Always work with conscience, care with skill, serve with heart, and heal with compassion.
When the COVID-19 pandemic was at its height, Cindy “Chen” Cumara Dispo carried a responsibility few could see from the outside: keeping both patients and healthcare workers safe. A nurse from Tagum City, Davao del Norte, with 15 years in the profession and a Diploma in Infection Control, she now cares for patients in ambulatory haematology and oncology in Abu Dhabi.
Steady through the pandemic
As an Infection Control Link Nurse, Cindy stepped into action whenever colleagues tested positive for COVID-19. She conducted exposure investigations, identified at-risk staff and made sure infection control protocols were strictly followed. The role meant constant coordination with infection prevention teams and quality departments, and notifying the Department of Health.
“Amid uncertainty and fear, I remained steady,” she says. “My courage was not just in facing the virus, but in leading others through it with clarity, responsibility, and care.”
“We as nurses made a choice every single day: to show up.”
Choosing to show up
This year brought new tension to the region, including missile attacks. Even then, Cindy and her fellow nurses kept coming to work. Their patients remained the top priority, especially those who rely on continuous treatment.
A life abroad, lived fully
Before Abu Dhabi, Cindy worked in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for four years, which helped her settle smoothly into life in the UAE, where she has now lived and worked for more than eight years. Being able to communicate in the local language and adapt to cultural nuances helped her find her place, professionally and personally.
Beyond work, she believes in living life fully. In Saudi Arabia she joined medical missions and advanced in martial arts; in Abu Dhabi she has taken up new sports and become involved in volunteer work. “My journey has been more than just a career. It has been a story of growth, resilience, and discovery.”
“Life abroad is not just about sacrifice. It is also about growth, purpose, and finding joy in unexpected places.”
A lifelong promise to serve
For Cindy, nursing is a lifelong commitment to humanity, compassion, integrity and service. It means consistently giving safe, ethical, evidence-based and compassionate care while protecting the dignity of every patient. Working in the UAE has taught her that true commitment shows most in difficult moments: choosing to do what is right even when it is hard, staying compassionate when circumstances are demanding, and serving with dedication even when no one is watching.
She hopes to be remembered as a happy, smiling, dependable and positive nurse: kind and respectful to patients in their most vulnerable moments, and a calm, supportive teammate to colleagues. As a nurse educator, she also hopes to leave a legacy through the knowledge she shares and the nurses she mentors.
“A HEART that cares, a HAND that heals, and a HOPE that inspires others to believe that tomorrow can still be another day worth living for.”
Bayanihan and malasakit, wherever we go
Wherever Filipino nurses serve, Cindy says, they carry the spirit of bayanihan, helping one another, and malasakit, genuine concern expressed through action. Life in the UAE has shown her how these values connect with other cultures: despite differences in language, nationality and religion, kindness, respect for family, generosity and compassion bring people together. Being Filipino abroad, for her, means excellent work, but also building connections, supporting fellow Filipinos and respecting cultural diversity.
“We may work far from the Philippines, but we never leave behind the values that make us who we are.”
The foundation of her values
Growing up in the Philippines taught Cindy hard work, humility, patience, respect for elders, strong family ties, faith and helping others without expecting anything in return. Her nursing education added that professional competence must always come with ethical responsibility, critical thinking and respect for human dignity. “Knowledge gives us the ability to provide care, but our values determine how we deliver that care.”
“My Filipino upbringing gave me the heart to serve, my nursing education gave me the knowledge to care, and my professional experiences gave me the strength to lead.”
Leading with calmness, courage and compassion
Cindy’s leadership rests on four principles: calmness, communication, prioritisation and a systematic approach. In difficult situations she stays focused, assesses priorities, communicates clearly and decides based on protocols and the needs of the people involved. A calm leader builds a confident team, she believes; a leader who listens builds trust; and a leader who shows compassion inspires others to do the same.
As an educator, she sees leadership as preparing others to succeed. “True leadership is not about creating followers who depend on us. It is about developing capable, confident, ethical, and compassionate professionals who can eventually lead others.”
“We are Filipino nurses. We serve with competence. We lead with integrity. We care with malasakit. And we inspire with hope.”
“If you ever feel burned out or lonely, remember why you started. It’s okay to rest when you need to. Stay connected with the people who matter most. Find your community, because you are never truly alone.
And most importantly, never lose sight of yourself. The universe has so much to offer. You just have to open your heart, rediscover your purpose, and embrace the life that was meant for you.”
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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