By Josephine Sager and Arlene Abital
Photographs by: Christina Delgado, Arlene Abital and Maria Fatima Alipio, Fr. Ariel Macatangay sdb and Fr. Angel Sanchez sdb
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, August 16, 2015 - “What is Don Bosco asking of you as you celebrate the Bicentenary of his Birth?” asked Archbishop Michael Banach as he celebrated the Solemn Thanksgiving Eucharist in the newly-constructed gymnasium at Caritas Technical Secondary School on the 16th of August 2015. His Excellency, Apostolic Nuncio to Papua New Guinea was joined by Fr. Peter Baquero, SDB- PNG/SI Delegate, Fr. Manuel Camilri Rodo, SDB, Maltese priest, Salesian confreres, religious, campers, benefactors, well-wishers and the entire Salesian Family at the end of an enjoyable, interesting and well- executed eight-day celebration. The huge gymnasium was filled to capacity with each distinct group in their uniforms and with a Don Bosco neckerchief.
“Don Bosco wants you to live a fruitful life with a firm stand for what you believe in. Be the best in your search for God, as you do in sports and other things. Choose good friends that will bring out the best in you. Secondly, follow good role models like Don Bosco who chose to imitate St. Francis de Sales. And finally, make sure you help others who are in need”, said the Archbishop in his homily on the solemn occasion. Referring to the dream of Don Bosco of the ship between the two pillars with the Holy Father, the Archbishop emphasized love of Jesus in the Eucharist and Mary Help of Christians.
Minister for Sports and Moresby South MP Hon. Justin Tkatchenko graced the occasion. He was presented a token of appreciation for his constant support to the Salesian Family. After lunch, DBTI, DBTS, DB Araimiri and CTSS rode the waiting trucks, school and city buses for the longest motorcade of Papua New Guinea.
Headed by Fr. Louie Castaneda, SDB-Rector, preparations for the event commenced over a year ago with big bold letters on the soccer field. Practices for the competitions and cultural events commenced several months ago. Constant inspiration was drawn from the statue of Don Bosco that proudly stands at the center of all the activities and close to the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians. The statue of Don Bosco was blessed by the Rector Major Fr. Ángel Fernandez Artime, tenth successor of St. John Bosco on his recent visit to PNG.
Don Bosco Technological Institutes’ FAMILY DAY with its theme ‘Don Bosco Nau na Oltaim’ (Don Bosco Now and Forever) celebrated on the 8th of August, kicked off the celebrations. Families, Alumni and friends enjoyed the feast, a celebration where games were played, food was shared and everyone enjoyed themselves.
Mr. Julius Ovia and his wife Elizabeth, active members of the Youth for Christ (YFC) and Couples for Christ (CFC) associations spoke about the Christian family. He was full of praise for the institution that forms the character of the students and prepares them to build good Christian families. “Home is where parents transmit values, mold their children and train them to be independent. The father’s role is that of a provider and protector. The mother nurtures and ensures that the needs of each one are met”. He spoke of obedience and respect and said that if parents are absent, the young will go astray. He highlighted the fact that the family is a domestic church and ‘the family that prays together, stays together’. Testimonies and experiences from parents and students highlighted the importance of a family.
The TALENT SHOW on the 10th of August showcased dancers, singers, rappers and stage performers. The Taekwondo Exhibition was awesome! It manifested achievement through discipline and caught everyone’s attention. The group that drew the largest applause was the DBTI SOTIS (children of the staff). Native dancers as young as two years amazed the audience by their innocence. ‘Do not sin’ was the theme of the 3rd year students, whose scary masks and actions got the kids screaming. Each class technology, Alumni, Don Bosco Gabutu and the whole of the DBTI family had a chance to display their talent. The rhythm of the FMA Sisters and Salesians added colour to the traditional and modern dances of the students.
The QUIZ BEE, on the 11th of August, spearheaded by Fr. Pedro Sachitula, SDB was interesting. The preparation and elimination rounds were held weeks earlier. Students from different technologies and even the staff competed with each other with the first year Computer ‘C’ class emerging as the winners. Sr. Carmencita Rodriguez, FMA, Fr.Pankaj Xalxo, SDB and Mr. Joseph Mafagana were the judges.
The CULTURAL SHOW held on the 12th of August was against the backdrop ‘Our Culture, Our Treasure.’ Guest speaker, Mr. Ombone Kaiku, Director for Policy, Planning and Research Division from the National Cultural Commission reiterated the same in his speech as he spoke of the diverse backgrounds depicted by the colourful hair dresses, the ornaments, songs and dances. “Preserving it in museums, safeguard its aspects and celebrating culture, enables us understand what life was like in ancient times”, he said. He appreciated the efforts of parents and guardians for passing on their traditions to future generations. The show was held on the soccer field and later moved to the gymnasium due to the extreme heat. After proudly presenting all their dances, there was revelry as both dancers and spectators joined in the final dance. Mr. A. K. Samantha, representative from the Indian High Commission was present on the occasion.
The SPORTS FEST and OPEN HOUSE were held on the 13th of August. Games were simultaneously played before and after class hours and the running score accumulated. Dressed in their new uniforms the students were grouped into the first ten schools and oratories of St. John Bosco (Valdocco, Becchi, Morialdo, Capriglio, Castelnuovo, Chieri, Turin, Rome, Mirabello and Valsalice). In the afternoon they were grouped according to their Sports Fest teams. Mr. Brendon and Ms. Sandra led everybody in song and dance to the tune of Hepi Bondei Don Bosco, a song composed by Fr. Angel Sanchez, SDB, as the theme song for the Bicentenary celebrations. Pacific Industries added to the fun of this festive occasion by sponsoring the parlor games and awarding the winning teams with sports items and gifts.
In the afternoon, guided workshops and facilities tours were organized for the secondary schools like POM National High School, POM Grammar, Badili Vocational Centre, Paradise High School Kopkop College and Port Moresby International School. Representatives from the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations and the USA Embassy were also present.
The day concluded with the awarding of the Rector’s Shield to the overall champion, the Third Year students. There was also a Futsal exhibition game between DBTI and representatives from the PNG Football association. Several Filipino nurses volunteered their services during the events.
The Bicentenary Camp commenced on 14th and concluded on the 16th August with the celebration of the Thanksgiving Eucharist. It brought together roughly two thousand men and women from the different Salesian institutes of Port Moresby. Don Bosco Araimiri, from the Gulf province joined in as well. Resource person from Malta, Fr. Emmanuel Camilri Rodo, SDB, shared his experiences as a young man in his talk ‘Holiness in PNG, Now and in the Future’. He encouraged the Bosconians to transform society through personal holiness and the performance of their duty. “Be optimistic, do things with joy and avoid bad companions”, was his message to the campers. The next morning the campers began the day with the Turin Experience: Pilgrimage with Mary and Don Bosco. The oratory children had a wonderful day of games and activities with the aspirants of Savio Haus and the campers.
The students of Don Bosco Araimiri in collaboration with Don Bosco Technological Institute, Boroko and Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu staged Don Bosco, the musical on the Feast of the Assumption of Our Blessed Mother. The musical directed by Fr. Clifford Morais, SDB executed to finesse was a feast for the eyes. The excellent production of song and dance, coordinated choreography, dazzling lights and sound highlighted the struggles in the life of Don Bosco. Present in the audience together with the campers were the Philippine and Indonesian Ambassadors to Papua New Guinea, Religious congregations and other visitors. Fr. Clifford expressed his thanks to Fr. Louie Castaneda, DBTI and everyone present for all the support in making the musical a grand success.
At the close of the events on the 16th of August, acknowledging with gratitude the presence and contribution of everyone Fr. Peter Baquero, SDB- PNG/SI Delegate challenged us to a life of personal sanctity. “Don Bosco’s pedagogy of education is to bring people closer to Jesus. Don Bosco is a man of God, a man of charism. May these celebrations help us walk constantly in the footsteps of Don Bosco”, said Fr. Peter at the end of the celebrations.
