By: Fiona Marie Guarino
A total of 240 level 2 nursing students of the Academic Year 2023-2024 have been invited to the College of Health and Allied Science’s annual Capping, Pinning, and Candle Lighting Ceremony with this year’s theme “Ignite the Path of Compassionate Care: Illuminating Futures, Embracing Journeys towards Nursing Excellence” that was held yesterday at the PnC Gymnasium, initiating their next phase in education which is the beginning of their RLE duties.
As presented by CHAS Dean Prof. Emelyn Buenaseda, this year’s batch had 43 male candidates and 197 female candidates, who all qualified with the imposition of caps and pins and the reception of the lamp and nursing bust, officially making them student nurses.
The 18th year of the annual ceremony officially began with the students walking the aisle together with their parents or guardians. A thanksgiving mass was then held right after by Rev. Fr. Rex I. Cutamora, who blessed the upcoming student nurses towards their journey in the field of nursing alongside their caps, pins, and candles that would later on be bestowed upon them by their professors and clinical instructors.
Notable speakers during the event were Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Florante Magnaye, who opened the 2nd part of the program with his welcome remarks, University President Dr. Charlemagne Laviña, who shared his heartfelt message towards the new student nurses, and Executive Assistant V from the Office of the City Mayor Hon. Jose Karlo Hain, who represented the City Mayor due to his absence.
“This event is a significant milestone in the lives of our nursing students; a commencement of years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the noble art and science of Nursing,” VPAA Dr. Magnaye said regarding the ceremony’s importance to the nursing students.
The University of Cabuyao’s President, Dr. Charlemagne Laviña, described the ceremony by saying, “It is a momentous occasion that marks not only the continuation of your academic journey but also the beginning of a profound and noble vocation; the journey towards nursing excellence.”
He would then remind the nursing students of the fundamental aspect in the field of nursing: attitude, “In the field of nursing, attitude is not merely a quality. It is a compass that guides your actions and decisions as you care for the sick, the vulnerable, and the marginalized… Compassion, empathy, and respect for the dignity of every individual should be the pillars of your attitude,”
As for Hon. Jose Karlo “JK” Hain, who delegated the Cabuyao City Mayor, “Sila ang dangal na pinagmamalaki natin… Ngayon masasaksihan natin sa event na habang sila ay cinacap at nilalagyan ng pin ay ibang karangalan ang ibibigay ng mga batang ito sa mga susunod na panahon dahil sila po ay mabibigyan ng hamon na mangalaga sa kalusugan ng bawat isa dito sa Cabuyao”
“I pray that you continue to aspire to become globally competent nurses in the near future, and whatever and whenever life gives you, may you remain humble and always keep your feet on the ground and remain selfless and always willing to give a helping hand towards people that need tender loving care that only true nurses can give”, Ms. Renerose Dy-Laban, Dangal alumni known for topping the nursing board exams of May licensure exams last year and was chosen to be a guest speaker for the ceremony but unfortunately could not attend, wrote in a letter read out by Level 2 Coordinator Julaiza Tanabe.
The introduction and entrance of this year’s Florence Nightingale Rochelle Bolante, who earned the highest grade in the Related Learning Experiences in Level 4 nursing, was announced by the former dean of the College of Health and Allied Sciences’ Shalini Barroso that cued the donning of the caps, pins and the lighting of the candles amongst the aspiring future nurses to be followed by the Nightingale pledge to be led by Ms. Rochelle Bolante and Nurses’ Prayer by Prof. Aurea Villaluz.
For the closing remarks, the current dean of the College of Health and Allied Sciences, Emelyn Buenaseda, said, “Let the fire of passion drive you to provide the highest quality of care. Always remember to be compassionate givers of care as it is the heart of our profession”
The ceremony then officially ended after the student nurses performed their capping song, “Happily Ever After” by Jordan Fisher & Angie Keilhauer, followed by a photo opportunity for the entire batch and for the students and their families.
SPARE:
a guest speaker of the ceremony who wasn’t able to attend and was renowned, in a letter read out by level 2 coordinator Julaiza Tanabe
Written by: Fiona Guarino Photos taken by: Rafhael Alayon, Nathalie Gorospe, Jomar Geron, and Ahron Mejia Photos edited by: Mira De Asis and Theodore Danielle
