Don Bosco Philippines South Province

On August 16, 2025, the Salesians of Don Bosco Philippines South Province(FIS) celebrated not only the 210th birthday of Saint John Bosco but also the Presbyteral Ordination of Fr. Jhon Robert Andales, SDB.

After studying Theology for 4 years in Studium Theologicum Salesianum in Ratisbonne, Jerusalem, Fr. Jhon Robert returned to his mother province to receive his ordination to the priesthood from the hands of Archbishop Jose Palma, DD, the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Cebu. With him were the Regional Superior of the East Asia-Oceania Region, Fr. William Matthews, SDB, the Provincial Superior of FIS, Fr. Amelito Narciso Racelis, SDB, & Fr. Ronilo Javines, SDB, the Provincial Superior of Philippines North Province. Together with them were concelebrating priests from the different Salesian houses in FIS.

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes hosted the guests of the event including the family, relatives & friends of the ordinandus, & a great number of representatives from the different groups of the Salesian Family. Worth mentioning were the presence of the young people from the different Don Bosco Youth Centers of Cebu who were having their Inter-DBYC league that same day.

In his homily, Archbishop Palma exhorted Fr. Jhon Robert to cling to his chosen motto from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, “My grace is enough for you”, as a source of strength in his ministry, especially in times of challenges.

Fr. Jhon Robert, who hailed from Bantayan, Cebu, now embarks on a new mission in the Philippines South Province— a Salesian Priest of Don Bosco sent to the young.