By James Bayot & Bianca Nicole Cervania
Last August 13 was a great day full of celebration, not only for the students of the UST College of Nursing, but for Mother Nature as well. It was a day dedicated to all things clean and green. Several fun-filled activities gave a refreshing break and smiles to the students, faculty and staff alike. The said event also raised the awareness of everyone regarding various environmental issues happening around us. Among those activities, perhaps the most highly-anticipated one was “The Search for Mister and Miss Nursing Nature Ambassador”.
The Nursing Journal decided to ask a few questions to get to know our 2010 Mister Nursing Nature Ambassador Juan Carlos Miguel Camacho and Miss Nursing Nature Ambassador Cristine Lim better.
NJ: What made you decide to join the pageant?
MC: At first, I was forced to join this contest because our class doesn’t have a representative [for] the said activity. But during the whole process, it made me realize that I have a big responsibility in taking care of our environment, and joining the pageant opened an opportunity for me to do what is expected of me.
CL: Initially, there’s a sort of coercive power. (laughs) Kidding. I didn’t really have plans of joining but then Mike Manera [former Mr. Nursing Nature Ambassador] approached me and said, “Oh ikaw na sali namin sa Ms. Nursing Nature”. Tapos ako naman parang “Ano? Hindi naman ako sumasali sa ganyan, sa mga pageant.” …but eventually, I just told myself that I’m going to join not for the pageant per se but for the job of being a nursing nature ambassador. Because the pageant per se is just a one night thing but more than that I felt becoming a nature ambassador gives you greater responsibilities. Since I have friends that are staffers, I guess it’s [going to] be easy [anyway].
NJ: Were there any special preparations that you did for the pageant?
MC: Actually, none, because as the class president and one of the chairpersons of the seminar about nursing informatics, I have a lot of things to do which hindered me to prepare for the pageant. I just want to have fun, that’s all.
CL: (laughs) Actually, I asked Xandra Magallona to teach me how to walk really good because that’s my biggest dilemma. That’s the first thing I thought. Then me and Ariane, we also searched the net about pertinent issues regarding the environment. Then someone also suggested for me to look for a nice quote then I just said that it will just come out of me if ever. Then the costume – that’s definitely the most toxic part.
NJ: What were you feeling while you were onstage, while the pageant was going on?
MC: Very nervous! It’s like I really don’t know what to do. But when I heard the roar of the crowd, it empowered me to do the best that I could.
CL: During the competition I was anxious and excited. Honestly, I really don’t know what to expect because I don’t really join pageants. This one is something different. But then, I just thought of it as a challenge instead. Something new and that I wanted to explore. I met a lot of friends as well and I’m happy about that. I was excited how it will turn out because after all the preparations, I want the event to be really successful. And it’s a good thing that I really enjoyed it and it became really memorable.
NJ: Aside from becoming more aware of the environmental issues around the world, what else did you learn from joining?
MC: I became aware that I can do something outside the box, meaning I can do things beyond my limits.
CL: I learned to take risks and overcome my fears because I’m usually the type of person who plays safe and doesn’t go out of the comfort zone. The pageant made me overcome that. I also learned to be more confident and patient because the pageant was really demanding in terms of time, efforts etc. Good thing I have supportive friends who helped me all throughout the way and I’m really thankful for it. It’s actually a class effort.
NJ: Are you able to adopt the things you have learned in the pageant in your daily lifestyle?
MC: “Semi-yes?” Because like what I’ve said, I want to become a role model to everyone, but it’s very hard to change your lifestyle abruptly. Right now, I’m trying my best to do the necessary things by doing small things, like not using styro, throwing trash in the right places, and the like.
CL: Yes of course. The pageant even made me become more passionate because even before the pageant, I was already an advocate of the styro-free campaign. I really try to refrain from using styro-products especially now that I know I have bigger responsibilities. Being the nursing ambassador, I have to practice what I preach and I take that as a challenge.
NJ: As a student-nurse, how do you think can caring for the environment be integrated in Nursing Education?
MC: I have learned in Bioethics the principle of stewardship. It stated that we are merely stewards of God’s gifts, and one of God’s gifts is nature, therefore I believe that we should take care of it.
CL: We, as nurses, future nurses, caring is the core of our profession. So I think if we can take care of our patients, take measures to assure their comfort and safety, what more to mother nature to whom we owe a lot, right? Kasi naman, ‘di ba lahat binigay na satin lahat, lagi nalang tayo ang pakabig. And now it’s time to give something back. I think that caring for nature is already integrated in our profession because caring for Mother Nature means being sensitive to her needs. If we can be sensitive towards the needs of our patients, then we need to be sensitive towards the needs of our dear mother nature as well.
NJ: What environmental issues in our college, in your opinion, needs to be addressed?
MC: Proper segregation of trash. Despite all the proper signs posted in the garbage cans, there are still a lot of nursing students who don’t put trash in the right places. We always take this for granted without knowing that these small things, when combined, are a great threat to Mother Nature.
CL: First and foremost, the waste segregation. I think the trash cans should all be properly labeled. And I guess I have to be an advocate of good personal hygiene as well. Those personal [stuff] we’re using, we have to dispose it properly. I want to raise people’s awareness as well.
NJ: What do you think are your new responsibilities now that you are Mr. or Ms. Nursing Nature Ambassador?
MC: Actually, my responsibilities, even before, are just the same, because you don’t need to have a title to be responsible with the environment. We are all Nature Ambassadors, so therefore we should do our part in taking care of nature.
CL: I think we have to start with little things. Migs and I need to be the initiators of change because there are already projects about the environment. It’s just that students are not that aware of it. So it’s time for us to make a move and initiate change. I even talked to Sir Gian once and he said that if I really want to level up, then perhaps I can approach establishments like Jollibee and make an appeal to start serving their foods not in a styro-container anymore. Then if it will be feasible to make one store, then I guess others will follow eventually. This will really be a big help.
NJ: How do you think can you influence the people around you to take care of Mother Nature in their own little way?
MC: Like what I have answered in the final question [in the pageant], I will become a role model to everyone.
CL: I think I am proud to say that even when I’m just beginning the term, there are already people around me who support my advocacies. After winning, every time I go out with my RLE group, we no longer eat at styros or use straws. It even makes me more proud that even when I’m not with them, they’re still doing it. And it’s already a huge thing. Then at class, every time someone comes in and brings a styro with them, they say sorry immediately even if I’m not saying anything. Then they’ll promise never to bring one again then I’ll just smile. I think it’s going to be best if the change will come from within them because it will be more profound.
NJ: Any message to the people of the UST College of Nursing?
MC: Basically, you don’t rely on other people to take care of the environment. Rely on yourself, because we all share the same responsibilities in taking care of Mother Nature. Being the Mister Nursing Nature Ambassador of 2010 doesn’t mean that I should be the only one doing actions, but rather, I am just a source of inspiration and empowerment to everyone.
CL: We made an envirommercial entitled “The Permissive and the Abusive”. I want them to reflect on that and think whether all their lives they have been the permissive or the abusive ones. All of us have had our fair share of Mother Nature’s resources, and all this time we’ve only been on the receiving end. I think it’s about time that we give her something back. Let’s not be the permissive or the abusive, but be the proactive.
Take Migs’ and Cristine’s advice. You don’t need their titles; being responsible Thomasian student nurses are enough. Be ambassadors of natures yourselves.
No comments:
Post a Comment