spot_img
28.1 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

One of the good guys

- Advertisement -

The pandemic has disrupted many lives and halted many plans. One of those was Rence Urian’s. 

One of the good guys
29-year-old Rence believes there is no bad time to be a good guy.

After spending years working in an industry unrelated to his training, Rence, 29, decided it was time to go home to his passion. His plan was set. 

The year 2020 was supposed to be the time he would finally answer to his calling—as a nurse. He had already done the paperwork and aced the pre-qualifying exams for a nursing job in Japan. 

But the COVID-19 pandemic changed his plans. 

Rence spent his time at home planning his next step. One day in late February, as he was on his way to his condo unit at Grass Residences, he saw a post in the elevator that made his eyes light up. It was an announcement under The Good Guys campaign of SM Development Corporation (SMDC). It was a call for volunteer nurses to join a health and wellness caravan to SMDC properties.

- Advertisement -

He immediately enlisted himself, thinking it was the perfect opportunity to return to the medical field after years of working in the BPO industry. 

Always a good guy

Rence’s heart has always been in public service. In grade school he actively led school events. In high school he engaged in a community service program to feed the malnourished, and in college he joined an organization dedicated to helping communities. 

After graduation, he wanted to work overseas to earn enough money to support his family, but countries tightened their minimum employment requirements for medical workers. Rence decided to enter the BPO industry instead where he spent the years climbing the ranks across different companies. 

But he kept his spirit of volunteerism alive by taking on medical and social jobs on the side.

“When I saw that post (in the elevator), I was so excited to join that I even asked my friends to come with me,” he relates. “I missed the feeling of working without expecting compensation other than the smiles and thank you’s of the people whom one has served.”

Good guys unite

Rence was welcomed into the program. He immediately called a friend, John Sicad, also a nurse, and asked him to join the health and wellness caravan.

Like Rence, John wants to serve the community. He worked for years as a nurse volunteer in his home province of Iloilo. He was on vacation from his cruise ship nursing job when he received the invitation from Rence; he accepted without thinking twice.

The first medical mission was set for the second week of March, but it was shelved as Metro Manila was placed under an enhanced community quarantine.

In June, Rence finally got a call from SMDC. With the easing of the lockdown to general community quarantine, the health and wellness caravan was finally pushing through.

Rence and John were taken to Sea Residences in Pasay City for general consultations. Blood tests were taken, along with ECGs and X-rays. Reading glasses, vitamins, and medicines were handed out to residents for free.

Residents of the property underwent the first round of consultations, followed by the property service staff. They first saw Rence, who was assigned to take vital signs. There, he encountered many elderly residents who apparently needed a listening ear, more than anything.

One of the good guys
Nursing graduate Rence Urian volunteers his time for a health and wellness caravan.

“They have been locked inside their homes and have had no one to talk to about their fears and concerns regarding the pandemic,” shares Rence. “Simply listening to their sentiments, I felt like I was already helping.”

Rence says he intends to stay with the SMDC The Good Guys Health and Wellness Caravan, even if it will mean taking a leave from his job as a hospital nurse. He is proud to be a part of the project.

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles