Far Eastern University (FEU) Nursing Society and Nursing Batch Government jointly organized the 2023 Capping and Candle Lighting Ceremony at SMX Convention Center in Mall of Asia, Pasay City last October 21. 

The event embodied the theme, “The Unveiling Brilliance: Empowering Hearts, Inspiring Minds, and Embodying Excellence in the New Era of Nursing.” 

Furthermore, the cap is an emblem students earn through unwavering commitment and dedication, while the candle lighting memorializes the lamp that Florence Nightingale carried while tending to soldiers. 

In an interview with FEU Advocate, FEU Nursing Society President Czarina Billman gave her insights on facilitating the ceremony in collaboration with the Nursing Batch Government.

“Nasanay kami na NurSoc ang nag-aayos … but then this year, kailangan namin syempre i-maximize ‘yung effort nung Batch Government … Mas maganda siya kasi naging collaborative effort between batch nila and ‘yung sa mismong Nursing Society (We got used to NurSoc as the managing body, but then this year, we maximized the effort of the batch government. This setup is better because it became a collaborative effort between their batch and the Nursing Society),” she elaborated.

Due to the increased volume of guests, the venue for this year’s capping and candle lighting ceremony changed from the familiar Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) to the SMX Convention Center.

“Yung venue kasi nung tatlong capping last year is from PICC, and ngayon nasa SMX tayo kasi super dami nila, hindi na kami na-cater ng PICC, so isa 'yun sa factor (The venue for last year’s three cappings was PICC. Now, we are here in SMX because PICC could not cater to the increased number of student-nurses),” the NurSoc president explained. 

Former Assistant Dean Jayvee Cruz inspired Tamaraw nurses to embrace Florence Nightingale’s legacy and commit to innovating the field.

“Your theme for this year's candle lighting ceremony is a resounding reverberation of Florence Nightingale's inspiring legacy. The challenge for you is to continue this legacy and bring your unique and lasting contribution to the nursing profession,” he said.

Similarly, Dean of the Department of Nursing Moira Uy also restated the responsibilities and values that student-nurses must inculcate as an FEU nurse.

“Ang FEU nurse ay hindi lamang matalino o magaling, ang FEU nurse ay hindi madaling sumuko (An FEU nurse is not simply smart or excellent, an FEU nurse does not give up),” she emphasized.

This annual ceremony honors second-year students about to begin their clinical journey, officially earning the title of SN or student-nurse. 

1415 student-nurses participated in the Batch 2026 capping and candle lighting ceremony.

-Shayra Ayah S. Laja

(Photo by Gwyneth Mendoza/FEU Advocate)