17/02/2026
MINOR SEMINARIES IN PH
celebrate brotherhood
in three-day Sangkan
By: David Matteus F. Ramos
Twenty one minor seminaries in the Philippines celebrated the Senior High School Sangkan from February 12 to 14, 2026 in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan. Sangkan (Isang Angkan kay Kristo) is a gathering by minor seminaries with the purpose of strengthening vocations, bonds, and brotherhood through sports, but the occasion holds more than that: cultural showcases, performances, and presentations are also interwoven in the experience, faith being at the heart of it all. The seminary of the ALD, under the patronage of Mary Help of Christians in Binmaley (MHCS), hosted the National Senior High School Sangkan. Seminarians from all over the Philippines were in attendance, bringing cultures into Pangasinan.
Sangkan Duanplo tan Anem (Twenty Six) had the theme, Isang angkang tinawag upang maging asin at liwanag (one family called to be salt and light). It highlights the idea of giving “flavor” and being guides for the world as Christ’s disciples.
Initial arrivals happened on Feb. 11, 2026, being accommodated in ALD’s Archdiocesan Formation Center (Dagupan), Mary Help of Christians College Seminary (Dagupan), and Mary Help of Christians Minor Seminary (Binmaley); although some seminaries did arrive the next day on February 12, 2026.
Most Rev. Midyphil B. Billones, D.D., Chairman of the CBCP Commission on the Seminaries, presided over the opening mass on February 12, 2026, at the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Dagupan, and After which, the Sangkan sports events were formally opened by the host seminary’s rector, Rev. Fr. Roy Joel O. Rosal, on the stage of the Dagupan City Plaza. The games then started shortly after the opening ceremonies.
“Vocation is light,” Bishop Fidelis B. Layog, D.D., explained in the morning mass on February 13, 2026. Moreover, he presented that “The very purpose of priesthood is to bring Jesus to the world.” The daytime of the second day was dedicated to showcasing food and feasting through a barrio-style fiesta. The evening event called the Cultural Night was dedicated to cultural performances that highlighted Pangasinan culture and history, and the province’s foundations in bravery and faith.
On the Last day of Sangkan, February 14, 2026, at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag, Most Rev. Socrates B. Villegas, D.D. Archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, taught the community on their views of perseverance through crises in vocation and becoming priests. According to him there are three secrets to this: attending the mass daily with enthusiasm, praying the rosary frequently, and going to confession at least once a month. “I love vocation crises,” he exclaimed in his homily, promoting how it can mold a seminarian and make him a better priest in the future.
The event ended with the awarding of winners in the basilica’s pilgrim center, where the formators of the host seminary thanked everyone present for their participation in the experience. Championing the event overall were the seminarians under the patronage of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, winning most of the games and garnering much of the point
In 2016, MHCS had already hosted the National Sangkan of Grade 9 Seminarians. According to Fr. Gioraleigh Respondo of the Diocese of Urdaneta, the Sangkan cross originated from dilapidated wooden beams of the Binmaley Seminary. The idea of having a Sangkan Cross was inspired from the SangtuKristo Cross. SangtuKristo (Isang Tugon kay Kristo) is a gathering of college seminarians from North and Central Luzon.
