The Vital Signs

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 | 𝐁𝐔 𝐎𝐒𝐀𝐒 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐔 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭

Following a fire incident at the Bicol University (BU) Women's Dormitory earlier today, the Office of Student Affairs and Services (OSAS) Dormitory opens temporary accommodation for those affected.

Students who wish to reside in the offered dormitory must coordinate with the designated personnel to ensure proper documentation, room assignment, and other necessary arrangements.

Moreover, they are encouraged to promptly report any immediate needs and concerns in light of the Women's Dormitory's temporary closure, as the administration continues to work closely with authorities to address the situation. — Erika Mae Campantero, The Vital Signs

Read full memorandum below:

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝟓.𝟒 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐨, 𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐲

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck east of Santo Domingo, Albay, at 9:58 PM tonight, June 5, according to the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS).

Instrumental Intensity I was recorded in Mercedes in Camarines Norte, Pili, Iriga City, Ragay, and Sipocot in Camarines Sur, Boac in Marinduque, San Roque in Northern Samar, Gumaca in Quezon, and Sorsogon City.

Earlier in the evening, two minor earthquakes were also felt in nearby municipalities, starting with a magnitude 2.7 earthquake that hit Manito, Albay, at 7:22 PM, followed by a magnitude 1.8 earthquake that shook Bacacay, Albay at 8:09 PM.

DOST-PHIVOLCS advises the public to stay alert and updated in case of aftershocks. — Ester Nika Bruselas, The Vital Signs

Source: DOST-PHIVOLCS
https://www.facebook.com/share/1HEVDNzQjx/?mibextid=wwXIfr

𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞 | Bicol University College of Nursing (BUCN) conducted a courtesy visit to ACE Medical Center–Legazpi as part of efforts to strengthen institutional partnerships and explore future areas of collaboration.

The meeting was attended by BUCN Dean Dr. Maria Della C. Rañeses, Associate Dean Maricel O. Ortonio, and Professor Charmaine B. Maravillas.

They were welcomed by Dr. Narciso Thad S. Ciocson, President of ACE Medical Center–Legazpi Inc. and a prominent cardiologist in Legazpi City, together with Chief Nurse Ma. Teodora Grace B. Payonga, RN, MAN.

During the visit, both parties discussed opportunities for collaboration including possible clinical duty placements for student-nurses and professional development. — Cynara Glodette San Andres, The Vital Signs

Photos by
Charmaine B. Maravillas
𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘳

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 | 𝐁𝐔-𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐎 𝐫𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥

Pursuant to Office Memorandum No. 207, s. 2026, the Office of the President has directed the Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) to reopen the online Faculty Evaluation Portal for all students from June 4 to 9.

This initiative aims to ensure that all students are given an opportunity to complete the evaluation of their faculty members, after multiple encounters of students not being able to complete the task before the previous deadline.

The faculty evaluation seeks to improve instructional delivery, enhance learning experience, and support continuous quality improvement across the university.

Students are encouraged to access the portal within the prescribed period, as no further extension will be granted. — Kate Gianna Lobos, The Vital Signs

Read full memorandum below:

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 | 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐁𝐔𝐂𝐍 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬

Each year, hundreds of graduates cross the stage with relief after years of hard work, but this season, three stand out for exceptional distinction. Held on May 30, 2026 at the Marison Hotel during the Clinical Graduation and Ring Hop Ceremony, Tristan Oliquino was named Most Outstanding College Graduate in Leadership, Miles Owen Valladolid in Service, and Mary Alodia Joyce M. Monjardin in Scholarship, with the latter also receiving the Most Outstanding Graduate award, all recognized for their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence in their respective fields.

For Tristan Oliquino, leadership is not a seasonal title, it is about the flexibility to lead when called upon and the humility to listen and follow others’ call without hesitation. Receiving the Most Outstanding Student in Leadership for two consecutive years is deeply humbling, especially after spending months hoping his efforts would make a real difference. To him, the honor reflects the choice to keep showing up even when the work is quiet or demanding. Looking ahead, Tristan does not see graduation as an end to his advocacy, but rather the beginning of a nursing career that will allow him to offer even more to those in need.

Service in healthcare is inherently demanding, but Miles Owen Valladolid transformed it into an art form as the recipient of the Most Outstanding Graduate in Service. Miles is a student nurse who spent his undergraduate years on the frontlines of community by organizing medical missions, launching health education initiatives, and spearheading vital community outreach programs. Despite the numerous setbacks faced during long nights of planning, Miles stated he never pursued these projects for personal glory, but out of a core belief that every individual deserves access to compassionate care. Instead of viewing the pressure of the award as a burden, he welcomes it as a profound responsibility and a motivation to continue leading initiatives that create meaningful change.

Completing the triad of excellence is Mary Alodia Joyce M. Monjardin, who is named as the Most Outstanding Graduate and Most Outstanding Graduate in Scholarship. In a program that demands absolute precision, Mary Alodia reflected on the early morning clinical duties, the weight of academic responsibilities, and the exhausting sacrifices that defined her journey to the stage. Looking back, she credited her achievements to her mother, whose unwavering consistency and quiet strength kept her anchored, and her friends C, D, G, J, and N, who preserved her sanity amidst the chaos of nursing school.

Confronting the heavy pressure of the upcoming Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam (PNLE), less than a hundred days away, she emphasized that pressure is not a burden meant to break them, but a training ground designed to reveal their character and prepare them for real patient responsibility. She channels this perspective into a message of hope for Batch Alpas: that when the final results arrive and they ask themselves one last time if it is truly them on the passing list, their collective response will be a resounding, "Yes, RN na ako."

As these three students prepare to step across the stage and transition into the professional world, they leave behind a mark for future batches. They have proven that university life is not a passive waiting room for the future, but an active testing ground for character. — Angela Marie Zamar, The Vital Signs

Layout by
Gianne Marie Mata
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘝𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘴 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 | 𝐁𝐔 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀.𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔-𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕; 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟒 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬

Classes at Bicol University for the first semester of Academic Year 2026–2027 will officially begin on August 4, 2026, as per the enrollment schedules and admission guidelines under Administrative Order No. 032, series of 2026.

For incoming first-year students, onsite enrollment will be conducted according to admission status, with Qualified applicants scheduled to enroll from June 29 to July 1, Waitlisted applicants to be accommodated from July 2 to 3, and applicants under the Below Quota (BQ) category who successfully pass the screening process may enroll from July 13 to 17.

Meanwhile, regular students from the 2nd to 5th year levels may enroll from July 6 to 24, while irregular students, shifters, transferees, second coursers, and returning students is scheduled from July 20 to 31.

The university emphasized that admission of incoming freshies is based solely on BUCET results, and applicants must present a printed copy of their electronically signed BUCET result during enrollment for verification purposes.

Mandatory medical and dental examinations are also to be administered by the University Health Services in preparation for enrollment, and will be conducted from June 1 to 25 across designated campus locations.

The National Service Training Program (NSTP) Office will likewise hold its mandatory virtual orientation for incoming students; Qualified and Waitlisted freshmen are scheduled to attend from June 22 to 26, while Below Quota qualifiers will participate from July 9 to 15.

Students are instructed to regularly monitor official Bicol University communication channels for detailed enrollment procedures, requirements, and further announcements. — Kate Gianna Lobos, The Vital Signs

Read full memorandum below:
https://tinyurl.com/BUEnrollment2026

𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐁𝐔 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝟓𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬

Bicol University gears up for its 56th Commencement Exercises with the theme “Class of 2026: Values-Driven Workforce, Digitally Inclined Lifelong Learners,” as the Office of the University Registrar released the Commencement Guide of the graduation ceremonies scheduled on June 15-16, at the PGA–BU Sports Complex.

Released through Office Memorandum No. 203, s. 2026 on June 2, the Commencement Guide outlines the ceremony schedule, academic attire, assembly procedures, and other protocols for graduates, parents, and guests ahead of the annual rites.

As part of the preparations, a series of online orientations will be conducted from June 8 to 10 to familiarize graduating students with the procedures and other guidelines of the event.

Rehearsals are likewise scheduled on June 13, with the West Campus graduates set to convene at 9:00 a.m., while those from the Daraga and East campuses will rehearse at 3:00 p.m.

On June 15, graduates from the BU College of Nursing, alongside other colleges from the West Campus, will participate in the first day of the ceremonies.

Meanwhile, graduates from the East and Daraga campuses will take part in the second day of ceremonies the following day, June 16.

All graduates are required to wear the prescribed academic regalia, consisting of an ecru-colored dress or barong and the BU Alampay.

The ceremony will begin with the Academic Procession at 3:00 p.m., during which graduates are advised to carry their Alampay on the right arm.

Each graduate may be accompanied by one guest seated at the commencement grounds, with a second guest to be accommodated at the grandstand using the provided seat ticket.

Starting at 4:00 p.m., the program will include the Presentation of Graduates, Conferment of Degrees, Alampay Imposition, Distribution of Diplomas, Pledge of Loyalty to the Alma Mater, and Induction into the Alumni Association.

Graduates are encouraged to review the Commencement Guide carefully and coordinate with their respective college registrars, marshals, and other focal personnel regarding seating arrangements, assembly areas, tickets, and other graduation-related concerns. — Erika Mae Campantero, The Vital Signs

𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 | 𝐀 𝐉𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞, 𝐀 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝐉𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐆𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐢𝐫

Every story begins with a voice. Through stories, we celebrate journeys, preserve meaningful moments, and recognize the people who inspire us. Often, the storyteller remains behind the narrative, content to let others take the spotlight. This year, however, the story turns toward a familiar voice in the community: Jorick Gustuir.

As this year’s Clinical Excellence Awardee, he now finds himself at the center of a story defined by compassion, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to nursing excellence.

Before he ever wore a clinical uniform, Jorick imagined a future in journalism and communication. But when the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the challenges faced by the healthcare system, his plans began to shift. What he witnessed during that time opened his eyes to a different kind of calling—one that allowed him to serve people in a more direct and meaningful way. “𝘐 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦,” he shared. “𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯.”

Like many nursing students, Jorick’s path was far from easy. Entering college as a perfectionist, he carried high expectations for himself. Yet nursing school introduced lessons that could not be measured by grades alone. There were setbacks, personal struggles, financial difficulties, and moments when everything seemed uncertain. Despite these challenges, he continued moving forward, learning that resilience is built not only through success but also through perseverance.

Some of the lessons that shaped him most came from the patients he encountered. During his first actual delivery case, he cared for a teenage mother who remained silent even after being scolded for becoming pregnant at a young age. The experience stayed with him, reminding him that every patient carries a story that extends beyond what others can see.

Outside the hospital, Jorick also found opportunities to grow through leadership, hosting, and pageantry. These experiences helped him find confidence in his voice while reinforcing the same lesson: caring for people can happen both at the bedside and beyond it. In many ways, they taught him to take risks, embrace uncertainty, and trust himself even when the outcome was unclear.

That belief continues to shape his understanding of clinical excellence. For Jorick, excellence is not about recognition or proving others wrong. It is about remaining faithful to one's purpose, continually learning, and becoming a nurse capable of easing the burdens of others.

“𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘦,” he shared. Instead, these became reminders to keep learning, keep growing, and keep showing up—one patient, one experience, and one lesson at a time.

Receiving the Clinical Excellence Award came as a genuine surprise to Jorick. He entered the selection process without expectations, focusing solely on giving his best in everything that he did. Because of this, the recognition felt even more meaningful.

While he acknowledges his hard work, he also believes that his journey was guided by something greater—doors opening at the right time, opportunities unfolding where they were meant to, and faith carrying him through moments of uncertainty.

Equally significant to his journey are the people who stood beside him. From his family and friends to his clinical groupmates, professors, administrative staff, and even the utility workers within the college, Jorick recognizes that each person played a role in shaping who he has become. Their kindness, guidance, and belief in him transformed every challenge into something worthwhile. Through them, he learned that success is never achieved alone; it is built alongside the people who walk with you, believe in you, and inspire you.

As graduation approaches, his focus now shifts toward preparing for the board examination. While he chooses to keep many of his plans close to his heart, he affirms that they are rooted in pursuing his dreams, not only for himself, but also for his family and the people he hopes to serve.

To the student nurses, Jorick leaves a simple but heartfelt reminder: do not forget to thank yourself.

In a journey often defined by pressure and expectations, it becomes easy to overlook how far one has come. He encourages students to pause, reflect, and acknowledge their own progress, even in moments of doubt. “𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘴𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, ‘𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴?’” he said. “𝘐 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴.”

But growth, he emphasizes, does not happen overnight. The answer may not always be “yes” in the present, and that is okay.

“𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸,” he reflects, “𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭.”

Every story begins with a voice. Now, the voice that once amplified the stories of others takes its place at the center—not only as a student and an awardee, but as someone who persistently chose to serve with purpose, compassion, and quiet resilience. And as Jorick steps into a new chapter beyond nursing school, one thing remains certain: the same voice that once informed, inspired, and advocated for others will continue to create impact wherever it is heard. — Majelyn Guasa and Therese Tolidanes, The Vital Signs

Layout by
Zhinny Ren Lao
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘝𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘴 𝘓𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵