by: DBTC-TVET correspondence
The Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Department of Don Bosco Technical College–Cebu celebrated the DBTC-TVET SYM Sodality Fair and DB Birthday Celebration 2026 on Friday, August 14, 2026, bringing together students for a day of faith, fellowship, joyful participation, and Salesian community.
Held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the celebration carried the spirit of “Faith. Friendship. Fun. One Bosco.” as students from the TVET Department gathered to discover the different communities within the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) and celebrate the birthday of St. John Bosco, the Father and Teacher of the Young.
The activity formally began with a gathering at the gymnasium, followed by a prayer, the singing of the National Anthem, opening remarks, a short orientation, and an opening dance. The program then proceeded with an introduction to the Salesian Youth Movement, presenting its history, mission, vision, and identity to the students.
A major highlight of the morning was the SYM Sodality Fair, where students were introduced to the different sodalities and clubs in the TVET community. Student leaders and representatives presented their respective groups, allowing their fellow students to learn about their nature, mission, activities, and apostolate.
Among the groups presented were the Knights of the Altar, Biblos Sodality, BosChorale and Musicians, Savio Friends Club, Zatti Friends Club, Auxilium Sodality, St. Carlo Acutis Club, and Friends of Laura Vicuña. Through their presentations, the different groups invited students to discover where their interests, talents, and desire to serve could best find expression.
Following the presentations, students were given the opportunity to register for and choose a sodality or club where they could belong and actively participate. This part of the activity reflected one of the main objectives of the celebration: encouraging every student to become part of a community where they can grow in faith, develop their talents, build friendships, and serve others.
The celebration continued with the Holy Mass at 11:00 a.m., marking the spiritual center of the Don Bosco Feast Day celebration. After the Eucharistic celebration, the students gathered for lunch and fellowship before proceeding to the afternoon’s Bosco Friendship Game 2026.
The Sports Feast featured various games, including basketball, football, volleyball, futsal, badminton, table tennis, and ping-pong, providing students with opportunities to strengthen camaraderie, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
More than a celebration, the activity served as an invitation for the young to live out the Salesian spirit in concrete ways. The event emphasized three key outcomes: appreciating the different SYM communities, choosing and becoming a member of a sodality or club, and demonstrating the Salesian spirit of faith, joy, friendship, and service through active participation.
The day concluded with an evaluation and closing remarks, bringing together the students’ different experiences throughout the celebration.
As the TVET community celebrated the birthday of Don Bosco, the celebration became a living expression of his educational and pastoral vision: young people growing together in faith, joy, friendship, and service.
Through the SYM Sodality Fair, Holy Mass, and Bosco Friendship Game, the students were reminded that the Salesian family is not simply a place to belong but a community where young people are encouraged to discover their gifts, form meaningful friendships, deepen their faith, and become generous servants of others.