BSN Batch 2020: Capping, Pinning & Candle Lighting Ceremony

Fifty-six (56) second year nursing students and their families and friends attended the CPU Nursing Batch 2020 Capping, Pinning and Candle Lighting Ceremony held on Friday morning, December 8, 2017 at the University Church.

The ceremony began with an invocation by Rev. Roger T. Quimpo, Associate Pastor, University Church. In his opening remarks, University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles appreciated the long struggle of students and the dedication of their parents in support of their children in college. He also congratulated the faculty, staff, and the dean of the College of Nursing for being granted five-year (5) Reaccreditation Status. He recalled that the CPU College of Nursing has an almost hundred percent passing rate in the national exams for almost every year.

The symbolic annual ceremony for nursing students is required prior to the internship exam of the CPU College of Nursing. The caps are placed on the heads of the female candidates for internship, while pins are given to the male candidates. “The candle and the lamp symbolize responsibility, as exemplified by Florence Nightingale.” according to CPU College of Nursing Acting Dean, Atty. Salex E. Alibogha.

Mrs. Joelah V. Rio, Academic Coordinator, introduced the Guest Speaker, Mr. William Fred P. Italia, who is a magna cum laude CPU Nursing Graduate of 2007 and a recipient of the Loreto Tupaz Award, the highest award granted by CPU College of Nursing to a graduate.

Mr. Italia, who is the Manager of Human Resource and Safety Office of a nursing review center at the moment, challenged all nursing graduates who prefer to go abroad to work. Italia who has chosen to serve his countrymen said that “touching people’s lives and earning a living do not necessarily mean going abroad.” Italia pointed out the difference of nurses hired from CPU, and that these quality nurses could make for the best Filipino caretakers, whose services are much more needed in the country.

Italia recalled that his success in the nursing career could be attributed to his experience while still a trainee at Iloilo Mission Hospital. He shared the passage found in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”.

Italia encouraged everyone to do their best to prepare for the National Board Exam. Furthermore, he dared the students to “aim high,” to bring the quality of CPU Nursing graduates to wherever they may be employed in the future.