November 7, 2023, in Mandaluyong City—At 2:12 pm, Fr. Miguel Ángel García Morcuende, SDB, General Councilor for the Youth Ministry Department of the Salesians of Don Bosco, arrived at the entrance of the Gesù Adolescente Gymnasium of Don Bosco Mandaluyong. The Salesians, Lay Mission Partners, and Bosconians from the Basic Education, College, and TVET Sectors welcomed him with great cheer and excitement.

The warm welcome did not go unrecognized. “Thank you for coming together to welcome me. It was a nice nice gesture. I am very happy to be with you here,” Fr. Miguel remarked.

From the Gesù Adolescente Gymnasium, he was taken to the Savio Auditorium to learn more about Don Bosco Technical College, Mandaluyong, and to meet the student leaders closely.

The short program was emceed by Grade 12 - Kowalski Iszac Regulano and Miss Hannah Canaberal. It opened with a prayer led by Mr. Jade Oropesa, followed by an AVP on what makes DBTC a school, a home for Bosconians.

Select TVET Bosconians roused the assembly from the afternoon lull and entertained Fr. Miguel with an animation dance number, which everyone joined in.

Fr. Miguel reiterated his joy with the welcome he received and thanked the whole community once again for such a kind gesture. He also challenged them to continue dreaming and reaching those dreams. He proposed, "To reach your dreams, you must have three attitudes: hard work, patience, and faith in God."

As the General Councilor for the Youth Ministry Department of the Salesians of Don Bosco Worldwide, Fr. Miguel animates and gives direction to Salesian educative and apostolic activity in its different expressions. He ensures that the priority of our commitment to youth and the influence of the preventive system are achieved in them. Furthermore, he assists the provinces in the development of their pastoral plans and undertakings so that they may be faithful to the spirit of Don Bosco and respond adequately to the needs of the times and different places.

Fr. Ronilo Javines, SDB, President/Rector of DBTC, thanked Fr. Miguel for his presence and recognized the blessings it will bring. "We know that your presence will bring to us so many blessings, in the name of the Rector Major and of Don Bosco. Thank you for always inspiring us to work for the young, especially in the spirit of Saint John Bosco, which is the great gift of God to the world and to the young." He also expressed his hope that Fr. Miguel will remember DBTC Mandaluyong as a Valdocco in the Philippines—a place where the young find a home, a school, a playground, and a church; a place where they experience joy and optimism and a warm welcome from family. Fr. Rector presented a framed caricature of Fr. Miguel and Don Bosco, and a bag of DB Mandaluyong mementos as souvenirs.

It was a short but meaningful visit. Fr. Miguel took the chance to meet the Salesians and the young in the settings of the Philippines North Province as he was en route to Cebu for the East-Asia Oceania Regional meeting for Youth Ministry and the Salesian Family.

Mabuhay, Fr. Miguel!

Photos by Mr. Jonald Anda, Mr. Marlon Jay Sernio, and Mr. Reynante Tagum.