Vibrant Don Bosco Novena in Cebu DBTC
(Don Bosco Technological College)
Cebu, the Philippines, 24 January 2019 -- The nine days of Novena to Don Bosco, in the Cebu Salesian Mother-house of the Southern Province (1954) are really vibrant. The whole EPC of the Basic Education (grade 1-12), DB Technological College (BA degree courses), TVET (4 sections), DB Youth Center, Parents and Teachers Association and Don Bosco Alumni joint their hands in this long celebrations. The 11 confreres strong SDB community (Rector Fr Geronimo Honesto, Jr 'Nioret') of 10 priest and one practical trainees is the sould of these celebrations.
Morning Eucharist of the complete student and teachers body (8PM) in the large gym, with all 1700 students and most of the 170 lay mission partners is a strong festive daily experience. Indeed the boys of DBTC consider the Founders Days most exciting and joyful events during the whole year, in comparison to all other Christmas, Easter, May, October of Immaculate Conception Feasts. Each Mass is animated with great care and devotion, involving each member of the large EPC.
On the last January Sunday is usually held the Family Feast of the DBTC with participation of all parents and family of our student, a true fiesta with sport and cultural events (drama, music, basketball and football games) as well with the well participated 12 km Fun-Run in the streets of Cebu. This year there was a special surprise for the first time with an artificial snow before the arrival line of the Fun-Run.
Since last 1954, for long 65 years more than 15.000 Bosconians got in the heart of Cebu a good Christian and Civil education. The Association of Don Bosco Alumni is involved in many ways to support the education in daily life as well many meaningful events during each school year.
Yes, there are also many challenges on the way, to adjust the technical education to the fast changing development of Filipino industry and society. There is one beautiful outreach in the western part of Cebu island with an original Valdocco like poverty of VTC (Vocation training center) for the poorest youth of the countryside, there is an outreach to the Juvenile detention center (second chance) in Cebu and many other mission fields still waiting to be strengthen.
We pray to Don Bosco, to continue to inspire and guide us. Saint John Bosco, Pray for us!
