I've been working as a staff nurse on the same ward for almost 3 years now. I've encountered X number of people, and heard X number of stories. But these kind of stories will always hit me right on the soft mushy part of my chest and send me a bit of shiver down my spine.
In a good healthy way, of course.
Today, I've heard stories about Pinoys from two different people on the same shift. It's fantastic to hear different perspectives of Pinoys from different people of another country or nationality. It can serve as a reflection and sometimes an unwanted recognition and challenge.
Mary Lou and the Village people.
The first one is from a 'posh' elderly English lady, on her 80's. Lady F was lovely, always putting her make up on every morning after her wash. Making sure she's seen by the doctors and the nursing staff all prepped up and perky with her lipstick on her smile. She told me about her travels and people she met and couldn't forget. The lady next to her asked me where I came from. Philippines, I answered. Lady H mentioned to me her Filipina friend named 'Mary Lou' whom was very lovely and always happy. Mary Lou apparently met an American guy, and later on married and had a wonderful family when they moved to America. I told her I was happy for her to have a Filipina friend.
Lady H was happy for Mary Lou that she met a very rich husband!
Lady F overheard us and mentioned to me one of her travels on a cruise ship. She marveled at the Filipinos working there on the cruise ship. 'Lots of Filipinos there! Every staff member I think were Filipinos.' she said. Lady F was delighted to meet some of them, and how courteous they were to everybody. I've shared the time I visited my sister who works as a nurse on a cruise ship. I was indeed surprised to see loads of Pinoys, 'they can have their own village inside the ship!'
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Gym Rat and the Smiling Pinoys.
Then I met the bodybuilder. He was well on his 50's, 60's and employed as a gym instructor. Later on the conversation, he asked me where I was from, and I answered : 'Mabuhay Philippines!!!' (No, without the wave and the long gown.)
'Oh, another Filipino!' he was smiling and sounded really pleased. He mentioned to me an unforgettable cruise ship travel he had with his wife about almost 10 years ago. Mr. Gym was amazed by the Filipinos working on the ship. 'Hardworking guys!' He talked to them and was feeling the hardship the OFW's were having. Miles away from home and they had to wait for almost a year to see their family again. 'And they're still smiling?!' Mr. Gym must've thought of us OFW's to be nuts. (Maybe.) But no, he found the smiles genuine and the work ethic remarkable.
'On a performance night on the ship, there was like a cabaret show by the Filipino performers. It was so good, all of us, the audience were on a standing ovation and the cheers and the clapping were non-stop. Amazing talent!'
And then one time he went to the ship's gym at 6 AM. He was with a lone Filipino guy cleaning the area, and was smiling. He asked 'It's 6AM and you're still smiling?!'
The Filipino guy answered: 'There's no reason not to smile!'
I ended the conversation with 'Well now I hope I don't disappoint and try to smile despite the work!' He laughed and said 'No pressure mate.'
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