The South Eastern Trust is marking International Nurses Day 2026 by celebrating the dedication and contribution of its Nursing workforce, including staff who travelled from the Philippines more than 20 years ago to begin new lives and careers in Northern Ireland.
Among those being recognised are husband and wife, Rommel and Marissa Tiongson, who both work in the Theatres Department at the Ulster Hospital and whose son now also works within the Trust as a Radiographer, highlighting a remarkable family commitment to Health and Social Care. Rommel is a Theatres Senior Staff Nurse and Marissa is an Anaesthetic Nurse.
Also among those being recognised this International Nurses Day are Renal Unit Staff Nurse, Aileen Ursolino and Deputy Charge Nurse, Chris Ganacias, who also came to Northern Ireland from the Philippines more than two decades ago and have built long and successful careers within the Trust.
Rommel first arrived in Northern Ireland in 2004 after working as a Nurse in the Philippines. The couple initially arrived in Northern Ireland as part of a group of international Nurses who supported one another as they settled into a new country, culture and healthcare system. Over time, their families joined them and many of those early colleagues remain lifelong friends including Chris and Aileen.
Aileen joined the Trust in 2004 after deciding to move to Northern Ireland to join her boyfriend, who was already working in the Royal Victoria Hospital. She initially worked in Plastics for three years before moving to the Renal Unit at the Ulster Hospital, where she has remained ever since.
Chris was working as a Nurse in the Philippines for nine years before arriving in Northern Ireland in 2004. After spending two and a half years in another department in the Trust, Chris joined the Renal Unit, where he remains today.
Reflecting on his career, Rommel said, “My journey in the Ulster Hospital started around 2004. I came from the Philippines after securing a job opportunity following an interview. At that time, I joined what was one of the later groups of International Nurses coming to Belfast. I started in Ward 9, a busy respiratory ward in the Ulster Hospital, which was very challenging because patients could be extremely unwell.
“After three years I moved to a new unit where I stayed for almost seven years and eventually I joined Theatres, where I have now worked for more than nine years.”
Rommel said the move into Theatres has been a particularly rewarding part of his career, “I really love working in Theatres. You are part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team including Surgeons, Anaesthetists and Nurses where every day is different. You can be involved in orthopaedics, plastics, urology, general surgery and emergency cases. The variety is what makes it so enjoyable.”
Rommel also highlighted the importance of the Trust in supporting his family life and career progression, “My wife works here as an Anaesthetic Nurse as well and our son is now a Radiographer in the Ulster Hospital.
“The Theatre Department has been very supportive in terms of work-life balance, scheduling and annual leave, which has been very important for our family.”
Marissa highlighted her journey and shared how meaningful it has been to build a life and career in Northern Ireland, “I started out as an Auxiliary Nurse and progressed to be an Anaesthetic Nurse through training.
She added that working in the same department as her husband has been a unique experience, even though their shifts rarely overlap, “It is special to both work in Theatres, but because we work opposite shifts, days and nights, we do not actually meet on duty. We understand each other’s work life, but we also each have our own routines within the department. It works really well for our family life.”
Marissa said the hospital quickly became more than just a workplace, “It became like a second family. The support from colleagues, managers and the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team made a huge difference when we first arrived, and that sense of teamwork has never left.”
Aileen reflected on her journey to Northern Ireland and added, “I love working in the Renal Unit because of the patients. You establish a rapport with them because they come here three times a week. You become part of their family, build trust and share milestones together during their journey.
“Working in the Trust gave me a lot of opportunities and allowed me to broaden my horizons as a Nursing professional and grow professionally. Working in the Ulster Hospital has been a wonderful opportunity for me to stay here and continue to develop my career.”
Chris detailed why he travelled to Northern Ireland, “I had previous experience working in a haemodialysis unit back in the Philippines. I have now worked in the Renal Unit for 22 years and I absolutely love it.”
Chris said one of the most rewarding aspects of Renal Nursing is the close relationship formed with patients and families over time, “In the Renal Unit, you see patients frequently and get to know them day in, day out. They really do become part of the family. Delivering high-quality, compassionate care is extremely important to us.
“The Trust has fully supported us and it has been a very rewarding and satisfying role. You bond not only with the patients, but also with their families and you go on that journey with them. The most rewarding part is when they receive a transplant and get a second chance at life. Knowing you played a part in helping them reach that point is incredibly special.”
Chris also reflected on the lifelong friendships formed after arriving in Northern Ireland, “I have loved every part of coming to Northern Ireland and making new friends. Rommel is a very good friend. We arrived around the same time, met in the Renal Unit and shared a house together with eight other people. We have remained friends ever since and that is truly special.”