Tag Archives: nhs

some light

Mum dancing at one of the hospital social evenings, the Filipina nurses were entertaining the staff and guests with some folk dances from home. This dance is called the PANDANGGO SA ILAW – Dance of Lights. I think it originated in Mindoro during the Spanish colonial era. Some say the candles were to mimic firefliesContinue reading “some light”

Thursdays 8pm

I’m not really sure where to start, been meaning to write for weeks Seems apt to start again on a Thursday evening when we hang out the window and clap for our NHS, carers, keyworkers. I can’t remember the last time I put a poster up in my window?! Now I have a massive bootlegContinue reading “Thursdays 8pm”

“Deep and tender devotion”

The play I’m working on at the moment is set on a geriatric ward in an English hospital… it’s the new Alan Bennett play ALLELUJAH! Mum worked on geriatric psychiatric wards, when I’m listening to the dialogue or the songs of the play backstage… or catch a glimpse on the monitor, I think of herContinue reading ““Deep and tender devotion””

Pearl of the orient

I think a few SE Asian countries/ cities can claim this nickname but when I was growing up it was how I knew The Philippines Just found this old short film, most of Mum’s photos of her growing up were destroyed in a typhoon so it’s nice to see film of that time – evenContinue reading “Pearl of the orient”

NWLDN and OFWs

I haven’t posted in a while. I’ve been working on a play at Hampstead theatre which is in the area I grew up in. There were quite a few Filipinos around when I was growing up, but I didn’t really know any of them. Mum would sometimes stop in the street and chat to FilipinoContinue reading “NWLDN and OFWs”

Mother’s day

Well today is the best day to start telling Mum’s story. Sometimes I call her Mum and sometimes Mama – I’m half Filpina half English it’s the influence of two cultures I suppose. Leaving her family and the country she grew up in must have been a heady mix of excitement and WTF am IContinue reading “Mother’s day”