Today, we’re diving into the Pinoy Version. The way I see it, it’s a Bible translation with one clear goal: making God’s word more relatable for everyday Pinoys. I finally got my hands on the whole version, and I’ve been pretty stoked about it. So, I’m here to share my experience with you. In this review, I’ll just lay out some highlights that stood out to me and give you my two cents on them.
People have already read the Pinoy Version and it’s stirred up all sorts of reactions, from love to head-scratching. It’s important to note that the complete Old Testament and New Testament version only hit the scene in April 2023, so it’s still a fresh face in the crowd.
Preserving the Divine Message
When you first crack open the Pinoy Version, the first thing you notice is the informal language. If you’re used to the fancy talk in traditional religious texts, it might be a bit of a shocker. But the folks behind this translation have managed to keep the sanctity and dignity of God’s word intact. It’s like a reminder that being informal doesn’t mean you’re disrespectful. The words used here do the job just right, and since it’s all about getting the message across, those strong words are there for a reason.
Foundation & Comparative Insights
The Pinoy Version doesn’t explicitly reveal whether it used other traditional Tagalog versions as a foundation. Considering the thoughtful scholars at the Philippine Bible Society who also deeply honor God’s word, I’m fairly confident I’m diving into an all-new direct translation here.
In contrast, the Magandang Balita Biblia, another popular Filipino translation, is rumored to have its roots in the Good News Bible translation. Our church has been relying on the MBB for the most part, and it’s proven to be a dependable choice. However, now that I’ve got the Pinoy Version in my hands, I’m excited to see what unique flavor it brings to the table.
Serious Bible Study
Now, you might think that a meaning-based translation like the Pinoy Version lets you kick back and read without much effort. I thought that’s what it was going to do for me. But that’s not the case. You’ll still need to roll up your sleeves and dig deep. The passages that required serious study in the old-school Tagalog versions demand the same level of attention in the Pinoy Version. And it’s not a paraphrase, so don’t worry about that. It sticks to the script and respects the original text.
I’ve had a similar experience when reading the NLT; it’s pretty much the same deal. I still have questions, I still ponder what a passage actually means, and I still need to read other parts of Scripture. Understanding the background and context of a passage, that’s all part of the process. I totally get why meaning-based translations might catch some flak, but in my opinion, some of the criticism is a bit overblown.
To illustrate, let me take you to a passage in John 5 that I’ve always found a bit tricky to follow. The flow of the text in the more traditional form-based translations and even in the traditional Tagalog versions was just, well, weird to me. In the Pinoy Version, it’s still a bit weird, and I still find myself re-reading it. It’s still quite a challenge to follow. So, yes, I don’t know why Jesus had to talk the way he did in these passages, but you can bet that the “way” is faithfully preserved in the Pinoy Version.
Here is LEB, my main go-to for form-based translation.
31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true. 33 You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34 (And I do not receive testimony from people, but I say these things in order that you may be saved.) 35 That one was the lamp which was burning and shining, and you wanted to rejoice for an hour in his light.
36 “But I have a testimony greater than John’s, for the works which the Father has given to me that I should complete them—the very works which I am doing—these testify about me, that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me, that one has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time nor seen his form. 38 And you do not have his word residing in yourselves, because the one whom that one sent, in this one you do not believe. 39 You search the scriptures because you think that you have eternal life in them, and it is these that testify about me. 40 And you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.
John 5:31-40 (LEB)
And here is how it reads in the Pinoy Version. (I had to manually type this one. More on that later.)
30 “Wala akong magagawa sa sarili kong kapangyarihan. Humahatol ako ayon sa sinabi sa akin ng Diyos, kaya tama ang hatol ko. Hindi kasi yung gusto ko ang sinusunod ko, kundi yung gusto ng nagpadala sa akin.
31 “Kung ako lang ang nagsasalita tungkol sa sarili ko, hindi totoo ang mga sinasabi ko. 32 Pero may ibang nagte-testify para sa akin, at alam kong totoo ang sinasabi niya tungkol sa akin. 33 Nagpadala kayo ng mga messengers kay John at nagsalita siya tungkol sa katotohanan. 34 Hindi kailangan na may taong magsasalita para sa akin. Sinasabi ko lang to para maligtas kayo. 33 Parang matinding ilaw si John, binigyan nya kayo ng init at liwanag, at natuwa kayo sa liwanag na dala niya kahit sandali lang. 36 Pero may sinasabi tungkol sa akin na mas dakila pa sa sinasabi ni John. Yung mga ginagawa ko, yung mga bagay na pinapagawa sa akin ng Tatay ko, ito yung mga nagpapatunay na pinadala nga ako ng Ama. 37 At ang ama na nagpadala sa akin ay nagsasalita din tungkol sa akin. Hindi nyo pa naririnig ang boses niya o nakikita ng mukha niya, 38 at hindi niyo rin iniingatan ang mensahe nya sa puso nyo, kasi hindi kayo naniniwala sa pinadala niya. 39 Pinagaaralan niyo ang Scriptures, kasi iniisip nyong makikita nyo dun ang buhay na walang hanggan. Ako mismo ang tinutukoy ng Scriptures, 40 pero ayaw nyong lumapit saakin para magkaroon kayo ng buhay.
John 5:31-40 (PV)
A Valuable Tool for Exploration
One place where the Pinoy Version really shines is when you’re diving deep into Bible study. It’s fantastic at simplifying those tricky words from formal English translations and making them feel as easy as a chat in contemporary Taglish. It’s all about tearing down the walls between “church talk” and everyday conversation.
It’s a real game-changer when it comes to writing sermons for our church community or sharing reflection and teachings in everyday conversations. The way it allows me to seamlessly transition from my Taglish explanations and encouragements into quoting verses in the same down-to-earth style is a real win.
And we shouldn’t forget, the Bible is all about real life. It’d be a shame if people missed out just because they felt swamped by fancy words or couldn’t really connect with the way it talks.
Wishlist for Accessibility
Now, here’s a wish that’s on many of our minds: we’d absolutely love to see the Pinoy Version available online. How about getting it on platforms like BibleGateway and YouVersion? It would make searching for passages and studying a whole lot more convenient, fitting perfectly into the digital age. I get it might take some time (and they’re probably already working on it as I write this), but I guess there’s nothing wrong with wishing for it sooner rather than later.
Closing Thoughts
In a nutshell, the Pinoy Version might give off a laid-back vibe at first, but it’s all about preserving God’s word the right way. To me, it’s a thoughtful attempt at making Scripture fit seamlessly into day-to-day conversations, whether you’re in church or just chatting with friends. That’s how Scripture should be treated, not like a weekly chore or some ancient spellbook. And when you use it as a reference, it’s a game-changer for making the Bible more accessible in everyday Filipino life.
One more thing, though: I get it that they want to keep the printed version budget-friendly, but can we beef up the paper quality a bit? It’s so thin, like super thin, and you can practically read the text on the backside. If there’s a chance to level up the paper quality and release some fancier versions, why not go for it? This is a serious translation; it deserves some serious hardcopy specs too.
Full disclosure: I wrote this post with the help of ChatGPT. ChatGPT helps me flesh out ideas and deliver them in the clearest way possible all in a shorter amount of time. Having said that, I remain fully responsible for what has been written and the specific ways that they have been expressed in this article. I strongly discourage the use of ChatGPT in school or in any other formal or academic contexts.