Student Models, Ideal Nurses

Exams are the hardest part of a student’s life.  All the endless preparations, sleepless nights and on the spot nervous breakdowns, it sure is a roller coaster ride. Yet, for these two students who topped the nursing board exam, they are sure glad the exams are over.

           

            The Nursing Licensure Exam, a 500-item multiple choice exam which tests a nursing student if he or she is worthy the license, was conducted last July 2 and 3 of this year. Out of almost 80, 000 takers, Jacob Reyes and Lowel Andrew Batomalaque who were from Cebu Normal University, landed on the top.

            Reyes who was an active student got the top 6 spot and Batomalaque was in the 8th place. Both went to the same review center after graduation but had different strategies in mind.

            For Reyes, he scheduled his readings for every subject. He turned away from parties, outings, and barkada trips. “After every review, I immediately went home and continued reading my books so as not to get behind my target dates,” he added.

Lowell Batomalaque, top 8

 Batomalaque on the other hand, added the factor of emotionally preparing himself. “I admired the words of encouragement I got from our Dean and the review center staff before the exam date. It was really helpful.” He also emphasized on spiritual preparation since he is a devout catholic. “Having strong faith in God can make wonders.”

       There were a lot of things that pushed them to give their best. Like most of us do, the family always comes on top of the list. To become a competent nurse was a motivation for them. Reyes even recalls, “I missed the Cum Laude spot by a painstaking decimal of 0.01!” Even so, achieving things were their natural drives.

            However, nursing has become a trend upon college degree programs. A lot of discussions stirred up about it not being an ideal course for fresh high school graduates. But for two determined individuals, this wasn’t a problem for them upon taking the board.

            “Nursing is a really noble and heartwarming profession,” says Reyes. “If the only aim of taking up nursing is for financial security, then they might as well give up his hope for nursing is not profitable. Yet, if someone takes up nursing with the aim of serving the people, then congratulations!, he/she just found a very ideal degree program,” added Batomalaque.

Jacob Reyes, top 6

            It is passion that makes these two individuals stand out among the rest. “Sincere Thank yous and warm smiles from the patients are priceless, it gives me a sense of purpose and happiness,” says Reyes as he recounts his student nurse days.

            Despite success, they are still willing to share a message to those who are currently enrolled in the course. “On duty days, just be there for your patients and you will feel the authentic joy of serving others”, says Reyes. “Don’t be taunted with the current situation for only those nurses who lack in passion and creativity are surely bound to fail,” added Batomalaque. 

            They do not fear unemployment for their passion and determination will get them far. What is there when one gives up? For Jacob and Lowell, they only know that giving up isn’t an option and that the Lord always answers prayers.

            Their four years in the academe was full-packed with lectures, discussions, hospital duties and of course exams. The board exam finalized their status as registered nurses. As some nurses would choose to go abroad, both would rather serve their people here. Truly, Lowell and Jacob are student models and nursing examples.

Published in the Sun.Star Newspaper last Sept. 5, 2011.

Arrival

When a good old friend lands from the land of milk and honey, the pack comes in as if trying to suffice a grand reunion. “Hi, Hello! How have you been?” and “Golly, you’ve gone so thin! What have you been up to?” were simple phrases I could not miss. Of course, I wasn’t present at all times this cluster would meet. I was in demand for school and more so, my competition in trying to get into the media industry.

We shared giggles and laughter as we dug in to our late afternoon snack. Flashbacks came and more stories surfaced. Who wouldn’t want to talk about more than year of absence from the city of birth? The endless chatter seemed to have flown off the window as time passed.

Looking at these individuals who are now posing to become professionals, I tell myself what a shame it has been. Being so privileged to be in the same city, we barely meet. We tell ourselves we’re busy or it’s time to move on. Now that a colleague arrived we all gather as if we were still in the same room where we used to sit.

True, I have missed sitting with these guys. But what is more chatter than spending moments together. We should have, but we didn’t. The reality of being busy scares me into forgetting where we got hold of each other. Give me five years more and we’ll be landing on different ports, missing each other. When we all come back for our own arrivals, the pack will meet again. Privileged abused, shame.

Buwan ng Wika and the Filipino Language

August is the month for honouring our national language, Filipino. It’s the time of the month where we celebrate the “Buwan ng Wika” or for some “Linggo ng Wika”. This is accompanied with songs, dances, stage plays and poems that are all in Filipino.

But why do we have to learn Filipino?

For eight year old, Ram Cosmo from Maria Montessori International School, he says “So that we (children) will be able to know how to speak our national language”. Yet, just like all other children, he finds it difficult to learn.

According to Teacher Ryan Jore, Filipino Elementary and High School Teacher from Benedicto College, “Most of the students are really having a hard time learning Filipino, given the fact that most of them are required to speak English now that more schools are adopting the “English Only Policy” or EOP.” He also added that, “Our own dialect is also a factor”.

Whether or not it has been difficult from the start, as Filipinos and as the children of today, we must open our options to learning our national language. Quit thinking that it is hard to master! It’s a matter of practice and appreciation. That is why we set aside a month just for this.

Buwan ng Wika is a month long celebration of our national language. It is more than the songs, dances, and presentations on stage – it is about learning to love Filipino and the Philippines. Surely our school has laid out different activities and programs for this month. Don’t hesitate to join! Be part of this celebration and take to heart all that you’ll be doing. Then you’ll learn to love Filipino as it is.

Our national language is a very colourful one and indeed isn’t very hard to learn. Filipino can easily be learned if we have fun! So let’s celebrate August with a “Masigarbong palakpakan!” as we make way for Buwan ng Wika.

First published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper, August 7, 2011

Subtle Visions

WHAT does it take to convey a message without having to shake the world?

For visual artist Patricia Mendoza, “subtle choice of colors” would best answer this question. “Subtle” is also the name of her second solo painting exhibit, which was held at the Chiye Mori Library at the 856 G Gallery, AS Fortuna St. in June this year.

When asked about why she used this title, Mendoza, a teacher by profession, explained: “I want my colors to be just that: subtle. The subject matter can be only a micro expression or a gesture, things that don’t really shake the world.”

Mendoza is currently teaching animation and art courses in the University of Cebu while pursuing her love for painting.

Attended by her colleagues from the art industry and by aspiring young artists, “Subtle” gave viewers a glimpse into the artist’s train of thought. One of her former students from the University of Cebu, Farrah Tunacao, said, “Ms. Pat is an easy teacher to be with. When it comes to painting she’s good. She has her own signature strokes.”                                             

True enough, award-winning graphic designer Saul Sander Martinez also said the same thing. “There is an unusual colour combination which makes it all interesting. She has her own signature style, [and has] continuity.”

This professional artist, who graduated from the University of the Philippines–Cebu with a degree in fine arts, used acrylic for her medium. She had a neutral colour scheme such as brown, beige, peach, and powder blue.

“People tend to judge paintings by their colors,” Mendoza said. “For them, when it’s bright, it (brings with it) a heavy message; when it’s a bit cool, it’s laid back. My choice of using these colors is a form of establishing communication when they look at it.”

When asked about her best painting in the set, she pointed out two of them. One was titled “He Wants to be that Guy” and the other was “Landscapes.”

The first painting has for its subject a cousin of hers who screwed up his face, creating a facial expression hard to describe. Is it fear, disbelief, surprise, or disgust?

This work also speaks of life, when we don’t really know what to do, and there is no need for us to pretend we are someone else, or someone we want to be but never will.

The second one is a subtle reference to the female figure but it can also be seen as on the literal level, a picturesque scene, hence the name, landscape. It can even refer to Mother Nature.

There were other interesting paintings in the exhibit that were titled as simple nuggets of wisdom to life, such as “It’s not what it seems,” “You can’t bridge some gaps,” “Learn to deal with it,” and “Don’t be a jerk.”

Simple yet hard to grasp, and for the painter it took a couple of colors on each canvas to convey what her thoughts were.

It takes a viewer a few moments in front of each work to go beyond the paint, to understand the artist’s message. Beauty is truly more than skin deep. 

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on August 23, 2011.

Experience of design

Opportunities for experience seldom come especially in a student’s life. Thus, it’s best to grab every opportunity. Axel Que, a junior taking up Bachelor in Fine Arts, major in Product Design at the University of the Philippines Cebu did and deemed the experience as worth it.

                His journey with art started when he was young. It has been Axel’s first love even before college. He used to design costumes for events like festivals, programs and the like. Even in his childhood, he would sketch a lot and stack his works. After finishing high school, he was bound to follow his dreams of enrolling in a university that offered a bachelor degree in fine arts, a promise that he used to tell himself. He enrolled at the University of the Philippines even though he didn’t have theories to back him up, only experience.

                Several months into his degree program, he began to understand slowly the basics of design. With this knowledge and his experience, he easily ranked top of his class. “Axel is very diligent in class,” says his classmate Kenneth Gallardo. “Even if our projects are hard, he always does his best to come up with the most outstanding design.”

                Last summer, he was invited by world-renowned designer Mr. Kenneth Coponbue to work for him for two months. Not for allowance nor for grades but for the worthwhile experience. “I got to glimpse the real world and how designers really work,” he commented.

                It all started during their second semestral exhibit of school year 2010-2011 at the University of the Philippines - Cebu. Coponbue, a critic of the said event, scrutinized his works on his table and invited him for a two-month internship in his office at the Interior Crafts of the Islands with a group of professional designers. He said yes, of course, without hesitation. Yet, he didn’t know what to expect in mind.

                His stay inside the office wasn’t easy as a design course. “This was a totally different world,” he said. “There were deadlines to meet and the entire process of designing a product was very tedious. It would take the company weeks and even months to finish one. I was really pressured.” However, all his efforts paid off when he was able to spearhead a design of a cabinet and a planter’s box.

                On the other hand, he was able to learn a lot from it and he wouldn’t trade that for anything else. He said that all the things he learned in school prepared him to face the two-month experience. “Inside, I knew how to innovate, to think out of the box and to make variations of a simple sketch.”

                 He dreams of being a top fashion designer in a few years from now, adding that his background on product design would take his career up a notch. For the past three years, he has designed gowns for school fashion shows and has spoken to design students from other universities. To date, he is still designing gowns for fashion shows (both in and out of the campus) apart from being a student.

                His field of expertise may be a bit difficult. But for Axel, nothing is impossible. As UP Fine Arts students would say, “Imadyina ang Impossible” (Imagine the impossible). His secrets are to keep on hanging to the inspiration of continuing his art and researching what’s the latest. “At times we want to give up but I’m telling you don’t. Saying ‘I can’t go on’ are just words but your actions can still go further,” he said as an advice to students like him.

                So if there are opportunities knocking on you right now, go for it. You might be in for the experience of a lifetime.

Out of the rain

Ever since popstar Sheryn Regis won her title a few years back, her revive of "Come in out of the rain" has been a hit in the market. Maybe so because she's pretty (?) and talented (hell yeah) but maybe a million people could relate to it. It's catchy chorus makes it a prospect tune for singing contests and karaoke moments.

You told me, that you loved me
If I ever change, welcome me into your arms again
Come on in out of rain
There's a place, in  your heart to love me again
happiness and joy you bring
when you call my name
Come on in out of the rain


Sheryn started making hits when she was still in college down at a local hotel restobar. She was also part of the CNU Chorale, one of the best chorales in Cebu and the whole world. They have made it to competitions worldwide and concerts with other outstanding chorales such as UV chorale, UE choir and a lot more. Truly, her heart was in for music despite her being an English Major.



So I close my stressful week with a heavy dramatic song from a world-class singer from Cebu Normal University, my alma matter. Kudos CNU, for producing such talents!

exasperated

Deadlines. Meetings. Appointments. Engagements. Exams. Quizzes. Reports. Assignments. Death.

Typical for a student's life isn't it? Especially for one who is in UP, I bet this isn't unusual. We're always bombarded with schoolwork and the demands of the different organizations both useful and non-useful. I've been there, exasperated? Yes, we've all been. According to a dictionary source, this means being in the state of being greatly annoyed. 

I remember when I used to have classmates who always keep on pushing their noses up against me as if I can spread the hottest talk in town. Living a papazzi-ed life? Not so much. But talk, definitely. Annoying as it may seem, people would always bug you, trample on you just to get their ways.

In the current state that I am in, I can't decipher which of which can be the true origin of this feeling. It's like one's inner soul is being stretched out for everyone to benefit and it is tiring. Those times when you don't really know which one to put down first or set aside. 

If I were given the chance to trance away, I would. But chances are chances, there's really nothing much we can do about it. Maybe to feel exasperated, exhausted and all the negative auras in the world. Keep refreshed! Tried it an it worked! That's typical for a student too. :)