Two Filipinos were recently honored for their exceptional contributions in elderly nursing care at a prestigious award ceremony held at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
According to a TFC News report, the awards were personally presented by Queen Silvia of Sweden, who referred to the awardees as “Guardians of Dignity.”
Floro Cubelo, a doctoral candidate, researcher, and professor at a Finnish university, became the first Filipino from the Nordic region to receive the Queen Silvia Nursing Award. His revolutionary work in dementia care, specifically his creation of the “memory passport,” earned him the recognition. The memory passport serves as a tool to guide caregivers and encourage elderly patients to remain active in their daily care.
“This award represents our recognition to the nurturing vital role of nurses in our aging society. You are the relationship builders understanding personal issues and their relevance to treatment, preserving the dignity of every individual you care for,” said Queen Silvia during the ceremony.
Cubelo, who is also a nursing lecturer at Oulu University of Applied Sciences, shared how his personal experiences shaped his career path. “Lumaki akong mahirap kaya pinagsikapan ko lahat ng narating ko sa buhay. Na-experience ko sa clinical field ang paghihirap ng mga matatanda kaya na-inspire ako na gumawa ng isang assessment tool para maibsan ‘yung kahirapan ng nurses,” Cubelo said.
He also encouraged fellow Filipinos working abroad, saying, “Tayo ay isang Pilipino pwede tayong maging isang leader, maging isang educator, makamit ‘yung mga matataas na posisyon dahil meron tayong abilidad.”
In addition to Cubelo, Crystal Rivera from the United States was also awarded the Queen Silvia Nursing Award for her development of a mobile app designed to support dementia patients exhibiting behavioral disturbances. Rivera expressed how rewarding it was to use her skills to improve the daily lives of those she cares for.
Rivera’s mother, Liza Rivera, shared her immense pride in her daughter’s achievement, saying, “Proud as a mother, very, very proud talaga.”
