Dr. Rosario B. Tigno is truly a global Filipino who exemplifies the bravery, industry and zeal of a Filipino migrant. Filipinos in Dubai refer to her as a medical beacon within the Filipino community and a doctor-at-large who is always on call whenever needed.
Born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Dr. Tigno fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a medical doctor by finishing her pre-medical studies at the University of Santo Tomas, and obtaining her medical degree from the Manila Central University in 1972. After schooling, she obtained her residency training at the Bulacan Provincial Hospital. In 1974, she joined the AFP Medical Corps and was commissioned as a Reserve Officer to serve with the Mindanao command, which was not an easy assignment for a woman doctor. She was awarded the Military Merit Medal for her meritorious service and outstanding performance of duties as member of the V. Luna Medical Center Surgical Augmentation Team.
Seasoned with her field experience, Dr. Tigno sought challenging opportunities in a foreign country. After working for four years in several hospitals in Iran, she left because of the Islamic revolution in 1979. She went back to the Philippines and practiced medicine for more than 13 years. An overseas opportunity again came, with Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 1992. She gained the distinction of being the first Filipino doctor to be issued a license by the Department of Health and Medical Services of Dubai. Since then, she has devoted herself to helping Filipinos in Dubai, specially the underprivileged.
Seeing that Filipino patients are more comfortable discussing their medical problems with Filipino doctors, Dr. Tigno founded the Filipino Health Care Provider in 1999, gathering around 50 Filipino volunteers who are all medical practitioners. She spearheaded the medical missions that provide free medicines, hypertension and diabetes screening, and dental and eye check-up in the different emirates in UAE. With the increasing number of Filipinos availing of their services, she decided to conduct the missions on a regular basis in order to reach out to as many Filipinos as possible. She also initiated the project, Share Blood, Spare A Life, a blood donation drive and information campaign on its benefits to the health of the donors. In recognition of Dr. Tigno’s notable achievement in the field of medicine and her service to the Filipino community in Dubai, she was chosen as one of the Ten Filipino Achievers in 2001 by the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Tigno’s dedication to helping her countrymen moved her to establish the Philippine Medical Center in 2003, the first Filipino-owned clinic in Dubai. Filipino patients were provided with discounts in professional fees and free service to those who could not afford to pay. Her service to the Filipinos would go beyond her being a medical doctor; she gives her counsel to Filipinos who bring her their problems. Having been an overseas Filipino worker herself for more than 18 years, she understands the predicament of being far from home.
She also initiated fund-raising projects for the Adopt-a-School Hometown Project of ABS-CBN Foundation; volunteered her medical service during the sports activities of Filipinos in Dubai; donated for the victims of the Quezon and Leyte landslides; and visited Filipinos who were confined in government hospitals in Dubai and helped their families in coordinating with the Philippine Consulate General for financial assistance.
In conferring the Banaag Award to Dr. Rosario B. Tigno, the President recognizes her tireless efforts in effectively inspiring medical practitioners to provide medical assistance to Filipinos by establishing the Filipino Health Care Provider and Philippine Medical Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
