Since then, Mark Anthony Gimeno De Vera has wanted his legacy to be a beacon of hope to his fellow nurses and people with similar aspirations.
When in the Philippines, he was privileged to work in a prestigious review center as a reviewer for future licensed nurses and a freelance lecturer. In 2016, he took a leap of faith by working overseas.
He initially worked as a nurse in a home care facility and, after that, became a liaison officer doing office jobs for home care companies, including training nursing employees. Until such time, he also participated in giving lectures and a series of training.
Today, Mark Anthony works simultaneously as a training and development manager at Al Resalah Consultancies and Training and nursing supervisor/auditor at Dubai Parks Vaccination Center. He is in charge of running the training center and handling nursing operations in the vaccination facility.
“What I like about what I do is I get to be part of something bigger, which I always believe I am here for,” he said.
As A Covid-19 response nurse and nurse and safety educator, he believes that he is already part of the history, and for him, that is a great deal.
“As the saying goes, people will not remember what your name is, but they will remember what you’ve done for them and how you made them feel,” he added.
Mark Anthony also likes the cultural diversity that Dubai offers workers as it makes him appreciate life in its very sense and how beautiful it is to be nurtured in an environment with such a diverse culture.
Being away from his family, whom he has been with for more than two decades, was never easy. Homesickness was one of the struggles he had to endure when he was new to Dubai.
“Thank God for technology. It made my day-to-day communications a lot easier. It helps ease the solitude,” Mark Anthony said.
In the time of distress, he tries to get a breath of fresh air by traveling to other countries and always coming back with the same goal: to be better from yesterday and be his best tomorrow.
He aims to be financially dependent and retire with an investment. As of now, he has yet to set a specific plan for his future, as he is focusing on the present and dreaming of expanding what he has now.
Mark Anthony advises his fellow OFWs to love their parents and not forget God is always there to protect and guide them.
“If you’re on the verge of giving up because your work here is hard, always remember why you’re here in the first place. Focus on your dreams and work on it, don’t let anyone take away the light in you. Keep your desire to be successful burning, it will help you,” he added.