The name May Parsons may not ring a bell among Filipinos, but in this pandemic era marked by extraordinary sacrifices and selfless feats, her name should be on everyone’s lips. More than that, it’s not only her but also the thousands of nameless nurses all over the world, including Filipino nurses who have sacrificed time, comfort, even life itself, just to be of service to others. At the height of the pandemic, when the world was seemingly fighting a losing battle, nurses such as Parsons were front and center in hospitals, inside emergency rooms that resembled a war zone. Armed with protective gear, they nurtured the sick, held the hand of the terminally ill, and in better conditions, ensured that their patients survive for another day. They are, truly, modern-day heroes. When vaccines arrived to save the day, nurses like Parsons were once again at the forefront, this time in vaccination centers. She has the distinction as first in the world to administer the Covid-19 vaccine to a lady in the UK. That simple act, embraced with the assuring presence of Parsons, snowballed to vaccination drives all over the world, preventing worse-case scenarios among Covid patients and allowing us to feel some semblance of freedom these days. Nurses like Parsons are often hailed with tributes and media coverage, and there is nothing wrong about these. However, it seems like this kind of “lip service” must now translate into tangible benefits, something that truly rewards the nurses and the families that they look after. When Parsons was in the Philippines last Aug. 22, 2022, she highlighted the need for “fairness and equity.” “If you want them to stay here, be fair. Give them the right and appropriate financial remuneration. Make them feel valued so they will stay.” Her appeal to the government seemed to land on the right ears when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gave a speech during the 100th anniversary of the Philippine Nurses Association last Sept.1, which is also the 65th Nurses’ Week. Aside from profusely thanking the nurses for their service to the country during the pandemic and for taking care of him when he was infected with Covid early on, the President announced sweeping reforms for the nurses’ benefit. “As part of our goal to raise the profile and improve the working condition of nurses, we seek to address the disparity in salaries between government hospitals with those in the private sector,” he said. “We must address the uneven distribution of nurses in different areas around the country…so we have to address issues related to health facilities, benefits, and security of tenure.” In terms of legislation, Marcos said he is backing the passage of House Bill 9389 or the “New Philippine Nursing Practice Act,” which was recently approved by the House on final reading and will be submitted to the Senate. Amid the flurry of words, the President felt that the commitments were still “inadequate” for the nurses, but he vowed to use all the powers of the government to turn things around. “During my fight against Covid-19, I benefited from the able and healing hands of competent Filipino nurses. Because of your sacrifice, compassion, and professionalism, our nation has survived the most difficult moments of this pandemic.” May our appreciation to them go beyond words and promises so that nurses like May Parsons do not need to venture to faraway lands just to earn a living.