First Don Bosco Film Festival in Manila
The Province of the Northern Philippines has organized its first ever Don Bosco Film Festival. The P ...
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First Don Bosco Film Festival in Manila
 The Province of the Northern Philippines has organized its first ever Don Bosco Film Festival. The Provincial Social Communications Team planned and organized this event as part of the celebrations for the Bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth. Last Saturday, 10 January 2015, the award ceremony was held at the Audio Visual Hall of the Don Bosco Technical College in Mandaluyong. Out of the 14 entries, 5 films received awards.
The awards were presented by Fr Chito Dimaranan SDB, Rector of DB Mandaluyong and Fr. Danny Torres SDB, the Vice-Provincial. In his speech, Fr. Bernard ‘Drans’ Nolasco, SDB, head of the Commission on Social Communications, highlighted the idea of using the film medium as a vehicle to perpetuate what Don Bosco lived for: values which Bosconians themselves learned from their Salesian and lay mentors.
The competition was open to all the young people of the Don Bosco institutions in the province. These include schools, parishes, youth centres and also the seminary. The organizers used separate criteria for submissions according to two age groups. They also had three categories: short film, advertisement, and documentary.
The panel of judges was composed of film industry leaders in the Philippines, almost all of them past pupils of different Don Bosco Schools and connected to the Salesian Family.
The awards were as follows:
ONE MINUTE ADVERTISEMENT
Best in editing: Don Bosco Academy (DBA), "As usual, Unusual"
Best Director: Fr. Kim Simbulan, SDB "As usual, Unusual"
Best picture: (DBA), "As usual, Unusual"
SPECIAL CITATION
Don Bosco Youth Center-Tarlac, "Munting kayamanan"
SHORT FILM
Best in editing: DBYC Tondo's "Bola"
Best in lights & sounds: DBYC Tondo's "Bola"
Best in cinematography: DBYC Tondo's "Bola" and DB Canlubang's "Liwanag"
Best in visual effects: DBYC Tondo's "Bola"
Best actor: Pre-Novitiate's Mark Soriano, "Mac-Mic"
Best screenplay: Pre-Novitiate's Jonas Lacson, "Mac-Mic"
Best director: DBYC Tondo's John Celestino, "Bola"
Best picture: Pre-Novitiate's "Mac-Mic".
link: www.infoans.org/1.asp?sez=1&doc=11907&Lingua=2
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Don Bosco’s Churches
As a tribute to Don Bosco, in this bicentenary year, the International Publishing Company SEI of Tur ...
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Don Bosco’s Churches
 As a tribute to Don Bosco, in this bicentenary year, the International Publishing Company SEI of Turin has published a book entitled Don Bosco’s Churches. It presents, in words and images, three churches built by Don Bosco, and it documents the restoration that took place in the first decade of the present century.
The book focuses in particular on the restoration done in recent years on the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians and the church of San Giovanni Evangelista in Turin, and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome. These are three buildings that belong to the same cultural period and are of the same eclectic style, reassuring in form and of impressive size, symbolizing the greatness of God and of the church.
The book describes the technical architecture of the buildings and the renovations that have taken place and gives an accurate history of the work. It also reflects on the value these churches had at the time they were built. All three are located in problematic neighbourhoods, on the physical and historical margins of cities in growth. It was an eagerness to get to know these areas that did not have places of worship that pushed Don Bosco and his Salesians to move in that direction, even though it involved financial risk.
Written by different authors, the book is edited by Federica Badino (a conservation architect) and Stefano Trucco (architect). It went to press at the end of last year.
link: www.infoans.org/1.asp?sez=1&doc=11873&Lingua=2
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Argentina - Presentation of the book
On December 16, in the Provincial House of Argentina South the book "Francis and Don Bosco" written ...
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Argentina - Presentation of the book
 On December 16, in the Provincial House of Argentina South the book "Francis and Don Bosco" written by Alejandro Leon, SDB was presented, published by Editions Don Bosco Argentina.
During the presentationDon Juan Picca, who in 2012 found four letters of Father Bergoglio in the Central Salesian archives in Buenos Aires addressed to Don Cayetano Bruno, has developed a detailed analysis of the meaning and the contents and drawn up guidelines for the reading of the book.
LaterDon Leon, spoke about the origins of the publication and organization of its content, through sources and its historical context, and the witness of people regarding the connection of Francis with Don Bosco and the method by which research on the book was carried out.
This workallows one to get closer to the meeting between Francis and Don Bosco starting from the reports and letters written in his own hand: the Salesian roots of his family in the neighborhood of Almagro, his entrance to Don Bosco College of Ramos Mejía, his strong devotion Mary Help of Christians and to Bl.Artemis Zatti. This is an invitation to re-evaluate one’s own experience with the work of Don Bosco in a way that allows us to shed light on the ecclesial dimension of the charism as a gift and a challenge.
link: www.infoans.org/1.asp?sez=1&doc=11850&Lingua=2
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Meetings
ROME: Pisana, Salesianum, 19-22 February 2015, World Advisory Council - Social Communications
ROME: UPS, 17-18 April 2015, SDB-FMA, Study of World Social Communications Day message 2015.
ROME: Pisana, Salesianum, 23-26 April 2015, Meeting of Salesian Publishers of Europe
SPAIN: Valencia, May 14-17, 2015, Meeting of Provincial Delegates for SC Mediterranean
POLAND: Gdansk-PLN, May 25-28, 2015, Meeting of Provincial Delegates for SC North Europe
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Animation - Letter from Fr Filiberto
Dear friends,
The World Day for Social Communications, the only worldwide celebration called for by the Second Vatican Council as referred to by “Inter Mirifica" (1963), is celebrated in many countries. Upon the recommendation of the bishops of the world, we celebrate it on the Sunday before Pentecost (in 2015, on the 17th May). Its theme is announced on the day of the Holy Archangels (September 29th), while the message is traditionally published on the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, the patron of writers (January 24th), the day we in the Social Communications Department choose for posting this monthly newsletter.
The theme of the World Day of Social Communications this year is in continuity with that of last year and, at the same time, must be contextualized with the central theme of the next two Synods about the family: "Communicating the family: privileged environment of 'meeting in the gratuitousness of love." Pope Francis is very clear in its choice: at the center of social communication, are always people, this time in a privileged context but also threatened: the family!
Four years ago during the Department meetings, we have made the choice to celebrate this day in every province in unity with the Church and with the Salesian Family. Let us take this same Message of the Holy Father as the theme for our initial and on going formation. Just the other day (January 21st 20015), in the joint meeting of the two Councils of SDB and FMA, one could see the need for these moments of formation together, because of our charismatic character being its main motivation and not only strategic. Young people need us, as a family, always united and in communion.
I reiterate the invitation which I repeat each year: the Delegates for Social Communication and for Formation, together, both SDB and FMA, study and prepare well the day of the Salesian Provincial Day for Social Communication. Your preparation and implementation of that Day is already a rich and meaningful content that communicates and becomes a prophecy louder than words.
I wish you wonderful Salesian feasts for that of St. Francis de Sales and for Don Bosco fitting on this year of his Bicentennial.
The members of the Social Communication Team greet you all.
Sincerely Yours,
Fr. Filiberto
Information: Don Bosco at Expo2015: 99 days to go
World Expo Milan 2015 will be inaugurated in less than 100 days. The Salesian Family, Don Bosco Network and VIS (International Volunteers for Development) are among thirteen organizations participating in the event, which is expected to attract around 20 million visitors. It will be a unique opportunity to draw the world's attention to young people, with the theme "EDUCATING YOUNG PEOPLE, ENERGY FOR LIFE".
The Salesian presence at Expo Milan 2015 will be located in a structure of about 350 square metres, on a plot of 747 square metres for the entire six-month duration of Expo (from 1 May to 31 October 2015) which largely coincides with the Bicentenary Year of Don Bosco. The pavilion will have the name "CASA DON BOSCO" and will be adaptable and multifunctional, capable of hosting conferences, events, exhibitions, shows...
On 1 February next the website site of the Salesian presence at Expo Milano will be officially opened at: http://expodonbosco2015.org/. Right now it is in the process of completion.
The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, together with members of the General Council, is investing a great deal of energy in this project and is deeply confident that the Salesian presence at the Expo - the only religious family represented – will help to put young people at the centre of global attention and to create new forms of collaboration with different bodies around the world.
The Rector Major and his Council invite all Salesian Provinces to prepare events and projects to bring to EXPO, to let the world see our Salesian commitment to young people and the experience and expertise gained by many confreres who spend their life with and for young people in the many Salesian centres around the world.
Many parts of the Salesian Family are already planning displays and events.
All interested parties are invited to send a description of initiatives and activities to be presented at Expo to this address: events@expodonbosco2015.org.
email: events@expodonbosco2015.org
link: expodonbosco2015.org/
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Production: A film on Don Bosco to mark the Bicentenary
 The month of Don Bosco has already begun, and in all Salesian environments people are looking out for a number of ways to promote the charism and spirit of Saint John Bosco, as it also marks the bicentenary of the birth our Father and Founder Don Bosco. For this reason, the “Don Bosco Institute of Communication Arts” (DBICA) in Chennai has re-launched the film “Don Bosco – Mission to Love”.
In today’s busy world, people hardly have the time and patience to sit and read the literature on the life of Don Bosco. Media is the best way to create lasting impressions on the minds of both young and old. This is a wonderful opportunity to promote Don Bosco, and this movie – released two years ago in the Tamil version with much positive feedback – can do a great deal of good for the Salesian mission.
DBICA is now collecting orders to decide on the number of copies to be made. People are invited to fill in the order form and send it to marketing@dbica.org (or by post) as soon as possible. A special discount is available on every DVD ordered before 15 January 2015.
The trailer of the movie is available on YouTube.
email: marketing@dbica.org
link: youtu.be/sFSS70gd4Ow
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Production:
The Salesians of the Doganella community in Rione Amicizia in Naples work with children and adolesce ...
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Production:
 The Salesians of the Doganella community in Rione Amicizia in Naples work with children and adolescents at risk. For the Bicentenary of Don Bosco the educational community decided, along with the pupils of the third class, to make a short animated film, titled "STOP (E) MOTION".
Young people who are living in situations of deprivation and marginalization, and who are unwilling or unable to be part of a normal school programme, are welcomed every day at the Salesian centre.
Various educational programmes have been designed specially for them. One of these is "Project VALDOCCO": a full time school and oratory. It tries to help the young people develop in body and mind with an integrated approach. There is time for teaching and also for extra-curricular activities, as well as an opportunity to reflect on what they have learned. Teachers and other staff regularly interchange roles, working in harmony and collaboration.
As part of this project, between October and December, the pupils of third class, accompanied by the staff of the Unit for Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Learning made a cartoon film for the Bicentenary of Don Bosco. This was achieved through the integration of different disciplines and after a patient and complex work of composition with the Stop Motion technique using over 800 pages of drawings and sketches.
Initially, to understand the techniques required, the group studied video production on the Internet. They then made a storyboard that would take account of the information received in various forms. Next it was time to do the drawings and related photographs (more than 1000 at first, reduced to 808 in the final version). Finally, the film was edited, putting the photos in sequence and adding titles and background music.
The work helped the young participants to develop their imagination and creativity, enhance their communicative skills, acquire a method of planning and operation in order to produce and re-elaborate the visual messages.
The activity was a success for many reasons. It gave the young people experience of a new way of learning that motivated them and involved them directly, as authors and actors. It was truly interdisciplinary involving, as it did, the basics of cinematography, art of storytelling, drawing techniques, music, craftsmanship, skills, language, logic and spatial design. It encouraged collaboration between students, and therefore also interpersonal relationships. It helped the young people to internalize the goals of the project, including getting to know the story of Don Bosco.
The cartoon can be seen on sdb.org.
link: www.sdb.org/VIDEO/DB200/DB200_Napoli.mp4
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Preservation: International recognition for the Salesian Museum in Punta Arenas
 The Salesian Museum "Mayorino Borgatello" in Punta Arenas has received the seal of international quality from Travellers Choice 2014 which includes it as a global tourist attraction. Recognition was given by Trip Advisor, which has become a world authority for its reviews of tourism and culture. Its system allows readers to read for themselves the opinions of visitors expressed in comments on the network.
It is estimated that the Trip Advisor database contains about 150 million messages.
Salvatore Cirillo, Director of the Salesian Museum, reported to the Salesian Information Office in Salesian Chile his joy on receiving the news, which confirms what normally emerges from surveys of about 35,000 annual visitors to the museum.
"People are still surprised by the quality of the exhibition ... Some have said to me 'why is this museum in Punta Arenas and not in Santiago?' Others have said, 'This museum has nothing to envy of those in New York or other parts of the world'" says Signor Cirillo.
When asked about the sections that attract most attention, the Director stated that in first place is that relating to the indigenous peoples of Patagonia, the only one of its kind in the world. It contains real items of the indigenous peoples themselves, acquired by Salesian missionaries.
In second place is the part displaying the fauna and flora of Patagonia. It surprises everyone for its variety and completeness that provides detailed and valuable information dating back more than 100 years.
And third, people are attracted by anything related to the economic resources of the region: oil, coal and gas; also items relating to colonization and anything to do with the Antarctic area.
In high season (July to February), the museum receives an average of 150 people a day and occasionally the museum has been visited by 1,000 people in a single day. The total number of annual visitors is 35,000 of whom 50% are foreigners.
Mr. Cirillo points out, finally, that this recognition is also an opportunity to honour the many Salesians who have worked very hard to make the identity of Patagonia and its native peoples known. They were the main beneficiaries of a mission planned and organized directly by Don Bosco.
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