SPU Manila College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences holds 61st Capping, 14th Badging and Candle Lighting Ceremony
By Kie Anna Cruz | The Paulinian | November 26, 2022
The 61st Capping and 14th Badging and Cande Lighting Ceremony, celebrating the BSN Class 2023 “Anges de la Vie” (Angels of Life) and 2024 “Lumiére du Christ’’ (Light of Christ), was held on October 14, 2022, in the Chapel of the Crucified Christ. Before the nursing students received a meaningful welcome to the nursing profession, a Thanksgiving Mass was presided over by Fr. Christopher Valentin Arellano, MS. As he blessed the caps, badges, and lamps, he also shed light on how these student nurses will be able to fulfill their batch name –“To be angels of life is to be a messenger of God-driven care. And to be a light of Christ is to brighten the path through someone’s darkest time.”
Family, friends, teachers, and staff proudly watched the solemn ceremony as the candidates received their caps (for females) and badges (for males and religious) and lit their candles as they stepped up from gaining knowledge in the classroom to applying these in the hospital. Now, the students will have the chance to significantly improve the lives of those under their care.
The official ceremony commenced as Dr. Nancy Aguila, CNAHS Chairperson, introduced the candidates to the audience. Vanne Sangalang, BSN 4 Class President, addressed the petition to the Dean of CNAHS to be given the nursing caps and badges, which Dean Jennifer Joy Olivar accepted. To affirm their readiness to accept the nursing vocation, Sophia Santos, President of the CNAHS Student Council, led the recitation of the Florence Nightingale Pledge, which promises to uphold the standards of the said profession.
Adding more significance to the occasion was the presence of Dr. Mary Grace Leongson (VP for Academics and Research) and her Congratulatory Message; Sr. Agnes Lê Thị Mộng Cầm, who made the beautiful flower arrangements; Sr. Nicole de Marie Dabalus, SPC (Vice President for Christian Formation and Student Services); Sr. Maria Vicenta Estrella, SPC (Vice President for Finance and Administration); and Sr. Flordeliza Deza, SPC (Director, International Relations and Language Development Center).
The ceremony was made memorable by the lighting of the candles that denoted the acknowledgment by the student nurses of the difficulties associated with their profession. It was done while singing the Paulinian Nurses’ Hymn and “Stella Maris.” The Lady of the Lamp, Florence Nightingale, who ignited the flame of hope for nursing by demonstrating to the world her compassionate heart and capable hands, is the inspiration for the emblem of light, which represents hope, life, love, and understanding.
The event officially ended with the recessional march of the newly capped and badged student nurses, followed by the photo opportunity for all attendees.
