By Cyrus A. Natividad

The graduates of CPU College of Pharmacy Batch 2022 with Dr. Ted Robles and Guest Speaker Mark Ryan D. Langit.

After two years of online graduations and ceremonies, the CPU College of Pharmacy held its 5th White Coat and Pinning Ceremony on June 1, 2022 at 8:00 in the morning, at the University Church, Central Philippine University, with the theme: “PolymorPhism: The Diversified Practice of Pharmacy for the Evolving Health Needs.”

The program started with a Prelude and Processional of the graduates. The Invocation was led by Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor, University Church, CPU. It was followed by the Philippine National Anthem conducted by Ms. Joana Rose G. Dumam-Ag, 4th Yr. BS Pharmacy Student.

CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles welcomed everyone and acknowledged the guest speaker, the parents, the clinical instructors and professors for the role of giving appropriate instruction to the students. He told the graduating class that, “You will be registered Centralian Pharmacists,” and that their “academic success will be meaningless if your life is not anchored in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Vicente Militante, RPh -Acting Dean, College of Pharmacy, CPU introduced the Guest Speaker: Mark Ryan De Guzman Langit, RPh, who is an Executive Secretary of the Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc. He is a Professor of the Department of Pharmacy School for Natural Sciences at Saint Louis University. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, and his Master’s degree in Pharmacy 2010, also from St. Louis University.

Langit acknowledged the good preparation of the event by the CPU College of Pharmacy organizers. In his message, he considered the white coat and the pinning of ribbons, “already as a part of our welcoming you as colleagues in the organization of pharmacists. He explained that the graduate, after passing the National Board Exam, is already authorized to attach the RPh after his/her name by the National Regulatory Board.”

He asked the future Pharmacists through a power point presentation; among them, “What challenges you? We have a shortage of pharmacy workforce, difficulty in the transition of care – product oriented to patient care; weak referral mechanisms in the health care system and the ‘new Normal’ brought by the Covid 19 Pandemic.”

Dr. Robles and Militante presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Langit. The Oath of a Pharmacy Student was administered by Michael Calama-an, RPh – President, Young Pharmacists Group. He was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Dr. Robles and Militante.

Afterwards, the Senior Student Pharmacy Students rendered their Class Song. Rev. Sian led the Dedicatory Prayer and Benediction. The Alma Mater Song was led by Florence C. Nagnal, 4th Yr. BS Pharmacy Student of CPU, and the Pharmacy Hymn was sang by Senior Student Pharmacists after the prayer.

Mylyn L. Poral, RPh was Master of Ceremony.