Written by Chadray D. Guisa-ed
Student researchers from the School of Nursing (SON) representing the University of Baguio (UB) proudly brought home top awards at the 3rd Regional Student Research Colloquium under Cluster 3 – Dental Medicine, Natural Science, and Health (Nursing) held on October 15, 2025, where they won Best Manuscript and Best Presenter.
The event brought together promising student researchers from Kalinga State University (KSU), Easter College Inc., and Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC), along with the host institutions, UB and Baguio Central University (BCU).
The UB research team’s paper, titled “Till Death Do Us Part: Exploring Lived Experiences of Widowed Elderly in Irisan, Baguio City,” was recognized as Best Manuscript for its depth, relevance, and compassion-driven approach to understanding grief and resilience among the elderly. The study was conducted by Chadray D. Guisa-ed, Katrina C. Balajadia, Francine Cassandra N. Dela Cruz, Danica B. Mangilinan, Arabela Crystel D. Santos, and Rhaina Reigh A. Tamayo, under the guidance of their research adviser, Maureen M. Sabalburo, RN, MAN.
In addition, Chadray D. Guisa-ed was awarded Best Presenter for his creative and heartfelt delivery that captured the emotional essence of widowhood and allowed the audience to truly feel the depth of loss and hope experienced by the elderly participants.
The study was born from the researchers’ desire to shed light on the lives of elderly individuals who are often marginalized and overlooked in society. The team sought to explore how widowed elderly cope with loss, find meaning, and continue living with strength and faith despite grief.
Lead researcher Guisa-ed shared, “Since the elderly are often the left-behind faces of society, this inspired us to give them the spotlight. We noticed that most research focuses on nursing students or middle-aged populations in the School of Nursing, leaving the voices of the elderly unheard, especially those who have lost their lifelong partners.”
The researchers spent five weeks in Barangay Irisan gathering data through in-depth interviews. They began at the Senior Citizen Association of Barangay Irisan (SCABI), later expanding to include more participants through snowball sampling, where one participant referred them to another, and through visits to churches, community centers, and homes to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of widowed elderly individuals.
Reflecting on their fieldwork, Guisa-ed said, “The process was not easy. We experienced extreme tiredness, walked under the heat of the sun, and climbed steep roads to reach each participant. However, our commitment to give them a voice kept us going. Every smile, tear, and story reminded us that the exhaustion was worth it.”
Their study aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities. Through their research, they advanced SDG 3 by promoting public health awareness and mental health support among the elderly. The study underscores the importance of disease prevention, healthcare access, and community health initiatives that address the emotional and psychological well-being of vulnerable populations. It also contributes to health education and medical research by guiding future nurses to design more holistic and inclusive care programs. Likewise, it supports SDG 10 by advocating for equitable healthcare policies and inclusive health services for widowed elderly who are often left behind socially and emotionally.
Through their journey, the researchers realized that grief is universal, but healing depends on connection. They emphasized that no one should go through loss alone and that faith, family, and community play vital roles in transforming pain into peace. The team shared that this experience taught them the true essence of compassion in nursing—to listen, to care, and to see patients not merely as cases but as souls with stories.
The success of the research team continued as their abstract was accepted for presentation at the Filipino Nurses Global Summit VI and 15th International Nursing Conference, to be held at Conrad Hotel Manila on January 22–23, 2026. This milestone marks the university’s growing presence in national and international research platforms, showcasing the excellence, empathy, and dedication of its students.
Through their work, the researchers demonstrate that nursing goes beyond the hospital walls—it extends into communities, families, and hearts. Their success brings honor to the university, proving that compassion, research, and service can truly make a difference.
Congratulations to our outstanding nursing researchers for this inspiring achievement and for representing the University of Baguio with excellence, empathy, and pride.
