Salesians of Don Bosco vow to preserve 300-year-old convent as museum

The Salesians of Don Bosco plan to preserve the 300-year-old Augustinian Convent in Mandaluyong City and convert it into a museum. Fr. Bernard Nolasco, SDB, rector of the convent, stated that the group intends to repair the structure to prevent deterioration and honor its history.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled a historical marker for the building on Sept. 28, 2026, at Don Bosco Technical College. Chairperson Regalado Jose Jr. and Fr. Nolasco participated in the unveiling to recognize the site's importance to Philippine national and Church history.

Augustinian missionaries built the convent more than three centuries ago, and it has functioned as an orphanage, a seminary, and a convent. The building housed San Carlos Seminary from the 1930s until 1953. It is also noted for its connection to the Philippine Revolution, as Teodoro Patiño revealed the existence of the Katipunan secret society to Augustinian friar Fr. Mariano Gil at this location. The property was managed by the Archdiocese of Manila during American rule before being transferred to the Salesians.