Don Bosco-Naga celebrates 25 years

By Myrna S. Bermudo 

“Remember, Celebrate, Grow.”  This is the theme of the Silver Anniversary of Don Bosco Training Center of Naga. Series of activities were prepared to celebrate this milestone. Events which were posted on its FB account, were celebrated by include its alumni, present trainees, industry partners, benefactors, parishioners of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish (OLMCP), and other stakeholders. 

The 3rd Alumni Homecoming kicked off the celebration on December 30, followed by the start of Novena to Don Bosco in January 22.  A bloodletting and HIV Awareness Seminar on January 23,  zumba/fun run and intramurals on January 30.  The Foundation celebration was celebrated on January 31, Feast of St. John Bosco where a Holy Mass, palaro and Gabi ng Parangal were held. Baraylihan, raffle draw and first aid and fire fighting seminar were scheduled for February while Salesianity Formation, Career and professional development, catechism and monthly meetings are scheduled every First Friday of the month. 

“Don Bosco-Naga is grateful to everyone who made the 25years of serving the young a success. Divine providence through our partners and benefactors made this possible,” said the institution on social media. “We shall continue to form the young in becoming good Christians and honest citizens as we provide quality technical education.”

Don Bosco Training Center of Naga, Inc. is a non-stock non -profit Catholic school administered by the Salesians. 

Fr. Abner M. Santos, SDB, rector and technical director of Don Bosco Training of Naga, Inc., (tall person at the center) poses with Don Bosco Naga industry partners where trainees are sent for OJT. They came from Bulacan, Manila and Naga City to join the silver jubilee celebration of the Don Bosco - Naga. (photo credit: Don Bosco Training of Naga FB page)

Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) has been in the Archdiocese of Caceres in 1994.  They administer the Parish of Our Lady of  Mt. Carmel in Carolina and is recognized for its parish/pastoral ministry and its empowerment of the youth through its technical-vocational education and training program (TVET) since 1998. 

Fr. Arnold M. Sanico, SDB is the parish priest of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish and Fr. Abner M. Santos is the Rector and Technical Director of the TVET school. 

Don Bosco Training Center of Naga envisions to be a premier provider of technical - vocational education founded on the pedagogical teachings of St. John Bosco. Attuned to a sustainable Earth, and in the service of the poor youth of the Bicol Region, forming them into good Christians and upright citizens. It is located in Zone 3, Km. 13, Carolina, Naga City. 

“Don Bosco-Naga is now powered by Solar Energy: through the help of a benefactor, Don Bosco-Naga has installed on January 13, 2023 a 10kwh grid tie solar energy that will be utilized for the training delivery and operation of the TVET Center,” said the school on social media. “This move supports the commitment of the training center of becoming a Green TVET Institution.” 

On January 31, Feast of St. John Bosco, a program was held to show appreciation to all its partners, benefactors, and sponsors who has been helping the center fulfill its mission. Dubbed as “Gabi ng Parangal”, the day started with a holy mass with Caceres Archbishop Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, as the mass presider. Concelebrating priests were: Fr. Arnold Sanico, SDB and Fr. David Buenaventura, SDB.

Fr. Abner M. Santos, SDB, Rector/Technical Director, presented the journey of the training center when it was founded in 1999. He also shared his vision as to where Don Bosco Naga shall journey after its 25 years of serving the youth of Bicol region. He gave tribute to the people who has embraced to take part in its mission through their generous donations. These donations are helping the operation of the training center whose trainees came from poor families.

“In celebration of its 25th Anniversary, the training center hopes that given its theme may it bring about the following values to its stakeholders--Grateful, Joyful, Fruitful,” enthused Fr. Abe Santos, technical director of Don Bosco Training Center of Naga, Inc.