The Bible Month History in the Philippines

The Philippine Bible Society (PBS) initiates a month-long celebration for the Bible Month. It encourages Filipinos to read, to be engaged, and be transformed by the word of God (Philippine Bible Society, 2026). This annual celebration leads back to 1982, when the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. signed the Presidential Proclamation No. 2242, that declares the celebration of Bible Sunday and National Bible week, this to promote moral values, personal values and personal discipline among the Filipino people.

Over the course of time, this commitment was strengthened through the succeeding proclamations. The celebration was moved from the month of November to January by the former president Corazon Aquino. The former president emphasized that Filipinos should begin the year by reading and consulting the word of God. It was reaffirmed by the late president Fidel Ramos that pointed the importance of Bible reading through the Presidential Proclamation No. 1067.

In the year 2017, the celebration was officially expanded to include the entire month of January when former president Rodrigo Duterte signed the Presidential Proclamation No. 124, that declares the month of January as the National Bible Month, with its final week as National Bible week, and its last Sunday as the Bible Sunday. Since then, the participation of the National Bible Month has continued to grow with more Filipinos across the country actively sharing, celebrating, and living out the word of God.

This year’s Bible Month Celebration marks a year full of new lessons with its theme “God’s Word brings LIFE to our hearts and our homes” with LIFE representing Love, Integrity, Faith, and Engagement. This year’s theme is rooted in the powerful truth of the scripture “I give you a new commandment: love one another, as I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” (John 13:34 NABRE) and “God’s commands aren’t empty words but are their very life, promising a long and prosperous future in the promised land if they obey and teach them to their children” (Deuteronomy 32:47 GNT). The Bible Association of the Philippines continue to encourage churches, schools, communities, families, and individuals across the country to join celebrating National Bible Month 2026. They invite everyone to initiate a public Bible reading, Bible parade, and Bible appreciation activities in every homes, schools, churches, and communities especially in the local city of Davao.

To conclude the Philippine Bible Society stated that “As the nation looks ahead to a new year, the National Bible Month continues to remind Filipinos that God’s Word not only guides our personal decisions but also the way that we love, support, and grow together as followers of the Lord. The Bible is not only meant to be read by believers, but also to be shared, lived out, and cherished in every season of life. May every heart and every home become a place where faith, hope, and wisdom from God can flourish.” (Mervin John Tagalog, SLCD Immersionist)