SATMI awarded as a Catholic Cultural Center of the Philippines

The St. Alphonsus Theological and Mission Institute (SATMI) run by the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer or Redemptorists in Bajada, Davao City celebrates its 25th year.
Reflecting on the theme: “SATMI-25: Forming Missionaries for Asia and the World” the entire community both Alumni and current students celebrated their silver jubilee with a celebration of different cultures as these students come from different parts of Asia and the world.
The celebration began with a Jubilee Mass and Cultural Night at the Mother of Perpetual Help Church and followed by a cultural night where the guests, faculty and priest formators are wearing their national costumes.
The executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Culture Sr. Mary Anthony Basa, PDDM delivered an input before the community staged the cultural show.
She noted the differences in the behavior of people since the advent of new technology and gadgets, which also affected the relationship of individuals and families.
After her talk, she awarded the certificate to SATMI naming the institution as a Catholic Cultural Center of the Philippines, the first in Davao City. The certificate was received by the Director of SATMI, Fr. Cruzito Manding, CSsR.
The Episcopal Commission on Culture looks after the preservation of the Church’s cultural heritage. Networking with individuals and groups concerned with churches and church museums, the Commission also hopes to contribute its share in the preservation of the country’s rich Christian heritage.
She cited Basic Human Formation, use of Social Media of Communications, and promotion of Research and Arts as the requisites that led to the awarding of the label of SATMI as Catholic Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Students of SATMI and the youth of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish staged different cultural dances of the Philippines, Africa, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam to the delight of the audience.
SATMI also presented the different projects they did in the Philippines that promote culture and dialogue among the people like the building of classrooms for the Matigsalog tribe who were affected by Typhoon Pablo on December 4, 2012.