Nurse sings songs of hope for residents

THIS time last year Rodelle Borja was celebrating new-found fame having received a standing ovation for his performance on Ireland’s Got Talent.

Today the 30-year-old nurse from the Philippines is still singing – this time to the grateful residents of a Dublin nursing home locked down with a Covid-19 cluster.

‘I find ways to still be able to sing for the residents,’ Rodelle told the Irish Mail on Sunday. ‘Especially those who love music.’

Fittingly his favourite song these tough days is God Will Make A Way.

‘I always sing it online as well for everyone going through difficulties in these tough times,’ he said.

A year ago Rodelle’s powerful version of Elvis Presley’s I Can’t Help Falling In Love won him widespread praise after he conquered his nerves to bring down the roof at Dublin’s Helix theatre where Ireland’s Got Talent is filmed. ‘I’ve always wanted to sing in competitions to make my parents and friends proud and to inspire everyone that it’s never too late to chase their dreams,’ he said at the time.

These days his voice is giving hope to those he cares for as they suffer the lockdown without family and friends.

He says that in addition to looking out for Covid-19 symptoms, ‘we also have to look after their mental health since all days out and family visits are cancelled.

‘We help them to connect with their families using applications such as WhatsApp or Skype, in order that they can stay in touch with the outside world.’