Don Bosco Mati Turns 25

MATI CITY — The Don Bosco Salesian Community and the Training Center (DBTC-Mati) celebrated its Silver Founding Anniversary just last month. With this milestone, the Salesian Community in Mati organized a 6-day celebration from August 13 – 18, 2017 filled with various activities within the compound in Dahican, City of Mati. On 13 August 2017, Sunday, about a hundred of alumni, owners and representatives of partner industries, personnel from government agencies, and Salesians formerly assigned in Mati, graced the occasion as DBTC-Mati recognized the contribution and support of various individuals by awarding them plaques and souvenirs.

The day opened with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass presided by Bishop Emeritus Patricio H. Alo, DD. It was during the Eucharistic Celebration that a Plaque of Recognition was given to Bishop Alo as a sign of gratitude for his being the instrument of the coming of the Salesians to Mati. After the Mass, the life-sized Statue of St. John Bosco with St. Dominic Savio was unveiled by two pioneering Salesians: Fr. Franco Uras, SDB, the first Salesian in Mati who started all the works, and Fr. Marcelino Benabaye, SDB, who served as Rector for quite a long duration.

During the recognition, three alumni were awarded as the Most Distinctive Alumni for upholding the mission of Don Bosco Mati. They were: (1) Mr. Alfredo Germo and (2) Mr. Benjo A. Tibudan—two of the technical trainees who are now already running their own individual companies employing young Bosconians; and (3) Mr. Michael Nick Tuvilla, who was a trainee turned supervisor in the company he is working with and training in-charge of the young Bosconians deployed therein. Besides the three, Plaques of Recognition were also given to present Industry Partners from Davao City, Cebu, Manila, and Government Agencies such as Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) represented by the OIC-Provincial Director Ms. Leah D. Braga, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) represented by Mr. Joseph D. Vingno to name a few, and to the Rabat family and Office of the Mayor received by Vice-Mayor Glenda Rabat-Gayta.

Other Salesians present during the occasion were: former priests assigned in Mati like Fr. Alan Ross P. Banogon, SDB, Fr. Ronald G. Guiao, SDB, Fr. Ramon Pacada, SDB, and the present Salesians assigned in Mati headed by Fr. Rey Jude B. Albarando, SDB the rector/parish priest, Fr. Rex M. Carbilledo, SDB, the vice-rector/training director, Fr. Ariel M. Arias, SDB, the administrator, Bro. Lamberto D. Tena, SDB, the vocation director, and Bro. Joseph Son, SDB.

Cultural activities were held, showcasing the different talents of the trainees. On the Feast of Mary’s Assumption, the celebration continued with the Eucharistic Sacrifice held at the Don Bosco—Sacred Heart Parish Church, followed by the recitation of the Holy Rosary at the covered court, and thanksgiving offering to Mother Mary and St. John Bosco. The spiritual exercises concluded with the final blessing in front of Don Bosco’s statue. In the evening, a dinner was hosted for the religious and other priests of the diocese of Mati. Other events were sports organized for the trainees, and for the invited schools that participated in the invitational ball games—basketball, volleyball, and football. Indeed, all was a manifestation of how grateful Don Bosco-Mati is for the past 25 years, and how hopeful they are for the years to come!