(Don Bosco Technical College, Cebu) – The institution, Don Bosco Technical College Cebu, inaugurated, blessed, and formally received the Bugsay Leadership Center on March 4, 2026. The facility includes a 300-seater auditorium and a library that will serve as spaces for learning, leadership formation, and community activities.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) headed by Ms. Amaya Cristina Aboitiz-Fansler, RAFI President and CEO, Salesian leaders: Fr. Fidel Ma. Orendain, SDB, Fr. Rafael Bejarano, SDB, Fr. William Matthews, SDB, Fr. Amelito Narciso, Racelis, SDB, East Asia and Ocenia Provincial Superiors, Salesians, faculty, students, and partners.
In his opening remarks, Rev. Fr. Randolph A. Figuracion, SDB, Rector and President of DBTC – Cebu, welcomed the guests and highlighted the importance of the new facility for the school community.
The formal inauguration was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Ms. Amaya Cristina Aboitiz Fansler, together with Salesian leaders and RAFI executives. This was followed by the unveiling of markers honoring the late Roberto Eduardo M. Aboitiz, whose Bugsay Philosophy inspired the project.
The Bugsay Philosophy teaches that each person holds a “bugsay,” or paddle, symbolizing the responsibility to guide one’s life with courage, wisdom, and purpose. It encourages individuals to take an active role in shaping their future and contributing to the community.
The partnership between the Aboitiz family and Don Bosco Cebu spans nearly 70 years. It began when Don Ramon Aboitiz donated the 4.5-hectare land where the school now stands, establishing a long relationship of support for education and youth formation.
After the inauguration, Rev. Fr. William Matthews, SDB, East Asia and Oceania Regional Councillor, officiated the blessing of the center.
The program continued in the auditorium with messages from key partners. Rev. Fr. Fidel Ma. D. Orendain, SDB, General Councillor for Social Communications, former FIS Provincial Superior, and former Rector of DBTC Cebu, spoke about the partnership behind the project and its impact on the formation of young leaders.
A message of gratitude was delivered by Jerard Rhaymund Ursal, a Grade 11 student, on behalf of the project beneficiaries. Ms. Amaya Cristina Aboitiz Fansler also shared a message on the continuing partnership between RAFI and Don Bosco Cebu.
The ceremony concluded with the ceremonial turnover of the Bugsay Leadership Center, with Ms. Fansler formally handing over the facility to Fr. Figuracion on behalf of DBTC Cebu.
Source: ANS – “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana”