She who raised and nurtured

ONCE, I saw a lost girl in the street. She had a huge backpack that seemed too heavy for her to carry. Then, there was someone who came and offered help. The lost girl looked up and stared with doubtful eyes. That someone knew what to do – take the backpack off the lost girl and take her to her new home. Now, I see that lost girl in the mirror clothed in pink college uniform and a smile.

I have not been with Mother Maria Assumpta David RVM that long. It was just two years ago when I transferred to the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC), which is a university molded by the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) Congregation, and followed my dream to take the detour and follow the path to be a Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist. The environment within the university was new to me. The warmth and happiness were, and still are, overwhelming. The family of the entire university has bonds tightened with respect and genuine love for each other.

It was when I basked in this warmth when I realized that the children are raised splendidly by their mother.

One of the faculty members of our program, Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS), told us that it was Mother Assumpta who opened the course in the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC). That professor was once a Medical Technology student of UIC also and she said that Mother Assumpta was really dedicated and supportive of the program ever since. It was because of her that the Med Tech program, together with all the other programs of the university blossomed, matured, and produced thousands of excellent graduates and professionals through the years.

Truly, we owe a lot to her. One of the infinite reasons why she was different is that Mother Assumpta was not just a mere president of the university; she was a nurturing and loving mother to her children. She would always do her best to give what is needed by her family. She provided her children with everything imperative to good education and spirituality. She, being the leader of the university, polished not only the quality of education but also the values of all her family members according to what is spiritually right. Her dedication was evident to the success of every individual who is part of UIC and is an effective member of the outside community and of the entire society. Truly, the Mother had given a huge part of her life to her children in the university.

Being with Mother Assumpta for just a short span of time does not really matter much. There are those who have not been with her for long and there are others who have been with her in such a long time, but that is not really what is important. It is the moment you shared with her that counts…even those few seconds you laid your eyes on her and greeted her a good day is already a big thing. We may have not seen her last moment here but the remnants of her essence will forever mark our hearts as they are greatly magnified through her works – the University of the Immaculate Conception.

To Mother Maria Assumpta David RVM, we will always love you! (Kimberley Jade Zafra. UIC-Medical Laboratory Sacience student)