Sunday, August 16, 2026 — Don Bosco’s birthday was celebrated in a truly meaningful way as the Salesian Cooperators from the two islands of Philippine South Province, Cebu and Negros came together in faith, fraternity, service, and love for creation through a Simultaneous Tree Planting (Cacao) and Mangrove Planting Activity.

Long before the day had fully awakened, as early as 5:00 AM, our Cooperators were already gathered, ready to offer their time, energy, and hearts for a cause greater than themselves. As the first light of the morning appeared, we began our celebration with grateful hearts and a renewed sense of mission. With our hands in the soil and our hearts united in faith, we planted cacao seedlings and mangroves—small beginnings that carry a greater message of hope, responsibility, and love for our Common Home.

It was a prayer expressed through action. It was our faith taking root in the soil. It was our commitment to becoming stewards, not merely beneficiaries, of God’s creation.

Every seedling planted was a sign of hope. Every mangrove planted was a promise to protect life. Every hand that served was a testimony of faith.

Every Cooperators’ presence was an affirmation that when faith moves us to action, even small efforts can create a lasting impact. And what more beautiful way could there be to celebrate the birthday of St. John Bosco, our beloved Founder, than by giving a gift that reflects his spirit?

Don Bosco dedicated his life to God, to the young, and to the community. He believed in educating the young not only for the present but for a better future. In our own simple way, this celebration continues that same vision. By caring for creation today, we help build a healthier, more sustainable, and more hopeful world for the young who will inherit it tomorrow.

Our planting activity became our gift to Don Bosco. Not a gift wrapped in paper, but a gift rooted in the earth. Not a gift that lasts for a day, but one that can continue to grow. Not a gift spoken only in words, but one expressed through concrete service. The cacao seedlings and mangroves we planted may be small today, but they carry within them the promise of something greater. One day, they will grow, provide shelter, protect communities, nourish life, and remind others that there were people who cared enough to plant for the future.

After the planting, the celebration continued with swimming, fellowship, shared meals, laughter, and joyful bonding. These simple moments revealed another beautiful dimension of the Salesian spirit: we serve together, we celebrate together, and we journey together. The joy we shared strengthened the bonds of fraternity and reminded us that community becomes stronger when we generously share not only our time and talents, but also what we have.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to all the Salesian Cooperators who responded generously and wholeheartedly to this initiative. Thank you for waking up early, traveling, working, sharing your resources, bringing food for everyone, and most of all, for bringing your joyful presence. Your generosity transformed an ordinary activity into a beautiful experience of communion and mission.

We now look forward with joy and anticipation to the Tree Planting Activities of the other ASC-FIS Centers, scheduled throughout the 3rd and 4th quarters of the year. Every tree planted, every mangrove restored, and every hand extended in service becomes a seed of hope for our planet and for generations to come.

May the trees and mangroves we planted become living reminders of this day. May they grow as our friendship grows, stand firmly as our faith stands firm, and bear fruit as our commitment to service continues. And may Don Bosco look upon us with joy as we continue his mission—by hands that serve, hearts that care, communities that unite, and lives that give generously.

Indeed, this was more than a birthday celebration. It was faith taking root. It was love becoming action. It was fraternity becoming mission. It was hope being planted for the future.

Happy Birthday, Don Bosco! May our gift to you continue to grow. Faith in Action. Caring for Our Common Home. Growing in Fraternity. Serving with Joy.

Our Gift to Don Bosco. Our Gift to Mother Earth. Our Gift to Future Generations.