University of Luzon Honors Future Health Leaders at 12th White Coat and Lab Coat Donning Ceremony

The University of Luzon College of Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, and Biology recently held its prestigious 12th White Coat and Lab Coat Donning Ceremony on Monday, October 13, 2025, marking a critical milestone in the academic and professional journey of its students. Under the theme, “Nurturing Future Health Leaders through Quality Education for Good Health and Well-Being,” the event formally welcomed a new cohort of promising Luzonians into the practical phases of their rigorous health sciences programs. The ceremony, a time-honored tradition, signifies the students’ transition from foundational theory to clinical and laboratory application, emphasizing their dedication to professionalism, ethics, and patient care. The day’s proceedings were meticulously planned to inspire and affirm the students’ commitment to becoming proficient practitioners in their respective fields.

The formal day began with a solemn Thanksgiving Mass, presided over by Rev. Fr. Ralph Ma. M. Ypil, MMHC. This spiritual segment was vital in instilling moral fortitude, serving as a reminder to the Luzonians that their future careers in healthcare must be anchored in service and compassion. Following the Mass was the Blessing of Coats and Pins, where the instruments and symbols of their upcoming practice were consecrated, preparing the students not just intellectually, but also ethically and spiritually for the responsibilities they are about to embrace. The sight of the assembled students, alongside their proud parents and the esteemed faculty, underscored the deeply communal nature of the University of Luzon’s educational mission.

The main ceremony commenced with the Academic Processional, featuring the candidates, parents, faculty, and distinguished guests. Dean Tzarita Marie P. Mayo delivered the Welcome Address, setting an encouraging tone and expressing the institution’s pride in the achievements of its students. The Presentation of Candidates then followed, formally acknowledging the Luzonians from Medical Laboratory Science (presented by Mr. Brazzy E. Pasiliao), Pharmacy (presented by Mr. Christian Alfonso S. Lim), and Biology (presented by Mr. Klaus Meine O. Ocampo). The university was honored to host two successful alumni as key speakers: Ms. Ma. Lorena T. Ancheta-Operaña, RPh, MPH, a University of Luzon Pharmacy Alumnus from Batch 2014, served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker, while Mr. Tristan John M. Manzano, RMT, a University of Luzon Medical Technology Alumnus from Batch 2018, delivered the Keynote Special Message. Their powerful speeches, introduced by Ms. Christine Terrado and Mr. Joash-Evangel Z. Campos, respectively, offered the students invaluable real-world perspective and affirmed the high standards of the education they are receiving.

The centerpiece of the afternoon was the actual Donning Ceremony, a powerful visual representation of the students’ readiness to serve, followed by the recitation of the professional oaths. Luzonians from the Medical Laboratory Science program took the MLS Oath, while Pharmacy and Biology students likewise recited their respective oaths, cementing their pledge to uphold the integrity and ethics of their future professions. The collective oath-taking served as a public declaration of their commitment to professional excellence and responsibility, culminating the formal ceremony which concluded with remarks from the Dean of the College and Mr. Darwin V. Carpizo. The White Coat and Lab Coat Donning Ceremony therefore stands as more than just a tradition; it is a profound rite of passage that shapes the identity of every student entering the health and life sciences.

This major collegiate event directly reflects the University of Luzon’s deep commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the ceremony’s core mission of “Nurturing Future Health Leaders through Quality Education” is in perfect alignment with SDG 4: Quality Education, by providing the high-level professional training necessary to excel in complex scientific and clinical environments. Furthermore, the entire college’s focus on Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, and Biology directly contributes to achieving SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, as these Luzonians will form the backbone of the nation’s diagnostic, therapeutic, and research efforts, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and stronger, more resilient communities.