Filipina nurse honored for saving boy’s life in California

It was her day off but nursing veteran Cynthia Ongioco did not hesitate to save a life.

Last August, Ongioco and her sisters Rosalyn and Cecille saved a boy who was drowning at a neighborhood pool.

After the 3-year-old boy’s lifeless body was pulled out of the water, the sisters tried to revive him with CPR.

“He was already dead but we still continued and I think because of the prolonged CPR, he came back to life,” Ongjoco said.

“I was clearing his mouth when he bit my finger, so I said come on let’s continue,” said her sister, Rosalyn.

The boy is reported to be doing well now. The boy’s family was thankful to the sisters who saved their son’s life.

Last week, Cynthia, a 30-year veteran, received a National Hospital Hero’s Award.

The award, given by the National Health Foundation and now on its 5th year, honors southern California Medical staff for their work.

“It was like an Oscar award,” gushed Cynthia who considers saving lives as nothing out of the ordinary.

“I feel happy but at the same time I feel like it’s kind of too much already. For me, it was just like a little thing that you have done,” said the National Hospital Hero awardee.

Cynthia said what may seem to have been a heroic act is what they do everyday at the hospital where her sister Rosalyn patiently waits for her chance to do the same.

Rosalyn remains jobless despite graduated from nursing 2 years ago.

Rosalyn said the situation gave her a chance to practice what she learned.

“You feel bad because they are not hiring you but deep inside I did something good even if they don’t hire me. You did something for the little boy and that makes me feel better,” she said.

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