• A. V. DEL CARMEN
“Your roots are your strength – never forget that you carry your home and your people with you wherever life takes you.”
These are the words of advice a U.S.-based nurse for young Negrenses and other Filipinos who dream of making it someday.
The words were shared by Pauline Carmona Ang, 30, currently a U.S. military medic. Pauline earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree on April 30 from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. GCU is among the largest Christian universities in the United States – with more than 100,000 students enrolled online and in person.
Pauline and her family are residents of Bay Area in California. She is currently stationed in Japan and was previously assigned in overseas posts, like Turkey Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.
A native of the cities of Bacolod and San Carlos, she is the daughter of Freche Ang, former Philippine Basketball Association player and St. La Salle varsity standout. He now works as a dialysis technician.
Her mother, the former Mercy Carmona, is a dialysis registered nurse.
She is the oldest of the Ang couple’s two children. Her brother, Christian, is currently studying Business Management at the University of St. La Salle.
Pauline studied middle and junior high school in the United States when the family moved there. She returned to the Philippines to complete her high school education at Colegio de Santo Tomas-Recoletos in San Carlos City prior to her Bachelor of Science in Nursing studies at USLS which she completed in 2015.
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Here’s our Q&A interview with Pauline:
Please describe your current job (and also your former job, including in the Philippines).
I’m currently a U.S. military medic. I work in military healthcare, focusing on readiness, emergency response, and trusted care for service members and their families.
I’m presently assigned to primary care, which includes internal medicine, pediatrics, dermatology, allergy/immunization, and family health.
Prior to joining the military, I worked at PacSun, a retail clothing brand, and also did barangay health center volunteer work back in the Philippines after passing the Philippine National Licensure Examination.
What (and when) made you move to the United States?
I moved to the U.S. with my family during middle school. We were originally based in San Carlos/Bacolod, but my parents, especially my mom who’s also a nurse, pursued opportunities in the medical field abroad, which brought us to California.
What is a typical working day for you at present?
A typical day involves managing the schedules and operations of five clinics, supervising personnel, and occasionally pulling on-call shifts for emergency cases. I also take on administrative and leadership roles within my unit.
What made you decide to pursue higher nursing education? How long did it take to complete your masteral studies? Why did you choose GCU?
I’ve always believed in lifelong learning, and as a healthcare leader in the military, I wanted to strengthen my knowledge in management and systems improvement. I completed my Master of Science in Nursing (Leadership in Health Care Systems) through Grand Canyon University’s online program.
It took about four years to complete while working full-time and moving around due to military assignments and deployment.
I chose GCU because it was flexible, military-friendly, and allowed me to complete my practicum while stationed overseas.
Please describe the challenges you encountered in your GCU studies. How did you balance time for work and study?
Time management was my biggest challenge – balancing work, deployments, and graduate school wasn’t easy. I often found myself doing assignments during lunch breaks or late at night. But I leaned on my support system – family, friends, mentors – and my faith. Discipline and consistency got me through.
Who came to your GCU graduation?
My mom, dad, and best friend Dot Robles flew in to celebrate with me. My dog, Sage, was also there. It was such a meaningful and emotional moment, especially since they witnessed all the effort and sacrifices behind the scenes.
What does your masteral degree mean to you?
It’s more than just a piece of paper – it’s a symbol of resilience, sacrifice, and personal growth. It’s a reflection of my parents’ hard work, my community’s support, and my faith in God. It reminds me that I can lead and make a difference, no matter where I am.
What are your career plans now? Your long-term goal?
I’ve been selected to commission as an officer in the Nurse Corps. My long-term goal is to specialize in critical care and health systems leadership, with a focus on readiness and resilience in high-stress environments. I also hope to mentor and empower fellow nurses and medics around the world.
What do you miss most about Bacolod? How often do you come home for vacation?
I miss the food, the warmth of family, and the sense of home that only Bacolod can give. I miss inasal! I haven’t been able to visit often – my last trip was when my grandmother passed away last year – but Bacolod will always be a special part of me.
What word of advice would you like to share with fellow Negrenses who dream of making it somewhere someday?
Don’t ever think your dreams are too big for where you come from. Stay grounded, work hard, and stay true to your values. Your roots are your strength – never forget that you carry your home and your people with you wherever life takes you.
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In her Facebook post just after graduation, Pauline expressed her deep gratitude:
“This one’s for You, God. For Lola Nena and Lolo Jimmy (Carmona) watching from above. And for my family and friends who cheered me on through every PCS (Permanent Change of Deployment) and plot twists in life.
“For my preceptor and mentors! It wasn’t easy, but with faith, love, and lots of late nights… we made it. MSN in hand and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing – we did that!
“Special thanks to my parents and Dot for witnessing me on stage and Sagey girl (her Labrador Retriever) for coming to Arizona 😂.”
