Bloomberry foundation celebrates first 20 nursing graduates

Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. (BCFI), the social development arm of Solaire Resort and Casino, has reached a major milestone as 20 scholars under its Medical Scholarship Program have completed Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.

Out of the 20 nursing graduates, 11 received Latin honors and 8 were given special awards for academic and extracurricular excellence.

Eight of the Latin honorees studied at West Visayas State University—Karylle Kassandra Andrade, Jasmine Bartolome, Camille Marie Cabador, Kate Deslen Diana, Bianca Belle Grometes, Ma. Gwyneth Rose Sanoy, Edwin Umiten, and Krishia Ranigo—who all graduated cum laude.

Three scholars from Batangas State University also received Latin honors: Francis Theresa San Antonio graduated magna cum laude, while Charlize Andrea Avenido and Reina Marie Gahol graduated cum laude.

BCFI, through its implementing partner Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., is now assisting these graduates with Board Review Examination Grants to help them prepare for licensure.

In addition to the college scholars, 44 residents from Barangay Tambo, Parañaque, and 25 from Barangay Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City, completed a caregiving course sponsored by BCFI and have passed accreditation from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The BCFI Medical Scholarship Program was created to help address the shortage of doctors, nurses, and science professionals in the Philippines, many of whom migrate for work overseas.

With a goal of producing 763 graduates over five years, the program has partnered with 13 universities nationwide, including West Visayas State University, University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas, UP Manila Alumni Foundation, UP Manila, St. Luke’s Medical Center, St. Louis University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, Eastern Visayas State University, Davao Medical School Foundation, Central Luzon State University, Cebu Institute of Medicine, Batangas State University, and Lyceum of the Philippines–St. Cabrini School of Health Sciences Inc.

BCFI’s institutional partners for caregiving courses in Solaire’s host communities in Parañaque and Quezon City are CAP Training and Assessment Center and Asia Pacific Caregiver and Training Center.