Arellano University Honors 539 Student Nurses at Capping and Pinning Ceremony

Five hundred thirty-nine students from Arellano University’s College of Nursing, International Nursing Program (INP), and Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) were honored during the Capping and Pinning Ceremony held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on July 21, 2025. With the theme “Lighting the Path to Resilience and Excellence: Preparing Future Nurses for Better Health and Professional Outcomes,” the ceremony, an established rite in nursing education, marked a significant milestone in the journey of student nurses as they transition from classroom learning to clinical practice.

This year’s event was made even more meaningful with a keynote address delivered by Engr. Noel G. Caberto, RN, MAN, MDRM—an accomplished alumnus of the Class of 2006. Engr. Caberto drew from his multidisciplinary background, including nursing, physical therapy, and engineering, to offer words of encouragement and wisdom to the future nurses in attendance.

He emphasized the importance of applying knowledge beyond the classroom, highlighting the need to cultivate resilience through meaningful mentorship, self-compassion, emotional intelligence, lifelong learning, and reflective practice. Engr. Caberto also underscored the values of patient-centered care and honoring the legacy of those who came before. "You have the ability to make a profound difference in the lives of others," he said. "Trust the One above and believe in yourself—you are capable of amazing things."

The presentation of candidates for pinning was led by clinical coordinators and program directors across campuses, with the recommendation for conferment approved by Dr. Maria Teresita N. Rivera, Vice President for Academic Affairs, on behalf of the Chairman and CEO of Arellano University, Dr. Francisco Paulino V. Cayco, MBM, LDH.

The ceremony also featured the entrance of this year’s Florence Nightingale, Mr. Jomar Alcantara, PHRN, CPC, MBA, USRN—another distinguished Arellano alumnus. Mr. Alcantara’s achievements in both academic and clinical arenas represent the enduring legacy of Florence Nightingale in modern nursing.

Students received their caps and pins—symbols of their commitment to the ideals of nursing and their readiness to serve in real-world healthcare environments. The audience, composed of proud family members, faculty, and peers, applauded as each student accepted the honor.

During the ceremony, female students were given traditional nursing caps, while male students received pins engraved with the university’s crest—each item a representation of the responsibility and compassion at the heart of the profession.

For the students, the moment was deeply symbolic. One student said, “It truly feels like a rite of passage, marking our first step closer to fulfilling our calling to care for others and help save lives.” Another shared, "The ceremony, for me, serves as a milestone in our nursing journey that marks the beginning of knowledge application into real-life settings, allowing us to be fully immersed in the nursing profession."

The ceremony concluded with the recitation of the Nightingale Pledge, led by this year’s Florence Nightingale awardee, and the singing of the batch song.

Arellano University’s College of Nursing and the International Nursing Program continue to cultivate a reputation for producing highly skilled and compassionate nurses—"the best for Filipinos and the choice of the world."

- Dr. Anna Katharina G. Peña, RN, MPH and Ms. Carla May Gonzales, RN, MAN