3/10: Through the Crystal Ball: Seeing My Journey in a Different Light (Malayo na pero Malayo pa Photo Competition)

By: Christine Calicdan

Through the lens of a crystal ball, the city lights shimmer, bright, distant, and inverted. It mirrors my own journey: clear yet uncertain, beautiful yet filled with struggle.

I am a nurse from the Philippines, but before coming to the United Kingdom, I worked in Dubai for 12 years. Those years taught me resilience and adaptability, qualities that prepared me for a new beginning. When I decided to pursue a nursing career in the UK, I carried not just a suitcase, but dreams, fears, and promises. The IELTS and CBT reviews, endless paperwork, and painful goodbyes made the road seem long, yet every step reminded me: “Malayo pa, pero malayo na.”

Starting as a Band 5 Nurse in the NHS was both humbling and rewarding. The early days were filled with self-doubt and cultural adjustments, but each shift taught me compassion, teamwork, and courage. Through determination and support from mentors, I eventually became a Band 6 Nurse, a milestone that validated every sleepless night and silent prayer.

The crystal ball symbolizes this journey. Its inverted reflection reminds me that sometimes life must be turned upside down before it makes sense.

From a dreamer in the Philippines, to a nurse in Dubai, to a Band 6 Nurse in the UK, my story is proof that even when the path is long and uncertain, faith and perseverance can turn distance into destiny.

Love this photo?

Help us choose the People Choice Award!

Visit Manong George page, view the entries and like your favourite!

**Entries are listed in no particular order.

Want to hear more Malayo na pero Malayo pa Stories? Listen to Manong's latest podcast series-- Moneyfesting with Manong George. Available in Spotify, You Tube and Apple Podcast.