We are excited to announce the inaugural conference of the British Association of Filipino Physicians and Surgeons (BAFPS). Filipinos are known globally for their expertise in healthcare, particularly through our care and nursing colleagues. What may be less apparent is that there is a growing community of Filipino doctors in the United Kingdom. 

The British Association of Filipino Physicians and Surgeons started when like-minded Filipino doctors of varying professional backgrounds realised the growing community of doctors with Philippine heritage. Increasing numbers of international medical graduate (IMG) doctors have been entering the UK medical workforce in recent years. With this came a growing new cohort of Filipino IMGs.   

The society originated from a desire to link IMGs and UK graduate Filipino doctors, with the aim of creating a professional support network for those entering the NHS, and for all to maintain links with Philippine culture, while navigating British medical and surgical careers.  

To this end, we are excited to host the inaugural BAFPS conference. This is a key opportunity to spotlight the work of our medical community in an academic setting. We look forward to hearing from excellent speakers, both from those who have excelled at senior levels of clinical work and research fields. We also look forward to learning about the projects being undertaken by medical students and doctors who are starting in their careers. 

Importantly, as a growing medical community, Filipino doctors need to come together, know each other and connect. We look forward to more exciting events, both educational and social, in the near future! 

The Inaugural BAFPS Conference will be held on Saturday, 19th October 2024 at University College Hospital Education Centre, 250 Euston Road. You can register your place via the conference webpage on www.bafps.org/conference2024

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ŷ������ is celebrating its fourth anniversary with a free career planning event for Filipino nurses. Entitled Empower and Elevate: Career Strategies for Filipino Nurses in the UK, the event will be held on 19 October at the Covent Garden Hotel in London.

“Since we started in 2020 during Covid, we have helped raise people’s awareness of the achievements and issues facing Filipino nurses and healthcare workers. We are thrilled to mark our anniversary with an event that gives nurses the space to discuss their career pathways,” said Liezel Longboan, ŷ������ founder and content manager.

Sponsored by Comcare, an upcoming community services company, the event offers an engaging afternoon when Filipino nurses take the rare opportunity to pause and reflect on their diverse career paths in Britain. The panellists are Kier Dungo, Michio Schuck and George Bermudez, with the keynote by May Parsons.

Comcare is a community project initiated by Filipino entrepreneurs for kababayans living overseas to give them access to social services wherever they may find themselves in the world.

May Parsons administered the world’s first Covid vaccine outside of clinical trials in 2020. She and the chief executive of the NHS  the highest civilian award for heroism and courage in the face of extreme danger.

Starting as a Band 5 nurse while looking after her young children, she set aside time for training and applied for promotion when opportunities opened up at her trust. She is passionate about learning and has completed her master’s degree in Global Healthcare Management at Coventry University. Today, she is the Deputy Director for Quality and Patient Safety at the Buckinghamshire NHS Trust.

Kier Dungo is the founder and chair of Filipinos in Care, the first international association in the UK dedicated to social care nurses. A registered nurse, Kier says his calling is in adult social care where is making a difference in the sector.

In 2024, he received the for Excellence. Kier serves as a managing director for Gold Care Homes, supervising several care homes that the group runs.

Michio Schuck is a practice development nurse at the Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Just after arriving in the UK to work as a nurse in 2022, Michio saw the need to support international nurses, creating equal opportunities for them to access education services and upskill them. She was awarded the  for being an inspirational leader and role model who is working to give BAME staff a greater voice within her trust.

George Bermudez, also known as Manong George, is a popular figure among nurses in Britain. A registered nurse who has worked across various specialities in the UK, he , an online community with at least 20K engaged members. Their website offers weekly articles that provide relevant information and updates for the community.

Their online community also hosts monthly webinars that help Filipino nurses with their struggles in living and working in Britain. George currently works for Vitality UK as a Team Leader Nurse Examiner.

The event is in partnership with the May Parsons Foundation, Philippine Nurses Association UK, Filipino Nurses Association UK, Filipinos in Care and Filipino Nurses UK.

The event is now fully booked and registration is now closed.

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By Jomel Anthony Gutierrez and Liezel Longboan

Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the recent attack against two Filipino nurses as they travelled to work for emergency cover in Sunderland.

The nurses were on their way to a hospital for emergency shifts on Friday when they found themselves caught in the midst of chaos as far-right rioters set fire a police station sparked by the Southport stabbing.

“I was appalled by reports of violence directed directed towards Filipino nurses in Sunderland – these were nurses going into work to provide emergency care and their attackers bring shame on our flag and shame on our country,” Mr Streeting told the PA News Agency.

, the taxi the nurses were travelling in was thrown rocks and they were left terrified. They managed to get through bu they were shaken by the incident. The two nurses involved have yet to speak up.

In response to the incident, the health secretary said people who are racist or abusive to health and social care staff could be turned away. The Royal College of Nursing , citing discriminatory behaviour, including racism” as an additional reason for nurses to decline to give care.

“I will not tolerate, under any circumstances, NHS or social care staff in any health or care setting being subjected to intimidation, harassment or racist abuse,” Mr Streeting said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a statement condemning the “far-right thuggery” that gripped parts of the UK over the weekend. Many rioters have been charged and for the Southport and Liverpool riots.

Filipino nurses and healthcare workers have been sharing the news about the incident on Facebook groups and many have expressed concerns about their safety and wellbeing.

“Even though I’m now British, I’m afraid of what has been going on cos they still see us as outcast because of the colour of our skin. I may live in a diverse area but I’m worried as riots may start in any place, right?” said a Filipino-British nurse living in north London.

UK Filipinos unite against racism and violence

Various sectors within the Filipino community spoke out against the violent attacks on Filipino nurses as well as other racialised groups.

Philippine nursing and care associations came out with a collective statement on Facebook saying they strongly deplore what happened in Sunderland and are “standing united in advocating for the safety, respect and dignity of our Filipino Healthcare Workers and other global majority communities.”

Filipino Senior Nurses’ Alliance (FSNA), Philippine Nurses Association UK (PNA UK), Filipino Nurses Association UK (FNA-UK) and Filipinos in Care condemning “in the strongest terms the racism, violence and hostility directed towards these dedicated healthcare professionals as they made their way to provide essential emergency care.”

The statement also asked others “to reject racism and violence” and urged those who may have been affected to contact their respective senior leaders for advice and support.

On LinkedIn, Louie Horne, president of the FSNA, urged everyone to speak out against hate and show support by “appreciating the incredible contributions international nurses make to our healthcare system.”

The charity Kanlungan Filipino Consortium called for “immediate action to protect migrants and minoritised communities from further violence while asking the Philippine government to guarantee the safety of Filipinos in the UK.

Other charities serving Filipinos and the wider Southeast and East Asian communities, namely Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC) and Southeast and East Asian Women’s Association (SEEAWA) also condemned the attacks.

Where to get help

If you have concerns about your safety, or have witnessed or experienced hate crime, violence or racism, you may contact the following:

: 0808 801 0393

On Your Side offers a for people of East and Southeast Asian heritage who has experienced racism or any forms of hate. Their helpline team are ready to listen and offer you support.

NHS staff: text SHOUT to 85258 for support 24/7

This service is available to all NHS staff who have had a tough day, who are feeling worried or overwhelmed, or who have a lot on their mind and need to talk it through.

Filipino NHS staff: contact your international staff coordinators

You may also contact your officers if you are a member of FSNA, FNA UK, PNA UK or Filipinos in Care.

Kanlungan Filipino Consortium: 02039831871

If you are of Filipino heritage and would like to get advice, contact Kanlungan.

Image credit: Kier Dungo, President of Filipinos in Care

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Do you have a connection to Filipinos and the Philippines? Would you like to shape the work of one of the leading non-profit organisations for Filipinos in Britain? 

ŷ������ – Who We Are

We are a registered non-profit community interest company (CIC) delivering reliable English-language advice, news and information for the Filipino community in the UK.  We were founded in 2020 to offer much-needed information about Filipinos at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, we have helped bring the stories and issues faced by Filipinos across the UK. Today, we are seen as an authoritative voice within the Filipino-British community.

Our Vision

To empower Filipinos in Britain through authoritative information and advice.

Our Mission

To be the main provider of authoritative information and advice for Filipinos in the UK.

The role: Non-Executive Director

We are looking for directors to help shape ŷ������’s strategy and achieve its mission.  We are particularly looking for directors with expertise in the following areas: Business Strategy,  Operations, Fundraising, Media Management, Marketing, and Governance.

Remuneration: This is an unpaid, voluntary role although expenses for travel may be claimed.

Commitment:  12 board meetings per year. Additionally, directors are expected to attend online meetings and take the lead in some projects.

To read more about the role, .

What would we like from Directors?

As a ŷ������ Director, you’ll play a vital role in keeping the organisation on track with its objectives. You will also apply your experience in shaping our Business Strategy, Operations, Fundraising, Media Management, Marketing, and Governance. We will be looking for you to demonstrate the following:

• Equity, diversity and inclusion. You have a strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Strategic thinker: Able to balance risk and opportunity. You can think independently,    impartially and creatively in the context of the organisation and external environment.
• Dedicated:  Willing to commit your time and to play an active role in the running of ŷ������ so it can meet its mission and vision.
• Listen and engage collaboratively. Able to take part in discussions with peers based on your knowledge and experience, and evidence provided in written papers.
• Independent-minded but collaborative. Experience in collective decision-making by a group of people, either within a team or as a part of a steering group or similar set-up.

Desirable qualifications

• Prior experience of committee/director role.
• Knowledge of the type of work undertaken by the organisation.
• A wider involvement with the voluntary sector.
• Experience in a leadership role.

What can we offer you?

We are a small, friendly organisation with a big ambition to make visible the stories of Filipinos and be the source of authoritative advice and information about living in the UK.

We can offer you:

• The opportunity and ability to lead and influence the direction of our work and how we can better support the needs of the Filipino-British community.
• The opportunity to work with a variety of individuals, organisations, networks and businesses.
• Flexibility on the dates and times of meetings, to ensure that all Directors can attend and contribute.
• A warm and supportive network of Directors and volunteers who come from diverse backgrounds.

How to apply

Please send your CV plus a covering letter (2 pages maximum) or short video statement (5 minutes max), which sets out how your skills and experiences would help us deliver our vision and mission, and live our values. Please email your CV to info@tinig-uk.com with “Director application” in the subject line by 1 March 2024.

Please set out clearly:

• Your passion for diversity and inclusion.
• How your skills and experiences meet the specific areas of expertise we are looking for.
• How your skills and experiences can help us achieve our vision and mission.

Please also complete the . This is not seen by the interview panel but helps us know whether we are reaching a wide audience of potential Trustees.

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The number of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who save amounts from their foreign remittance incomes has been plummeting for the last 14 years, says data from an annual government survey.

This trend came from the annual Survey on Overseas Filipinos (SOF) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which had been publicly releasing data on the number of OFWs who save since 2009.

A year before Covid-19, the number of OFW savers went to its historic lowest at 32.7 percent. The last three pandemic years only saw marginal increases in the number of savers, reaching to 34.6 percent in 2022.

That four-year plateau all but sealed the downward trend on the number of OFW savers as per SOF data. OFW savers reached a high 53.1 percent in 2009, or after the 2007-2008 global economic crisis.

It was also in the last two decades that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), financial institutions and nongovernment organizations for OFWs have rolled out numerous financial literacy campaigns and savings, insurance and investment products and services tailored for OFWs and their families.

The Philippine Development Plans (PDPs) of former Presidents Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte, and of current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., have all mandated the launch of financial education and savings and investment products for the OFW market.

Even two rounds of the BSP’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NFSI), a masterplan to make Filipinos open at least a savings account in order to save and invest, carried OFWs as target beneficiaries.

The diminishing number of total OFW savers “is definitely a concern,” says Ateneo de Manila University economist Dr. Maire Carroline Magante. This concern is given the Philippines’ reliance on foreign remittances and how “the influx of these remittances stimulates consumption locally, which has multiplier effects,” Magante adds.

The pandemic and OFW money

THE Covid-19 pandemic saw the return of over 2.2 million OFWs up until year two of the Philippines’ mandating of the first lockdown on March 16, 2020. Many of these returnees brought whatever savings they had accumulated from abroad, but were stuck at home given border closures and travel restrictions.

Surprisingly, cash remittances from overseas Filipinos in 2020 only had a 0.76-percent reduction year-on-year (US$29.9 billion versus US$30.1 billion). Then Filipinos abroad sent more money in 2021 (US$31.4 billion) and 2022 (US$32.5 billion), both historic highs according to BSP data.

But the Covid-19 pandemic stymied the savings habit of OFWs, including returnees. A 2021 survey of 8,332 returnee OFWs by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) showed that their return migration led to “lost remittances,” with nearly half of surveyed returnees claiming to have lost more than 60 percent of their household income.

A newly released BSP report on the country’s flow of funds (year 2020) confirmed the overall decline of savings and real investments during the first year of Covid-19. Filipino households recorded a lower gross savings amounting to P983.2 billion in 2020, compared to P1.1 trillion in 2019.

“The decline in the [household] sector’s saving,” says BSP, “was due to the adverse effects of the pandemic on domestic and global labor market conditions as reflected through higher unemployment rates and low inflows of overseas Filipinos’ personal remittances.”

Reintegrating, ‘redeploying’ OFWs

Since 2022, many host countries of foreign workers have reopened their labor markets. The situation has led to some 1.2 million new-hire and rehired OFWs deployed last year, says data from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

The 2022 OFW deployment figure is a nearly 100-percent rise from the over-675,000 number in 2021. But both numbers still fall below the 2.2 million OFW returnees tabbed by government authorities during the first two years of the pandemic.

The droves of return migration prompted the Philippine government to pivot its policy efforts to migrant workers’ reintegration through cash grants, livelihood loans and psychosocial support services.

On its first fully funded year as a government agency, DMW launched this year a six-pronged�� program for migrant reintegration. This “sustainable reintegration” framework of DMW, said Assistant Secretary Venecio Legaspi, covers a skills inventory for returnees; databanking and monitoring reintegration programs; skills and business development services; a savings fund and a menu of investment options; an e-commerce platform for OFW entrepreneurs; and partnerships with the private sector and NGOs.

But since some of these few OFW savers will retire at home and will confront current-day price increases for commodities, Magante thinks the post-pandemic return of OFWs “could possibly generate a massive welfare provision problem.”

The 14-year SOF dataset shows that at least half of OFW savers save less than a fourth of their remittances. Meanwhile, those who save at least half of their foreign remittance incomes hovered to around 11-to-17 percent in the last 14 years.

The SOF covers April to September annually, and is a rider to the October round of the now-monthly Labor Force Survey (LFS).

BSP just celebrated a national economic and financial literacy week from November 6 to 10.

Meanwhile, third quarter of 2020 to Q3 2023 data from the quarterly Consumer Expectations Survey (CES) of the BSP showed similar results to the PSA’s SOF: OFW savers run just above a third but not reaching half of those surveyed.

OFW households that allocate foreign remittances to savings range from a low of 31.6 percent (Q3 2020) to a high of 43 percent (Q1 2023), CES survey data show.

About the author

Jeremaiah is Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. He writes overseas migration issues for a nonprofit news service (the Overseas Filipino Workers Journalism Consortium) and publishes stories for a community news outlet (The Filipino Connection) in the Philippines.

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The reception was held to and midwives in the NHS. Over 400 nurses and midwives representing 150,000 overseas staff attended the event.

Filipino nurses working in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were represented at the event.

The King met refugee nurses as well as members of international nursing and midwifery associations. There are two Filipino nursing associations in the UK: Philippine Nurses Association UK and Filipino Nurses Association UK.

Some of the nurses who attended the event posted photos of themselves on Twitter and Facebook, writing they felt “humbled,” “grateful,” “honoured” and “blessed.” Most of them wore Filipino-inspired formal wear such as the barong tagalog, terno and baro’t saya.

“It was such a humbling experience to be in the same room with my fellow Filipino nursing leaders and colleagues showcasing our contribution in the NHS and Social Care Services,” wrote Mr Soriano on Facebook.

“It has been a privilege to be selected and be in a more private setting to talk to King Charles and introduce our International Nursing and Midwifery Association leaders from India, Nigeria, Kenya and finally Philippines!” posted Ms Caguioa on Facebook.

Jonah Atos, international nurse coordinator at the Western Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland wrote on Twitter, “I felt blessed to join a small audience with His Royal Majest at celebration of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs).”

“My 10 year old self, from a tiny town in the Philippines, is proud of what she became and is becoming. Maraming Salamat, Diolch, Your Majesty The King,” wrote Regina Reyes, clinical research nurse specialist in Newport, Wales.

.

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Ms Deocampo is the lead nurse in the Acute and Specialist Medicine department at Charing Cross Hospital in London.

She posted photos of herself and her family after the awards ceremony on X (formerly Twitter), writing “All my to everyone who brought me here. Mga Kababayan Atin po ito. Salamat! Glory to God.”

An their “Achievement or service in and to the community which is outstanding in its field and has delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others,” according to the Cabinet Office.

Ms Deocampo joins two other Filipinos who were previously awarded the distinguished MBE award. Victoria Buenaventura and Joanna Teh, consular officials at the British Embassy in Manila, were awarded .

In a to celebrate the Southeast and East Asian Heritage Month in September, she wrote, “As a foreign nurse, I have always been respectful of the expectations around the nursing practice of this country. I had to unlearn some of my past experiences and harmonise my skills and competence to what is relevant, current and evidence-based. I learned to collaborate with colleagues of different backgrounds as I discovered, we are stronger together and we are more efficient collaboratively, celebrating each cultural heritage and each unique contribution to the National Health Service.” 

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The Filipino Domestic Workers Association (FDWA), a in the UK, recently launched a community hosting project to provide a temporary safe space for those who flee abusive employers.

FDWA receive calls for help on a weekly basis from Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike, according to FDWA chairperson Cielo Tilan. Since 2004, the group has rescued a total of 96 migrant domestic workers. She said that the establishment of a wider hosting network would allow them to expand their rescue missions.

Every year, the UK issues around who are brought to Britain mostly by Middle Eastern employers. Some of them experience physical and sexual abuse, work for excessively long hours and are deprived of food and days off. Often brought to Britain without their consent, some take the risk to run away from their employers.��������

Community hosting project

The FDWA community hosting is a volunteer-based service that looks to provide safe, temporary shelter and accommodation to rescued domestic migrant workers who escape their abusive work environments. Vetted hosts provide a bed and access to shared facilities in their own homes to those rescued, free of charge.��

Hosts will receive a weekly stipend of £10 per person they accommodate to help with living costs. They will also go through an onboarding session with the hosting coordinator to discuss house rules and safeguarding procedures. The hosting coordinator is available to offer advice should there be any issues between the host and the rescued worker.��

Whilst most of FDWA rescues so far have been in London, the organisation is open to volunteers from anywhere in England. 

National Referral Mechanism 

Whilst staying with a volunteer host, rescued workers will be referred to a first responder for proper case assessment through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a process for identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery and ensuring they receive the appropriate support.��

Modern slavery is and may involve multiple forms of exploitation that encompasses human trafficking, slavery, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour.��

During this period, rescued survivors are normally allowed to work. The hosting ends when the survivor finds a job, and is able to afford rent. Through the FDWA community hosting alongside the NRM, the rescued domestic workers can stay in the UK and do what they intended to do in the first place – work to be able to provide for their families back home.

Empowered domestic workers 

The community hosting project is part of the Empowered Domestic Workers Program jointly run by FDWA and Kanlungan Filipino Consortium and funded by Porticus, an international philantropic organisation.

The three-part programme includes the following: 1) advocacy training to help domestic workers confidently speak up to effect change under a hostile environment for migrant workers; 2) rights training, to educate migrant domestic workers about their rights as migrants in the UK, and; 3) community hosting, to provide a temporary safe space for those who flee abusive employers.

Still a lot of work to do

FDWA was founded in 2012 when the visa concession for migrant domestic workers was revoked. Prior to the change in visa, migrant domestic workers were allowed to change employers, apply for an extension of stay, and even have a possible pathway to settlement in the UK. The changes effected did not only tie them to a single employer, but also limited their stay in the UK to 6 months.��

Despite all the excellent work that FDWA has done through the years, there is still a lot to do. There are still workers that need to be rescued. There are still workers who need to be informed and taught about their rights. There are still workers longing to be heard, to be seen and to be part of a community. The work is never done. 

Ms Tilan says that it will take some time before domestic workers can overcome their fear of authorities and feel empowered to speak up. “Malaking tulong ang Porticus project sa empowerment ng mga overseas domestic workers dito sa UK at sana maipagpatuloy pa ito hanggang mayroon ng sapat na kakayahan ang FDWA, dahil hindi ito titigil hangga’t mayroong mga biktima ng modern slavery na dinala dito sa UK.” (The Porticus project is a huge help in empowering overseas domestic workers in the UK. We hope it continues until FDWA is in a better position because it will not stop while there are victims of modern slavery who are being brought to the UK).

If you are interested to volunteer and are able to offer a safe space in your home, you can . 

If you are a domestic worker in need of help, please .

Kung ikaw ay isang domestic worker na nangangailangan ng tulong, ��

About the author

Patricia is a project coordinator for . A banker by profession, this mother of 3 is currently on break to focus on her family.��

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The tourism department of the Philippines launched an replacing the 2012 “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” promotion during the agency’s 50^th anniversary celebration in Manila.

The new branding is a recognition of the country’s “natural assets, long and storied history and rich culture and diversity” according to the Department of Tourism Secretary Cristina Garcia Frasco.

“Love the Philippines goes to the very heart of every single Filipino with the distinct grace and hospitality with which we welcome every guest that comes into our shores, our communities, and our homes. Love the Philippines is a recognition of our natural assets, our long and storied history, our rich culture, and diversity,” Secretary Frasco said.

In recent days, however, the tourism agency’s new advertising campaign had to be . The ad agency DBB Philippines which produced the promotional video had apologised for the “unfortunate oversight.”

The enhanced campaign attracted mixed reactions from Filipinos in the United Kingdom.

Enide Saturnino, a Filipino nurse at an NHS hospital in East of England, preferred that the country will continue using the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” tourism campaign.

“The concept of the new campaign is good because they were able to showcase our different culture, tourist spots and attractions in the Philippines but I think’s there’s something missing,” Saturnino shared.

“I prefer the old tourism slogan. It is catchy and literally, it’s more fun in the Philippines,” she added.

A Filipino student who did not want to give their name has some reservations on the new tourism campaign.

“’Love the Philippines,’ the new slogan is I think less catchy than Wow Philippines, It’s More Fun in the Philippines or Incredible India, Amazing Thailand and all. The campaign song is a bit bland, too, and the showcase video is too generic. I think ‘Wow Philippines’ was our best slogan yet,” the student said.

Wow Philippines was the country’s tourism slogan launched in 2002 during the time of former Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon under the Arroyo administration.

“The new advert doesn’t seem to have an impact too because it looks the same with our previous tourism ads. It is not innovative. There is nothing unique about it,” the student added.

For a long-time Filipino resident of London who works in the hospitality industry, the new Philippine branding has a different appeal.

“The Love the Philippines campaign offers a positive vibe. It is also easy to remember.”, he said.

“It’s time to rebrand because the old campaign has been used since 2012”, he shared.

In time for the London 2012 Olympics, the late President Benigno S. Aquino visited the UK on June 4-6, 2012. He led the launching of It’s More Fun in the Philippines with the late DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. held during his meeting with the UK Filipino community in London. Fifty cabs and twenty-five London buses were adorned with a uniform design of the campaign slogan and logo and various faces of the Philippines as part of the tourism promotion.

Meanwhile, a Filipino project manager who resides in Birmingham questioned the need for a new tourism campaign.

“What’s the need in changing the slogan? Is it really a priority? Love the Philippines is not descriptive compared to It’s more Fun in the Philippines,” they asked.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the hospitality of the Filipino people as our greatest asset during the launch of the new campaign.  Meanwhile, Filipinos in the UK are hoping that the new campaign will attract more tourists again to visit the Philippines, especially that the country is still recovering from the impact of the covid-19 pandemic.

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A Filipino nurse in Suffolk, England won the top award for the Untold Stories of Filipino Nurses in the UK art competition organised by the Filipino Nurses Association in the United Kingdom (FNA UK). 

Phoebe Inna Relacion, a nurse at Ipswich Hospital, captured the hearts of the judges and public voters for her interpretation of Filipino nurses’ experience during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Entitled “Roots of the Brave and Fallen,” Ms Relacion’s artwork aimed to depict the challenges faced by Filipino nurses working on the Covid-19 frontlines. 

In her Facebook post, she wrote:  “Hopeful to see this piece across NHS Hospitals in the UK and to represent the richness of the Filipino culture and healthcare professionals slowly being identified not only as “another Asian” ethnicity and being recognised for the valuable work we put on the table.”

The artworks will be displayed in hospitals across London NHS Trusts, raising awareness about Filipino nurses’ experiences and their valuable contributions to society, said FNA UK officer Marc Rodriguera who organised the competition.

Ms Relacion has included several elements of Philippine history and culture in her winning artwork to emphasise that Filipino nurses’ bravery and resilience during the pandemic were rooted in their heritage.   

The second place was awarded to Maynard Tolentino for his piece, “The Blind Soldier.” The third place went to Boyet Munoz for his artwork entitled “Across the Bridge.” All the winners received cash prizes.

The entries were exhibited during the London Barrio Fiesta at Lampton Park on June 10-11, 2023. The competition and exhibit were supported by the Untold Stories grant under the Mayor of London’s office.

Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr, NHS England Chief Nursing Officer Dame Ruth May and former NHS Workforce Race and Equality Standard head Professor Anton Emmanuel judged the entries. The artworks were also ranked by the online votes they received. 

ŷ������ caught up with Phoebe about her winning the competition. 

When did you start creating art and how does it feel that you won this competition?

I started creating art when I was still in grade school. My mom noticed I always like to scribble on paper and walls. I feel so proud winning the competition. It’s very unreal. It’s nice to represent something about my job and passion for art. I do not always make artwork. It’s only my pastime. Sometimes, if someone asks me, I do it.

What was the inspiration behind the painting/digital art that you made?

As a nurse who was one of the frontliners during the pandemic, I wanted to show the harsh reality that Covid-19 brought on us while showing also a representation of how brave and hopeful we are as healthcare workers despite the hardship we encountered. I also wanted to honour our fellow healthcare workers who sacrificed their lives for us to survive the pandemic.

On the other elements of your art that showcased Filipino culture and values, what encouraged you to choose these specific details?

We all know that our country is rich in history, traditions and cultural heritage. We also have different ethnic groups and are known for our unique values. I saw this chance to feature them in my art not only to promote our hardworking and dedicated Pinoy nurses but to present what our country can also offer such as our own indigenous weaving traditions.

As an OFW who works in the UK healthcare industry, why do you think representation through the arts is important? 

I think art is a very complex subject, to begin with. Everyone can do art. But we do it in different ways and appreciating it is very subjective. Representation through artwork is the first step to being recognised as a Filipino in a foreign country. The power of art can speak volumes. This opportunity has given me a chance to showcase how rich our culture is and to immerse our roots in the mainstream. We all want representation, to be heard and be noticed.

There are a lot of horror stories during the pandemic about the experiences of Pinoy nurses in the UK. As someone who has been working here for just more than a year, what are the challenges you encounter as a Pinoy nurse working abroad?

I was not here during the pandemic; I was working in the frontlines in the Philippines at that time. But I know the struggle was the same across the world. We were battling exhaustion, burnout, being away from family and facing imminent death. I am thankful that when I moved here it was a very positive adjustment for me since I always loved traveling. I also think that there are lots of Filipino nurses who have made their name across the UK which makes it much easier for me to blend in. Filipino nursing care is always unparalleled.

Despite these challenges, what makes you hopeful as a Pinoy nurse working away from your family?

All the challenges I encounter and will still face here will add up to my experience. I would not take anything negatively. Hope is always something invisible, but we should not forget why we are here in the first place. This is how we fuel our hope.

What message do you want to impart to our kababayans who want to pursue their passion in art while working in a different profession?

It is sad when you abandon your creative side, so just keep doing what you love. Pursue it at the same time as your profession! If it is something that you are passionate about – make time for it.

Phoebe’s winning masterpiece and the other entries to the competition are planned to be exhibited nationally as well as displayed by the FNAUK in different participating hospitals within London NHS Trusts.

Top photo: Filipina nurse Phoebe Inna Relacion and FNA UK officer Marc Rodriguera pose next to Phoebe’s winning artwork during the London Barrio Fiesta at Lampton Park.

About the author

Jomel Anthony V. Gutierrez is a media and communication specialist with over 15 years of experience in journalism, government service and academe. He was a former news correspondent of ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau and assistant professor at the University of the Philippines Baguio. He earned his master’s degree in media studies in the UK and currently works as a communications manager at a university.

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