The Filipino Translation—Loyalty and Dedication in Action!
The Filipino Translation—Loyalty and Dedication in Action!
By Urantia Foundation staff
The Urantia Book reminds us in Paper 81 that “Ten men are of little more value than one in lifting a great load unless they lift together—all at the same moment.” 81:6.37 (911.2) There are few places where teamwork is more important, and more challenging, than among a translation team, where “an enthusiastic and effective load-pulling spirit” is key to success.
This project began in 2020, and a team of dedicated individuals have been diligently working to make The Urantia Book available to the peoples of the Philippines, in a language spoken by millions. While they may be geographically far from most of us, they are part of our spiritual family.
Eugene Asidao and his wife, Belen, both retired and living in the Chicago area, began attending the Tuesday night study group at 533 W. Diversey in 2014. It was here that seasoned readers helped facilitate their understanding of The Urantia Book, and no question was too big or too small. Belen recalls, “The vibes of brother- and sisterhood were wrapped up in a bigger, more spiritual sense of the fatherhood of God, and it was super welcoming! We thought of seeding books in the Philippines, our country of origin.” Thus began an enduring outreach program.
Urantia Foundation supported their efforts by donating hundreds of Urantia Books, which the Asidaos distributed and placed in major libraries across the vast archipelago nation of over 7,000 islands. With so few people involved in the Urantia Book movement in a country of 110 million people, and a diaspora of 10 million Filipino expatriates, the task often felt overwhelming. But thanks to their selfless service, the readership grew steadily, and the need for a Filipino translation was recognized in 2019. This followed the first national conference in the Philippines, which was co-sponsored by the Foundation, the Urantia Book Fellowship, and Urantia Association International.
To date, the team has completed Parts I and II and is currently working on Paper 71. Meet the team as they share what inspires them to continue their valiant efforts.
Raquel Aguilar
“Being part of the translation team, I strive even more to follow the will of the Father. I have learned to not stop moving forward despite many obstacles. My patience is being honed, and my sincerity is being purified.
“The Urantia Book liberates me from the fear of losing my soul to hell. I understand that not all that is happening in my life is God's will, but most things are a consequence of my actions and decisions. Most of all, I realized that we are all brothers and sisters with only one Father who indwells us.
“Because of the translation work, I have become more determined to live by the teachings of The Urantia Book—to love unconditionally.”
Belen Asidao
“My life before retirement was devoted to a career as a medical technologist. Viewing things under a microscope, one can see the beauty of microscopic living organisms. I have always appreciated the macro and micro of nature. As medical technologists, we assist in testing so that doctors can diagnose their patients. I always viewed this as a service to my fellow man. And with that came an inner longing to know more of God, his nature, and his boundless qualities.
“We are living in a time of rapid advancement of science and technology, when many more people are asking about the mysteries of existence. The Urantia Book addresses comprehensive questions about God, the origin and purpose of life, the spiritual hierarchy of beings, different personalities that are guiding us, and so much more. I'm honored to invest time in this incredibly powerful book, so widely acclaimed across various cultures and faiths!”
Eugene Asidao
“It has been an educational process for me, not only in understanding the correct meaning of what the celestial authors are conveying, but also in how to express those ideas in the most accurate way possible in our native language.
“Another lesson has been how to work in a team. I learned to recognize the different sensitivities of members, the proper use of language when communicating to avoid misunderstandings, and to evaluate my own reactions. In short, there is a lot of balancing and adjustment when relating to others. But in the end, everyone's spirituality evolves, and we all gain more wisdom.”
Allan Bancairen
“The Urantia Book has strengthened my faith in God and deepened my commitment to spiritual principles. It has elevated my understanding of truth, beauty, and goodness—not merely as abstract ideals, but as guiding forces in my personal life. Above all, it has given me a profound assurance of eternal life and a greater sense of purpose in the present. As a member of the Filipino translation team, I've learned to be patient in understanding the context of The Urantia Book. It has helped me discover new English words and recall the old Filipino terms that I believe bring greater clarity to the book's concepts.”
Nestor Racelis Nano
“I joined Eugene and Belen at their residence to participate in a study group in 2012, and several other Chicago-area study groups. I was with them at Urantia Foundation headquarters when we first proposed a Filipino translation to Georges Michelson-Dupont. I have accompanied Eugene in distributing The Urantia Book around the Philippines since 2014. Every morning, the first half hour of my two-hour radio program draws from The Urantia Book, proclaiming, in our Filipino languages, truths that are manna to an audience of more than 2,500 around the world. I am thankful to be a part of the translation team so that my countrymen will be inspired to seek and find truth, beauty, and goodness in our own language!”
Geo Sunga
“I've discovered that our growth and evolution as students of the revelation can be enhanced by transcending cultural boundaries and broadening our understanding beyond language barriers. By acknowledging the universal patterns that surround us, we can uncover new meanings and insights that may have been hidden beyond our use of local language. As we shed our limited perspectives, we can tap into the rich word symbolism that already exists within our minds, allowing us to expand our consciousness and enhance our spirituality even further.
“I initially felt the challenges of learning Filipino because we each acquired language from our respective provinces. The team has often faced the difficulty of deciding which is the right term or sentence construction to use.
“Ultimately, there is nothing more inspiring than knowing our Thought Adjusters have been faithfully working within us since childhood, leading the way for us to follow the Father's will. They intimately know our stories and guide us to love and unfold into the true spirit personality reality that we are becoming.”