Filipino nurses are often associated with a culture of dedication to their work, characterized by a warm smile and a willingness to go above and beyond for every patient. Each of these traits tells a story of personal sacrifice, resilient strength, and a lifelong commitment to learning. One such story is of Dr. Jed Montayre, a Cebuano who transformed his humble beginnings in the Philippines into one of the most respected voices in global nursing education and research. His story is a testament to what happens when someone’s culture, passion, and determination come together as one. It is a journey that reflects not only the remarkable attributes of Filipino nurses but also reveals the many hardships and victories that they encounter while providing care around the world.
Early Life In Cebu: Where Interests Were Initiated
Dr. Jed Montayre’s roots trace back to Cebu, a lively province located in the Visayas region of the Philippines. During his formative years, he was instilled with the core values of family, religion, and social service. Although only a fraction of his family members worked in healthcare, even those who worked as nurses inspired him to understand the importance of caregiving. Jed recalls, “My passion for nursing began with a desire to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives,” he shares. “I saw how nurses could influence patient outcomes not just through clinical skills, but through compassion.” Such a combination of knowledge and compassion is what motivated the young Jed. Due to his appetite for learning, his early-life aspirations, and supportive educators, he was able to fast-track his way into university. This experience marked the start of an unrelenting quest for self-betterment.
Commitment and Accomplishment: Work Towards A PhD
From the University of the Visayas, Dr. Montayre obtained his undergraduate degree in nursing, which, in turn, facilitated the process of obtaining his professional nursing license Later, he received a master’s degree from Cebu Normal University, . But everything wasn’t smooth sailing for Jed. To make a broader contribution to nursing, he relocated to New Zealand, where he earned his PhD at the Auckland University of Technology. His determination never wavered despite the extensive reading, writing, and research to the degree demanded. He recalls, “There were moments during my PhD when the workload felt overwhelming.” With strong purpose and grit, he was able to remind himself of the overarching goals of improving the lives of older adults and contributing to the nursing profession.
A Global Career Begins: From the Philippines to the World
For over 15 years, Dr. Montayre worked as a nurse, educator, and researcher. His professional path began in the Philippines, then moved to New Zealand, and eventually to Australia, where he served as a lecturer and associate professor at Western Sydney University. In 2022, he joined the School of Nursing at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University as an Associate Professor and was appointed Associate Head (Strategy) in 2025
. He also serves as the Director of the Centre of Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Policy and works to ensure that nursing care is evidence-based. Dr. Montayre integrates teaching, mentoring, advising, conducting research on healthy ageing, and policy analysis into a single day’s work. It is a day filled with, and to some might seem overwhelming. This schedule demonstrates his genuine commitment to advancing global health through nursing.
Gerontology: Caring for the Ageing Population
An eye-opening experience occurred for him when he worked in a surgical unit and noticed that the majority of patients he cared for were older adults with multi-faceted health problems. This is the reason why he firmly believes that there is a need for greater focus on gerontology and more efficient means of assisting the elderly. “I realized that nurses could play a major role in helping people not just live longer, but live better,” he states. With this passion, he currently researches methods to enable nurses to enhance healthy ageing, improve outcomes, and provide aid with dignity to elderly patients.
Challenges Abroad: Adapting and Overcoming
Although being a Filipino nurse presented unique challenges, Dr. Montayre has achieved a remarkable level of success that few others have. “Every country has its own rules, standards, and cultural expectations,” he explains adaptively. Cultural barriers also affected his practice, such as people’s underestimation of Filipino nurses. These were often disguised as exclusions from specific roles or unfair interrogations regarding one’s ability. “I let my work speak for itself,” he explains. “I let my work develop through exemplary education and a commitment to strong performance.” A considerable proportion of his resilience stems from support received from mentors and fellow nurses. “Surrounding myself with people who believed in me has helped me,” he concludes.
The Price of Dreams: Personal Sacrifices
Similar to many overseas Filipino workers, Dr. Montayre sacrificed personal relationships to chase his dreams. He missed essential milestones and holidays while living abroad. The emotional burdens often accompany physical distance. “It’s never easy to be away from loved ones,” he shares. “But there was a firm conviction that the work being done would one day have a positive impact on many people, including immediate family.” The difficult sacrifices made paved the painful path required to build a career that fundamentally assists individuals on a global scale.
Filipino Values on The Global Stage
In each of his professional roles, Dr. Montayre carries his Filipino identity with pride. With each role in nursing he undertakes, he explains that culture shapes his values. He explains, “Our culture emphasizes family, empathy, and service.” “Those values help us provide care that is not just effective, but human.” Moreover, he explains that the bayanihan, or community spirit, that Filipino nurses possess is a strong asset. This helps ease them into foreign teams and cultures. It explains, at least in part, why Filipino nurses are highly regarded around the world.
Mentorship and Advocacy: Lifting Others Up
In addition to his scholarly teaching and research responsibilities, Dr. Montayre serves as an active mentor to fellow Filipino nurses. He makes sure to facilitate any and all pathways for advanced study and research, especially in geriatric care. To help these individuals achieve their goals, he is willing to provide them with guidance, write recommendation letters, and share his experiences.“I used to be mentored by an advocate, and I recall very well my very first experiences,” he remembers. “Now, it is my opportunity to mentally prepare others.” As an advocate, he also seeks to elevate the profile of Filipino nurses in global forums. Through lectures, publications, and policy discussions, he champions the expertise and compassion that Filipino nurses share with the world. Dr. Montayre claims that his most significant contribution is in healthy ageing and evidence-based healthcare practices and does not point to a single award or title. “I want to leave a legacy where nurses are empowered to make decisions based on solid evidence,” he states. “That is how we create lasting change.” Not only through research but through the values he embodies to inspire nursing students and healthcare professionals around the globe.
Insights for Consideration for Aspiring Filipino Nurses
For aspiring Filipino nurses, the career pathway is rife with opportunity. According to Dr. Montayre, there is tremendous hope for the future: “Never stop learning. Invest in education, embrace new experiences, and stay open to growth. Be proud of who you are as a Filipino and bring that identity with you wherever you go.” He emphasizes that while aspiring nurses should focus on obtaining proper training, they must also develop the right attitude, along with empathy, passion, and an understanding of their cultural heritage, which strengthens their work ethic. “Don’t forget the heart of nursing, it’s about people,” he says. “Let your values guide you, and you’ll go far.”
Final Reflection: A Global Leader with a Filipino Heart
The narrative of Dr. Jed Montayre symbolizes everything that is best about Filipino nurses. It is a testimony that dreams are achievable whenever there is a strong vision, relentless determination, and faith in a purposeful mission. From Cebu to Boardrooms and Classrooms across Asia and Oceania, the journey transforms borders into bridges. There is a critical need for compassion and effective leadership in health care worldwide. At this moment, that is a gap that Filipino nurses, led by people like Dr. Montayre, fill. His skills as a nurse and the compassion he provides are admirable. Every nurse in the Philippines, regardless of their origins, can change the world for the better with the right mindset and values. His story serves as a reminder that being Filipino offers no limitations, only unparalleled strengths.
