About the Isnags

The Isnag people live in the northern mountains of the Philippines. Forty-five years ago the Isnag language, spoken by approximately 35,000 people, was unwritten. The people were animists, worshiped spirits and lived in fear of them.   Now there is a thriving indigenous church that continues to need the Scriptures in order to grow.

Scriptures given to the Isnags:

1953 – President Ramon Magsaysay wanted every indigenous language group to be researched in the Philippines. He believed every Filipino should be proud of his or her heritage and heart language. 

1954 – Elmer Wolfenden with Wycliffe Bible Translators surveyed the Isnag language and it was decided they did need translation work. Elmer was directed by the town people to go a little farther upstream in the village of Dibagat where they would enjoy to stay, a very nice village!

1956 –  Dick Roe, from Vermont, and team partner Ernie Chun, from Hawaii, both linguists, arrived in Isnag country to start the tedious work of learning the language, reducing it to writing, and providing primers for literacy work.
 
1971 – Rudy Barlaan, from Pangasinan, a mechanical engineering graduate of Mapua College in Manila, joined Dick. He and Dick finished the Isnag project in twelve years with Rudy doing a major portion of the Scripture translation

1979 – The Isnag New Testament translation was completed.  Nard, an Isnag pilot, and a result of the translation work among the Isnags, flew  the first 500 copies of the Isnag New Testament into the village as it was dedicated June 24, 1982. This was to Nard an historic event as he returned full circle to deliver the Scriptures to the Isnags in his own village.

The ripple effects of the Scriptures in Isnag:

1999 – The premiere showing of the Isnag Luke video took place. Many Isnags came to know the Lord as a result and it continues to impact their lives.  When people stared asking for copies of The Isnag New Testament, it was found out that there were only 500 left. A quick reprint of 1,000 copies was made to go along with the Luke video.  With the hunger for the Word of God in Isnag, Nard believes that we must print another 35,000 copies. Since the first printing 20 years ago, the language has changed. The New Testament needs to be revised. Rudy will begin the work soon, planning also to add Genesis and Exodus which has already been translated.

2001 –In order to expedite the work of revision, the old airstrip in Dibagat was made operational again to provide safe and efficient air transportation. Also a combination house and office was for the project. This will be a distribution and video center for the Isnag ministry from now until every Isnag village has seen the Luke video and/or received a copy of the Isnag New Testament.  Friends and faithful supporters from the USA went to work on the airstrip and to build the house.
2002 – A group from the States went to Dibagat to install a solar power for Rudy. There is no power, running water, or roads to this day in Dibagat. Now, Rudy has power to run his computer for translation work and to light the church for evening services.
2003 – The Isnag Church continued to grow and mature. Rudy continued the work of revising the Isnag NT.

2004 – Listen to what Beth Templeton, on a mission trip with a group of students from George Fox University in Newbern, OR – “ We were truly in the middle of nowhere; it was wonderful! Dibagat was described as the place you have always wanted to go but never knew where it was. Many times I felt as if I had stepped into a National Geographic magazine. Much of my heart is still there. I met God in a fresh way in the mountains of Dibagat. Psalms 125 says “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people.” I will forever have the image of the little village of Dibagat imprinted in my mind—surrounded by the Lord. He is the only one that satisfies, the only true reward, the only King and Ruler of all. When I left Dibagat, I left with a sense that I will return one day.” God is using Dibagat and the Isnags through short-term mission to touch and challenge His people to serve Him. You should have heard each of the 17 students share about their time in Dibagat May 26-June 1.

Another highlight of Dibagat was introducing my younger sister Benita to some of the George Fox team. I said to them, my sister Benita and she smiled and said “yes, this is my biological older brother but he is also my brother in the Lord now”. She recently accepted the Lord in her heart along with my sister-in-law Tabugay, Rosemarie’s mother during Easter conference in Dibagat in April that Rudy conducts each year. God is continually at work in Dibagat and neighboring villages.

Nard’s niece – Rosemarie Pugyao arrived from the Philippines to begin her studies at Columbia International University in Columbia, SC. She will start school August 25. We would appreciate your prayers for her as she gets acculturated in this country and as she starts school. She is another ripple effect of Bible translation work among the Isnags in northern Philippines!