Biblica launches the contemporary Salita Ng Dios (Word of God) Bible for 85 million Tagalog speakers

Contact: Steve Johnson, Vice President, Communications, Biblica, 719-867-2618, steve.johnson@biblica.com 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Dec. 13, 2010 /Christian Newswire/ -- Dumating Na (at long last)!

Twenty years after its inception, Biblica's Tagalog Bible, Salita Ng Dios (Word of God), was completed, giving more than 85 million Tagalog speakers in the Philippines access to the Bible in clear, contemporary language.

Twenty years! To put it into perspective, in 1990 Nelson Mandela was released from prison, Lech Walesa became president of Poland, GM launched its Saturn line of cars, and the first Web page was created. In 1990, the Philippines suffered a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that killed more than 1,600 people and a devastating typhoon that crippled the nation's economy. Yet 1990 was also a year of hope for the Philippines, as Biblica Philippines translators began the long, detailed process of creating an NIV-like Bible translation in the Philippines' major language.

Dr. Robin Saban, Former President of the Adventist University of the Philippines said, "We have been waiting for the completion of this Tagalog Bible...We congratulate Biblica for this achievement so that our people and our churches shall benefit in our church ministry."

The Tagalog Bible, Salita Ng Dios is a powerful instrument to reach the Filipinos for Jesus Christ. "Your ministry of translating the Bible in the language of our people shall usher countless of souls in the kingdom of God. Thank you Biblica for your love and sacrifice to bring about this translation after many years of hard work for the sake of the lost," said Bishop Brother Eddie C. Villanueva, Chairman of Jesus Is Lord Church.

On November 23, a thanksgiving and dedication service was held at the Greenhills Christian Fellowship, attended by more than 200 church leaders, bishops and pastors from various church denominations. The guest speaker was Honorable Reynato Puno, former chief justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Biblica International CEO Keith Danby said, "There was a sense of awe and reverence as we prayed to dedicate the Tagalog Bible. You could feel the presence of God in the room as we celebrated the birth of this anticipated translation in their mother tongue."

About Biblica
Celebrating more than 200 years in ministry, Biblica provides God's Word to people through translation, publishing, and Bible engagement. Biblica's ministry extends worldwide, with outreach in 55 countries. Biblica has translated the Bible in more than 100 languages and is the translation sponsor and ministry publisher of the New International Version® (NIV®) of the Bible, the most widely read and trusted contemporary English translation. Through its worldwide reach, Biblica engages people with God's Word so lives are transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ. For more information, visit Biblica.com.  

Steve Johnson, Vice President, Communications • steve.johnson@biblica.com • 719-867-2618 • biblica.com