By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
In remembering the legacy of the late Natividad Caipang, the Central Philippine University College of Nursing and the Capiz Emmanuel Hospital and Iloilo Mission Hospital Nurses’ Alumni Association (CCINAA) and BSN Class ’80 in collaboration with in collaboration with the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing, Region VI and Philippine Nurses’ Association Iloilo Chapter hosted the 4th Natividad C. Caipang Memorial Lecture Series on October 3, 2020.
The lecture entitled “Rise and Shine: Overcoming Mental Health Challenges in the new normal” focused on dealing with anxiety especially for nurses and nursing educators. Philippine Nurses’ Association- Iloilo Chapter President Dr. Rosanna Grace Belo- Delariarte and Western Visayas Medical Center Department of Psychiatry Chairperson Dr. Daisy Chua Daquilanea were among the distinguished lecturers during the webinar.
Natividad C. Caipang is the second Filipino Dean of the CPU College of Nursing next to Loreto D. Tupaz. She received her BSN (Post-Basic) and MA in Education from CPU in 1954 and 1962 respectively. Her 17 years as dean of the CPU College of Nursing had brought the college into its current status of distinction, recognized both here and abroad. Under her deanship, the college attained full accreditation status, offered the MA in Nursing Program, and became very active in community health outreach.
She had served as PNA governor for Region VI and was a four-time chapter president of PNA-Iloilo, the first and only chapter to attain the Hall of Fame status. She co-founded the Council of Administrators in Nursing Education in Western Visayas and was its first chairperson.
In 1997, Prof. Caipang received the Anastacia Giron Tupas Award, the most prestigious award in the nursing profession. She was cited as “a professional nurse whose seeds of patience and perseverance brought forth fruits of opportunities in leadership and service in the academe.” She had received various awards from the PNA Iloilo Chapter, the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing, Region VI, and the most recent, from CPU, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, and Iloilo Mission Hospital Nurses Association. No wonder, she has been listed in the Who’s Who in the World and the International Who’s Who in Education as early as the 80’s.