By Elaisha L. Pomida, BA Comm-4, The Centralian Link Intern

Batch Luminara students light their candles from the flame emanated from the symbolic candle of Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing.

On January 27, 2026, the Central Philippine University College of Nursing Class of 2028 held its annual Capping, Pinning, and Candle Lighting Ceremony at the Rose Memorial Auditorium.

The ceremony honoring CPU Batch Luminara began with a prelude led by Theda B. Cabra, a fourth-year BSN student, followed by the processional of all second-year nursing students. This was followed by an invocation led by Rev. Dr. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor of the University Church, and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and Alma Mater Song.

All attendees were formally welcomed by University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy with a message acknowledging all esteemed guests, pinners, cappers, parents, and guardians with gratitude, while also expressing his profound support, pride, and congratulations for the BSN Class of 2028.

“May our nursing students…choose to live by the standards Nightingale has set and determine to extend the ministry of caring not only in their generation, but to the generation following theirs,” said Rev. Dr. Dagohoy, further reminding student nurses, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Inspiring words were further gifted to the students by guest speaker and nursing alumna of BSN Class 1962 Easter C. Arora, introduced by Melba C. Sale, Dean of the College of Nursing.

Arora delivered her message with a reminder for student nurses to always be “grounded in faith and practice with the heart of Christ anchored in the values of the university.”

“This is why we are here today: we observe this tradition to remind us that we belong. We belong to a profession. We have set standards and requirements to remind us that…in this institution we honor God, who has expectations of us,” said Arora.

The ceremony moved forward with the reading of the History of the First Nursing School in the Philippines delivered by Weni Marie V. Braza, Level 1 Coordinator, followed by the reading of the Significance of the Cap, Lamp, and Pin by Rita E. Penaso, Lucina Stimulation Coordinator.

The Centralian nursing community paid homage to Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing, through a solemn tradition of her entrance into the ceremony, portrayed by Nenalyn D. Abioda, KABALAKA Program Coordinator.

The highlight of the ceremony followed suit—the Capping, Pinning, and Candle Lighting proper—commencing with the presentation of candidates by Janette E. Yap, Clinical Coordinator, confirmed by Dean Sale.

Batch Luminara student nurses were capped and pinned by Dean Sale, together with the following nursing professionals from the province of Iloilo: Ma. Regina G. Coniza, Nursing Service Office Director of Iloilo Mission Hospital, Hon. Salex E. Alibogha, President of the Central Philippine University, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital and Iloilo Mission Hospital Nurses’ Alumni Association (CCINAA), and Carolyn L. Yoro, Nursing Service Director of Medicus Medical Center, as well as Robynel A. Alba, Ma. Azucena A. Lamigo, Teresa D. Servidad, Ma. Donabelle P. Carmona, Armando P. Casa, and Virginia J. Gubatanga, Chief Nurses of Western Visayas Medical Center, Aleosan District Hospital, Ramon Tabiana Memorial District hospital, Iloilo Provincial Hospital, Dr. Ricardo Y. Ladrido Memorial Hospital, and Healthway Qualimed Hospital Iloilo, respectively.

Afterwards, all student nurses proceeded to light their candles from the mother candle, lighted by the representation of Florence Nightingale earlier in the ceremony.

As the ceremony progressed, all nurses in the auditorium stood to recite the Nightingale Pledge, led by Michael M. Tatoy, Academic Coordinator, followed by The Nurses’ Prayer delivered by Joy B. Lacson, Academic Coordinator.

Batch Luminara student nurses soon filled the auditorium with singing voices for their class song titled “The Journey”, composed by Charlie Gin E. Latoza and conducted by Liyan Marie Ronquillo—both second-year nursing students.

As Rev. Sian led the community in a Benediction following the singing of the class song, Rev. Dr. Dagohoy surprised all attendees with the announcement of Dr. Seisa’s pledge to take care of the board exam review expenses of all 225 student nurses of Batch Luminara, inviting her on stage for a message of support for the nursing students.

Finally, as the program came to a close, Annalee D. Gilongos, Master of Ceremony for the program, delivered words of gratitude and congratulations, inviting the CPU administration, guests, and student nurses to proceed on stage for a photo-taking before the recessional.

The Capping, Pinning, and Candle Lighting Ceremony is an annual solemn tradition and sacred rite of passage of the CPU College of Nursing in solidarity with nursing students worldwide, signifying their transition from classroom education into clinical practice.