Pinay nurse in UK makes it to Queen Elizabeth II's New Year's Honor List

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A Filipina nurse working at a care home in the United Kingdom (UK) was among those on Queen Elizabeth II’s New Year’s Honor List, being a recipient of the coveted British Empire Medal (BEM) for her contributions in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Charito Romano, a mother of three who hails from Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, was cited for her perseverance at work at Arbrook House in Esher, a facility that provides specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses and are therefore vulnerable to COVID-19. It is located in Surrey, southeast England.

“It’s quite humbling,” Romano told GMA News Online. “I am honored to have received this meritorious award of excellence. You don’t get this every day. I  consider this as the finest moment of my nursing career.”

Romano said she felt lucky to be part of the care home’s family “who have trusted me and allowed me to lead my colleagues in ensuring the safety of our residents.”

“Nakaka-proud talaga. I was also overwhelmed with the congratulations from our kababayans. Truly an achievement,” said Romano, who arrived in the UK to work as a nurse back in 2002.

Romano obtained her bachelor’s degree at Wesleyan University-Philippines in 1994. She passed the board exams in the same year. Her three children are aged 17, 16 and 13. Her husband also works at a care home facility in the UK.

Daniel Pruce, the UK’s ambassador to the Philippines, congratulated Romano.  

"Many congratulations to Staff Nurse Charito Romano, from the Philippines, (she had been) awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours for her outstanding work at Arbrook House Care Home in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic," the envoy said in a tweet.

Founded in 1917, BEM is being given for meritorious actions by civilians or military personnel. Around 300 recipients are bestowed the award every year. —KBK, GMA News