MANILA: 29th April 2005 -- As early as the '60's the Filipino Don Bosco Alumni were gathering informally.  By 1980 they had sought, and gained, a legal status in Filipino society.  This year, in May, they celebrate their Silver Jubilee as a Federation.

    The story is one of consistent growth throughout the nation.  There are nine active local associations in the North with the remainder in the South; even one group which consists of former aspirants, seminarians and Salesians.  Two chapters are seeking admission to the Federation - Banquerohan in the North and Lawa-an in the South.

    Interestingly, though there are now two Salesian provinces in the Philippines, the Past Pupils have decided to keep just a single Federation.  Two chapters of Filipino alumni residing in the US, one in Southern California and the other in Washington DC, are seeking recognition as bona fide chapters of the Philippine Federation.

    May 20-22 will see the 26th Convention of the Federation, which will take place at the former US naval base in Subic Bay.  The theme will be Together in Don Bosco's Mission, and will have particular significance as the Past Pupils ratify the memorandum of agreement made between themselves and the Salesians of Don Bosco regarding their partnership in Don Bosco's mission in the Philippines.

    The Past Pupils of Don Bosco in the Philippines expect the Salesians to clearly articulate their vision of building servant-leaders among Filippino youth, and they expect the Salesians to guide them in assimilating this leadership as a genuine Gospel-based lifestyle.  In turn the Past Pupils commit themselves to build their families into homes of servant-leaders, and to spread this Salesian advocacy among their ranks.