Who we are
ABOUT THE PHILIPPINE BIBLE SOCIETY
Mrs. Victoria Esperanza Z. Cartera
General Secretary
Philippine Bible Society
123 YEARS OF MAKING THE BIBLE KNOWN
Our Unwavering Commitment
Through the years, the Philippine Bible Society’s commitment has not changed nor waned one bit. We remain committed to making the Bible known to every Filipino and to providing each one with opportunities to encounter God in His Word. We believe that national transformation can only take effect when the inner man is transformed by the beautiful message and saving truth found in the Scriptures.
As our forebears envisioned, we continuously strive to produce translations of the Bible that are not only faithful to the original biblical languages but are also published in languages that our people understand. It is our prayer that our fellow countrymen get to read the Bible in the language closest to their hearts. As there are still Philippine languages without translations of the Scriptures, we commit ourselves to exploring more avenues to ensure that all Filipinos have easy access to God’s amazing Word.
We work hand in hand with our dear ministry partners to effectively and meaningfully distribute the Bible in formats that meet the needs of the Filipino people. Whether print, audio, visual, or digital in format, we hope that people will develop a deeper appreciation and reverence for the Bible. Praise the Lord for He continues to be faithful and His Word remains unchanging.
As a non-stock and non-profit interconfessional organization, we also place much importance on making our PBS-published Bibles and Scripture materials affordable. In this way, more people can have Bibles of their own! Our efforts to make these Scripture materials as affordable as possible for our countrymen all stem from our desire to glorify the Lord and give thanks to Him for His goodness. His love for us simply abounds and overflows; we want others to experience this same joy.
Many nearby cities and far away provinces have been covered since our founding anniversary in 1899, but there are still several areas that we have yet to reach. So, we must not grow tired or weary. New generations mean new challenges; new situations call for new solutions. At the end of the day, one fact remains: the Word of God is what will transform and unite our nation.
Let us continue to work together to make the Bible known! There is strength in numbers and we need one another to complete our mission for God’s greater glory.
“I, the Lord, have called you and given you power
to see that justice is done on earth.
Through you I will make a covenant with all peoples;
through you I will bring light to the nations.”
Isaiah 42:6, Good News Translation (GNT)
2017-2022 STRATEGIC DIRECTION
123 YEARS OF MAKING THE BIBLE KNOWN
In all this, we can only thank God for seeing the Philippine Bible Society through.
Many grounds have been covered since 1899, but a lot remains to be reached by the Light of Life.
New generations mean new challenges; new situations call for new solutions.
But one fact remains: the Word of God is the Light to the Nation!
“I, the Lord, have called you and given you power to see that justice is done on earth.
Through you I will make a covenant with all peoples; through you I will bring light to the nations.”
ISAIAH 42:6, GNT
From Light to the Nations, Philippine Bible Society
GENERAL SECRETARIES THROUGH THE YEARS
Rev. Jay C. Goodrich
(1899-1905)
Rev. J. E. McLaughlin
(1906-1920)
Rev. Bruce Cameron
(1920-1932)
Mr. Elmer Higdon
(1932-1934)
Dr. W.H Fonger
(1934-1957)
Rev. Angel B. Taglucop
(1957-1972)
Dr. Solomon E. Quila
(1972-1973)
Rev. Joel B. Vista
(1974-1978)
Dr. Ricardo B. Jumawan
(1979-1985)
Dr. Medarlo B. Rivera
(1985-2003)
Dr. Nora G. Lucero
(2003-2021)
Victoria Esperanza Z. Cartera
(2021-Present)
PRESIDENTS THROUGH THE YEARS
Rev. Alfredo P. Cathedral
(1966-1967)
Prof. Rufo R. Fabregas
(1967-1968, 1971-1974)
Dr. Virgilio C. Canlas
(1968-1969)
Atty. Vicente T. Velasco
(1969-1970)
Bishop Marciano C. Evangelista
(1970-1971)
Bishop Estanislao Q. Abainza
(1975-1978)
Dr. Eliseo M. Pajaro
(1980-1981)
Dr. Cirilio A. Rigos
(1984-1986, 1995-1996)
Bishop George F. Castro
(1988-1989)
Dr. Federico M. Magbanua, Jr.
(1974-1975, 1978, 1982-1983, 1989-1992)
Justice Jose Y. Feria
(1992-1994)
Ambassador Emmanuel N. Pelaez
(Honorary President 1986-1988, 1994-1995)
Bishop Efraim M. Tendero
(1996-1997, 1999-2000)
Bishop Daniel C. Arichea, Jr.
(1997-1998, 2001-2005)
Bishop Arturo M. Bastes
(2008-2009)
Bishop Nathanael Lazaro
(2009-2012)
Bishop Noel A. Pantoja
(2017-2018)
Justice Raoul V. Victorino (Ret.)
(2019-2020)
Most Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D.
(2012-2014 and 2020-2021)
Bishop Cesar Vicente P. Punzalan III
(2007-2008 and 2021)
Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno (Ret.)
(2014-2017 and 2022-Present)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD
President and Chairman of the Board – Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno (Ret.) (NCCP – Lay)
Chairman, Environmental Heroes Foundation
Vice President and Vice Chairman – Rev. Fr. Arlo Bernardo S. Yap, S.V.D (RCC – Clergy)
Executive Secretary, Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate
Corporate Secretary – Atty. Roberto R. Barrales (Independent – Lay)
Managing Director, R.R. Barrales and Associates
Member-at-Large – Ms. Emmaloisa M. Salumbides (PCEC – Lay)
Founder and CEO, Wise Up Global Training and Equipping Ministry, Inc
Member-at-Large – Atty. Gerard A. Mosquera (PCEC – Lay)
Founding Dean, College of Law, Notre Dame of Marbel University
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Rev. Fr. Oscar A. Alunday, S.V.D. – Director, John Paul I Regional Biblical Center for N. Luzon & the Cordillera
(RCC – Clergy)
Mr. Jon Dave A. Angeles – Resident Pastor, Deca IEMELIF Mission
(NCCP – Lay)
Rev. Dr. Reynaldo R. Avante – General Director, Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines
(PCEC – Clergy)
Elder Rufino D. Dela Rosa – Chairman of the Board of Elders, Plaridel Bible Church
(PCEC – Lay)
Mr. John Jeremy A. Escobar – President, Word Riders Philippines
(Independent – Lay)
Dr. Maria Teresita Rita P. Guevarra, M.D. – Lay Coordinator, Biblical Apostolate
(RCC – Lay)
Atty. Robinson A. Landicho – Deputy City Prosecutor, Department of Justice’s Office of the City Prosecutor
(NCCP – Lay)
Mr. Karlo D. Lara – Founder and Program Director, Lakbay Biblia Catholic Bible Course
(RCC – Lay)
Bishop Jonel R. Milan – Christian Bishop, Hope of Glory
(PCEC – Clergy)
Rev. Leonardo R. Morada – Ordained Elder Pastor, Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Cristo
(NCCP – Clergy)
Mr. Ramon C. Realizan – Board of Trustee, Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate
(RCC – Lay)
Mr. Albert S. Tanlimco – President, AMTES Corporation
(Independent – Lay)
Bishop Justice Raoul V. Victorino (Ret.) – President, Iglesia Unida Ekyumenikal
(NCCP – Clergy)
PRESIDENTS EMERITUS
Bishop Daniel C. Arichea
Bishop Noel A. Pantoja
Most Rev. Arturo M. Bastes, D.D., S.V.D.
Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno (Ret.)
Bishop Nathanael P. Lazaro
Bishop Efraim M. Tendero
Most Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D.
Bishop Cesar Vicente P. Punzalan, III
OTHERS
Dr. Natividad B. Pagadut – Executive Secretary, Episcopal Commission on the Biblical Apostolate
of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines