Tim Fargo, A renowned American author once said, and I quote “Who you are tomorrow, begins

with what you do today.”

Four long years of struggles and triumph, today we yield the fruits of yesterday. Four long years of
hard work and perseverance for 3 words that we have been working on, a BSN, MAN degree, and for 2
words that we the BSN have been dreaming of becoming – an RN. And today we received the 1 true
copestone a student could ever have, a diploma.
To our acclaimed Guest of Honor and Speaker Police Lieutenant Colonel Aileen B. Dangani,
RN. The epitome of excellence, our University President, Dr. Gilbert R. Arce. Dedicated Vice Presidents,
Dr. Mario P Obrero- Vice President for academic affairs; Dr. Erwin F. Cadorna- Vice President for
research and extension; Dr. Jimmy R. Soria- Vice President for students and external affairs; Dr Albert
R. Tejero- Vice President for Finance and Administration. The voice of the studentry- Hon. Jaylord
Agrisola, our student regent. Other committed University Officials. Our compassionate Dean, Dr. Julieta
T. Guinid, to the ever-supportive daughter of the late Founders of the University and the College of
Nursing, Attorney Joy Crisologo, Faculty and staff of the college of nursing, parents, fellow graduates, a
glorious morning to one and all!

I can freshly remember the moment when I first step in the college of nursing. I was then
faced with the tough question “Why Nursing”? It might sound simple, yet it took me four long
years of hard work and tantamount sacrifices to figure out the answer. Today in this extraordinary
occasion of our graduation, if I would be asked one last question, please allow me to answer the
same question I was asked when I first said “Yes” to nursing.
Four years ago, as I first stepped in this university, marked the beginning of a great
adventure and during that time, what lies ahead of me was then full of uncertainties. I can still
reminisce the day when I have to choose what path to take, the course which will I give my sweetest
YES and embrace for lifetime.
The decision wasn’t easy nor instant. It took a lot of brains fused together to think over an
ample period of time. I was overwhelmed with the promising offers of a lot of courses. There was
a lot of programs that circled my mind and my mind wasn’t still ready to settle just yet, I wanted
to pursue other field in healthcare other than nursing, I also wanted to pursue arts and sciences as
well as arts and design. It was so confusing not until I found myself studying the anatomy of a
human being and the Kozier’s fundamental of nursing.
When I shared to my friends the idea of taking nursing, they all said in chorus “oh you’re going to
be a glorified maid of the hospital” and it made me ponder if this is truly what I wanted be for the rest of
my life? Finding the answer was a struggled hence figuring out the reality behind the response of my friends
is a tougher one.
Now my fellow graduates, I asked you to reflect on your answers on the same question we’re asked
4 years ago before we formally entered this course.
Every person in this room has their own stories to tell, as we see in their eyes we can say that they have
been longing for this moment. I too personally cannot still get hold of the fact that we have reached this
moment, because for four years a lot happened:
 - There was a year when I was admitted to the hospital because of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and
that was already my 3rd hospitalization with the same case, it was a week full of darkness.
- About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with scoliosis, it may not be apparent, not considered
severe, mild but its excruciating for me to hold a retractor for a long time inside the operating room.
- 5 months ago, our family went into shock when my mother was diagnosed with mitral myxoma, a
benign tumor obstructing the mitral valve. It was benign but malignant enough to crush the morale
of the whole family. To think that every surgery has its risks and we have to be prepared to whatever
will happen. We could never have felt so relieved when the surgeon came out not long enough to
tell us that the surgery was a success. It was only in movies where I can see such drama, but now I
know the feeling of waiting behind the walls of the operating room. And for barely three months
after the surgery I am so thankful that I can see my mother inside this hall today.
- Recently we were in and out of the hospital because of my father’s health condition. He is a man
that shares less when it comes to what he feels because he wants to remain strong for his family.
Ironic it is that despite of having a nurse and another studying the same thing, we still failed to see
the real score behind his condition. He went into mild stroke not once but twice and such event
shutters the whole family. It was just months after mom underwent an open-heart surgery, now our
father is sick as well. But I am more than grateful for the fact that he is here today to see me graduate
and the stroke didn’t do much damage to his body.
There were a lot of reasons for me to stay out of nursing. Reasons that questioned my worth to study
the said course. With everything that happened to me and my family, I could’ve just slipped out of the
course and find work, stay at home and take care of them. But the thing that always get in my mind every
time a glimpse of doubt runs are the words “ney nakaawid met gayam jay nalaing nga nurse min” by my
grandmother one time when she saw me by the gates in my clinical uniform.
I always taught myself to look back to the first reason why I chose to study this course that is to be a
Nurse, nothing more and nothing less. Whatever they say about what it is to be a nurse, it is still and will
forever be a profession, a vocation they say rather, that helps save the most precious thing in this world,
life.
If I had a hand full reasons to give up nursing, I had a sea of motivation to stay and continue the battle;
- During our second year we were rotated at the Delivery Room and God knows how astonished I
was to witness a mother giving birth to her child. I was too weak to see how it goes, and my knees
were softened like a jelly. But the time I heard the cries of the newborn and saw the priceless joy
in the face of the mother holding her first baby had unraveled more of its beauty to me.
- One time I was walking alone along the streets of Vigan I happened to pass by a lady who seemed
to be so familiar to me. I took a step out and tried to remember where I met her. And suddenly she
approached me and the words that she uttered were “thank you ading nalaing nakon” and there
everything flashed back a moment, she was my patient way back in our rotation at the wards. I
didn’t know how to respond because I was surprise. It was my first time, with that experience. We
were only rotated to each area for quite some time but she managed to remember me. That day I
went home smiling and thinking how great to be a nurse is.
- As what a famous poet Maya Angelou said, and I quote “As a nurse, we have the opportunity to
heal the mind, soul, heart and body of our patients, their families and ourselves. They may forget
your name but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
- Well that is true enough every time I try to remember my rotation at the pediatric ward, I was
assigned to a little cute boy, and he refuses everyone who touch him and makes no eye contact.
Even my duty mates tried to lilt him but no one succeeded. So I patiently watched him, occasionally
 tried to involve myself to his play, and after countless tries he reached for his toy and handed it
over me. I didn’t notice it easily because I was too busy doing my sample charting but when I raised
up a head, there I saw his big smile. I was so happy that time that I said to myself that charting can
wait but this moment cannot. I was able to play with him and even fed him and gave his
medications. I again went home with a big smile and with the thought of how great is it really to
be a nurse.
- A nurse they say is someone who opens the eyes of a newborn and gently closes the eyes of a
dying man. A journey that no one else does but it is indeed a high blessing to be first and last to
witness the beginning and end of life.
- Sometimes but not often, it may be devastating to be a nurse, to see someone cries for their last
breath while you try to do everything you could to bring more time to his emptying chamber of
life. It shatters you every time you see a tear being shed out, when you see their life tearing apart,
no one else would be there to comfort a grieving soul but a nurse.
- The long hours of work, unending charts and orders, bed baths, wound dressings, running errands
from the different departments in different floors of the hospital, different demands from both the
patients and the watchers, sometimes an encounter with a toxic watcher, unexpected codes and
nurse patient ratios that are beyond imagination that hinders you to just even empty your bladder
where you wish you could just wear a diaper or insert a folley catheter, or a percutaneous
endoscopic gastrostomy to just run off your food in a single push because you need more time to
finish everything. Sometimes it is overwhelming to be a nurse, you wake up for your shift early
getting your food aside because you want to be on time, you end your shift craving not for food but
your bed then you wake up again the next day, same cycle but the beauty of becoming a nurse is
realizing that every day you will touch a life or a life touches yours.
Nursing is indeed a dreadful yet an amazing barracks. Fellow graduates hold on to the very first reason
why we opted to enter this battle. We’ve fought an extra mile, stumble and wounded several times but never
did our flag fall down. Today is a temporary victory, greater battles lie ahead in our quest for our license
Dear fellow graduates, if you may, I would like to ask you to stand up and face the audience.
There is almost hundred warrior graduates in this hall today, and each one of them has given a good
fight. But ladies and gentlemen I would like you to know that each one of us graduates shed more than just
tears but blood and fought for our lives just to earn this trophy, our diploma that we have received today.
Believe me when I say that each one of them have contributed to my success and I know to others as well.
Fellow graduates, the long nights are over, the endless requirement are done, and different academic fights
are now laid to rest. Job well done!
Our dear parents, look at us graduates, one of us is your daughter or son.
To all the mothers, here is now the person that you carried for nine months inside your womb, the
person that is used to be your baby, whom you used to feed and dress patiently and proudly, is now a grown
up, they no longer let you hear their cries of despair for food or attention but their cries of victory.
To all the fathers, look at us graduates, here stands your daughter or your son, look into our eyes where
you can see how well you have raised us. We are now a lady and a man of honor and valor.
To our dear mentors in the College of Nursing, you’ve been our greatest comrade in this battle. We are
now the students whom you used to scold for procrastinations. We are now the students who entered this
battle craving for knowledge. And we are now the students that for four years have carved out their names
either in the dean’s office or in different areas of this university. Dear mentors standing in front of you are
your future colleagues in the Nursing profession.
Now my fellow graduates if you could face me now,
Graduation is not an end goal in itself; it is instead a part of the larger journey of life. Wherever your
future takes you, let it take you somewhere. Life is a journey, and all accomplishments we have achieved
during its course should be taken as great foundation for further achievements. Our graduation should serve
as such a launching point, projecting us to wherever our futures are meant to take us, whether we land
ourselves a career, take up a trade, or continue to higher education.
***Please take your seats.

This graduation has already shown us how capable we all are of accomplishing our goals when we
commit ourselves. I hope all of us here today can take this personal accomplishment as an example of how
anything is truly possible when we put our minds to it. As we all continue on in our lives, let us face new
problem with confidence, knowing that we have achieved great heights and are equipped with the necessary
tools to tackle our futures.
Of course, this moment won’t be true enough without the persons who have helped us achieved the
greatness of today. Let me express my gratitude to the following persons -
1. To our Almighty Father, I could have been lost without your guidance, I could have been laying
underneath your creations without your strength and I could’ve lose this battle without you. You have
helped me through times that I cannot help myself, and I am forever be in debt to you. Our Father, I
seek for your guidance and blessings for us today as we received our diplomas, let your ray of light
guide us to whatever and wherever our aspirations will take us, and I specially seek for you to bestow
us the strength and courage as soon we will face the gates of the Nursing Profession, the Nursing
Licensure Examinations.
2. The University have been our second home and inside lies our second parents- our professors that
have planted the seeds of knowledge, who have sprinkled them with love and have been patiently
nurturing our growth to produce the tomorrow’s dreams.
 To our very able College Dean, Dr. Julieta T. Guinid, receive my sincerest appreciation for
everything that you have given me and to the whole batch. You have been very supportive to
the paths we take and you have guided our missed landings. With whole heart and from the
bottom of my hypothalamus, thank you so much ma’am!
 Of course to Professor Mercedes Anicas, ma’am you have been so patient to us, thank you
ma’am!
 The Nursing Students’ Organization have been my home for 3 consecutive years, it helped me
mold myself to become a better leader and a servant to the student buddy and to the community
as well.
 I was the Second Year representative and this person has been my guiding star, Dr. Francis
Don Nero, our organization adviser during that year, thank you so much sir!
 As I continue serving the studentry by being the third year representative and you have lit your
candle for me to see more, Professor Constante Mendoza, you have been a great organization
adviser to us, thank you so much sir!
 During my last year of stay in the College I didn’t had second thoughts of leave what I have
started, I have served my fellow Student Nurses and the Community by being the Vice
Governor of the Organization and I want you to know Professor Greggie Talingdan that you
 have helped me transformed the little leader boy to a man of service, you have made the flames
inside me burn more and bigger and prosperous.
 The Nightingale Publication have been also my home for 2 consecutive years, being a
photojournalist and sports editor, I couldn’t ask more for an adviser that fosters and guides his
students than you do, Dr. Bernardo Oliver Arde, thank you so much that my stay at the
publication have been so fruitful.
 To Dr. Nero and Dr. Arde, you have guided us throughout our journey in our research work. I
couldn’t ask more for a better adviser and critique than you two. Thank you so much sirs for
our research have gone through a lot, from winning a place in the College Research
Symposium, to garnering a spot at the University Research Colloquium. It have been also
presented in the community and have been fortunately accepted and presented over the 1st
CSDR ASEAN International Conference lined over the different works of well experienced
professionals and scientists. And of course wouldn’t I forget Professor Greggie for
accompanying and supporting me through my presentation at the CSDR Conference, professor,
I will not also forget that 6.1 magnitude during that conference. To Ma’am Evelyn Pascua the
PTCA President, for not doubting our capabilities and unselfishly given us financial support as
well as with Dr. Jimmy Soria, the Vice President for Student and External Affairs, ma’am and
sir, my sincerest thanks for your support.
 To our Nanang in the College, Professor Romeline Asanion, ma’am for four years you have
been nurturing us and protecting us like your true children, professor. And your lessons will
forever be carved in our life. Thank you so much!
 And to all our Clinical Instructors and Professors who have I forgot mentioned, agyamanak la
unay for all your teachings have one way or another helped us get through this moment today.
 Teachers they say are the soul of education and is the compass that activates the magnets of
curiosity, knowledge and wisdom. Thank you so much teachers!
3. I have been blessed with so many families, families that may not be blood related but enough to be
called a family – my friends. To Jamaica and Clarissa, since elementary we have been there for me,
there’s no greater friendship than one that started from the minds of innocents. To my high school girl
friends who are here today, Kim, Crystal, Hazel and Krizza, you have helped drove my journey. To my
College close friends, Jenny, Hazel, Jermaine, Jen, Czarina, Maffie, Patrizha, Krisha and of course
Jamaica and Clarissa, we have started this together and today we will end it together.
4. I wouldn’t let this day end without giving tribute to the actual persons who have worked day and night,
who have sacrificed tons of them to let me stand here holding a degree – my family. To my ever loving
and supportive grandmothers, Dr. Peroma L. Pacis (Lola Ben) and Professor Ursulina Retutar (Lola
Sol), I couldn’t ask for more for all the love and support you’ve given not only to me but to our entire
family. To my Mamy Olive, even though your miles away, it feels like you’re here, you’ve been a great
part of my success. Mang, Pang, there are no enough words to tell how grateful I am today. I have seen
you worked hard and we have gone through a lot of things and I hope today, this very moment will help
you feel at ease. Mang, Pang, you have your second Cum Laude now and in a few months, your second
registered nurse. I don’t claim to be a god son, for some times you may feel that I have been burdening
you with so much but ill tell you now, once I will be holding my license, I will work hard to earn your
comfort. Agyamanak la unay kanya yo.
Dear fellow graduates and everyone who is in this hall today, WHY NURSING? It is because
becoming a nurse is one of the most selfless acts a person can undertake. In a society of so many different
races, cultures, customs and beliefs, nurses are universal gift to all, and the dedicated work that they do and
kindness they deliver on a daily basis should serve as a reminder of the fundamental humanity inside us all.
 From this day forward, let us make each decision with our best interests in mind. Let us believe in
ourselves so that we may reach our goals and fulfill our dreams. Let us be the best that we can be so that
we may fill our lives and the lives of those closest to us with happiness and pride. We’ve already taken the
first step by making it to this ceremony today—now, it’s time to take the next steps in the journey of our
lives and begin to build our futures.
Thank you College of Nursing! Thank you University of Northern Philippines! Congratulations to
us Graduates of Class 2019! To God be the Glory! Manus Cor Mens!