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Rogationist Academy - Davao |
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Written by Admin
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Tuesday, 03 March 2009 01:24 |
To mark the 20th anniversary of the arrival of the Rogationists in the Philippines, on 1997 the Rogationists resolved to extend their missionary work in Mindanao. The initiative put forward by the Superior General Fr. Pietro Cifuni in his appeal to the whole Rogationist family was to establish a Rogationist mission in Mindanao, like the one of Silang, Cavite, in order to benefit especially the children, who more than others, are victims of the widespread violence in that island.
Echoing the Superior General, the Philippine-Indian Delegation set up a wide plan of activities in the Diocese of Digos where, one year before, the Consunji family donated 12 hectares of land for the implementation of the new charitable institution. The master plan of the project includes orphanage with boarding facilities, educational center with High School, laboratories and workshops for Vocational and Technical Formation, Church dedicated to St. Anthony, first aid service and a social center to answer the various needs of the people living in that area. Simple norms were also identified for the religious and social activities, such as respectful approach to the historical, cultural and religious realities of Mindanao; close compatibility between beneficiaries needs and program output; provision of comprehensive educational, family health, and livelihood services/ programs based on the distinctive competencies of the Congregation.
The vision of the Rogationist for the St. Anthony’s Boys Village-Davao in Mindanao, is to replicate the social and moral transformation accomplished by St. Hannibal in Avignone slum area of Messina (Italy), with the main emphasis on uplifting poor and neglected urban and rural youth through informal and formal programs of education and technical training.
On January 18, 1998, the feast of Sto. Niño, the Rogationists were in jubilation because the dream of extending their mission in Mindanao was becoming a reality. Representatives form the different Communities of Luzon gathered together, asking the lord to bless and accompany Fr. Silvestre Robiñol RCJ and Fr. Marcelino Diaz II RCJ, who have been assigned to start the new mission in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. The two fathers, accompanied by Fr. Carmelo Capizzi, responsible for the implementation of the project and Fr. Gabriel Flores, one of the PID councilors, flew to Davao City and proceeded Sta. Cruz, where the Bishop of Digos, Msgr. Generoso Camiña, PME, D.D., assigned two rooms for the fathers in San Jose Parish.
With God’s providence, thanks to the fundraising campaign made on the occasion of the Rogationist Mission Day, along the 1996-97 school year, few months later the construction of the first house started under the supervision of Fr. Silvestre Robiñol. The building, designed by Architect Pablito Labao, was executed by the Abrasaldo Construction and Development Corporation and on October 7, 1998 the facilities for the religious community and the first group of assisted boys were blessed by his Excellency Generoso Camiña. Mr. Victor Consunji, the donor of the Land, cut the ribbon, while the Major Superior Fr. Gaspare Galito, unveiled the image of Blessed Hannibal, titular Patron of the House, together with the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Divine Superiors. On the same day the Fathers transferred from Sta. Cruz to newly constructed building.
One of the preliminary steps in order to assure the success of the new mission was the water system for the entire compound and the surrounding area. While the tests conducted by local firm Hydrock confirmed the existence of abundant flow of potable water all over the slopes of Apo Mountain, on the other hand the main sources and springs of it was quite deep and the nature o f soil, mostly clay and rock, was considered expensive for the drilling of an artesian deep well. With the purpose to provide the necessary water supply and since this aspect was considered as condition for possible interventions of international agencies, like Manos Unidas, Fr. Carmelo Capizzi, on the occasion of his 25th Priestly Anniversary, through the Rogationist community of Tarragona, launched a fundraising campaign among our numerous Spanish friends who, together with EMATSA and Fons Catala de Cooperacio al Desenvolupament, supported all the expenses and solved definitely the problem of water supply for the mission.
Once the house was ready, on June 12, 1999, Bro. Abelardo Balboa, joined the community and three days later the religious welcomed the arrival of the first 10 interns who started to attend their classes at St. Peter’s College, Toril, Davao City.
Due to the increasing demand coming from different provinces of Mindanao, the Rogationists decided to put up another youth house within the SABV campus. The Execution of the construction of an annex building for our interns started on May 15, 1999 by the contractor Abrasaldo and was completed after four months, at the beginning of September. Once again the Bishop of Digos, his excellency Generoso Camiña, PME, DD who, on the afternoon of September 8, 1999 blessed the new facilities and the statue of St. Anthony of Padua donated by Mrs. Guadencia Nuñez, a friend from Cebu. Together with many of our confreres coming from the communities of Manila, more than 200 people attended the celebration and among the distinguished guests who graced the event with their presence were Mrs. Josefa Reyes, the eldest daughter of Consunji Family, Fr. Leopoldo Omblero, Parish Priest of St. Joseph the Worker, Sta. Cruz, Engineer and Mrs. Roberto Puentespina, President of the Hydrock Well and Atty. Joel Rey Lopez, Mayor of Sta. Cruz.
The mission was fast growing and the time was ready for our own school as part of the new complex. After a long bureaucratic process followed personally by Fr. Carmelo Capizzi with several trips to Madrid, finally on September 2000 the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional and Manos Unidas approved our proposal for the two storey school facilities with a capacity of 1000 students. On January 16, 2001 the contract was signed by the Major Superior Fr. Bruno Rampazzo and Mr. Armando Mesiona, Manager of AVM Company and the following day the job site was leveled for the construction. On the same week, the contractor Abrasaldo started the building of the third Youth House in order to accommodate a more consistent number of boys.
At the beginning of June the dormitories and study hall for the new comers were also completed and on September 9, 2001 the facilities were officially inaugurated with the blessing of Bishop Generoso Camiña. Once again, our benefactors graced the event with the presence of Mrs. Lucy and Mr. Victor Consunji who cut the ceremonial ribbon on behalf of all local and foreign friends considered partners of our mission, especially those who, from Italy and Spain, are contributing to the Rogationist mission under the Adoption at Distance Program and are making possible the miracle of the education for so many boys entrusted to our care.
Meanwhile, also the structure of the Manos Unidas Project was acquiring slowly its shape thanks to the commitment of AVM contractor and the group of technicians involved in the construction. On the occasion of the monthly meeting and assistance of the Delegation office through the presence of Fr. C. Capizzi, the original plans were improved with additional facilities and space at the second floor of the building in order to cope with the needs and future perspectives of the school. To be mentioned during this period the providential interventions of many benefactors of who contributed for the conclusion of the complex. Among them, PHINMA group for the supply of cement, Mariwasa for donating all the floor ceramic tiles, the American Women Club of Manila, Mr. Mario Viel and Architect Benjamin Joson for the technical support and hundreds of individuals who, in one way or another, wanted to be involved in the implementation of the school building. Sure, far more precious is the contribution of the confreres who along the past three years, due to the periodical reshuffle of personnel in the communities of our Delegation, gave their best for the development of Mindanao mission. From Fr. Marcelino Diaz II, Fr. Alvin Fulgencio, Rev. Abel Balboa and the Brother Assistants who had their temporary experience of apostolate in the SABV-Davao, up to the actual responsible of the Institution like Fr. Florence Malasig and Fr. Danny Montaña who, hand in hand with Fr. Silvestre Robiñol, witness the growth of the charitable institution.
For the beginning of the school year 2002-2003 the new facilities were completed and the Rogationist Academy, upon receiving the approval from the Department of Education (DepEd), opened the doors for the first two sections of High School students coming from the nearby areas. The1.728 sqm. Floor area of the two storey building, beside the rooms for the religious community, include classrooms, laboratories and work space, offices for the administration, multipurpose room, library, infirmary, dining room and all the related services of kitchen, food storage, stock room and laundry area. Furniture and educational equipments were provided by Manos Unidas, AECI and our Rogationist community of Loreto, Tarragona, who sent a 40 feet container full of beds, chairs, tables, kitchen items, computers, typewriters and clinic materials. On the 9th of July 2002, at the presence of the Superior General Fr. Giorgio Nalin and his Councilors, the Major Superior Fr. Bruno Rampazzo and representatives of the Filipino communities, his Excellency Generoso Camiña, after thanking the Lord in his address for the presence of the Rogationists in the Diocese, blessed the new complex and all those who made possible such a dream. Fr. Carmelo Capizzi, on behalf of the Delegation, recalled the milestone of the Rogationists in Mindanao as a wonderful book written by the Divine Providence through the generosity of so many people who from all over the world, join hands to repeat on the slope of Apo Mountain the same miracle done by Blessed Hannibal one century ago in Avignone slum of Messina. There were more than 4000 guests together with our confreres from Brazil, Argentina, USA, Italy, and Manila who, the week before, attended the meeting of the Major Superiors in Silang, Cavite. The Musical group of our interns, under the direction of maestro Victoriano Mangaron accompanied the ceremony with the notes of the their brass instrument donated by the Italian benefactors Andreina and Giuseppe Casseti.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 10 December 2009 07:53 |
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