A company nurse who helped a homeless woman give birth along Osmeña Highway in Makati received the “Bayaning Nars” award from the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), Incorporated on Tuesday, October 20.

Mary Lorraine Pingol went viral on social media after the Barangay Bangkal Fire Emergency Rescue Disaster Support posted photos of her assistance as a tribute to her and other medical frontliners.

Pingol was passing by General Estrella Street and Osmeña Highway in Makati on August 18 when first responders called on her to help them deliver the baby. With no other medical personnel available to assist at that time, Pingol didn’t hesitate to help.

Her act prompted the Philippine Nurses Association to honor Pingol with the “Bayaning Nars” as she “exemplified bravery, professionalism, caring, and integrity beyond her call of duty.”

The awarding ceremony was held during PNA’s online convention commemorating Philippine Nurses’ Week and the association’s 98th anniversary on Tuesday. PNA members vote on the recipient of the award yearly to honor unsung nurse heroes. 

Felix Nodalo, the chair of the PNA’s committee on awards and scholarship, said during the online convention that the “Bayaning Nars” awardee must have “done a valiant and extraordinary deed that exemplifies love of God and country, caring, and integrity beyond her call of duty.” 

“[Pingol’s] heroic and extraordinary deed is truly an epitome of pride and inspiration to the nursing profession,” he said.

Thirteen other nurses received the award posthumously as a tribute to those who died due to COVID-19. Among them is Cainta nurse Maria Theresa Cruz whose death shed light on the difficult conditions of medical frontliners.

Aside from the “Bayaning Nars” award, Pingol received a scholarship offer for graduate studies at the Panpacific University, and the Manok ng Bayan award from food chain Chooks-To-Go.

Back in 2013, Pingol was diagnosed with leukemia, which caused her to stop working at the hospital to prevent compromising her immune system. She has since been working with Medicard Philippines as a company nurse. 

Following her diagnosis, Pingol had shared that she wanted to help others as long as she has the capacity to do so. The nurse had earlier told media that she is glad that she became an inspiration for others and helped uplift the morale of other medical frontliners during the time of pandemic. – Rappler.com