Thousands of newly licensed nurses in Region VI formally entered the profession during the Oath Taking of New Nurses on February 7, 2026, held at the Iloilo Grand Hotel. Among those taking their oath were 388 Augustinian Nurses from the University of San Agustin (USA) College of Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics (CNND), representing a major milestone in the institution’s nursing education journey.
To accommodate all participants, the ceremony was split into two batches: the first from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and the second from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The program opened with the Philippine National Anthem, invocation, and PRC Hymn, followed by welcome remarks from Mr. Al Michael A. Beria, President of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA)—Iloilo Chapter.
Deans from different nursing schools across Western Visayas attended the ceremony, especially our own Rev. Fr. John Louis S. Ricamora, O.S.A., MN, MAT, RN, Dean of the USA-CNND.
Dir. Romel B. Balisang, Regional Director of PRC-VI, introduced the inspirational speaker and administering officer, Hon. Leah Primitiva Samoco-Paquiz, Chairman of the Board of Nursing.
Hon. Samoco-Paquiz delivered the inspirational speech and administered the professional oath to the new nurses, who were presented by the deans of the Colleges of Nursing.
Guest speakers received plaques of appreciation, and honors were also given to top-performing nursing schools in the region, along with individual high achievers from the licensure exam.
Standing out among the recognized achievers is Angelica Basco Ciudadano, RN, an Augustinian nurse who earned a Top 10 ranking in the licensure exam.
