Hungry for Healing, Driven by Compassion, and Committed to Caring.
From Zamboanga City in Mindanao to Abu Dhabi, Carfel Buena Tibandal has spent 16 years answering what she calls a calling. A BSN graduate, DOH-licensed registered nurse and certified laser technician, she now works in home healthcare with Care and Cure, guided by a simple promise: to be hungry for healing, driven by compassion and committed to caring.
Courage at the bedside
Some of the most challenging moments of Carfel’s career came while caring for critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation whose condition was deteriorating. In those moments she relied on her faith and prayers. She stayed calm and focused so she could quickly assess the patient, intervene promptly, coordinate with the multidisciplinary team and reassure anxious family members, using her clinical skills and knowledge to keep patients safe and deliver effective care to standard.
“Courage and confidence is not an absence of fear but the ability to remain focused and compassionate despite urgencies.”
Beyond treatment, medications and procedures, Carfel believes patients find comfort in simply knowing that someone genuinely cares. A reassuring smile, listening without rushing, holding a patient’s hand during difficult moments, and treating every patient with dignity and respect can ease fears that medicine alone cannot heal. “Sometimes,” she says, “the greatest care comes from being fully present.”
Nursing as a calling
Carfel’s “why” has always been the chance to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life, even in their most vulnerable moments. Every patient teaches her something about resilience, gratitude and compassion, and knowing that her care can bring comfort, hope or healing motivates her to keep growing as a nurse every day.
“Nursing is more than a career for me; it is a calling,” she says. The profession constantly challenges her to improve her knowledge, strengthen her skills and serve with compassion. Seeing patients recuperate, supporting families through difficult times and knowing she contributed to someone’s well-being remind her why she chose this path.
A legacy of kindness
More than her skills, Carfel wants to leave a legacy of kindness, dedication and genuine commitment to caring for others. She hopes to be remembered as a colleague who leads with integrity, earns the trust of others and can be counted on in any situation, and by patients and families as a nurse who cared not only for their medical needs but for their well-being as people.
Malasakit: caring like family
For Carfel, malasakit means caring with genuine concern and compassion. She brings it to every patient by treating them like her own family, with patience, respect, kindness and empathy. Filipino nurses are known for being adaptable, hardworking and resilient, she says, but what truly sets them apart is their ability to build trust and human connection, caring for patients’ emotional and psychological well-being as well as their physical needs.
“This heartfelt compassion is the Filipino touch that patients remember long after they leave the hospital.”
Compassion is a universal language
One of Carfel’s biggest culture shocks in the UAE was adapting to a multicultural healthcare environment, working with colleagues and caring for patients of many nationalities, each with their own language, beliefs and expectations. Communication and understanding different cultural practices were challenging at first. She overcame this by being open-minded, respectful and willing to learn: she listened more, asked questions when needed and embraced diversity. Over time, she realised that compassion is a universal language, and that treating every patient with dignity builds trust regardless of culture.
Values that became a foundation
Carfel’s upbringing taught her the importance of compassion, respect, responsibility and helping others, values that became the foundation of her nursing practice. Her education and clinical training gave her the knowledge, critical thinking and discipline to provide safe and effective care. Together, they have helped her handle the demands of nursing: making decisions under pressure, communicating with patients and the healthcare team, and continuously learning to improve her practice.
Calm leadership under pressure
In critical situations, Carfel focuses on staying calm and prioritising patient safety. She assesses the urgency of each situation, communicates clearly with the healthcare team and makes sure available resources are used efficiently. She believes effective teamwork starts with mutual respect and open communication: everyone has an important role, and by supporting one another and staying focused on a shared goal, a team can provide safe, high-quality care even under pressure. After every challenging situation, she believes in reflecting as a team to learn and keep improving.
“Being away from my family is never easy, and there are days when exhaustion and homesickness can feel overwhelming. My message is: never forget why you started your journey. It is okay to feel tired; it does not mean you are weak. Take time for self-care as you care for others.
Stay connected with your loved ones, seek support from friends, and celebrate even your small achievements. Every sacrifice you make today is building a better future for yourself and your family. Keep believing in yourself, because your hard work and resilience will always be worth it.”
Filipino Institute features Filipinos at home and abroad whose courage, sacrifice and success inspire others. Tell us your story, or nominate a kababayan whose journey deserves to be heard.
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