Inspired by the figures they see as modern-day heroes in everyday training, the School of Nursing’s (SON) ONYX Dance Troupe ruled the field as they portrayed the lives of Filipino nurses in service to the people.

SON Panthers’ event head Chelsea Alarcon shared the familiar inclination behind their choice of theme, drawing on personal experiences and challenges as aspiring nurses.

“We are confident that we will be able to truly represent who we are and truly showcase how nursing, despite how hard nursing is, we still prioritize care, we still prioritize service for others, not just for our own benefit, but we find meaning and purpose in serving others.”

Alarcon said that they wish to emphasize that the presence and role of nurses extend beyond hospitals, communities, and medical missions. 

“There is more to our presence than just aiding for the sick. We are there to care, not only for those who are ill, but also for those who are well. With that, we wanted to show everyone that nursing… is a profession that enlightens and wishes that all professions, all individuals, every [person] around us, would be well and live a good and healthy life.”

She recalled the process of conceptualization, stressing how nursing is a multidimensional field that requires accuracy in representation for better audience comprehension.

“We… gathered ideas on what are the most meaningful moments we had as nursing students. And also, we involved our clinical instructors in our preparations… We were able to find an idea wherein it’s easy for everyone to understand, and it’s easy for everyone to appreciate how nursing is.”

Alarcon underscored that the highlight of their performance is the students’ recitation of the Nightingale Pledge in chorus, reflecting their burning passion to represent their modern-day hero.

“Everyone from the nursing community knows this pledge, as this pledge is instilled upon every nursing student and every nurse in the industry…  It was basically showing the legacy that she (Florence Nightingale) left… for us who aspire to be wonderful nurses in the future.”

The Social Sciences (SS) Dragons’ Hydra claimed first runner-up as artists resisting the horrors of artificial intelligence, while the Business and Management (B&M) Vipers’ Glycon Dance company placed second runner-up, enacting the sectoral struggle of fisherfolk.

Sayawtenista 2026 flared up 4F Martin Hall on October 16 to culminate Kislap.