On September 20, 2024, the Nursing Program of Christ the King College proudly held its 13th Cap and Badge Investiture and Candlelight Ceremony at the Mother Ignacia Gymnasium. Themed “Ignacian Marian Student Nurses: Lighting the Way through Service and Dedication to Forge an Empowered and Transformative Future in Healthcare,” the event marked a significant milestone for the college’s nursing community.

The ceremony commenced with a Eucharistic Celebration, setting a reflective tone for the proceedings. Mr. Victorio Boja, RN, officially opened the event, welcoming guests and attendees. Following his remarks, S. Ma. Anecita C. Navaja, RVM, delivered a heartfelt welcome address, emphasizing the importance of service in nursing. The audience was further inspired by guest speaker Mrs. Shirley F. Guanzon, RN, MAN, who shared her insights on dedication and the transformative role of nurses in healthcare.

A standout moment of the ceremony was the appearance of Ms. Nerisha Rana, who donned the persona of Florence Nightingale, the revered Mother of Modern Nursing. As she lit the Mother Lamp, a symbol of hope and dedication, the audience was reminded of Nightingale’s lasting legacy.

This year marked a historic milestone for the Nursing Program, as Mrs. Daisy D. Nabor, RM, RN, MAN-NSA (CAR), presented 148 candidates—28 males and 120 females—who were capped, badged, and honored with candlelight. This is the highest number of candidates in the program’s history, showcasing the growing interest and commitment to nursing.

The event took on an emotional tone as student nurses presented roses to their parents in a heartfelt tribute, eliciting tears of joy and pride. To commemorate this pivotal moment, the students sang “Today My Life Begins” by Bruno Mars, symbolizing their new journey as student nurses.

Furthermore, the Nursing Program extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who made the event possible, including Dr. Norma E. Simborio, the Nursing Program Dean; Mrs. Merle R. Hurtado, RM, RN, MN, the RLE Coordinator; Mr. Vincenth Jay C. Cabudoy, RN, USRN, the PNSA Moderator; as well as the dedicated nursing faculty, PNSA officers, and students who contributed to this unforgettable day.

Ultimately, the event transcended a mere celebration of new student nurses; it served as a powerful reaffirmation of the values of faith, excellence, and service, which are the cornerstones of the Christ the King College community.

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝑩𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕! 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒉, 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆.

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Words by Maria Ryza Pasia

Photos from Arisa Martirez, Eunamae Roselim, Alyssa Baguhin, and Valerie Libago