Welcome! SY 2007-2008

(from my column, Co-Traveler at La lumière, THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY OF DON BOSCO COLLEGE, vol. II no. 1, May 31, 2007)

I wish to take this opportunity to welcome you all to a new scholastic year, 2007-2008. Our special greetings go to the new members of our department: our balikbayan THE teacher John August Mortera (Drafting and Electronics), our newcomers Oliver Alcasid (Drafting), Pamela Cabrera (Science), Loida Masa (English) and Clarence Decena (P.E.).Everything seems new since besides having a new rector, Fr. Rolo Alcasid, we have nine Salesians newly assigned to our community. (For a complete list, see Salesianity column, p. 2.) Three of ours will be directly involved in the running of our department: Fr. Joey Paras, Bro. Vincent Hoang and myself.

Almost a year has passed since the publication of the maiden issue of La lumière. I am inviting everyone towards the attainment of two things for this year: professionalism and unity. In achieving professionalism, we move towards excellence with regard to our dealing with one another and with our charges. We envision this year to be an intense one with regard to striving for accreditation. At the same time, we will work together to make our department united. Our work becomes easier when we are in good terms with one another.Today we celebrate the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Elizabeth. Let us entrust this new school year to the Blessed Mother—each one of us: teachers, Salesians and the boys whom we believe are led to us by her.