By Fr. Randy Figuracion, SDB

Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, October 10, 2015 - The St. John Bosco Exhibit’s Mindanao Tour opened in Ayala – Centrio in Cagayan de Oro City. It began with the ribbon cutting on October 10, 2015 with Ms. Patricia Mendez, the Mall’s Marketing Manager as guest accompanied by Fr. Joriz Calsa, SDB the Chairperson of the Commission of Youth Ministry of the South Province.

“St. John Bosco: God’s Gift to the Young” is a travelling exhibit which aims at spreading the knowledge and devotion to the Patron of Youth in the Southern Philippines. It has come to Cagayan de Oro, a first class and highly urbanized city which is the capital of Misamis Oriental, as its final stop. It is available for public viewing until Friday, October 16, 2015.

The activity is still part of a series of events celebrating the 200th birth anniversary of the Father and Teacher of Youth. #DB200 shares basic information on the life and charism of the saint who inspired many in the way they relate to poor and abandoned youth.

The Exhibit has been made possible through the efforts of Fr. Bernard Nolasco in partnership with the Ayala Malls, Philippine Airlines and Wilkris Appliance Corporation. It is also supported by the three FIS Offices namely, Commission on Social Communications, Commission on Youth Ministry and the Office of the Vocation Director.

St. John Bosco and his works is little known in Mindanao, the second largest and southernmost major island of the Philippines. In Cagayan de Oro specifically, known as the “gateway of northern Mindanao” because of its accessibility and business growth, the salesians are not present. The city is one of the most progressive and competitive cities in the Philippines with a population of more than 600, 000 people making it the 10th most populous city of the country. This initiative could be a seed for St. John Bosco to be rooted also in this part of the country.