Level 4 nursing students from the University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (UC CONAHS), particularly Section 4M-D headed by their clinical instructor, Mr. Ferdinand C. Tercero, took part in the Second Kapangan Grand March Festival held on March 4, 2026 in Kapangan, Benguet. The students participated in the Grand Canao, a traditional Cordilleran cultural gathering that highlights community unity, thanksgiving, and the preservation of indigenous traditions. As part of the celebration, the students joined the festival parade and attended the community program, which showcased local culture, music, and community participation from various barangays of Kapangan.
The participation of the students formed part of their Community Health Nursing immersion under the Community Organizing Participatory Action Research (COPAR) approach. COPAR is a community development framework widely used in community health nursing that emphasizes community participation, empowerment, and partnership between health workers and community members. Through COPAR, nursing students work alongside community leaders and residents to identify health concerns, plan interventions, and support sustainable community health initiatives.
Currently, UC CONAHS nursing students are deployed in Barangay Pongayan and Barangay Beleng-Belis in Kapangan as part of their Level 4 community immersion duties. During this immersion, the students collaborate with barangay officials, barangay health workers, and residents in conducting health assessments, household visits, health education activities, and community-based health programs. Participation in community cultural events such as the Grand Canao allows students to build stronger relationships with the community while gaining a deeper appreciation of local traditions, which is essential in delivering culturally sensitive and community-centered nursing care.
Through engagements like these, UC CONAHS continues to strengthen its commitment to experiential learning, cultural respect, and community partnership, while preparing future nurses who are responsive to the health needs and social realities of the communities they serve.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Supported
| SDG | Description | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3 | Good Health and Well-being | Community immersion promotes health education, preventive care, and collaboration with local health systems. |
| SDG 4 | Quality Education | COPAR-based immersion provides experiential and community-based learning for nursing students. |
| SDG 11 | Sustainable Cities and Communities | Participation in the Grand Canao supports appreciation of indigenous culture and community traditions. |
| SDG 17 | Partnerships for the Goals | Strengthens partnerships between UC CONAHS, local government units, and community members in Kapangan. |
