By Our Own Correspondent

Victorias, Negros, the Philippines, 5 April 2019 -- The history of the Salesian charism in the Philippines started from Victorias, a small town in Negros Island, far away from Manila, in 1951.

Quite a unique setting, located within (!) the VICMICO (Victoria Milling Company - one of the 25 sugar mills in Negros island) compound, that is celebrating already 100 years next May 2019 . During the glorious days there were more than 6500 workers and Don Bosco catered mostly for the children of the staff.

Today the 7 Salesian strong community of Victorias (Rector Fr. Eligio Santos, Parish Priest: Fr. Donato Offina) animates a large Educative Pastoral Community and Salesian Family composed of Parish of St. Joseph the Worker: with 30 chapels, 6 staff and 9 catechists teaching in Victorias public schools, DBTI (Don Bosco Technical Insitute) Elementary - High School - 1069 students (since 2015 also girls), 50 faculty and 33 staff; Don Bosco Training Center (TVET) and Accredited Testing Center: 140 trainees and 10 instructors; Boarding house: 50 boy students (high school), staff boarding house; Sunday Oratory: within the SJW Parish and its’ haciendas (150-200 children and youth); Agricultural farm (2 hectars) and SF with one FMA community (Malihay), Alumni of Don Bosco: 7000 DBTI graduates during last 68 years of our presence and Salesian Cooperators: 30, Center attached to the FMA community and also one SDB offere his ministry as VDB Ecclesiastical Assistant.

Deeply rooted Salesian traditions of Victorias are kept alive through every new generation of our Salesians, youth and lay mission partners. Among the young people there are every year some, who try to follow the path of Don Bosco as our candidates to Salesian consecrated life, since a good number of Salesians was educated in Victorias. We wish and pray, that a true vocation culture nourished by prayer, accompaniment, service and personal search will help our Bosconians of Victorias also today to walk the path of Don Bosco!

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