A Certified Red Cross First Aider

I spent my week training with the Philippine National Red Cross- National Chapter last week on Basic and Advanced Life Support and Basic First Aid. At first, I was quite overwhelmed by the number of practical examinations and written exams on bandaging, splinting and immobilization, Cardio-Pulmonary Resusciation, Rescue Breathing, Foreign Airway Obstruction Management, Emergency Rescue etc. The last examination which was a simulation of a mass tragedy was also quite overwhelming because it was done in the field, complete with props and some of my classmates even acted as victims. However, through the patience of our instructors and the support of my batchmates, it was an awesome week of my life.

Aside from learning how to safe lives, I was also able to meet a lot of people many of whom are also nurses like me. I had also some classmates who were factory workers and engineers and one of those engineers is the one who proposed and invented the solar powered car here in the Philippines.

Our last day of training was spent in the Red Cross booths in SM-Manila as part of their celebration of the National Red Cross Week. The last activity of the day was our graduation wherein each of the group was given the opportunity to showcase their talents and the certificates of excellence were also awarded to selected students. It was actually hard to say goodbye when the graduation ceremony came to and end but we promised to have a reunion sometime soon...

Congratulations to the Certified Life Savers!

Siamo Tutti Fratelli!

Nursing Valedictory Speech

To our University President, Dr. Amelou Benitez-Reyes, Chancellor and VP for Academic Affairs, Research and Publications, Dr. Dolores Baja-Lasan, to the Assistant Vice-President for Academics-QC Campus, Dr. Eden O. Kelemen, beloved dean of the school of nursing, Dr. Yolanda Arugay, associate deans Mrs. Celeste Dimaculangan and Dolores Carrion, president of PWU alumni association, Mrs. Olvia Villafuerte, school administrators, level coordinators, members of the faculty, dear parents, beloved batchmates, schoolmates, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant morning to all of you.
How time flies by so quickly...It was less than two years ago when we decided that we want to take up nursing and set foot in this university. We were full of anxieties then, not knowing what will happen to us after finding ourselves back in school again…As Seneca, a philosopher once said: “It is a tough road that leads to the heights of greatness”. That span of two years is not at all easy…it was full of sleepless nights, stress, hard work, 5-minute showers, 1-minute breakfasts, laughters and tears, good times and bad times, successes and failures. We were also able to make friends and meet different kinds of people from different walks of life…But here we are now, we were able to endure all those challenges as a nursing student. Let us give ourselves a pat on the back for we have gone this far. I hope and pray that our exceptional batch will acquire a 100% passing rate in the upcoming Nursing Board Examinations.
In behalf of the graduating class, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the following for they have contributed a lot to our successes:
To our alma mater, Philippine Women's University, for developing our competencies and skills through gainful lectures and hands-on experiences, which will help us become globally competitive in our future profession.
To our dean, Dr. Yolanda Arugay, for guiding us and believing in our capabilities. You inspired us to persevere and excel. To you we are very grateful….
To our beloved professors, for your painstaking guidance, motivation and unselfish dedication to your profession in training future nurses.
To our dear families and loved ones, especially to our parents for your unconditional support, sacrifices and inspiration… For showering us with your unselfish love and for being there to guide us since the day we were born. We owe you all our successes.
To my fellow graduates, I would like to congratulate you for a job well done. When we become nurses…the possibilities are endless… We know that every day we will step into people’s lives and we will make a difference. Just remember that when we become nurses very soon we should be open minded, flexible, compassionate and humble since we will be caring for and working with people of every race, religion, culture, gender, age and education. And lastly, we should always strive for excellence in our fields. In everything that we do, we should always give it our best shot.
And above all, to the Almighty God for continuously showering us with His blessings, guidance, and for giving us the opportunity, wisdom and inspiration to follow our dream of becoming stewards of humanity. Praise Him!
Before I end my speech, let me share with you a very important Bible verse that really touched my life…This is taken from the book of Proverbs 3:5 and it goes like this: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.
Ladies and Gentlemen…again we are deeply honored to have you with us to witness this momentous event in our lives. Thank you very much and good day to all of you.

The Most Outstanding ESLR Alumni of 2007

I would just like to congratulate the following ESLR Alumni for being awarded as:


"The Most Outstanding ESLR Alumni of 2007"

1. Liza Goylos ( Field: Advertising, Valedictorian 1999)

2. Lani Diana Santos (Field: Nursing and Psychology, Valedictorian 2001)

3. Tanya Olarte (Field: MassCommunications, Valedictorian 2001)

4. Marysol Mandapat (Field: Business)


(quoted from the plaque)....awarded for their distinguished educational and professional achievement, and bringing recognition to their alma mater through outstanding service and significant contribution to their community, state and nation. The award was given last September 22, 2007 as part of the ESLR Foundation Week Celebration.


Keep up the good work and continue to strive for excellence in your own fields... :-)