𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗧 𝗟𝗚𝗨 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁-𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲, 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗻𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲

It has never occurred to 2LT Verly Mae Lamsis Berad that she will one day become part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, even with both siblings already serving in the PNP.

But while browsing her Facebook and saw the relative of her sister-in-law who is part of the Nurse Corps—with her snappy look and bright smile—it hit her that this might also be the career for her.

A graduate of nursing in Pines City Colleges in 2023, Berad took and passed the nursing board exam that same year. She then applied to the Nurse Corps through the "Office of the Chief Nurse, Armed Forces of the Philippines" Facebook page. The latter manages the recruitment, specialized training, and deployment of military nurses.

While working as a nurse in a local clinic in October 2024, she received the good news. She went through a series of training, starting as a probationary at the Victoriano Luna General Hospital, AFP's medical center.

She underwent rigorous military training to transition from civilian to military life. Other series of training followed including mentoring, clinical, and academic phases.

Finally, on July 11, Berad along with fellow Cordilleran 2LT Aiza Butata of Kiangan, Ifugao, joined 14 other newly ordered to duty (OTD) nurses during their oath taking as service-oriented military nurses at the general headquarters of the AFP at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

"Some people asked me, as a nurse, why don't I apply abroad? Right now I realized, I want to serve my country first," she said.

Berad and her family made a courtesy call to Mayor Roderick Awingan on July 14. She happily informed the mayor that she was a Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) grantee under the records section of the municipal LGU back in 2018, then at the Benguet General Hospital from 2019 until 2021.

Her older sister, Francisca was the first to apply and was accepted as a SPES and job order of the municipal LGU from 2015 to 2017. Patrolwoman Francisca is now working at the PNP's Cordillera Administrative Region Training Center (CARTC).

The 25-year-old Berad said their older and only brother PCpl. Brandon Berad, who was the first to enter the force, is currently serving at the Bakun Municipal Police Station.

The three siblings are proud children of Villa and Soriano Berad from Barangay Shilan.

Berad said while it is tough to join the AFP, she keeps on going as inspired by her seniors in the military nurse profession. She said they are now undergoing general duties. This is in preparation for more challenging roles, among them, as a combat duty nurse.

"I know that it will get tougher in the days to come but with prayers and discipline we'll get there. And of course, enjoy lang sa trabaho," Berad said.

Looking back as a SPES grantee, she said it has shaped her to who she is now as a public servant, giving back to the community that nurtured her.

#LimitlessLaTrinidad

Author & Photographer: 𝘖. 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘢𝘯

Original Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19KMXfDy9y/