Philippines independence day with Joy Ongcachuy OBE & Francis Fernando

The Philippines, consisting of more than 7,000 separate islands in the western Pacific, declared independence from Spanish rule over 120 years ago. The Filipino flag was unfurled for the first time on this day June 12 in 1898 at an inspiring celebration, which also featured the first public playing of the Philippines national anthem. The nation has made great strides. It’s considered to be an emerging market and a newly industrialized country. Tourism also makes a large impact on the Philippines economy.

Funding for home-grown nurses in the UK has been steadily declining since the 1980s. Over the past few years, we have seen an increase in the number of Filipino Nurses come to work in the UK to help "close" this gap in Nursing.

Currently, there are approximately 40,000 Filipino nurses working in the UK, a staggering number that results from an arrangement made between the UK and Philippine government. As the largest Trust in London, we have a thriving and vibrant community of Filipino Nurses in our workforce. This year we are taking time out to celebrate the diversity, culture, passion and energy they bring to our Trust.

We will have an in-conversation session with Joy Montalba Ongcachuy OBE, one of our very own who was awarded an honour by HM The Queen presented by HRH The Prince of Wales for her services during the London Bridge Terror attack in 2017.

We will discuss her journey as a Filipino Nurse coming to the UK, her experiences working in the NHS, find out how independence day is celebrated in the Philippines and get to know some fun facts about the beautiful country.

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Multi award winner Francis Fernando, grew up in the Philippines, listening to his grandfather tell him bedtime stories about his life as a surgeon in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Far East during the Second World War. He worked long into his 70s, running his own medical practice where he treated the poor and sick for free.

Watching his grandfather work inspired Francis to pursue a career as a doctor – but unfortunately, he didn’t have the financial means. His aunt and uncles who are nurses suggested a career in nursing would be a “passport for life” and so in May 2000, he arrived in the UK.

He started work in a spinal injuries unit in Salisbury where the overseas nursing unit co-ordinator was like a “mother hen”, introducing him to life in the NHS. The rest is history, today Francis is the Associate Director of Nursing and Quality NEFLT. Francis started the Filipino Nurses Association in the UK.

In 2021, Francis made history by being the first time, Filipino included in the 50 most influential Black, Asian and minority ethnic people in health by the Health Service Journal (HSJ)

We will discuss his career journey in the UK , find out a bit more about the work of the Filipino UK association and what their priorities are for this year.

Tickets are limited, when they are gone, they are gone!!