Location
View from the front deck of the Novitiate House
As indicated by the name itself, it is easy to get an understanding what kind of place this is. Punta (Filipino word for seashore) Dumalag is a coastal area on the outskirts of Davao City on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. It is a barrio made up of several thousand people, many of whom have a close relationship with the sea through fishing and other activities such as bathing, washing and swimming.
Some of the local kids interested in what we are doing
It is a refreshing and beautiful place; not only because of the beautiful ambiance but also because of the people around this place. The life is so simple among our neighbours. Sometimes the place is noisy because of the people who go fishing and the children playing around. But the good thing is we maintain our good relationship among the people here who serve also as our protection/security especially when we all leave the house for some functions.
The Novitiate House
Novitiate House
The use of the land was given to the Marist Fathers by a generous local family several years ago. There is a lot of history associated with this place because it was used as a Novitiate house of Filipinos for so many years until the first Marist International Novitiate began on March 29th 2009. It is a single story building set on concrete piles, and made mainly of coconut lumber. There are two buildings on the site, with 14 bedrooms, a chapel, dining room, kitchen, library, and many large and cool verandas making up the complex. It is here on the verandas that the novices meet for classes and the community meets for time together.
The whole building was virtually rebuilt in 2008. It is a simple and pleasant place to live, one which is in keeping with the environment we are in, but also meets the needs of novitiate formation.
Chapel
Dining Area
Starting the new garden
