Hailing from Valencia, in the nearby province of Negros Oriental, Dr. Romano finished her B.S. in Nursing at Silliman University in 1966. She obtained her Master in Education at Cebu Normal College in 1977; her Master in Nursing at University of the Philippines-Cebu in 1981; and her Doctoral in Human Resource Management at University of San Jose-Recoletos in 1992.

From 1967 to 1968, she worked in Silliman University Medical Center. As a young nurse, Dr. Romano resisted the lure of working in the States. Instead, in 1968, she married 1st Lt. Adolfo V. Romano, Jr. and was accepted as a Clinical Instructor in the School of Nursing which was then a joint venture of Chong Hua Hospital and the former Cebu College of Commerce (CCC). She was quickly promoted as Nursing Education Coordinator in 1968 to 1981 and b came the Emergency Room Supervisor for Chong Hua Hospital in 1981 to 1986.

Ma’m Romano was a mentor of many Nursing personalities who eventually became her colleagues in the academe. Dr. Carmen Perez Villarante was her student in CHHSN who belonged to the first batch of graduates, Class 1969. Dr. Helen dela Cerna Estrella was another student who graduated in 1976.

In 1986, Ma’m Romano was hand picked by Atty. Augusto W. Go to head the School of Nursing in the Sanciangko Campus. She held the position until 1997. From 1990 to 1997, she assumed the position as the Principal of the School of Midwifery, also in the Main Campus.

She became an Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines, Cebu City, Graduate School Department from 1988 to 1991. She was also a Professor of the UC Graduate School in 1994.

From June, 1997 until February, 2004, she was a member of the UC-METC Management Team as the Lead Auditor. Being an in-demand educator, she became a part-time Professor of Cebu Normal University’s Graduate School in 2000 to 2003.

When the College of Nursing was opened in UC-LM, she became its first Nursing Dean in 2003. She then became the Academic Dean/ Administrator of UCLM from September 2004 until May 2006. In 2006 she took on the role as UC-LM Campus Academic Director.

“The last few years we had were some of the best years I’ve experienced with a colleague,” said UC Chancellor Ms. Candice Gotianuy before a crowd of family, associates and friends gathered in Our Lady of Fatima Church. “She was one of those rare women whose spirit is light as a feather but tough as steel,” furthered the Chancellor.

“It was her dream to produce nursing board placers,” recalled Dr. Erlinda P. Barcelo, UC Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “She must be rejoicing in heaven now,” added Dr. Barcelo, referring to the 2 UC nursing graduates who topped the June 2007 licensure exams and the high passing percentage of the College of Nursing students from both Banilad and LM campuses.

“She’s strict, a disciplinarian but she gets things done. Very results oriented. Everyday, she would report for work at 7 o’clock in the morning,” said Ms. Judith Almonte, a long-time assistant of Dr. Romano. Ms. Almonte got teary-eyed when remembering the former Administrator. She had been with Dr. Romano for about 10 years, since her assignment in METC.

“I looked up to her as a mentor,” said Ms. Guia Tinio, OIC of LM’s College of Nursing who was also Dr. Romano’s student. “I and my LM colleagues really felt a great sense of loss with her passing away. We’re so used to her being around to advise us on a lot of things.”

In the few moments with Dr. Romano, this writer experienced her graciousness and warmth. She was always obliging, willing to share information.

Before she succumbed to Pancreatic Cancer, Dr. Romano had made good use of her time and talent. She attended special trainings and seminars, held special assignments, extension services for CHED including that of being the Internal Assessor for the Institutional Quality Assurance Monitoring and Evaluation (IQUAME), had research involvements, organized and facilitated various courses for UC, rendered consultancies, produced publications, shared her knowledge thru seminars, was affiliated with various professional organizations within the country, while a recipient of a number of awards and citation including the Presidential Award for Valuable Involvement in the Undertaking of Philippine Nursing Association (Dec. 15, 1993) and Leadership Award as President of APSOM (Dec., 1998).

Dr. Ramillita P. Romano is survived by her beloved husband, Lt. Adolfo; her children, Lory Lyn who is also a nurse; Andrew Adolfo; and Lyndon Adolfo; and four grandchildre .

From the hundreds of students who grow under your tutelage and your colleagues who were blessed to know you, we will miss you, Ma’m Romano!