Metro Pacific Health (MPH), the largest group of private hospitals and healthcare facilities in the Philippines, recently held the Battle of the Nightingales (BOTN) Year 2 finals at the grand ballroom of the Marco Polo Ortigas Hotel. This nationwide quiz tourney showcases the brightest nursing students from across the country, celebrating their knowledge, dedication and passion for the nursing profession.
The BOTN began as a local quiz bowl at West Metro Medical Center in Zamboanga in 2017, quickly gaining popularity among nursing schools. MPH expanded the competition in 2022 to include all four of its hospitals in Mindanao, culminating in a national event in 2023 that involved 21 MPH hospitals across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The competition culminated in the BOTN National Championships, which coincided with National Nurses Week in October, showcasing the best and brightest nursing students nationwide.
This year, BOTn continues its national run for the second year, further expanding its reach and impact. The competition celebrates nursing excellence and fosters collaboration among MPH hospitals and nursing schools across the Philippines. The event successfully engaged 267 nursing students from 89 schools from across the country, culminating in a challenging championship for the nursing community’s remarkable talent.
Questions in the tournament included topics on community health and communicable diseases, maternal and child health, physiologic and psychosocial alterations (covering medical and surgical nursing), pharmacology and therapeutics, nutrition and diet therapy, mental health nursing, prioritization and delegation, research, as well as nursing leadership and management.
The competition featured a variety of questions, from multiple-choice questions to more complex scenarios. Some questions required calculations, like using the Rule of Nines to determine the percentage of body burns. In one case, a patient with burns in various areas had 37 percent of his body affected.
Clymene Joise Espiritu from St. Dominic College of Asia expressed, “We are very thankful that we are given an opportunity to join the Battle of the Nightingales, care of Metro Pacific Health. Maraming marami po kaming learnings, and along the way, we have built friendships and true and valued relationships with our peers and colleagues.”
Sofia Cris T. Vitor, a member of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, stated, “This event is a testament to the collective efforts, dedication, (and) passion that we all have for the profession of nursing.”
Final winners and prizes
The Battle of the Nightingales Year 2 culminated in a thrilling competition with Riverside College, hosted by Riverside Medical Center Inc., emerged as the champion, followed closely by Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila as the first runner-up, hosted by Cardinal Santos Medical Center. Tarlac State University claimed the title of second runner-up, hosted by Central Luzon Doctors’ Hospital.
Each winning team received substantial prizes, including cash rewards and scholarships. The Champion team received P 100,000 in cash for the students, P 20,000 for the coach, and scholarships of up to P 100,000 for each student. The First Runner-Up team was awarded P 50,000 in cash for the students, P 10,000 for the coach, and scholarships of up to P 75,000 for each student. The Second Runner-Up team received P 25,000 in cash for the students, P 5,000 for the coach, and scholarships of up to P 50,000 for each student.
All teams were celebrated for their exceptional performance and dedication to the nursing profession, making this event a true showcase of talent and commitment.
Metro Pacific Health (MPH), the largest network of private hospitals and healthcare facilities in the Philippines, is dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare and promoting excellence in nursing education. As the host of the Battle of the Nightingales, MPH celebrates the nursing profession and inspires future generations to excel in their field. With 26 hospitals nationwide, MPH emphasizes patient-centered care and innovative healthcare solutions. For more information, please visit www.metropacifichealth.com
