My Journey from the Philippines to Aberdeen – by Hawkhill House Nurse, Alexandria

Alexandria Biglang-awa shares the journey that has taken her from the Philippines via Jeddah to a nursing role at Hawkhill House in Aberdeen, inspired by the words of her beloved grandfather.

"I was born and raised in the Philippines and completed my schooling and university education there.

I had a happy childhood and some of my most cherished memories are celebrating Christmas and New Year with my family. Every New Year, my grandparents, Lolo and Lola, would throw coins into the air which was the cue for an excited group of children – me, my siblings and my cousins – to scramble around, collecting as many as we could. It was a happy time, full of laughter". 

The Path to Nursing Begins at Home 

"During my senior year at school, my dad developed a wound and I took responsibility for cleaning and redressing it, despite having no formal knowledge at the time. I just knew it was important to keep the wound clean and change the dressing regularly to help prevent infection and thankfully, it eventually healed. It was at this time I suddenly thought, “I want to become a nurse”. 

When was old enough, I began my nursing education. By this time, my Lolo Alfonso had become bedridden but despite living with dementia, he would proudly tell everyone that I was already a nurse, even while I was still studying." 

Fully Qualified, First Steps

"In April 2007 I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and passed the nursing licensure examination in the Philippines later that year, qualifying as a Registered Nurse. I began working as a scrub nurse in operating theatres in February 2008, where I was responsible for patient safety before, during and after surgery. 

Lolo Alfonso’s condition deteriorated significantly in early 2009. By this time, I was a registered nurse and did what I could to help ease his breathing and support his recovery, but unfortunately, his condition worsened and he was admitted to hospital where he passed away".

A New Challenge Overseas 

"As the year progressed, I increasingly felt that I needed a new challenge and in January 2010, I successfully applied for a position as a labour and delivery nurse in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. There, I worked in the delivery room for several months and during this time, I developed a strong interest in newborn care - particularly in the immediate assessment, stabilisation, and resuscitation of newborns following delivery. This experience of neonatal care inspired me to pursue a career in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), providing specialised care to critically ill and vulnerable newborns. I worked as a senior nurse in NICU for 10 years.

I had met my husband in 2008 at a hospital in the Philippines where I was completing some of my training cases. He eventually joined me in Jeddah and we married there in 2012. My husband is a radiographer and in 2021, he was offered a job in the UK – the catalyst for moving our family here and settling in Aberdeen. The move was a huge challenge and pushed me outside my comfort zone, but I remembered my Lolo Alfonso saying: “If you are not growing, then you are dying” and I realised it was an opportunity to grow". 

A Move to Scotland – and Adult Social Care 

"A former colleague had recommended working as a nurse in adult social care, and so I did, joining the team at Hawkhill House in February 2025. I love the team and I have always found the home to be a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment where I feel I can thrive. I’m someone who firmly believes that life is a continuous learning process and as part of this, I’m happy to have successfully completed two training programmes, developed by Caring Homes and accredited by the accredited Royal College of Nursing (RCN). Leading with Vision and Leading Clinical Excellence are designed to support excellence in care alongside developing leadership skills. My Deputy Manager recently shared how much she had seen my leadership develop and that I was clearly putting into practice what I had learned during the training. It was a proud moment for me"! 

Inspired in Life by Beloved Grandfather

"Working in different countries and adapting to their cultures while staying true to my own values and identity has been an important part of my personal and professional journey. Something my Lolo Alfonso said has always stayed with me: “Remember your name. Guard your reputation with your life”. It’s a reminder that wherever I am, my name represents not only who I am as a person but also the values and integrity that my family has ingrained in me. I believe that protecting my reputation means taking responsibility for my actions, treating people with dignity, and doing what is right even when no one is watching. Working as a nurse requires a high level of trust, accountability, and professionalism – our focus is always on the lives and wellbeing of others.

Now I have my own family – two daughters, Carla aged 13 and Cassandra, aged 7, and my son Carlos who is 5. Finding time for myself can sometimes be challenging! However, in my free time, I enjoy slow, peaceful mornings, going for walks, and reading books. I value the little moments I can set aside for my own wellbeing.

I had the privilege of caring for my grandfather during his final days and that experience is one of the reasons working in a care home is so important to me. I always want to live and work in a way that makes my family proud, and my Lolo’s belief in me remains a meaningful memory as I continue my nursing journey at Caring Homes". 

If you’ve been inspired by Alexandra’s journey and would like to learn more about opportunities at Caring Home, take a look at the careers available with us and our current vacancies. 

 Explore careers at Caring Homes