A Change of Heart

Confession: I was never proud to be a nurse.

This idiotic opinion was brought about by the fact that midway through my life as a nursing student, my aim of getting to greener pastures simply died. Or, at least, required more money, time, and almost everything else that I did not really have. There were more nurses that the Philippine economy can handle, and the countries the United States, the country that most want to penetrate suddenly went on financial crisis and implemented retrogression.

It was safe to say I was pissed. More so because I had given up my dream of becoming a journalist to pursue my loveless affair with Nursing.

I was narrow-minded and cynical. I guess being the go-to person in my community when there were medical emergencies was not enough to get Nursing pride through my relatively thick skull. I. Am. Sorry.

Despite this, I had my ideals. They were very simple ideals, but rather strong for someone as socially stoic as I am: zero-bullshit reproductive health policies and services that are centered on women of all ages, prevention of rape and survival of its victims, and respect of other's hard work and efforts.

I feel that should I be given the opportunity, I would go Gabriela Silang for these issues.


The Facebook Phenomenon

I started to aggressively campaign for the Reproductive Health Bill last year on Facebook. This is after meeting one of my vagina heroines, sexual health writer Ana Santos. I joined a group called RH Bill-I Support, where I met people who actually knew what they were talking about. It was a very good learning experience.

One person who stood out was Alvin Dakis, who, by the look of his cute-sometimes-goofy profile picture, seemed like the average dude to me.


The Man Behind the Picture

Can you blame me if I say he looks like the guy-next-door?

As usual, nothing is as they seem.

The average dude with the cute-sometimes-goofy profile pic is the founder and president of the Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders and Advocates. He is also the Philippine Fellow for the Philippine Young Leaders Fellowship 2011 Asia 21 Society. He writes a column for Vital Signs, and is a regular contributor for Mulat Pinoy.

More than his extensive resume, though, what is really inspiring about this not-so-average-dude-after-all is what he did not just for nurses, for for those who are often discriminated and set aside by the general populace of the Idiot Society:

It was through his leadership that young nurses finally found their collective voices to protest the blatant exploitation they are submitted to, exploitation hiding in the guise of volunteerism and training.

His outspoken support for the Reproductive Health Bill has caused a wave of response from the younger nurses, prompting them to be more socially aware of their responsibilities to their clients. To take a stand on the increasing number of maternal deaths, and the escalating statistics of HIV-Positives.

LGBT rights has come into better light because of his continuous campaign.

I have probably missed many other things, but the point is this: the things he did have caused the death of apathy.


Tangible

Whatever his achievements are, though, the great things about him are the very
simplest of things: He does not mind laughing and joking with his colleagues while riding the MRT during rush hour. He would happily wait for two over-excited gals to finish their make-up so they can look awesome for the launch of a video on HIV awareness. He will happily pour water for you when you dine with him, after a long and hard organization meeting.

Mostly, it is his ability to trust his members, despite the fact that they are not exactly the best. I know. I will probably never be the best member of AYNLA, but in some weird twist of fate I shall be forever grateful for, Alvin Dakis seems to trust me.

He will and always will be more than President Alvin Dakis, of AYNLA. For us who have had the honor of meeting and working with him, he will always be more than our leader. He is our Sir A.

Changing my heart

Alvin Dakis has, by example, taught me that, being in the nursing profession, I can be a much better Gabriela Silang for my advocacy.

And it is him that I should thank that I can finally say these words: I am proud to be a nurse.#

Nr. Janina Santos is the Secretary of Publications and Media Relations for the Alliance of Young Nurse Leaders and Advocates. She is also the owner of this blog, and a self-proclaimed bodyguard/bouncer for Nr. Alvin Dakis, together with her one and only babe, Nr. Tina Siuagan.