For three Filipino nurses now working in Australia, returning to the Philippines in June 2025 wasn’t about a holiday – it was about giving back.
Maela Babate, an ambulatory care nurse at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney; Gleen Chua, a clinical nurse educator at St. George Hospital; and Rudson Al Barcoma, a facility manager at Opal Healthcare in Western Australia, were among the active contributors at the Philippine Nursing World Congress held in Davao City from June 25 to 27, 2025.
The Congress, which brought together hundreds of nurses, academics, and students, became even more meaningful with the presence of these three overseas-based professionals. Representing the Filipino nursing diaspora, they facilitated workshops, judged research poster presentations, and joined panel discussions – bringing international insights to local challenges and building bridges between countries.
“It was more than a professional engagement,” said Maela. “It felt deeply personal. Being able to come home and contribute even in a small way to the country that gave me my nursing foundation – it’s fulfilling in a way that’s hard to describe.”
In a joint workshop on nursing quality held at Davao Doctors Hospital, Maela and Gleen presented “Educational Strategies for Training in Quality Improvement and Implementation: A Theoretical and Practical Approach.”
“Filipino nurses are some of the most resilient and resourceful in the world,” Maela said. “If we can bring a little bit of what we’ve learned abroad and adapt it here, that’s already a meaningful exchange.”
Gleen, who also served as a judge for the research posters alongside Maela and Rudson, emphasised the power of education and mentoring.
“I see so much untapped potential among Filipino nursing students,” he said. “They’re smart, enthusiastic, and eager to learn. If we can support them through mentorship or collaboration, we can help prepare them not just for local roles but also for global opportunities.”
Gleen was impressed by the students’ innovation and drive despite limited resources.
“What they lack in funding, they make up for with grit and innovation,” Gleen said.
Rudson led a focused workshop on leadership and management titled “Cultivating Future Nurse Leaders: A Strategic Development Formulation” at Davao Medical School Foundation. Drawing on his experience in aged care operations in Australia, he shared strategies for structured care systems and nurse-led models.
“As a people leader in aged care, I was keen to share how Australia supports older persons through structured care systems, nurse-led models, and integrated services,” he said. “Leadership development is key to empowering Filipino nurses at all levels.”
He also highlighted the event’s significance.
“This is the first time a substantial group of Filipino nurses from Australia came together to contribute to a major nursing conference in the Philippines. It shows how much the diaspora community cares,” Rudson said.
The nurses’ involvement highlights a broader story: the Filipino nursing diaspora’s growing contribution – not just in remittances, but in knowledge exchange, mentoring, and leadership.
Remarkably, their participation wasn’t funded by any grant or formal program. Each nurse paid their own way – airfare, accommodation, everything – driven by a desire to give back.
“This wasn’t funded by any government grant,” Gleen said. “It was a personal choice, and we’d do it again. The impact you make – when you see students light up during a talk or a nurse ask thoughtful questions after a session – makes everything worth it.”
Their efforts also reflect a grassroots style of Philippine–Australian collaboration – nurse-to-nurse, peer-to-peer – without waiting for formal programs or big funding. It’s a people-powered partnership in action.
Looking ahead, all three expressed a strong desire to participate in the next Philippine Nursing World Congress, scheduled for 2027 in Iloilo City.
“Iloilo is a wonderful city,” said Maela. “And I’d love to invite more colleagues from Australia to join. This is just the beginning.”
“We’re already thinking about ways to help shape the next event,” added Gleen. “Perhaps bringing in nursing students from Australia, hosting joint symposia, and even exploring collaborative research.”
For Rudson, it’s about momentum.
“We hope this becomes a movement. The Filipino nursing diaspora is large and willing. We just need more opportunities like this to channel our passion and expertise,” Rudson said.
Their presence in Davao is a reminder that Filipino nurses are not bound by borders. Whether they’re in Australia, the Middle East, Europe, or North America, many carry a deep sense of service to their homeland, and when given the chance, they show up.
As the Philippine healthcare sector navigates challenges like workforce shortages and evolving patient needs, diaspora contributions like these are more valuable than ever.
In the case of Maela, Gleen and Rudson, this was more than just a conference. It was a homecoming with purpose.
