By Cl. April Jerome Quinto, SDB

Mabalacat City, the Philippines, 30 November 2016 -- Salesians, Aspirants and Prenovices of the Philippines North Province came together to celebrate the Provincial Community Day in Don Bosco Academy, Mabalacat City, Pampanga, about 80 kilometers north of Manila.

Coinciding with the nation’s commemoration of the Filipino hero, Andres Bonifacio, the provincial community took the holiday to honor the presence and recognize the achievements of confreres. The community of DBA Pampanga welcomed the confreres with a hearty breakfast at 7:00 am. The celebration officially began at 9:00 am with the Holy Mass in the school chapel.The postnovices prepared the liturgy and served in the mass. The aspirants and prenovices animated it with their music and singing. Fr. Alton Fernandez, SDB was the main celebrant and homilist. Among the concelebrants was Fr. Vaclav Klement, SDB, EAO Regional Councillor who was staying for a few days to speak with the Vietnamese confreres in the province. Post communion, those celebrating their jubilees were awarded with a commemorative plaque.

After a short break, a simple program was held in the AVR. Cl. Jules Punsalan and Cl. Jarmy Roxas jumpstarted the program with a funny ice breaker—the confreres danced “PPAP”. Fr. Ditto Gueco, FIN Vice Provincial, gave the opening remarks and expressed the rationale behind the theme, “Salute, My Brother.” Deacon Juvelan Samia and Cl. Jake Caballo took the podium, on behalf of the Commission on Social Communications, to present the achievements of the confreres and communities from 2014-2016. The brothers in Theology beautifully rendered “When You Believe”, the theme song of the animated film, Prince of Egypt—in four voices. Confreres in their forties took the stage for a game which the postnovice brothers prepared. Afterwards, the brothers sang and danced to an original song, “Look up!” by Br. Jomar Castillo and Cl. Julius Ysulan.

The provincial community day was also an opportune time for the communities to express their greetings and present their gifts to Fr. Anthony Paul Bicomong, FIN Provincial Superior, who celebrated his birthday last November 19. As a closing message, Fr. Paul expressed his gratitude and encouraged each confrere to continue giving mutual support and appreciation—strengthening each other’s vocation. Fr. Paul also announced the one who volunteered to be at the helm of the province’s upcoming missionary presence in Malaysia, Fr. Ramon Borja, SDB.

As a practice, the gifts to the provincial from the communities are given to the community who needs financial support. This year Fr. Paul gave them to Don Bosco Tondo. Fr. Gaudencio Carandang, Rector of DB Tondo accepted the gifts and expressed his heartfelt thanks to Fr. Paul and all the communities. Lunch followed. It gave the confreres and aspirants energy for the games which started at 2:00 pm. They played basketball, football, badminton, chess, bocce, swimming and table tennis. Some confreres opted to catch-up with each other while watching the games or in the nooks and cafe which served snacks, beverages, pastries, and ice cream for free.

The day long event of shared meals, stories, and games was indeed a fitting salute—a pat on the back and a sincere gesture to buoy-up the spirit of confreres from fellow confreres in the province.

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