IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT Filipina nurses working abroad are well-liked by patients because of their efficient performance. Most of all, they have gentle touch and innate kindness.

One of these nurses is Belina Diaz-Perez, nurse manager of the Coronary Care Unit of Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. She recently received the prestigious Nurse Leadership Award 2010 during Nurses Week Celebration on May 9-13.

She was cited for her significant contributions to nursing practice at Mt. Sinai Hospital. A graduate of St. Paul School of Nursing of Iloilo and St. Paul College of Manila, Perez has worked with Mt. Sinai for over 30 years. She is an active officer of the Capiceno Circle US. She lives in Teaneck, New Jersey with her husband Ricardo Perez where they’ve raised two daughters, lawyer Anabelle Perez-Gray and Dr. Rosalyn Perez.

Perez is the sister of Fr. Erno Diaz, who has been assigned to the Church of the Epiphany on East 22nd and Second Avenue in the Archdiocese of New York starting July 1. She supports the propagation of the devotion to San Lorenzo Ruiz among Filipinos living in the United States.

Standing up for migrant nurses' rights at work: since arriving in New Zealand three years ago, Filipina nurse Glenda Panotes has become an inspiring advocate ... article from: Kai Tiaki: Nursing New Zealand

Ulirang Guro Awards

Chito Atienza, chosen by New York Times as Teacher of the Year in 2008, recently received the Ulirang Guro Award 2010.

Chito teaches English to Hispanics in New York. The other awardees were Lynn Ciocon and Romelita Panga (elementary level) from Maryland public schools; Rosemarie Parreno (secondary level), Department of Education in New York City, also a New York Times ESOL awardee; Arwin Alitagtag, Utah private school; Rubilyn Gitgano, Department of Education of NYC; and Rowena Adalla.


Lumen CastaƱeda

I met Lumen CastaƱeda in September 2008 at the Philippine Center in New York. She started the Ulirang Guro awards in 2008 with three awardees. This year, Lulu has expanded the search for 10 more teachers because there are more Filipino teachers in America. Chito belongs to the business category.

According to her, she found inspiration in founding the awards when she witnessed The Ten Outstanding Teachers of Metrobank two years ago when she was on vacation in the Philippines. This project aims to build a classroom for children in the Philippines; the area still to be determined.


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