Filipino Nurses Success Stories- Carenna Graduating, Summa Cum Laude

From My Readings on Filipino Nurses All Over the World

Here are some inspiring success stories of Filipino nurses who have made a significant impact globally:

Notable Achievements

Leadership Roles: Manu Pelayo became the Deputy Chairperson of the Board of the Nursing Council of New Zealand, while Edmund Tabay was appointed as the second Filipino Chief Nursing Officer in the National Health Service in the UK.Historic 

Elections: Dr. Jose D. Castillo III became the first Filipino president-elect of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) in the US, and Karissa Subedi was elected to the Wagga Wagga City Council in Australia, marking a milestone for Filipino nurses in public service.

Awards and Recognition: Maria Victoria Juan received the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award 2024, and the Philippine Nurses Association of New York (PNA NY) along with Dr. Leo Jurado were recognized with the 2024 Presidential Award for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO).

Global Impact

Humanitarian Work: Filipino nurses like Nurse Mary Jean Loreche and Nurse Jaime De Leon have played pivotal roles in global health missions, providing critical care and training in countries affected by disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and conflicts.

Cultural Adaptability: Filipino nurses are sought after worldwide for their ability to adapt to diverse healthcare settings, cultural nuances, and evolving medical practices.

Exceptional Care: They are known for their compassion, empathy, and dedication to patient care, making them valuable assets in healthcare institutions globally 

Qualities of Filipino Nurses

Strong Educational Foundation: Filipino nurses receive rigorous training and education, preparing them for the demands of the healthcare industry.

Cultural Sensitivity: They possess excellent communication skills, cultural empathy, and a strong work ethic, allowing them to thrive in multicultural environments.

Resilience and Adaptability: Filipino nurses demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges, making them a valuable asset to healthcare teams worldwide 

Meanwhile, here's the AI Overview on the Above Topic:

Filipino nurses have achieved global success through resilience, high-quality care, and leadership in healthcare, with notable stories including trailblazers like 

Isabelita Paler, the first Filipino to lead the Virginia State Board of Nursing, and Anastacia Giron-Tupas, who advanced nursing education. Others have overcome immigration challenges and pandemics to secure international positions, earning prestigious accolades like the DAISY Award. 

Key Success Stories and Pioneers

• Isabelita Paler (USA): Became the first Filipino to preside over the Virginia State Board of Nursing in 1997.
• Anastacia Giron-Tupas (USA/Philippines): A pioneer who trained in the U.S. in 1914 and later developed the Philippines' first bachelor of science in nursing program.
• Julita Villaruel Sotejo (Philippines): Founded the University of the Philippines College of Nursing and wrote the Code of Ethics for Filipino nurses.
• Virginia Radl (Austria): A nurse who overcame language barriers and strict regulations to build a long-term career in Austria after arriving in 1978.
• Arlyn Dela Pena Medendorp (USA): A U.S. Army veteran and ICU nurse featured in the documentary "Nurse Unseen" for her contribution to the profession. 

International Career Advancements

• Overcoming Retrogression: Many, such as Rodfel and McAlvin, overcame years-long waits, visa denials, and professional hurdles to successfully work in the USA and UK, often gaining experience in intermediate countries first.
• Clinical Excellence: Nurses like Lauren Milanes transitioned from 14 years in Saudi Arabia to become US Registered Nurses (USRN).
• DAISY Award Recipient: A Filipina nurse (unnamed in source) overcame poverty and, with family support, built a career in the U.S., eventually receiving the DAISY Award for compassionate care. 

Impact on Global Health

Filipino nurses are recognized for their dedication and compassion, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where they formed a significant part of the front-line response, as documented in "Nurse Unseen". In the UK, Filipina nurses have been recognized with Chief Nursing Officer awards for their service, while others like Paul Zuzon have transitioned from staff nurses to healthcare business owners

Meanwhile, I am Super Proud of Carenna- my youngest grand daughter accomplishments so far

From Ditas FaceBook Page:

Proud Mom moment - Carenna Katague-Thompson will graduate this May - Summa Cum Laude from The George Washington University - with a Bachelor's of Science from the Elliott School of International Affairs with a double major in Geography and a minor in Geographic Information Systems. And NOW she's been accepted to these graduate schools....which one will she pick?? NYC, Paris, Ann Arbor? or...will she get into the other programs. Stay tuned!

My Photo of the DaY:

A Photo Thank You Note, We sent to all who attended our 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration, 2007, Boac, Marinduque, Philippines 

Philippines Named Best Retirement Destination for 2026

The Philippines has officially been recognized as Asia’s Best Retirement Destination at the 11th Trip Zilla Excellence Awards, the first time the country has received this specific title in the 40-year history of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA).

The award was formally accepted by PRA officials on February 11, 2026, during the agency’s 40th anniversary celebration in Pasay City.

Why the Philippines Won

According to Trip Zilla, the recognition followed public voting by more than 100,000 travelers across Southeast Asia, showing strong regional confidence in the country as a retirement destination. The award cited four key strengths:

Warm Hospitality & English Proficiency

The Philippines is one of Asia’s most English-speaking nations, making communication and daily life easier for foreign retirees.

High Affordability

Lower cost of living compared to Western countries from housing and utilities to healthcare and food allows retirees to stretch their pensions further.

Diverse Lifestyle Options

Retirees can choose between beach life, mountain climates, or modern city living depending on budget and preference.

Improving Healthcare

Private hospitals in major cities now offer modern facilities and English-speaking staff, attracting more foreign residents.

By the Numbers

• Over 83,000 Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) holders currently reside in the Philippines.

• The PRA is launching its “WE CARE” campaign to improve retiree services, streamline processes, and enhance overall experience.

The SRRV program allows foreign nationals to stay indefinitely in the country with multiple-entry privileges and certain incentives (subject to program rules).

Why This Matters

For years, countries like Thailand and Malaysia have dominated retirement rankings in Southeast Asia. This recognition positions the Philippines more competitively in the regional retirement market boosting tourism, real estate, healthcare, and local employment sectors.

Sources:

• 11th TripZilla Excellence Awards (2026)

• Philippine Retirement Authority Official Statements (40th Anniversary Event, Feb. 11, 2026)

My Photo of The Day: My Younger Years-Age 45

Finally, My Dinner Last Sunday -From SeaFood City in Concord

Crispy fried pampano, slowly simmered in sautéed onions, garlic, and ginger, finished with soy sauce and a little vinegar and a shower of fresh spring onions; this is the kind of dish that feels like home. Just the smell, you know you're about to eat two scopes of rice. Simple, practical, very Filipino, not fussy but full of taste. Probably NOT tasty at all to Non-Filipinos specifically the fish head.

This is the kind of dish that doesn't need a fancy name, because in every sip of sauce and every bite of fish, there are memories of dining, stories, family and ancestral memories behind.

In addition at lunch, yesterday, after Ditas and I finished our trip to DMV to renew my Senior ID.

 Ditas and I purchased a Combo Dish containing pancit, rice and sautéed Pompano from Grilled City, Seafood City, Concord. 

Playing with ChatGPT Photo Generation Capabilities

Today, I am playing with what ChatGPT can do regarding Photo Generation and Making Copies in various portrait styles from an original photo that I have. Here are the amazing results of my experiment.  The above photo is the original- Macrine (RIP) and I attending a party in San Francisco in 1982.  

I asked ChatGPT to make copies in six styles (in oil portrait, charcoal/pencil,  pop art, renaissance, line art/watercolor wash and legacy/heritage ) as follows:

1. Line Art with WaterColor Wash ( #12)

2. Heritage / Legacy Portrait( #10)

3. Charcoal / Pencil Sketch (#1)

4. Digital Oil (Ultra-Realistic)(#5)

5. Pop Art / Andy Warhol–Inspired (#7)

6. Soft Focus Romantic Portrait-Watercolor(#8)

Here are some popular and meaningful options, ranging from classic to artistic to commemorative that ChatGPT can do:

🎨 Classic & Fine-Art Styles

1. Charcoal / Pencil Sketch
   • Black-and-white or sepia
   • Emphasizes facial features and expressions
   • Very timeless and elegant

2. Pastel Drawing (Soft Chalk Look)
   • Gentle colors, slightly textured paper feel
   • Romantic and warm, great for couples

3. Impressionist Painting
   • Inspired by Monet / Renoir
   • Softer edges, visible brush strokes
   • Focuses on light, emotion, and atmosphere

4. Renaissance / Old-Master Style
   • Dark, dramatic background
   • Rich lighting (Rembrandt-style)
   • Museum-quality, very dignified

🖌️ Modern & Expressive Styles

5. Digital Oil (Ultra-Realistic)
   • Looks like a hand-painted oil portrait
   • Sharper facial detail than traditional oil
   • Ideal for large prints

6. Loose Artistic Watercolor
   • More abstract than the one you just saw
   • Paint bleeds, light outlines, airy feel

7. Pop Art / Andy Warhol–Inspired
   • Bold colors, graphic look
   • Fun, celebratory, contemporary

8. Soft Focus Romantic Portrait
   • Gentle glow, reduced background detail
   • Emphasizes closeness and affection

🕊️ Commemorative & Storytelling Styles

9. Vintage Sepia Portrait (1930s–1950s)
   • Aged photograph feel
   • Warm nostalgia, perfect for family history

10. Heritage / Legacy Portrait
    • Neutral background
    • Subtle symbolism (light, hands, posture)
    • Designed as a “family keepsake” image

11. Minimalist Portrait
    • Clean background
    • Focus entirely on faces and hands
    • Modern and very tasteful

✨ Creative Variations

12. Line Art with Watercolor Wash
    • Ink outlines with soft color fills
    • Elegant and unique

13. Silhouette with Soft Detail
    • Dramatic lighting
    • Artistic and symbolic

    Do you have a Favorite? Mine is the Line Art with watercolor wash, because the copy make us younger than the original photo as well as the harmony of the pastel colors in the photo. 

    Lastly, here are some photos of Snow on Mt Diablo, yesterday morning, Feb 18, 2026