UAE President honors Filipino nurse with gold coin for COVID-19 frontline service

Dubai: Tito Michael, a Filipino healthcare worker, was deeply moved to receive a special gift from UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as recognition for his tireless service during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a heartfelt video shared on TikTok today, tito.michael89 expressed his gratitude for the gold coin gifted to frontline heroes by the UAE President. Tito Michael, one of the fortunate recipients, filmed his surprise as he received the prestigious coin through his company’s HR department, capturing the emotional moment with his followers.

“I thought it was just a gift from HR,” Tito Michael joked in his video, only to realize that it was, in fact, a special recognition from the UAE President himself. The gold coin came with a touching message from His Highness:

"To all of our frontline heroes, it is my great privilege to extend my sincere and heartfelt thanks for the vital role you played in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The entire nation is immensely proud and grateful for your tireless efforts to protect the health and safety of our people. Your selflessness and courage have deeply touched us all and made a significant contribution to the wellbeing of our country and its people."

Tito Michael, who served as a frontline nurse during the height of the pandemic, reflected on the immense challenges he faced. "Looking back, I honestly don’t know how I survived. I was a ward nurse, but during the pandemic, we were critically short on ICU nurses, so I stepped up as a team leader in the ICU. It was overwhelming, but when crisis hits, we have no choice but to adapt," he shared.

As he opened the gift box containing the gold coin, Tito Michael couldn't hide his astonishment. "Wow, is this a gold coin?" he exclaimed, playfully adding, “Can I pawn it? Is it real? It’s better late than never.” He went on to read the inscription, “To our frontline heroes,” with a smile, then expressed his gratitude in both English and Arabic: “Thank you, Mr. President. Shukran Jaseelan.”

Reflecting on his experience, he said, "Every single day, we lost at least one patient, and it was devastating. But the most important lesson I learned during this time is to always believe in yourself. While your family and friends are there for support, in the end, it's you who has to have faith in your own strength and abilities."

Tito Michael’s video has resonated with many across social media, highlighting the significant contributions of frontline workers in the UAE and the continued recognition of their sacrifices. His heartfelt message serves as a reminder of the resilience and dedication shown by healthcare professionals worldwide during the pandemic.