Don Bosco Davao: Tending The Lord's Flock-article About Davao Boys' Town

Shepherding The Lord’s Flock A Story about the Salesian work in Don Bosco, Maa, Davao City

“I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) Introduction The boys of Davao Boys’ Town here in Maa, Davao City, are among the poorest in the area. Many, if not all are from impoverished families in the different places all over the city. And each of them has his own special story to tell. Journeying with these boys in this apparently isolated spot are the Salesians who have every reason to boast. This is so since it is paramount for every Salesian to have unequivocal desire to be with the marginalized young boys of society and love them and make them feel that they are loved1. And this vocational imperative ultimately comes from the Lord Jesus, who as the good shepherd, takes care of his flock and is even willing to lay down his life for them (John 10:11) and who has called every committed Christian to emulate Him. History and Personnel This benevolent institution envisions itself to be a home, school of life, and evangelizing community for these boys. It was in 1970 that a certain Dr. Lourdes “Unding” Solis began to gather certain influential leaders to solve the problem of random juvenile delinquency and loitering within the City of Davao. After a successful meeting of these leaders, they decided to put up an institution that will ultimately solve this youth crisis, at the same time, help the city itself to become more progressive. Prominent businessmen obliged to help for Dr. Solis’ cause and the rest was history. It was in the year of the great jubilee, in 2000, that the Salesians formally took over the Executive Directorship of Boys’ Town. Fr. Franco Uras, SDB became the first Salesian executive director. In 2005, Fr. Gene Taqueban, SDB took over the leadership and then Fr. John Cardinal, SDB, succeeded him 2008. The Salesians who presently work together with Fr. John are Bro. Tony Hopida, SDB, Fr. Bong Borgueta, SDB, Fr. Franco Uras, SDB, Fr. Mario Baclig, SDB, Fr. Ben Benabaye, SDB, and Bro. Gino Godinez, SDB, who will only be staying here for summer. The Social Workers, Jacqueline, Meliza, Gerlie, and House Parents, Cristito, Norma, Noel, Edgar, Maria, and Loreto, also stay in the compound 24/7 to be available always for the boys. It is practically a simulation of what an ideal home should be, albeit incomplete. Training for Life As part of their training, the boys must follow certain rules and regulations that can help them in their holistic growth—i.e., to become citizens who are God-fearing and upright. While it is relatively easy for some to patiently abide by the rules and regulations based on the preventive system, even if with trepidation at times, it is terribly difficult for others to do so. As a result, there have been countless instances that Boys’ Town needed to expel these amateur crooks. True to the moniker of every Salesian as educator and father of youth, the present Rector of this Salesian community, Fr. John Cardinal, SDB and his co-Salesians consistently instill values and virtues to the boys. Discipline and respect are definitely among the key elements in establishing a wonderful rapport with these young fellows. The boys are encouraged and trained to acquire skills in farming, both in crops and animals, baking bread, cooking for their own food, and doing basic chores. Training in Culture is also evident: singing practice, and good manners and right conduct. To become robust and healthy in their physique, 1

Letter from St. John Bosco to his Salesians, from Rome, May 10, 1884: “That the boys should not only be loved, but realize that they are loved.”

the boys do sports exercises and are highly recommended to play actively—games like basketball, volleyball, softball, etc. As Don Bosco has mentioned, boys can “run, jump, shout” as long as they do not commit any sin. An idle boy is never a Bosconian mark. Hence, as what Fr. John poignantly expresses: “for as long as we keep the boys from doing nothing and give them things to do, then they do not commit any immoral acts.” Prayer and Sacraments are the prime movers of the boys’ faith, hope, and love in their personal and intimate lives as Christians, the heart of the boys’ daily routine and whatnots. As they attend daily the 6:30 A.M. mass, singing the liturgical songs, and eventually receiving Christ in the Holy Eucharist, in praying the evening rosary, they are not only formed to become good and fervent Christians, but are also trained well in behaving inside the Chapel and during acts of piety. They become not only respectful to the Lord Jesus, but also to the persons whom they see as parents, ‘kuyas’ and ‘ates’. Education is also of critical importance that could even make or break a boy’s presence here in Boys’ Town. In attempting to solve the academic hurdles of the boys during the school year, the Salesians have cleverly created a special summer program for the month of April that has a distinctively academic slant. All boys must undergo summer classes. In this regard, Fr. John has invited several volunteers to teach and tutor the boys in subjects like English, Mathematics, Values Education, and Computer. Volunteers Those who came to help were Seminarians Vince Sabal and Keith Amodia, both Cebuanos and are incoming Novices, and Ms. Marissa Dumaicos, a professional Math teacher and tutor from Victorias City, Negros. Reagan Padernal, a graduate of BS Commerce, major in Management, and a former seminarian of DBFC-Cebu, is a stay-in volunteer. Erwin Joey Cabilan, an aspiring Salesian postulant, who is presently the head of the Diocesan Catechetical Ministry of the Archdiocese of Davao, is also having his summer exposure with the boys from April until May before he proceeds for his postulancy stage in Cebu. Both Reagan and Erwin are also helping the Salesians do the task of teaching summer subjects and of basically performing duties of parents to these sixty-plus boys. It is a fact that one of these volunteers ghastly mentioned something short of enriching and outstanding as far as their experiences of teaching the boys were concerned. Conclusion Seeing the boys grow into a more mature and responsible group of youngsters, although a fraction of the society of Davao City, brings to the fore the beauty of how it is to work for the salvation of human beings and not just for anything or anyone inutile. For as what Don Bosco said, the heavenly price of the “Da Mihi Animas Cetera Tolle” is not only in the up-and-coming state of invisible, nay eschatological bliss but the “hic et nunc”, the here and now. The joy of seeing the fruits of our labor in Boys’ Town is seen day by day. It can truly melt a devoted Salesian’s heart knowing that the once hopeless boys from the outskirts of Davao have been transformed into dreamers and believers. Working for these youngsters of Boys’ Town indeed entails a tremendous amount of commitment, not only to the boys but to Jesus Christ Himself. Is there anything more worthy of our commitment other than the Lord Himself? Speaking about success in this sublime work for the kingdom of God, the ultimate measure of victory of doing one’s duties here in Boys’ Town is not by the number of achievements but in the constancy and consistency of giving love to these young boys of Boys’ Town, which in turn transcends into love for Christ. End

From the community of Don Bosco – Maa, Davao City