Filipina Soul

When I read this story in The Seattle Times, I really felt for the nurses from our country. I hope you’ll find time to read Maricris Espino’s experience here as written by Paula Bock.

Like almost all Filipino families, I have relatives who are nurses. My godmother/aunt is one, and she left for the US right after I was bapized as an infant. In the first 10 years of stay, she only went home once or twice and God only knows how hard she had to work. Through the years she sent a cousin or relative through school (helping send me through grad school), brought her parents to the US, and till now would help a relative in need.

My aunt’s story is just one of many by Filipino nurses. As with the teachers’ exodus, nurses and other OFWs leave the country to seek a better life for themselves and their families. Of the 100,791 foreign-educated RNs, 50.2 per cent came from the Philippines. But instead of just looking at statistics, the story about Maricris reminded me that every number is a story waiting to be told.

Most of you would have your own story to tell as well.

Tags: OFW, nurses, teachers

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