By Loy Palapos
Sunday Post
She took up BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) when there was still no school of Nursing in Bohol, when the selection process for those who dreamed to wear the starched white caps was like passing a thread through the eye of the needle, when nursing students stayed in a dormitory and were subjected to intensive training and strict discipline.
The setting was Silliman University of Dumaguete City. There were almost 200 aspirants who went though the screening process to win a berth in the School of Nursing. Edyll Lim was one of them. Only 29 were taken in; only 25 graduated. When she took the National Nursing Board Examination in 1959, she topped them all over the Philippines. This despite the fact that she considered herself an “ordinary studentâ€.
Fidelita Lim, BSN, worked at Chong Hua Hospital in 1961; and, to be near his parents and relatives in Balilihan, transferred to the Bohol Provincial Hospital in 1962. That same year she went to Rochester, Minnesota where she was employed at the St. Mary’s Hospital-Mayo Clinic, and later moved to Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Not content with a Bachelor’s degree, she took up Master of Science in Nursing at the Loyola University, then taught Medical-Surgical Nursing at Loyola University, University of Wisconcin, and George Mason University in Virginia.
While pursuing her dreams, she married Dr. Neil Levy, Ph.D. in Pharmacology. They have 3 daughters: Deanne has a BS-Agriculture from the University of Wisconsin, and is now in the US Department of State. Oxford, England; Liatriz finished BS-Journalism, and is now connected with the Bank of America, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Ulani has a BS-Environmental Science, and works in the Veterans’ Affairs, Peoria, Illinois.
Edyll Levy has traveled all over the world: Holland, Estonia, Germany, Russia, China, Mexico, Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Spain, the Bahamas, England, etc. And she comes home to Bohol occasionally.
This time, she is in Bohol for the TBTK. In the last week of August she will be in Dumaguete City. It’s a homecoming. The Boholana Board Topnotcher is attending the Golden jubilee of the Silliman University School of Nursing.
This interview took place at ICM last July 22 (Bohol Charter Day). It was our first meeting, and I was readily impressed by her innate beauty and eloquence. I could imagine that, during her salad days, she must have been the inspiration of countless man who adored feminine beauty and charm.
LMP: Did you come to Bohol to be with TBTK?
FLL: I have four reasons to come this year, one is TBTK; and one is for the fiesta of Balilihan this July 16. The Balilihanons that are working, or staying overseas came this year to hold a free dinner for the people of Balilihan. We gave donations to the church. The fourth reason is that, I am going to attend the Jubilee of the School of Nursing in Silliman University, Dumaguete City.
LMP: When will that be?
FLL: That will be in August 23rd to 28th.
LMP: For all of these reasons for coming here, which one is the most fulfilling?
FLL: I think it will be Jubilee of my graduation from college. I am full of nostalgia coming home to my Alma Mater.
LMP: Since you were abroad, is this your first time to come back to Silliman?
FLL: No. We went there in 2001 for the celebration of its 100 year anniversary as a university.
LMP: Is this Golden Jubilee you have for the nursing course?
FLL: Yes.
LMP: Can you give as your idea about TBTK as a movement? Is it something significant?
FLL: For Boholanos, it’s because of the missions that they fulfill. So, I think it is a big help to Bohol, and for the participants like me. It is a chance to meet old friends. I think that is the biggest effect of TBTK… the reunion…
LMP: There are already 4 TBTK; do you intend to come back for TBTK 2012?
FLL: Fortunately for me, TBTK coincides with the fiesta of Balilihan. It’s likely that I will come back every TBTK.
LMP: For you to come back to your hometown for the fiesta, it must be very important which is not shared by other Filipinos from other provinces. How important this fiesta to you?
FLL: I heard from the priest mentioned that there was somebody from Davao who told Father Silagan that even though they won’t hold fiesta anymore, can’t go to church in July 16, but still they want to come home to Balilihan. The Balilihanons celebrate fiesta in different places, not just here in the Philippines. It is important for us to come here; it is the reason to meet other Balilihanons.
LMP: A sort of a reunion?
FLL: Yes.
LMP: Is that a characteristic that is very Boholano?
FLL: I think it is.
LMP: And you also do the same thing when you are abroad… like Boholanos gathering together?
FLL: We always gather together, we have what we called BOGWAS Boholanos of Greater Washington.
LMP: Who is the President now?
FLL: Lately, I have not been in contact with BOGWAS because I had a major surgery.
LMP: Is this the same organization that Neneng Corales was a member?
FLL: Neneng Corales was one of the founders of BOGWAS.
LMP: So, this organization is represented in TBTK now?
FLL: It is.
LMP: Among the activities of TBTK, which one would you like to be in as a participant?
FLL: Well, I attended the reunion of Bohol Provincial Hospital because I was once a member of the staff.
LMP: Let’s talk about this affair at Silliman University, what do you expect when you have your reunion with your Alma Mater?
FLL: I expect to see some classmates I’ve never seen in 50 years, I hope they will come.
LMP: When you were studying at Silliman, who was the President?
FLL: It was President Ruiz, the first Filipino President of Silliman.
LMP: What specific year was that?
FLL: 1959.
LMP: How was the place during that time?
FLL: Very quiet, like Tagbilaran back in the ‘50s.
LMP: There are people who make a comparison between Dumaguete inhabitants and other cities. They say that Dumaguete is more intellectual compared to others.
FLL: Because the school is the main hub of the city. Silliman and Dumaguete are closely identified with each other.
LMP: You left the Philippines in order to work abroad. Is it for a greener pasture?
FLL: No, during our time, my main reason was to see the United States.
LMP: Did you participate in the Exchange Program?
FLL: Yes.
LMP: But you stayed there after that?
FLL: Yes, because I got married. To Dr, Neil Levy, a Ph. D. in Pharmacology.
LMP: How was your stay these numbers of years? Is it something that is very fulfilling as far is your direction in life is concerned?
FLL: Living in the United States, gives you more opportunity to enhance your own life. It is not difficult to earn money so you have time to spend for yourself.
LMP: Did you have any problem adjusting to the climate?
FLL: I had no problem at all, especially at my work as a nurse. When I went there, it was very easy to work there compared to here. Everything is easy in the United States, especially if you have good training here and you know the principles of nursing.
LMP: Let’s go to your family life. Your husband is an American. Did you have any problem with cultural barriers?
FLL: Well, there was a slight problem especially on food, but luckily my husband eats all kinds of food.
LMP: And you have a cook?
FLL: Yes. My only problem is he won’t eat “ginamos†and “buwadâ€.
LMP: Let’s talk about your children; they were born in the States, raised in the States. Are there traits of being Filipino left in them?
FLL: Very little.
LMP: So, they are totally Americanized?
FLL: Yes, because like my niece… she has a daughter who was born there and she taught her child the Visayan dialect, so the child can speak Bisaya. I never do that because when my children came I was still learning how to speak English.
LMP: Have they come to the Philippines?
FLL: Yes, my middle daughter went to school in Silliman for 1 ½ years and she does speak Visayan.
LMP: But you mentioned only some Filipino traits that are left.
FLL: It is really not difficult to adjust, if you are open minded it is not a problem.
LMP: Have your children decided to also live there and only come to visit the Philippines once in a while?
FLL: Yes, they have their jobs there.
LMP: How many grandchildren do you have now?
FLL: I have three grandchildren.
LMP: And how are they? Are there traces of being a Filipino?
FLL: I have two grandchildren who have six inherited blood: Filipino, Chinese, Native American, Jewish, and Puerto Rican.
LMP: You mentioned that your children retained your family name instead of using the family name of their husbands.
FLL: It’s for career proficiency. Once you start your career, it is just a choice that you make.
LMP: Is this supposed to be made with the consent of the husband? Here in the Philippines, no husband would like to have his wife called by some other name except his own.
FLL: I don’t know why we do that; because in Spain the wife always retains her family name.
LMP: Let’s talk about politics. What have you heard of the Philippines about the political situation?
FLL: I’ve heard that there is still a corruption. I heard the priest two days ago preaching something about graft and corruption, and the priest knew about standard authority. So, I’m sure it is no secret, everybody knows about it.
LMP: It’s ugly. Is there a way from your own point of view to give a remedy for that situation?
FLL: Well, I’m not a political person.
LMP: But from the point of view of an ordinary citizen, a Filipino living abroad.
FLL: Of course, it is very different. Out in the US they also have the Pork Barrel. But I think it goes to the public, so if you are an influential Congressman or Senator you got a huge Pork Barrel. But spent nicely.
LMP: There are many Filipinos who go abroad everyday, in fact according to the record 5,000 Filipinos fly out of the country everyday including Sunday not counting those who use the backdoor. But then they come home, just like in your case.
FLL: Basically, I think once you get older it is easier to live here because out there you have to stay in a nursing home… it will cost P7, 000 dollars a month. Here, you could have somebody to take care of you.
LMP: Are you planning along that line, staying here for good?
FLL: I have a house in Balilihan, it is possible for me to stay here but I think that Bohol should think of a good medical plan. Because the people coming are older and they don’t want to go to Cebu. Yet, no matter what, I am still a Boholana.
There are many Boholano achievers who are left unsung. Edyll Lim-Levy is one of them. As far I know, she is the only Boholano who topped the Philippine Nursing Board Exam. We have a lot of top-ten placers, but there’s only one who made it as “Numero Unoâ€.
Life for her has gone full cycle. She has recognized some of the progress she has observed her own province; but she still hopes more changes would take place. For somebody who has personally seen the various cities of the whole globe, she has singled out our need to have a more responsive government bureaucracy. She and her family may all be American citizens, but deep in her she will remain a true Boholana.
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Topic: Fidelita Lim: The Only Boholana Nursing Board Topnotcher (Read 6894 times)