Ruby Rodriguez relates to ‘Nurse the Dead’ character’s sacrifices for family
Ruby Rodriguez reflected on how Ros, her character in the series “Nurse the Dead,” hit close to home as the latter mirrors the sacrifices Filipino nurses — including Rodriguez herself — make for their families.
During a recent media conference for the United States-based supernatural comedy series, the actress spoke about the experiences of Ros — a Filipino healthcare worker with a tough demeanor — and how they resonated with the actress’ own experiences living and working abroad.
“It resonates everything… All the Filipino nurses here work for their family. It’s always families first and it resonates with me so much because I left the Philippines for my family,” Rodriguez said.
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Rodriguez disclosed in a past interview that her decision to move to the US in 2021 was mainly driven by her goal to provide proper education and medication for her son AJ, who suffers from an autoimmune disease.
“Actually, I still had a good run there. I was doing well when I left,” she stated, referring to her then-hosting stint in the longest-running noontime show “Eat Bulaga.” “It may not be at peak, but I was still there. I left because I had to for my son — not just [for] his education but his treatment.”
“I said, ‘I’ll just start over and work hard for my son and daughter. It’s the mom in me. I had to weigh what’s important in my life — [I] had a good run, [I] enjoyed my showbiz life; it’s about time [I] devote myself and sacrifice whatever comfort and joy and everything that [I] had in the Philippines. Say goodbye and be a mother this time. Just a full-time mother,'” she recalled.
The actress underscored how Filipino nurses are the same — they make selfless decisions to prioritize their families.
“That’s how nurses are. They sacrifice their lives because they serve families that are not their families,” she said. “That’s why I always tell people if a Filipina nurse or a caregiver is taking care of you, be thankful, love them and be nice to them because they will be your family forever.”
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Rodriguez then recounted her experience filming the series, saying there were times when she related to the scenes so deeply that she became too emotional.
“It hit me right there,” she remarked.
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‘We’re trying our best’
Meanwhile, cast member Princess Punzalan, who is a real-life nurse in the US, expressed hope that viewers would better understand and appreciate the efforts of those in the medical field through the series.
“I want the people to understand — both the families and the patients themselves — that us, nurses, are really trying our best. We want to help you; we want to find solutions, and we want to be able to give you the best care possible,” she said. “It’s just that sometimes, there’s too many tasks to be done and too little time.”
Punzalan stressed how most nurses do not even have time to eat and take breaks during their shifts.
“We try our best to help as much as we can, and it’s nice when we meet patients and families who are understanding and kind,” she said.
“Nurse the Dead,” which premiered in June on iWant, is the first Filipino-studio series filmed in Hollywood.
The series follows the story of Noa Reyes (Jelynn Malone), a Filipina nurse supervisor whose ability to see ghosts makes her responsible not only for overworked staff and demanding patients, but also for a ward full of restless spirits. It aired its final episode on July 31. /ra