Convention marks Catholic Nurses Guild's reactivation

 CEBU, Philippines - After long years of being inactive, the reactivated and reorganized Catholic Nurses Guild of the Philippines (CNGP) Cebu Chapter successfully held their 1st Local Convention yesterday at the Mariner’s Court, ALU Compound, Arellano St., Cebu City.

The organization’s president, Dr. Carmelita Villanobos, said that the organization has been dead for years now but being a consistent participant in the CNGP national convention, the national president, Dr. Lucia Soltes, called her last August if it would be possible to spearhead a local convention.

“I took the national president’s advise and we sent letters to the different schools, universities and hospitals in the province to join the local convention and I’m happy for their positive feedback,” Villanobos said.

With the theme “Nurses: Responding to the Gospel Call for Love and Care,” the convention gathered about 300 Catholic nurses in Cebu City and Cebu province as well. 

Cebu Archbishop Jose S. Palma delivered the keynote address and encouraged the nurses to remain and respond to the call for love and care as they give their selfless service to other people.

The program started with a Eucharistic Celebration officiated by Rev. Fr. Benjamin M. Trazo, the organization’s spiritual adviser.

The convention tackled topics relevant to the current challenges confronting Catholic nurses including “Nursing more than a profession’ by Rev. Fr. Trazo and “Virtue of health care professionals” by Dean Antonia Pascual of the School Health Care Professionals.

Trazo said that they view the nursing service as a way to respond to the call to holiness and imitating the example of Jesus who sacrificed himself for the good and salvation of others.

“Jesus is our model and our Christian faith is our constant inspiration. Hence, it is very important that nurses are oriented to basic values taught by the Gospel, especially about the dignity of persons and our Christian call to share Christ’s mission to service, to proclaim the Good News and sanctify others and ourselves,” said Trazo.

Trazo added that they made a very comprehensive and in-depth reflection about nursing as a profession and a Christian vocation realizing that it requires sufficient education and training and nursing professionals must be grounded on a genuine calling to serve the sick and the needy,” Trazo added.

CNGP is an association of catholic nurses with the objectives of promoting the professional, spiritual, personal and moral welfare of nurses in the country; cultivate professional nursing practice that is compassionate, competent and ethical; foster fellowship and cooperation among its members; and promote social action and lay apostolate.

The current officers include: Dr. Carmelita Villanobos - President; Ms. Norma Hinoguin – Vice President for Program and Planning, Dr. Marylou Ong – Vice President for Finance, Ms. Merlyn Ouano – Secretary, Ms. Elena Jumao-as – Assistant Secretary, Ms. Emma dela Pena - Treasurer, Ms. Jonotte Labrador – Assistant Treasurer, Ms. Trinidad Tan – Auditor, PROs: Dr. Parolita Mission, Ret. Col. Erlinda Oliva and Ms. Letecia Canoy. Board members are: Dr.  Delia Mediano, Sr. Gaudelia Baluyot, Ms. Gloria Jane Matiga, Ms. Edna Caballero and Ms.  Hemenia Fernandez. Nomelec are Ms. Josephine Monticello, Dr. Alma Ungab and Ms. Emelyn Remedio. Adviser is Dean Antonia Pascual.  (FREEMAN)