May 12 is International Nurses Day, recognized worldwide to honor nurses and their invaluable contributions to healthcare. Among the most prominent and impactful healthcare providers globally are Filipino nurses. According to TIME Magazine, as of 2020, over 150,000 Philippine nurses have migrated to the U.S. since 1960.
The presence of Filipino nurses in American healthcare is so significant that even Hollywood (with its endless appetite for hospital drama) couldn't help but notice. From intense ER thrillers to quirky hospital comedies, Filipino healthcare workers are increasingly stealing the spotlight, celebrated for their strength, bravery, and unmatched dedication.
In celebration of International Nurses Day, here are five compelling films and TV shows featuring Filipino healthcare workers who tirelessly help save lives:
1. The Pitt
The Pitt is a raw and intense 2025 medical drama series that features the lives of the emergency room staff of a hospital during a single 15-hour shift. Each hour takes place over one episode in almost real time. Representing our kababayans, three members of the staff – 1 doctor and 2 nurses – are of Filipino descent. Isa Briones plays a brazen young doctor while Amielynn Abellera and Kristin Villanueva play two hard-working nurses who amusingly gossip about their doctor colleagues in Tagalog during rare breaks.
Streaming on Max.
2. St. Denis Medical
For a more light-hearted approach to the medical field, St. Denis Medical uses a mockumentary format to spotlight exhausted doctors and nurses doing their best amid chaos. A standout episode titled "Salamat You Too" playfully centers on a group of efficient and closely bonded nurses humorously referred to by colleagues as the "Filipino Mafia." One of these nurses is portrayed by beloved Filipino-American comedian Nico Santos.
Streaming on Max.
3. New Amsterdam
Inspired by true events, New Amsterdam follows a young doctor thrust into leadership as the medical director of one of America’s oldest public hospitals. One of the show’s more memorable scenes features Filipina nurses expressing their skepticism (in Tagalog, of course!) about the capabilities of this newly appointed medical director, offering an authentic glimpse into hospital life.
Streaming on Netflix.
4. The Cleaning Lady
In the American crime drama The Cleaning Lady, the protagonist is a Cambodian-Filipino surgeon hiding out in the U.S. while seeking life-saving treatment for her son. Previously a practicing surgeon in the Philippines, her compelling journey highlights the challenges faced by Southeast Asian healthcare professionals in a narrative filled with suspense and emotional depth.
5. Nurse Unseen
Nurse Unseen is an in-depth documentary film that explores the history of Filipino nurses in America, specifically those that risked their lives as frontliners during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Featuring emotional interviews with nurses and their colleagues from across the United States, this documentary brings attention to the often-unrecognized contributions and sacrifices made by these healthcare workers.
Currently appearing at different film festivals and special screenings.
Special Mention: Everything About Her
Filipino audiences need not rely exclusively on international shows to find strong portrayals of Filipino healthcare workers. In Everything About Her, Angel Locsin plays a medical caretaker hired by a rich real-estate tycoon (played by Vilma Santos) to personally take care of her while she battles cancer. Their prickly relationship turns into friendship when they help each other mend the broken relationships in their lives.
Streaming on Netflix.
As emphasized by one participant in the documentary Nurse Unseen, "Without Filipino nurses, healthcare in many U.S. cities would simply not exist." While the period of banging pots and clapping for our healthcare workers is long over, we should still be celebrating the literal life-saving contributions that our Filipino healthcare workers provide for people all over the world. These shows and films help celebrate one of our country’s most vital and undoubtedly greatest exports.