Nursing student will get scholarship for saving vendor’s life
FAITH RESTORED | Nursing students Angyl Faith Ababat (right) and Kristianne Joice Noelle Ona (left) are joined by Dean Mercy Milagros Apuhin of the University of Cebu’s College of Nursing in a press conference on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, about the recognition that awaits the two young women who saved the life of a fruit vendor in Cebu City earlier this week. In a Facebook post (lower photo), the university shares quotes from Ababat about her heroic deed. (Photo by NESTLE SEMILLA / Inquirer Visayas)
CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — A nursing student who recently saved the life of a fruit vendor, preventing her from bleeding to death after her throat was slashed by her live-in partner, is getting a scholarship from the University of Cebu (UC).
Angyl Faith Ababat, 21, is also receiving tokens of recognition from a nursing exam review center and from the local police.
It is only proper to honor the sophomore student for the exemplary deed, according to Mercy Milagros Apuhin, dean of the UC College of Nursing.
At a press conference on Friday, Apuhin said she would accompany Ababat to see UC president Augusto Go for the formal turnover of the scholarship award.
A nursing review center, she said, would also pay for the student’s expenses for the nursing board and international examinations.
“During our capping ceremony on Feb. 21 at the Waterfront [Hotel], we will recognize her (Ababat) with her parents,” Apuhin added.
Another nursing student, Kristianne Joice Noelle Ona, who helped Ababat save the vendor, will also be endorsed for a scholarship, Apuhin said.
Photo from the Facebook page of the University of Cebu
Faith restored
In a Facebook post on Feb. 1, the university lauded Ababat for quickly coming to the rescue of Bernardita Zamora, 54, who was attacked by her partner, Edwin Lumacad, with a knife during a heated altercation.
“Faith in humanity restored by one of our nursing students. Kudos Angyl for the kind deed and [genuineness] that you showed to people in need,” the university said in the post.
At the press conference, Ababat recalled being initially hesitant to help Zamora since there were also medicine and premedicine students near the spot where the incident happened along Plaridel Street, Cebu City, on Jan. 30.
But when no one responded, Ababat, who was just passing through the area, decided to act.
“I told myself that if no one would help, then who? That’s why I responded immediately,” she said.
Ababat said she was grateful to her instructors at UC for teaching her basic emergency procedures, including how to attend to the wounded.
Public servant
The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will also formally honor Ababat with a plaque of appreciation on Feb. 6.
“She has already acted like a public servant. In times of trouble, when someone was dying, she was ready to help. That’s a Filipino trait we appreciate most because Filipinos are helpful by nature,” said Police Col. Ireneo Dalogdog, CCPO director, on Friday.
“I hope her actions will inspire others to also help people in need,” Dalogdog said.
After wounding Zamora, Lumacad tried to escape but was stopped and subdued by bystanders.
He was charged with frustrated murder in relation to the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act, according to Police Maj. Henry Orbiso, chief of the CCPO Waterfront station.
