austraLasia #2229


'Assumption' activities in Philippines North province

MANILA: 15th August 2008 -- Not one but two separate reports have come in of intense activity amongst younger confrères in the Philippines North Province (FIN) in honour of Our Lady's Assumption into heaven.
    Firstly at Canlubang, where the post-novitiate community is located, and where it seems the oratory tradition of Don Bosco is very much alive.  On the eve of the Solemnity, aspirants and pre-novices staged the traditional academy in honour the Blessed Mother. It was a chance for aspirants and pre-novices to show something of their acting prowess. They presented a monologue entitled Ang Babae sa Buhay ng mga Seminarista (The Lady in the life of the Seminarians).  It related the personal accounts of four aspirants (Kevin Dimalanta, Jules Punsalan, Rodil Lleandones and Roman Torres) and pre-novice Dennis Maleon. The effort was directed by Fr Noel Sumagui.
    In effect, the monologue offered the reflections of five young men on their affection for the 'special woman' in their lives, and concluded with the question - what happens now that I'm a candidate for Salesian life? Amongst other things it was an amusing glimpse into the very humanity of these candidates. Bro Jomar Castillo wrapped it all up by highlighting the significant role of Mary as THE woman in the life of each candidate and Salesian.      The one responsible for tying all this together into a seamless script was the indomitable Br Donnie Duchin Duya. Of course, in equally long-standing Salesian tradition (and following an original score composed by aspirants Nathan Petate and Reggie Bernardo), the evening was completed with the Good Night by Fr Rolo Alcasid, the Rector,  who challenged the aspirants and pre-novices and other members of the community to imitate Mary in her humanity.
    On the Feast Day itself, and at the theologate further north in Manila, the Seminaryo ng Don Bosco community witnessed the renewal of temporary vows of four Vietnamese confrères, two of whom are in their second year of theological studies (Peter Truong and Joseph Son) and two in their first year (Vincent Hai and Peter Quang).  Peter is a lay Salesian.  Fr Danilo Torres, Vice Provincial, received their vows.  As they knelt before the altar, two witnesses stood beside them in the persons of Fr Alton Fernandez and Bro. Helder Gutterez.
    Vincent Hai and Peter Quang spent their practical training years at Don Bosco Canlubang. Peter Truong and Joseph Son, instead, completed their practical training in FIS Province based in Cebu.

(note: Bro Anusit Chanpen, our Thai correspondent from Sampran, is anxious that readers know he was wrongly reported to be a third year practical trainee at Sampran in #2227. He is, instead, a third year philosophy student.  We are happy to note this correction, as we are also happy to note the increasing contribution by young Salesians to news events in and around the Region).
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Title: australasia 2229
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces FIN (also FIS and VIE). Assumption
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2229