by: Pre-novice Matthew Espino
Last August 5, 2023, Saturday, the incoming novices of the Philippines North Province left Canlubang for Cebu to begin the next level of their initial formation, the novitiate. Incoming novices Emmanuel Almeria, Wilson Alo II, Matthew Espino, Madelon Gaddao, and Ruel Gonzales were accompanied by Fr. Jake Adrian Lopez, SDB, the rector of Don Bosco Aspirantate and Prenovitiate in Canlubang, Laguna.
After more than an hour of flight, the group successfully arrived in the Queen City of the South and was fetched in the Cebu Domestic Airport by Fr. Roneldo Vilbar, the incoming novice director, and Fr. Joseph Kunle Ogundana, the Socius and Pastoral Director.
In the Don Bosco Sacred Heart Novitiate, the incoming novices from FIN were welcomed by the incoming novices from the FIS, and Br. Noel Clement, the novitiate Brother Assistant. The group from FIS presented a cultural item and gave the new comers with a lay of flowers and welcome refreshments. Together with Fr. Jake, the incoming novices from FIN were able to exchange greetings and warm wishes as they see each other for the first time.