Sunday 28 February 2011: Vocation Jamboree

Today some animators and leaders from the DBYC and also some trainees attended the Vocationa Jamboree at Mabolo Semenary in Cebu City. The theme was Jesus Calls... Sign up and Pray. Over 5,000 young people attended the event with over 50 different orders present such as the Dominicans and Augustinians. The young people prayed, had question and answer session, discussions with their fellow young people, singing, dancing, as well as confession and mass. The focus was on sharing about what you dream for the future and your desires in life. There was the hope that the young people would accept God in the life and perhaps if they were called join religious life.

Saturday 27 February 2011: Bro. Carlo runs the Death March - 160km

Bro Carlo ran the 160km ultramarathon in memory of those who lost their lives in the Bataan Death March. 

In 1941, during World War II, the Japanese forces landed on the Philippines islands which were held by the Americans. The Japanese committed many atrocities to the Filipinos. In 1942 the Japanese forced 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war to march up to 65 miles on foot with little food, water or medical help for over one week. Anyone who was unable to keep up with the pace was shot and left behind. No one knows the exact death toll but it is reported to be anywhere between 6,000 and 11,000. Allied forces proclaim that only 54,000 of the 72,000 prisoners survived. 

Thursday 24 February 2011: Savio's trip to the Eco House

Each group organizes their own activities and trips outside the youth center. Today the Savio Friends club organized a trip to visit Archival's Eco House in Talamban.

The young people were given a personal tour around the complex. They were shown the plants which could remove the impurities in the water collected from the house that was used for washing, pigs whose waste was collected to make bio gas,organic vegetables, worms used to make compost and much more. The house itself is made from recycled objects such as seats made from drinks cans. It was a great trip for the group and really opened their eyes to the need to reuse, recycle and reduce in order to help the environment.

Savio Group with former Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival

 

Thursday 24 February and Friday 25 February 2011: Charter Day and EDSA Day

Filipino's celebrate Charter Day and EDSA Day with two national holidays. 

February 24 is Charter Day celebrating the day in 1937 when Cebu finally became a chartered city. despite being the more important city before Manila arrived with the oldest street, Magellan's cross and Fort San Pedro. Cebu City is now known as the Queen City of the South. 

February 25 is EDSA day, a very important date in the Filipino calendar. Once the Japanese lost the war in 1945 the Americans returned to the Philippines. They recognized the independence of the country but still were very influential. A republican form of government was introduced into the country following the American model. In 1972 President Marcos declared martial law. He dismantled the legislature, closed all the mass media outlets and installed a dictatorship. The period saw the economy decline, human rights violated, a communist movement develop and the Muslim groups grow. There was great public dissatisfaction and in 1986 an event known as 'People Power' occurred. Thousands of citizens gathered together in protest of the Marcos regime. Men, women, old and young gathered with flowers and rosaries in a face off with tanks and armed soldiers in a totally peaceful affair. The incident occurred at Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, hence the name EDSA. The event caused Marcos to flee to the country to America. It was a non violent event which finally toppled the dictator.  

Saturday 19 February 2011: A Saintly Love

This evening there was a special performance by the DBYC for Valentines Day. Each group has their own patron saint, such as St. Dominic Savio. The groups had to come up with their own performance of either dancing, singing or acting to show their love to their patron saint. The title of the event was 'A Saintly Love: expression of one's faith towards God'. The performances were really good ranging from action packed drama with sound effects, modern twists on the life story of the saints and dancing and singing. The DBYC band also performed. Prizes were given for the best performances; Knights of the Altar came third, second prize went to Friends of Laura Vicuna and first prize was won by the Childrens Choir. All the performances can be viewed below. 

Monday 14 February: Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was celebrated in a special way this evening. It was turned into Gratitude Day! 

Within the DBYC there are 8 groups: Savio Friends Club, Sports Club, Biblos, Auxilium, Knights of the Altar, Juventus, Friends of Laura Vicuna and Children's Choir. For each group there are two or more Animators or youth leaders; Jovit, Mirasol, Fritz, Theresa, Godwin, Ildie, Cheann, Cheche, Cris, Daryl, Stephen, Nova, Shuan, Lorenz, Johnfran and Jika. 

As a surprise for the animators Buboy, the President of the DBYC, had organized that all the children from the different groups show their gratitude to their animators. The children made paper flowers, hearts and cards for their animators. The animators really work so hard to keep the center running and to develop the talents and faith of all the DBYC members. As one animator later wrote of his Facebook status: "To all DBYC of Pasil on behalf of the animators thank you for the short program, the balloons, letters and the hearts you gave to the animators, it was a heart warming experience for us. Happy Valentines Day!"

Friday 11 February: Prayer Rally

Today the students of DBTC took part in a prayer rally against the new Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011 (also known as the RH Bill) which has currently been passed by the Senate and has now moved to the next house.

To read about the rally in the local paper click here: www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/forces-against-rh-bill

Sunday 6 February 2011: KOA go hiking

Every Sunday two novices Bro. Jake and Bro. Nino visit Pasil. They spent three months exposure time in Pasil last year so know the children of DBYC very well. Today, they took KOA (Knights of the Altar) hiking. The youth walked to a shrine which housed a statue of Mama Mary, to a small zoo where they got to see many animals such as snakes, tigers, alligators and birds, and finally to the Chinese Taoist Temple in Cebu City as it is Chinese New Year. It was a fantastic, even if tiring, day out. 

Friday 4 January 2011: Viewing of the Youth Night Video

This evening the DBYC youth all sat down after the rosary to watch themselves on the big screen. A projector was set up in the youth center and the video of Youth Night from Saturday January 8 2011 was played. The children loved watching themselves and there was lots of laughter and cheering.

The 11 videos are here:

February 19 and March 12 2011: Seeking new Trainees

Announcement:

What: Entrance examination schedule for the new applicants of trainees

Where: Don Bosco Training Center, L. Flores Street, Pasil, Cebu City

When: February 19, 2011 - 1st batch, March 12, 2011 - 2nd batch 

Who: Open to all boys and girls aged 17-25 years old. At least a high school graduate with a good moral character and interested to work. 

Requirements: Birth certificate, High School card or High School diploma

Registration fee of Php. 100.00