UNIVERSITY of CORDILLERAS at Full Life!

I’m not quite familiar with how a university cares for their students when it comes to board exams.  Although I am aware that when BAR exams come it turns out to be a fiesta.  There are cheering squads, bands, and lots of food.  I didn’t know that it does happen also to nursing students.  Although obviously it’s not that grand as of the Bar exams.  This is my first time to see a Nursing Board Exam where a university would send some of its staff to give moral support and lots of food as well.  I can understand the Nursing Review Centers why they would do that.  But for a university to do that is truly admirable.

Here’s Sir Bernie explaining why they do what they do.

The UC tarpaulin outside the church's gate.

I think this is the year where the Nursing Board provided other testing centers from the regular ones.  This is the first for Dagupan City.  And this is why we got to see up close how a university treated their students well.  I’m referring to University of Cordilleras of Baguio City, formerly known as Baguio Colleges Foundation.  This is a school that produced a bar topnotcher.

Ma'am Karina and two other students waiting for the UC students to come out for their break.

July 3-4, 2010 was the scheduled Nursing Board Examination.  Lyceum Northwestern of Dagupan City was chosen as a testing center.   And it happens to be across our church, Full Life Baptist Fellowship.  There was a lot of noise that early in the morning and some were even shouting.  Outside the church’s gate were parents, relatives, review centers staff, and university personnel who were accompanying their son or daughter and giving them encouragement.  The problem was the sun was getting high and there wasn’t enough shade to cover them.  It was also crowded it would be difficult to feed the students on their break.

Don't worry guys, it will be other's turn next year.

Jonathan and Orville, two of our church staff decided to offer to use the church ground for them to be more convenient.  And this is where we got to meet the people from UC.  They told us they would be feeding their students and they need tables and chairs.  We have lots of them, so we shared what we have with them.  We let them use the available tables we have and all the chairs they needed.

The UC students signing up for lunch.

When the students went out for their lunch at about 1 pm, they were able to eat comfortably or at least better had they stayed outside.

Ma'am Karina waiting for the students.

The following day we decided to brew some coffee for the students and their parents who would be accompanying them.  We even posted, “LIBRENG KAPE (FREE COFFEE)” outside our post to invite not just student but everyone who wants to drink coffee. It’s mostly the parents, security guards and the traffic enforcers who drank the coffee.

Didn't know this shot was taken. We love giving out free coffee.

Some of the parents drinking coffee as they wait for their son / daughter.

And the same thing happened during break and lunch time.

The UC students during lunch.

I’ m writing this article just to say how I admire University of Cordilleras for their concern and care for their students.  I’m thankful to having meet Sir BERNIE BUTAC AND Ma’am KARINA JOYCE QUEVEDO who are very kind and generous to us.  It’s very rarely seen how universities care for their students.  But because of this experience, my admiration and respect goes out for the university and its staff.

...and more food to eat!

Thank you for allowing us to serve you also.  And we thank you also for the Jolibee food products you generously gave us.  And that’s why we would like to let you know that if this happens again, you are welcome to use our space.  We would love to have you around again.

The staff of University of Cordilleras with the members of Full Life!