4TH MYTC SPORTS DAY

Montfort Youth Training Centre successfully hosted their 4th Sports Day on 13th April 2024 (Saturday) at the Likas Sports Complex Stadium, Kota Kinabalu. The event featured participants from four departments: Welding, Automotive, Oil Palm & Plantation Conductorship, and Facilities Maintenance & Carpentry. Additionally, the Boarders of San Damiano Boy’s Hostel in Kiulu also took part in the event.

This event has been earmarked as an annual occasion for the institution to promote good sportsmanship and instill team spirit among the trainees, boarders, and staff of MYTC.

With 10 events contested, Welding Department emerged as the overall winner, followed by San Damiano Boys’ Hostel in second place, Third placing by Oil Palm & Plantation Conductorship Department and the Automotive Department in fourth place. Facilities Maintenance & Carpentry Department managed to finish in 5th place.

This year, The Automotive Department scored the highest points in the Marching Pass competition, impressing the judges with their creative movements and well-executed performance.

The tele-match competition was another highlight of the event, where trainees faced various challenges, including running with a sarong, jumping inside a sack, and carrying a ping pong ball with a spoon, among others.

This event also provided an opportunity for staff bonding through sports participation. In the staff category, three events were contested: 400 meters, shot put and long jump.M

Launching of 25th Anniversary of MYTC

KINARUT – On 31st January 2024, Montfort Youth Training Centre (MYTC) launched its 25th anniversary celebration alongside the 351st birthday of St Louis Marie de Montfort, its founder and patron saint. Archbishop John Wong unveiled the anniversary logo during a Holy Mass, joined by Fathers Wilfred Atin, Andrew Kim, Lawrence Kim, and Friar Cruzender Alex.

The event brought together Montfortian Gabrielite Associates (MGA), trainees, management, and staff of MYTC. After the logo unveiling, attendees enjoyed a fellowship lunch and cake cutting, evoking nostalgia and gratitude.

As we mark MYTC’s Silver Jubilee this year, a series of community events and outreach programs will unfold, culminating in the grand Montfort’s 25th Anniversary Charity Dinner on 15th June 2024, at Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort.

MYTC STAFF CLUB BADMINTON TOURNAMENT

MYTC Staff Club organized “MYTC Staff Club Badminton Tournament” for all staff on 8th February 2024 at St. Augustine Badminton Hall, Kinarut. The closed tournament featured competitions in the Men’s Double and Women’s Double categories.

With three women’s teams and eight men’s teams participating, the one-day event showcased spirited matches and fellowship among colleagues. Claiming victory in the men’s category were Mr. Marcellinus and Mr. Miexter, while Mdm. Celadiah and Mdm. Catherine emerged as champions in the women’s category.

Emphasizing the spirit of sportsmanship, the event underscored the importance of teamwork over mere victory. This initiative not only fostered stronger bonds within the MYTC community but also encouraged a healthy lifestyle among staff members by promoting active participation.

MYTC Chinese New Year Celebration

On February 25, 2024, the Chinese New Year celebration unfolded with a captivating choir performance by Trainees, serenading the audience with traditional Chinese melodies. The festivities gained further momentum with a dynamic lion dance troupe, led by MYTC’s former staff member, Mr. Argoh, captivating the crowd with their spirited lion dance performance.

Generosity abounded during the event, as the Kwan’s family distributed Ang Pow to all trainees, and Mr. Jonathan Foo and Mdm. Lucy Lee, who are friends of Montfort, graciously sponsored Mandarin Oranges for everyone in attendance, adding a touch of sweetness to the joyous occasion.

English Is Fun Week

The General Studies Department’s ‘English is Fun’ event, held from 19th to 29th February this year, revolved around the theme ‘Valentine’s Day.’ This platform offers a fun way for trainees to express their love and gratitude through arts and music using English, making learning both effective and enjoyable.

Activities include a Cursive Writing Competition, Love & Gratitude Public Speaking Competition, Poster Drawing Competition, Guess the Love Song, L.O.V.E backronym, and Learn from a Love Song. The event culminates with the ‘Duet with Love’ Singing Competition, where seven pairs of staff and trainees performed love songs. Trainee Bryndand Wong and staff member Mr. Nelson Julian won first place.

BATCH 23 OIL PALM PLANTATION EXTERNAL PRACTICAL EXPOSURE

Industrial Training is a major component in the Oil Palm Plantation Conductorship curriculum. Students are required to pass Industrial Training before they are eligible for the award of a certificate of completion. Fifteen (15) trainees from the Oil Palm Plantation Department had been sent to undergo short-term practical training under the supervision of its instructor, Mr. Paulidi Paulus, from 20th of February to 15th of March 2024 at Pace Bene, Purak, Papar. The aim is to expose and self-prepare our trainees before undergoing the actual 5-month internship and pre-employment programme with the plantations. The objective is also to enable trainees to apply the theories learned during training and to make use of the knowledge, skills and abilities learned to be put into practice during their 5-month internship.

BATCH 23 LEAVERS’ NIGHT

Leavers Night, celebrated the night before Graduation Day, is a thanksgiving event where the departing trainees are acknowledged for their excellent performance and contributions to MYTC. This year, the Leavers Night for the 50 trainees of Batch 23 was celebrated with joy and gratitude among the staff and trainees.

The celebration began with a special thanksgiving Mass for the leavers at St. Paul’s Chapel, followed by the Leavers’ Dinner at the Student’s Dining Hall. Dressed in their Leavers T-shirts with the theme, “The Breath of the Almighty gives me Life” (Job 33:4), the leavers’ faces sparkled with joy and happiness.

After dinner, the evening program continued at the Open Hall with speeches from the workshop representatives and individual acknowledgments of the leavers’ services to MYTC.

BATCH 23 GRADUATION DAY

The Batch 23 Graduation Day was successfully held on 24th May 2024 at the Residential Campus Hall. The event was attended by the Board of Governors, Mr. Jeffrey Ong, President of MEOA (Malaysian Estate Owners Association), Montfortian Gabrielite Associates, priests, religious brothers and sisters and friends of Montfort.

The ceremony was made special by the presence of the Batch 23 graduands along with their parents and family members. His Lordship Rt. Reverend Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong, Bishop of Keningau Diocese, officiated and graced the ceremony.

During the event, Montfort Certificates were conferred to all 50 graduands, including Andrew Peter Rajah, a day-scholar student from the Automotive Department. Awards for Distinction were given to 6 graduands, while 15 graduands received First Class Distinction awards.

Calvin Josua from the Welding Department, who hails from Kampung Labak, Kinarut, was awarded as the Best Trainee of the Year for his outstanding technical skills and significant personal growth. Arowen Raymund, also from the Welding Department, from Kampung Rugading, Jalan Tambunan, Penampang was recognized as The Best Prefect.

The Graduation Ceremony concluded with a luncheon at the Dining Hall, followed by the graduands’ checkout from Montfort Youth Training Centre.

Leavers Retreat

Preparing the trainees before graduation, the Leavers Retreat is a major event for all Montfort graduates. The Leavers Retreat for Batch 23 was held in the serene and cool place of Bundu Tuhan from May 9th to 11th, 2024. It was attended by 51 trainees. One of the main objectives of the Leavers Retreat was to help participants connect with their own presence, especially their emotions, and renew their relationship with God. In order to achieve this, MYTC engaged a spiritual life coach, Mr. Derek Chong, and his team to lead the three-days, two-night retreat. A variety of topics were covered, followed by personal and group reflections, sharing sessions, and praise and worship. Mr. Derek Chong invited all participants to explore the blockages in our life, that may have prevented them from becoming the best version of themselves.

The Leavers Retreat was an invaluable experience, offering participants, trainees, and staff a valuable opportunity to pause and reflect on their current stage and future goals. It served as a wrap-up and closure to their journey at Montfort, encouraging them to carry the lessons and memories not only from the retreat but throughout their 2-years experience in the institution into their future undertaking.

MYTC KAAMATAN CELEBRATION

The institution celebrated its Harvest Festival from May 4th to 5th, 2024.

On May 4th, the trainees enthusiastically participated in traditional games competitions, including Mipulos (arm wrestling), Melastik (catapult), Menyumpit (blowpipe), Boling Kalapa (coconut bowling), Lumpat Karung (gunny sack race), and Rampanau (walking on bamboo stick).

The festivities continued on May 5th with a fellowship dinner attended by staff and their families. The event was enlivened by a vibrant performance featuring a mix of cultural and modern dances by our trainees.

The major highlights of the celebration was the ‘Buvazoi Tavantang,’ also known as Mr. Kaamatan, and the ‘Sugandoi’ singing competition, featuring participants from seven houses: Paul, Francis, Matthew, John, Mark, Peter, and Edward. Peter House representatives, Calvin Joshua emerged as the winner of Buvazoi Tavantang, and Jenelfic Nel Johnney won the 1st place in the Sugandoi competition.

MONTFORT 25TH ANNIVERSARY CHARITY DINNER

MYTC celebrated its 25th Anniversary Charity Dinner on 15th June 2024, at the Magellan Sutera Resort Grand Ballroom, Kota Kinabalu, officiated by the Guest of Honour, YB Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, Minister of Finance Sabah, representing the Chief Minister of Sabah.

The arrival of YB Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun was welcomed by our awesome MYTC Cultural Dancers choreographed by Mr. Marcellinus Lachius, MYTC staff, also an Alumni member. Among other dignitaries who attended the dinner were Datuk Dr. Jamili Nais, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Local Government and Housing Sabah, Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, Member of Parliament of Tuaran District and Chairman of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd, and His Grace Archbishop Datuk John Wong.

One of the highlights during the event is the video showcase of the Silver Jubilee of milestone where they witnessed the journey of the Brothers of St Gabriel’s mission to Sabah and the testimonials of the ex-trainees, parents and employers.

The evening was serenaded by Mr. Andrew Poninting the saxophonist, Rosario Bianis, Canang Borneo Buskers, George Undung the Magician,  and Adam Shamil as the Master of Ceremony. MYTC also presents our Trainees with their choir performance, singing songs from yesteryears, choreographed by Shameen M. Menson and Rayley Manjuin, and the Acoustic Band performance by MYTC staff.

MYTC STAFF FAMILY DAY CUM KAAMATAN CELEBRATION

MYTC Staff Club organized a staff family day in conjunction with the Kaamatan Festive holiday on 25th May 2024 at Torintid Riverside Bay. The relaxed event was followed by a variety of interesting activities such as family games including catapult competitions, facial make-up competitions among staff and families, lucky bowling and karaoke. Despite the rainy weather in the middle of the day, the family day event was lively and went smoothly.

BATCH 24 PREFECTS INSTALLATION

The Prefects Installation of Batch 24 was held on the 3rd of May 2024, during the Monday General Assembly. Semeon Julius, the HQ Prefect in charge of Discipline led the pledge of the twenty-eight Prefects to take up the responsibilities as new Prefects of MYTC.

The Director in his message to the new Prefects encouraged them to move forward, and to exercise their duties in line with the 6R’s Values, to be Responsible, Reliable, Respectable, Responsive, to build good Relationship and to be Resilience. The Director also urged the Staff and other Trainees to support the new Prefects so that they can perform better as they serve the Institution.

MYTC Participates in RYLA Johor 2024

From April 10th to 13th, 2024, MYTC participated in the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) at Sea Horizon Resort, Tanjung Sedili, Johor. The team included two trainees and a staff member from MYTC, along with two students from SM Stella Maris, Kota Kinabalu.

The 4 Days 3 Nights event featured engaging ice-breakers, teamwork challenges, a beach cleanup at Sedili Beach, and informative sessions on photography, drug awareness, and the Rotary Club’s mission. The highlight of the event was the Cultural Night, where all participants were encouraged to wear their traditional costumes.

Awards were given for the best group and individual performances. MYTC’s Joe Andrew Yap won the Best Costume award, and his group, Sigma Wolf, won the Best Group Teamwork award. Staff member Mr. Corllin Sumail played a key role in supporting the event by assisting the Organizing Committee prepare games and activities.

TVET Sports Tournament

From May 6th to 10th, 2024, MYTC participated in the TVET Sports Tournament organized by Institut Latihan Teknik dan Perdagangan (ILTP) JPSM in Papar.

The main objective of this event was to foster better relationships among  seven (7) TVET Institutions through sports and to facilitate knowledge exchange between the institutions.

This inaugural event saw MYTC competing against other TVET institutions across Sabah in five events: football, sepak takraw, volleyball, badminton, and aerodance.

Although MYTC did not secure a win in any of the events, the trainees gave their best effort until the end of each game.

TRIDUUM AND FEAST DAY OF ST LOUIS MARIE DE MONTFORT

From April 25th to 27th, 2024, MYTC organized the Montfort Triduum for the Feast Day Celebration of St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort. This important event aimed to honour our patron Saint, St. Louis Marie de Montfort, with the theme “Open the door to Jesus Christ.” This theme highlighted the founder’s belief in true devotion to “God Alone” and the importance of making Christ the center of our lives.

The three-day event included various activities to help participants understand and appreciate St. Louis Marie de Montfort’s spiritual teachings. It was a collaboration of presentation led by  Brother Thomas Paul, Montfortian Associates’ representative, Miss Clare Sibungkil and Mr Dius Jastine, representative of MYTC staff.

The Feast Day concluded with the Sunday Mass at St. Paul’s Chapel On-the-Hill, where the congregation witnessed the 20 senior trainees receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Mass was celebrated by His Grace Archbishop John Wong, concelebrated by Rev Fr. Gilbert Marcus, Friar Gerald Terence Saimel, Fr. Andrew Kim, and Fr. John Mary Choi.

The Feast Day celebration continued at the Residential Campus Open Hall. The Board of Governors, Montfortian Gabrielite Associates, friends of Montfort, and guests enjoyed a guitar trio performance by the staff and a drama performance by the trainees, depicting the life journey of St. Louis Marie de Montfort.

General Studies English Week – Montfort Feast Day

The General Studies Department collaborated with the Pastoral Care Unit team during the Montfort Feastday in April, from the 15th to the 29th, by organizing various activities that centered on our patron, St. Louis Marie de Montfort.

While the Pastoral Care Unit team handled the spiritual aspects of the Feastday, General Studies conducted creative activities aimed at deepening our knowledge of St. Louis. These included the Inter-department Quiz Competition, Trainee & Staff Colouring Competition, Drawing Competition, Junior English Class Song Composing & Singing Competition, and Staff Songwriting & Singing Competition.