Who actually needs Filipino
Let's be honest: in many parishes in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Texas or New Jersey, the Filipino members are the ones running the choir, the parish council and the youth ministry, all in fluent English. You do not need a translation for them. But look a little closer and you will find others: parents and grandparents who moved over through family petitions, newer arrivals in their first years here, caregivers and nurses who handle work English well but find a long homily tiring.
For a lola who learned her prayers in Tagalog, hearing the Gospel explained in her own language is not about understanding a few more words. It is about being addressed in the language of her faith.
Moments where it matters
- Simbang Gabi. The nine-night novena before Christmas draws whole families, including relatives visiting from the Philippines. Switch on Filipino for those Masses.
- Weddings, baptisms and funerals with family from the Philippines in the pews. See weddings, baptisms and funerals.
- Evangelical and charismatic churches with Filipino members, from Baptist churches near Navy bases to fellowships that grew out of Filipino prayer groups.
- Visiting grandparents who stay for months to help with the grandchildren.
How it works
- 01Scan
Show the QR code on the screens or print it in the bulletin. Families can also share the link in their group chat.
- 02Choose Filipino
The page opens in the browser on any phone, no account needed. There is also an iOS app.
- 03Listen or read
The translated voice follows the priest or pastor a few seconds behind. Captions in Filipino appear on screen, and the English original can be shown alongside.
What about Cebuano, Ilocano and other languages?
Filipino is based on Tagalog, and that is the option ChurchTranslate offers. Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon and the other languages of the Philippines are not available. Most Filipinos from the Visayas or Ilocos understand Filipino well, since it is taught in every school, but it may not be the language they speak at home. Ask your members which they would prefer rather than assume.
Taglish, the mix of Tagalog and English that many Filipinos speak, is also worth a word. If a Filipino priest moves between English and Tagalog in the homily, the translation can stumble on quick switches. Set the speaker language to the language used most and test it first.
Church words
Catholic vocabulary in Filipino is rich, and live translation will not always use the familiar term. ChurchTranslate keeps a terminology list per language and corrects known terms in the captions. It is a help for following the homily, not a replacement for a Filipino Mass.
Cost
A one-hour Mass into Filipino uses 60 credits, only while someone listens. For a parish that needs Filipino only for Simbang Gabi and a few family celebrations, an extra credit pack is often the best fit: 300 credits for $50, and they never expire. See the pricing.