Bosconians celebrate return of Don Bosco Academy –Bacolor
This school year, the Salesian institution opened its doors to over 410 students, after the school successfully returned to its old site in Cabalantian village.
It can be remembered that the Bacolor campus became one of the casualties of the Mount Pinatubo eruption, after almost 20 feet of lahar buried the entire barangay in 1995.
According to Don Bosco Academy Bacolor Director Fr. Ditto Gueco, the ceremonial rites were both a celebration and a testament that “the journey is not yet over for Don BoscoBacol or ”.
“We live up to our philosophy: Luctor et emergo! I struggle, I win. For many years, we strived to rise from ashes and rebuild our beloved Bacolor campus. And finally, it has come to pass. Thanks to the outpouring support and dedication of our alumni led by no less than Mr. Levy P. Laus and the openness the House of David family have shown through the months and years of discussion to make this dream possible,” he said.
“With our new school buildings and campus facilities, we are steadfast on providing our young Bosconians an enriching environment that will mold them into becoming good Christians, productive citizens, and servantleaders who are equipped with competence and confidence,” he added.
Morever, Batch ‘66 alumnus Levy P. Laus said he is deeply joyful that his beloved alma mater is finally home.
In 2015, Laus became the leading alumnus to support the clamor to reopen the institution. Together with other alumni and the Provincial Council of Don Bosco Academy Philippines, he initiated talks and negotiations to revive the campus.
He also made a significant move to meet the House of David Group, which acquired the property and established Mary the Queen Academy of Pampanga in the site in 2000.
“We are so blessed and extremely happy that finally, our beloved alma mater has returned to its home. For 21 years, we almost gave up and lost hope that someday, our institution where we traced a lot of good memories, will never be in sight again,” he said.
“All the while, we thought that it was already an impossible dream. But things just aligned and it was like a miracle. There were struggles and obstacles along the way, but we managed to surpass them all through the help of our batchmates, the Salesian community, and the David family,” he added.
Laus furthered that he is proud and honored to be part of the historical return of Don Bosco-Bacol or.
“What I feel today is a rare and incomparable feeling that I cannot explain. I thank the Lord that we have finally accomplished our mission, and I pray that the Salesian community here will continue to grow,” he enthused.
For her part, House of David Group Chairman Teresa David-Carlos noted that she also shares the same delight in seeing the Salesian institution return to its original site.
“It was indeed a long journey. We see it as a grace that our family had an opportunity to contribute not only to the Salesian community but also to the whole Pampanga. We have always been very agreeable to help the iconic Don Bosco Academy return here in Bacolor, as it also fulfills our mission of giving importance to the youth,” she said.
Today, Don Bosco Academy Bacolor is a co-educational institution which offers kindergarten, elementary (Grade 1 to Grade 6), as well as Junior High School (Grade 7) levels for both boys and girls.