“One simple way to please God is not to repay all the blessings we receive from him but to pass them on….”

Seven BCBP chapters and outreaches from Southern Tagalog Region (STR) 1 and 2, along with the Brotherhood Christian Family Retreat No. 5 sponsoring families, decided to do just that.

On October 25, 2009, the heads of Binan-San Pedro, Batangas, Calamba, Cavite, Lipa, Tanauan, and Sta. Rosa signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Don Bosco College – Technical Vocational Education and Training Department (DBC-TVETD) to support the studies of ten students.

Through the MOA, these chapters and outreaches pledged to provide a total of P250,000 as tuition fee to financially support the 10-month training course of the students.

The agreement was made with DBC-TVETD, a training institution in Canlubang, Calamba, Laguna, due to its mission of uplifting the lives of marginalized and underprivileged youth and its ongoing scholarship program, “Poverty Alleviation of Marginalized/Underprivileged Youth through Technical Education” for out-of-school youth.

These chapters and outreaches from STR 1 and 2 decided to adopt this TVET scheme as their Social Action Program.

The scholarship program incorporates financial and spiritual support. BCBP Calamba will be designing and implementing bi-monthly spiritual formation activities for the scholars. Moreover, the scholars will be encouraged to pay back the scholarship when they get to be employed after graduating from the training program.

On hand to witness the MOA signing during the family retreat in Tagaytay were Bro. Joey Abellana, Bro. Serge dela Fuente, RCD Mel Rebutica, and RCD Bert Masiclat. Representing DBC-TVETD were Fr. Rolo Alcasid, Don Bosco Seminary Rector, and Bro. Ves Crescencio, DBC-TVET Coordinator.