Don Bosco Philippines South Province

by: Bryle Fernandez

Don Bosco Technical College – Cebu, June 23, 2024 – The Inter-Don Bosco Youth Center League was held last June 22 to 23, 2024 here. This is the 3rd iteration of DBYC and following an 8-year gap. It was organized by youth leaders and volunteers for the different youth centers in Metro Cebu guided by the Subcommission on Youth Centers of the Commission on Youth Ministry (CYM) under the leadership of Fr. Rooney John Undar, SDB.

This two-day sports fest united Salesian youth from five Salesian settings: four youth centers from Lawaan, Lourdes, Pasil and DBTC, and SYM members and students of the latter. It was organized to kick start the revival of youth centers after the pandemic lull with the hope to reignite the participation of young people in sports and games.

The teams competed in different sports and cultural events. Events included Basketball, Volleyball, Futsal, Local Pinoy Games, Chess, Dance Competition, Singing Competition, and more. The opening ceremonies started with a short parade inside the school campus followed by a cultural program. The teams broke out into their respective matches in their events. On the second day, youth celebrated the Holy Mass animated by the Federation of Choirs and Musicians (FOCM) of the Salesian Youth Movement. In the afternoon, the awarding ceremonies honored the athletes with their achievements. The Lourdes Parish Youth Center clinched their three-peat overall champion.

The iDBYC Sports League had its origin in the summer of 2015 when Fr. Gino Godinez, SDB mobilized the youth directors of the different settings to a league. This year saw youth leaders taking charge and directing the league with Salesians taking on the advisory role. This brings to life the Salesian dream of “youth serving youth”.