The Blessing of the Salesian Residence in Don Bosco Batulao
Batangas, the Philippines, 19 August 2017 -- As the retreat house or center for spirituality of the Salesian Philippine North Province, the setting commonly known as “Don Bosco Batulao” marked a milestone in its history last Saturday, August 19, 2017. This is no other than the Blessing or Inauguration of the new Salesian Residence. It is the stand-alone building inside the retreat house compound (near the entrance), the living quarters of the confreres assigned in the work.
Thanks to generous benefactors and skillful constructors, the building is a most welcome addition to the complex. For the longest time actually (in fact, since from the very start of Don Bosco Batulao in 1985), the confreres assigned there really never had their own private quarters. They have been occupying only a number of rooms located in the retreat house building itself. These rooms have now been vacated, and are presently being retrofitted to become additional rooms for retreatants and guests. And of course, the confreres are now staying in their newly blessed building. From an aesthetic point of view, the edifice of the Salesian Residence blends well with the main building of the retreat house, as well as with the surrounding natural terrain. Special credit goes to Fr. Benhur Borja, a confrere who was tapped to work on the interior furnishings.
The ceremony last Saturday started punctually at 9 am, presided by Fr. Anthony Paul Bicomong, the FIN Provincial. Several guests graced the joyful occasion: friends and benefactors, lay mission partners and collaborators, and various groups of religious women and men (the Canossian and St. Paul of Chartres sisters, the fathers and brothers of the Servants of the Paraclete, and our young confreres from the FIN-FIS Postnovitiate in Canlubang). Naturally, some of those who used to be assigned in Don Bosco Batulao were also present. The first Rector of the community back in 1985, Fr. Alton Fernandez, graced the occasion. Then, those who were assigned here until last year (namely, Fr. Renato Molina, Fr. Philip Lazatin, and Fr. Richie Santos), who were responsible for the start of the building construction, were also present. Also the nearby Galilee Center (under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines)—with which we Salesians of Don Bosco are in close collaboration regarding renewal and ongoing formation programs—had a representative in attendance. And finally, adding a youthful touch was the animating presence of the DB Batulao Youth Ministry (particularly the community’s scholars).
It is enough to recall that through the years, many an EAO meeting or congress has been held precisely in Batulao, Philippines. Although primarily meant for those assigned in the retreat ministry in the setting, the new facility is surely a welcome addition to the retreat house complex. Indeed, the Salesians who are and will be assigned there now have a place which they can truly call their own: a fitting home for rest and for hospitality.
STUDENT LEADERS’ ASSEMBLY 2017
Makati City, the Philippines, 16 August 2017 -- Last August 15 and 16, 2017, around 400 student leaders from the different Don Bosco schools in the FIN Province gathered at Don Bosco Technical College in Mandaluyong City for their meeting and formation. This annual event started in 2001 when the FIN province celebrated the 50th year of presence of Don Bosco in the country and it has since then been an important event for the different schools in the province.
The Student Leaders’ Assembly or SLA aims at drawing together youth leaders from the different Don Bosco schools in order to share their experiences, to celebrate their shared identity as Bosconians, and to receive input on important topics. The event is supported by the Commission on Youth Ministry’s Office for the Development of the Educational Apostolate (ODEA), but the entire event from planning to execution is all done by the students themselves. Representatives from the different schools meet as early as summer (usually in March or April) to begin planning for the event.
This year’s theme focused on challenging student leaders to go beyond what is expected of them – beyond the minimum. The organizers also chose health and well-being as its advocacy. Through conferences given by renowned speakers, group activities, cultural presentations and prayer experience the message of the gathering has been shared to all the participants. Participants were also given chance to visit and interact with residents of a rehabilitation center and of a home for the aged. Each of the activity was capped by processing and sharing by the participants.
The event concluded with a Eucharistic celebration held in Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City. For the closing remarks, the Vice President of the Philippines, Her Excellency Leonor ‘Leni’ G. Robredo, was kind enough to grace the occasion and give the concluding message to all the participants to this year’s SLA. In her speech, she challenged all those gathered in Don Bosco Makati especially the young people, to be leaders with empathy. She said: “If we are going to effectively build our nation, we need the heart of young people for selfless service—and that begins by looking and listening to our people with empathy. I believe that leaders fueled with empathy who put others’ need before their own, are the kind of leaders that we need.”
A Gracious Return: Don Bosco Academy is Back in Bacolor
Bacolor, the Philippines, 15 August 2017 -- Don Bosco Academy on its 60th year of existence in Pampanga is finally back in Bacolor after 21 years of absence due to the lahar devastation caused by Mt. Pinatubo Eruption on October 1, 1995.
Last August 15, 2017 — during the celebration of the Solemnity of Our Lady’s Assumption, the blessing of the school facilities and buildings were also held.
The celebration started with the Holy Mass. It was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Paul Bicomong, SDB, Provincial Superior of the Philippines-North Province, concelebrated by Salesians from the Provincial House in Makati and Salesians from different Don Bosco schools.
Alumni, past educators, parents, Salesian Cooperators and friends joined the Bosconians of school year 2017-2018 in the said occasion.
A short program was held right after the Holy Mass. Rev. Fr. Ditto Gueco SDB, Director of Don Bosco Academy – Bacolor, delivered his welcoming speech by extending the deepest gratitude of DBA – Bacolor to people who have exerted and extended effort and financial help in making the dream of reopening DBA – Bacolor a reality. A speech was also given by two Bosconians narrating the journey of DBA – Bacolor through the years. Video presentations of DB-Bacolor before the lahar devastation, right after the lahar and 21 years after the lahar scourge were viewed. Right after the program in the gymnasium, Fr. Provincial led the wreath-laying in front of the statue of Don Bosco headed by Mr. Levy Laus, DBA Alumnus, Batch ‘66. The blessing of the renovated buildings followed. Selected parents from every class assisted in the blessing of each classroom and office.
After feeding the soul, a lunch was shared with the guests to feed the body and was indeed a venue for catching up and having bonding moments for Salesians, alumni, parents and past educators of DBA – Bacolor. Candid shots manifested the happiness and gladness in everybody’s face on the said occasion.
DBA – Bacolor aims to bring back the joy and continue to live the dream of Don Bosco in serving God through the young after the hiatus caused by the lahar devastation. It also welcomed female students as Bosconians as it reopened to be a co-educational setup.
DBA – Mabalacat still operates from Kinder to Grade 12 by offering an exclusive-for-boys setup from Kinder to Junior High and co-ed for Grades 11 and 12.
Pampanga may have two Don Bosco Academies but they have only one vision and mission – to mold Good Christians and Upright Citizens of the country remains.
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