Filipinos in Care Awards

2025 Winners

Home Manager of the Year – Reggie Ballos

Reggie Ballos impressed the judges as a leader who delivers both heart and high performance. Rising from nurse to Home Manager, Reggie has created a culture of empowerment and inclusion, mentoring Filipino and military nurses and championing minority staff while keeping residents firmly at the centre. Under her leadership, the home achieved an Outstanding CQC rating, Platinum GSF and Meaningful Care Matters accreditations, and remained safe and stable through the pandemic. She combines sharp clinical thinking with genuine compassion, proving that brave, values driven leadership can transform a service. Reggie is, truly, a powerful inspiration.

Deputy Manager of the Year – Joni Jabez Areola

Joni Jabez Areola stood out to the judges as a quiet but powerful force for change. A values led deputy, he combines his operational role with a deep commitment to developing others, especially internationally educated nurses. Joni helped build and lead a nurse conversion and OSCE programme from scratch, supporting candidates through to UK registration – sixteen successful nurses and counting. He focuses on inclusivity, emotional culture and real career progression, creating a team where people feel seen, supported and stretched. Through calm consistency and integrity, Joni is strengthening the workforce and lifting standards across his service.

Nurse of the Year – Jovelyn Ducusin

Juvelyn Ducusin impressed the judges as a nurse who changes both practice and culture. She has standardised Person Centred Software care planning across her organisation, lifted the quality of documentation, and brought evidence based care into daily routines – including leading on national work such as the National Dental Epidemiology Programme. At the same time, she has become an anchor for the Filipino community, helping newcomers find housing, running support networks, mentoring colleagues and delivering training. Juvelyn is not only a safe pair of hands at the bedside – she is building systems, community and future leaders in social care.

Care Worker of the Year – Pilipinas de Guzman

Pilipinas de Guzman embodies everything we mean by “care worker of the year.” She brought the same tenderness she once gave her own grandparents into the home, treating every resident with deep respect, patience and quiet honour. Colleagues describe her as consistently reliable and emotionally present – someone who doesn’t just complete tasks, but truly cares, even thinking about residents’ comfort long after her shift ends. Coming from a completely different career into care, she has shown real courage, resilience and heart. Pilipinas creates warmth for residents, support for colleagues, and a sense of family for everyone around her.

Ancillary Worker of the Year – Emerie Villanueva

Emerie Villanueva shows how powerful an activities lead can be in transforming daily life for residents. As a senior activity coordinator and registered activity provider, she doesn’t just put on activities – she designs meaningful, structured experiences that protect wellbeing, dignity and joy. More than fifty “Customer First” awards from residents and families say it all. Emerie is also a proud advocate for Filipino representation, using her platform to lift both her community and the people she serves. She leads with energy, professionalism and heart, making her a role model for ancillary staff and a true asset to social care.