Meeting Edward for East and South East Asian Heritage Month.

Edward pictured standing in the Critical Care Garden at King's. — September is East and South East Asian (ESEA) Heritage Month and to celebrate this important month, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are meeting colleagues who are from East and South East Asian backgrounds to learn more about their roles and their culture..
Meet Edward Macapagal, KFM Technical Operations Manager for Adult Critical Care, who is from The Philippines.

**Hi Edward, could you tell us more about your role please?**
I am the KFM Technical Operations Manager for Adult Critical Care and a qualified critical care nurse. My role is to ensure that the specialist medical equipment and technical services supporting our critical care teams across the Trust are safe, and available whenever they are needed.
What makes this role especially meaningful to me is the opportunity to combine my clinical background with technical leadership in support of patient care. Although much of our work takes place behind the scenes, every piece of equipment we maintain, every service we improve, and every problem we solve ultimately contributes to the care and recovery of patients and supports the clinical teams caring for them.

I am proud to work within both King's and KFM, where colleagues from many different professions and backgrounds contribute every day to delivering excellent patient care. For me, leadership is not about position; it is about service, empowering others, and helping create an environment where people can thrive and make a positive difference.

September is East and South East Asian Heritage Month. Why is it important to celebrate this month?

East and South East Asian Heritage Month is a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and achievements of East and South East Asian communities. It is also an opportunity to recognise the contributions that generations of individuals have made to healthcare, public service, and society.

As someone of Filipino heritage, I am proud of the values that have shaped me, including respect, humility, resilience, compassion, family, faith, and service to others. These values have influenced both my personal life and professional career.

At King's and KFM, we are fortunate to work within diverse and inclusive teams where people from different backgrounds bring unique experiences, perspectives and talents. Our diversity strengthens us, encourages innovation, and helps us better serve the communities entrusted to our care.

Celebrating East and South East Asian Heritage Month reminds us that everyone has a story worth sharing. By learning from one another and embracing our differences, we foster greater understanding, respect and inclusion. It is an opportunity to recognise that diversity is not simply something to acknowledge, but something that enriches our organisation and strengthens our ability to care for others.

The theme for this year's East and South East Asian Heritage Month is 'Evolving Threads'. What does this mean to you?

The theme 'Evolving Threads' resonates deeply with me because it reflects the journey of identity, growth and belonging. Our heritage provides the foundation of who we are, while our experiences, relationships, and aspirations continue to shape the person we become.

As a Filipino healthcare professional and leader, I carry with me the lessons, values, and traditions passed down through my family and culture. These roots have given me strength, purpose, resilience and a sense of responsibility to serve others.

At the same time, every challenge, achievement, and opportunity has added a new thread to my personal and professional journey. From working as a critical care nurse to supporting major critical care developments, implementing innovative technologies, and leading technical services, each experience has helped shape who I am today.

I also see this theme reflected every day across King's and KFM. Healthcare depends on teamwork. People from different cultures, professions and backgrounds come together with one shared purpose: improving the lives of patients and families. Every individual contributes their own unique thread, and together those threads create something stronger, richer and more meaningful than any one person could achieve alone.

To me, 'Evolving Threads' is a celebration of both our heritage and our future. It reminds us that growth does not mean leaving our roots behind. Instead, it means building upon them and weaving our experiences, values, and aspirations to create a more inclusive and compassionate future.

Could you share a quote, phrase or saying, or something meaningful in your native language, along with its English translation or meaning?

Laging Handa - Tagalog

Always Ready

For me, Laging Handa is more than a phrase; it is a way of life. It is a reminder to remain humble in success, resilient in adversity, faithful in service, and always ready to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

In healthcare, being always ready means approaching every day with compassion, professionalism, and a willingness to support patients, colleagues, and our communities. It means being prepared to respond to challenges, adapt to change, and work together to achieve the best possible outcomes.

As a Filipino, it also reflects a spirit of optimism, perseverance, and caring for others, even during difficult times. It reminds me that true strength is found not only in what we achieve individually, but in how we support one another as a community.

This story was originally published on Kingsweb, which you can read here.