A HOMECOMING of Sorts

Mr. Peter Marc D. Magsalin

Since my graduation from Don Bosco Mandaluyong in 1990, I have long wanted for the opportunity to step again into the campus where I spent eleven years of my basic education. The Salesian brand of technical education had a big impact on me so much so that when I faced the tough decision to join ERDA Tech this school year, it was not as difficult.God indeed works in mysterious ways.

Just last September 24, I, together with Mrs. Jane Natividad, Ms. Emelita Nuyda, and Mr. Jeffgerarld Tan, were given the privilege of visiting Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati City. Coordinating the visit was not easy, as we had to make several follow-ups to make sure that we were on track. I was excited in the sense that finally, I can reminisce my Bosconian days but this time, in a different Don Bosco school. I wondered what the difference might be.

The visit I arranged was intended to provide us with first-hand knowledge on Don Bosco’s way of running a technical high school program, call it a benchmarking of sorts. When we arrived at the lobby of the school, our attention was immediately caught by the display of trophies, plaques, and other mementos garnered through the years. We were led into the Principal’s Office and warmly received by the High School Principal, Mr. Lito Tenerife. We were joined by members of his academic and technical team and were briefed immediately about the school. The key points discussed ranged from how class schedules are arranged to how the high school technical programs operate. As we ran out of questions, and after taking a sumptuous merienda, it was time to proceed to the next leg of the trip, a tour of the shops and classrooms.

We were led to the electricity and electronics shop first. There we saw students at work on their projects. All of a sudden, flashbacks of my shop days in Mandaluyong began to pop in my ahead. As if I was brought back in time, the smell of soldering lead, sweat and not to mention the familiar voice of the instructor made it all the more like a homecoming.  From here, we were whisked to the Drafting and AutoCAD rooms. I was impressed all the more not only because students were working in air-conditioned rooms, but also because, unlike in my time, drafting was purely mechanically done. Seeing them draw with computers made me wonder what I could have done more or differently if I had that chance. So much for the nostalgia, it was time to visit the automotive and mechanical shops. Walking great stretches did not seem to bother us. The level of excitement grew as we got to see many more new things. The automotive class had its own air conditioned audio-visual lecture room; something that left a mark for us wishful thinkers to dream of having in ERDA Tech one day.

Time passed very quickly and it was time to say our “goodbyes and thank yous”. More than what we saw, this experience has laid the corner stone for a partnership built on cooperation.

To the Salesian community of Don Bosco Technical Institute, we express our sincerest gratitude for making our stay memorable.