Tonight was the party of the DBYC. All the children dressed up for the occasion and waited in anticipation for the party to begin after the rosary was said.
Wednesday 22 December 2010: DBTC Christmas Party and Caroling Contest
Today was the Christmas party for the trainees. There was a caroling contest where each section performed a Christmas song and prizes were given for the winning group. There were also individual performances and renditions on the guitar, base guitar and drums. The trainees also played the party game 'Eat all you can' - teams must take it in turn to eat something from a plastic bag as quickly as possible, for example a bread roll. It was a lot of fun and the expressions on the faces of the trainees were priceless!
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| Machine Shop Seniors - Bragion |
Tuesday 21 December 2010: Pasil's playground of hope
Today a very good and descriptive article appeared in 'The Freeman' a local newspaper describing the work of Don Bosco Pasil by Marisar Ivy Cabatingan.
"Pasil is identified as one of Cebu City's most depressed areas. It is popular not only for its fish market but also fr its notoriety being considered as one of the city's hotbeds of criminality and the breeding ground of many things illegal.
However, more than being known for its thriving fish market and more than having a tainted public image, a closer look at impoverished Pasil will make one realize that it is also home to thousands of families fated to suffer the sad and devastating consequences of poverty. And as in all cases poverty affects children the hardest.
It was because of this reality forty years ago that inspired the Don Bosco Fathers and Brothers to involve themselves, organize and establish the Don Bosco Training and Youth Center in Pasil. With the mission of helping out children living in poverty and hopelessness, the center was built to reach out and provide guidance to out-of-school youths of Pasil who would otherwise be victims of various kinds of social evils when left unattended to.
"Pasil is identified as one of Cebu City's most depressed areas. It is popular not only for its fish market but also fr its notoriety being considered as one of the city's hotbeds of criminality and the breeding ground of many things illegal.
However, more than being known for its thriving fish market and more than having a tainted public image, a closer look at impoverished Pasil will make one realize that it is also home to thousands of families fated to suffer the sad and devastating consequences of poverty. And as in all cases poverty affects children the hardest.
It was because of this reality forty years ago that inspired the Don Bosco Fathers and Brothers to involve themselves, organize and establish the Don Bosco Training and Youth Center in Pasil. With the mission of helping out children living in poverty and hopelessness, the center was built to reach out and provide guidance to out-of-school youths of Pasil who would otherwise be victims of various kinds of social evils when left unattended to.
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 December 2010: The relic of St. John Bosco vists Pasil
The weekend had finally arrived when the relic of Don Bosco would visit Pasil! Everyone was extremely excited and the center was buzzing with activity.
The relic van which had transported the relic from its starting point in Italy, driven by two Italians and no one else, travelled from the Cathedral in Cebu City to the entrance to the area of Pasil. The streets had been cleaned of rubbish and the street vendors had been asked the move for the special occasion. The streets had never looked so wide! There were cheers and shouts of welcome when the van of Don Bosco arrived. The casket was unloaded and moved onto an open lorry. The lorry processed through the streets of Pasil to the center. There were many people lining the streets and clambering over roofs to try and get a better glimpse of the relic and flowers were thrown by spectators onto the relic. There was also a marching band and traditional native Sinulog dancers to accompany the relic to the center. Once inside the center a special hand over ceremony was conducted when the representative from the Cathedral officially gave the relic to the center and the casket could take its pride of place on the stage. A special welcome mass was then held by Fr. Andy, rector of the parish of St. Nino.
Saturday 18 December: Don Bosco Quiz
The trainees competed in a quiz this morning organised by the two pre-novices. Earlier in the week a mini quiz had been held. The top 10 trainees from that quiz were the main contestants. There were cash prizes and gifts which had been donated by the Salesian family. It was a very tight contest with it coming down to tie break questions. The crowd were able to win prizes too.
First prize was won by Edmund Paquibot. Second prize was given to Dixter Torreon and third prize went to Kevin Fernandez.
First prize was won by Edmund Paquibot. Second prize was given to Dixter Torreon and third prize went to Kevin Fernandez.
Friday 17 December 2010: Preparations for the Relic of Don Bosco
Preparations are now coming to a close as Don Bosco's relic will travel from Boys Home, Liloan, to the Cathedral in Cebu City and arrive at Don Bosco Pasil at 4pm on Saturday 18th. Preparations started months ago and there are many committees which have involved the whole community. The center is now full of activity as people are busy preparing for this special event.
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| The stage which is being built |
16-24 December 2010: Misa de Gallo
Today is the start of Misa de Galio. For the next nine days before Christmas there will be a dawn mass at 4:30am and an evening mass at 8:00pm. It is a Filipino belief that if you attend mass every day during this period then your wishes and desires will come true, such as a sick relative becoming healed. The Church was so full this morning that it overflowed!! People brought out chairs and benches to sit in the street.
To read more about this event in a local newspaper click here:
The tradition continues | Sun.Star Network Online
To read more about this event in a local newspaper click here:
The tradition continues | Sun.Star Network Online
Sunday 12 December 2010: Graduation
Today was the 53rd Commencment Exercises of the trainees. All trainees attended and the parents of those graduating. After the mass the trainees processed into the center and were presented to Fr. Adrian Mendoza, SDB (Rector/Parish Priest), Fr. Abundio Bacatan, SDB (Youth Director/Administrator) and Bro. Carlo Mango Bacalla, SDB (Training Director) to be presented with their certificates.
The new graduates swore loyalty to the center by pledging, "I, a graduate of the skills and training program, do hereby solemnly swear that I will uphold the honor of my Alma Mater, Don Bosco Training Center, promise to cherish the dignity of the labor and to do my duties with industry, persverance and honesty. I also promise to dedicate all the skills, knowledge and ability which I have aquired for the betterment of my own life as well as my community and my country in general. So help me God ..."
The new graduates swore loyalty to the center by pledging, "I, a graduate of the skills and training program, do hereby solemnly swear that I will uphold the honor of my Alma Mater, Don Bosco Training Center, promise to cherish the dignity of the labor and to do my duties with industry, persverance and honesty. I also promise to dedicate all the skills, knowledge and ability which I have aquired for the betterment of my own life as well as my community and my country in general. So help me God ..."
Wednesday 8 December 2010: Don Bosco Youth Center celebrating the feast of Mary's Immaculate Conception
The Don Bosco Youth members celebrated the feast of the Immaculate Conception by organizing a special rosary and special games as their expression of love and devotion to Mary. All the activities in the Don Bosco Youth Center (DBYC) were made special because of a special feast in honor of our Blessed mother the Immaculate Conception.
The program started with the holy rosary which was done by walking around the center carrying the blessed mother. After the rosary, Fr. Bonni, SDB, gave the Good Night Talk (GNT) to the youth by giving information and speaking about the significance of the Immaculate Conception and at the same time giving them "formation".
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| The decorations were made by the Auxilium Sodality |
Wednesday 8 December 2010: Feast Day of Mary's Immaculate Conception - Training Center
“Mary Our Mother”
By: Filjan Tolibas
Can we pause for a moment and think of an experience in which our mothers have shown how much they have sacrificed their lives out of their great love for us.
When we were still babies our mother took good care of us. She offered her life and time so that we would become healthy and be good children in the future. She woke up early in the morning just to prepare food. And when we needed something our mother was always there to address our needs. When we wanted attention she was there to cuddle us and make us happy. When we were hurt, mother was always there to comfort and to tell us not to worry for “Mama is here”. She is always there for us. A mother’s love for her child is unbounded. This love shows no limits; it goes beyond borders. Truly, this is a love that is truly willing to sacrifice oneself.
Our blessed Mother loves us so much to the point of sacrificing her own Happiness and freedom by saying “Yes” to the call of God, to become the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Angel Gabriel told Mary "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" Mary was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, Luke 1:26-38. From the very beginning she knew already that as mother of our Lord it takes great responsibiltyand sacrifeces. But despite of that she still say YES to the call. Can you even imagine how she must have felt at that time?
December 2010: The coming visit of Don Bosco's Relic
On December 5 Don Bosco's relic will arrive in the Philippines and the preparations are well underway. The relic will visit Don Bosco Pasil over night on Saturday 18 December and everyone is very excited. The relic left Italy in June 2009 and is making its way around the five continents of the world to visit all the Salesian regions.
The relic consists of an urn which contains a replica of St. John Bosco's remains as displayed for veneration in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Valdocco, Turin. The urn contains Don Bosco's right hand which has been carefully preserved. The sculptured face is made with Don Bosco's own death mask.
The visit of the Don Bosco relic is in preparation for 2015 which marks the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco's birth near Turin in Italy on August 16 1815.
December 1 and 2 2010: Caroling
The DBYC have been treated to special caroling performances over the last two nights.
The first to perform were the Seminarians from the Don Bosco Formation Center. They were dressed in Santa hats. They danced and sang many Christmas songs and had their own band provide the music.
The first to perform were the Seminarians from the Don Bosco Formation Center. They were dressed in Santa hats. They danced and sang many Christmas songs and had their own band provide the music.
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