible stories released in 2023. This time, instead of just translating selected stories from the Bible, the team aims to translate the entirety of the Scriptures into FSL. There are currently 44 videos available, featuring passages from the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

In her closing remarks, incoming General Secretary Ms. Laura Valledo spoke about her hopes for the FSL Bible and how it reflects God’s desire to reveal himself to all people:

“May these sign language Scriptures bring hope and transformation to our Filipino Deaf Community.”

She continued,

“Alam n’yo po, God loves us so much. Mahalaga po ang bawat isa sa atin, kaya patuloy niyang inalalapit yung kanyang sarili… So until we finish the New Testament and the full Bible, let’s pray for our translators and translation consultants who are doing this work. Because this is very, very important for us… This ministry is very, very hard work—it takes full commitment. So kailangan yung heart nila nandoon sa kanilang ginagawa. And yung commitment and dedication nila, yung love nila sa ministry, talagang i-dedicate nila as service to our Lord.”

We praise the Lord for this wonderful work that will help bring the Bible closer to thousands of Deaf Filipinos. Let’s pray for God’s blessing on the translators and the translation consultants as they continue to labor for the Filipino Deaf Community!

To access the available FSL Bible translations, click here:

https://bible.org.ph/bible-for-the-deaf/

If you would like to support our translation efforts, click here:

https://bible.org.ph/be-a-donor/