Thomasian Nurses Celebrate Nature Advocacy

By Hazel Vera Tan

The College of Nursing, headed by the Nursing Central Board of Students (NCBS), celebrated nature with Earth Wake 2: The Nursing Grand Greenovation last August 13.

The nature event kicked off with a race advocating for nature called ENVI-RUN-MENT where a number of nursing students finished a ten-lap race at the Benavides Garden. The over-all winner for the male division was Paul Letargo (II-6) with runners-up Arthur Lo (I-8) and Kyle Fontanilla (III-4). For the female division, winners were first-placer Leslie Chan (IV-3) with Bianca Cervania (IV-3) and Stephanie Locsin (II-6) rounding up the list. This was then followed by the opening of different booths which showcased various activities concerning the environment such as the UST Nursing Boothanical Garden, UST Up for Nature, UNITE interactive exhibits, Landscapes, Indelible Green and the Green Screen.

Afterwards, selected students of the college participated in a Zen-dish making competition entitled Greenvent. Mary Grace Marteja and Ann Jellyn Manalastas (IV-6) won the top prize for the event. Other winners were Zenel Yap and Angela Tominez (II-10) as well as Christine Manalo and Ma. Theresa Marcelo of (IV-6).

Reigning Ms. Earth-Air 2009 and Ms. Philippines Earth 2009 Sandra Seifert graced the environmental colloquium held at the Medicine Auditorium of St. Martin de Porres Building. Together with her was CON professor, Ma. Sanita Quilatan who is a member of various environmental groups like Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and For the Love of Mother Earth, Inc. The distinguished speakers shared their different experiences in helping Mother Earth. After the event, a musical booth named E-tunes was then set-up in the Dean’s Garden together with a luncheon.

In the afternoon, selected students representing their batches showcased their talents in the Glee Turns Green competition. The seniors emerged as the over-all champion with a score of 96% and the sophomores taking the runner-up place with a score of 81%. This was then followed by the Nursing Nightingale singing competition with Katherine Ordoñez emerging as the champion. Runners-up for the competition were Jose Amadeo Imperial and Joanna Cordova placing second and third, respectively.

The finale of the nature celebration was the pageant, Mr. and Ms. Nature Ambassador where Miguel Camacho (IV-2) and Cristine Lim (IV-6) emerged as the winners. Lester Perez (II-8) and Ariane Empaynado (IV-4) emerged as runners-up for the boys, respectively while Chloe Kuizon (III-5) and Izelyn Tan (III-10) emerged as the runners-up for the girls.

Other special award winners were Ivana Leachon (I-11) and Mark Deneb Armena (IV-1) for the Best in Theme Wear; Cristine Lim (IV-6) and Ariane Empaynado (IV-4) for Best Enviromercial; Gabriel Ramos of (II-8) and Patricia Camille Badion (I-2) for Mr. and Ms. Photogenic; and Jayme Jalandoni (IV-5) and Lester Perez (II-8) for Best Casual Wear.