Covid-19 claims life of ER nurse, the 'king of triage'

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 Ernesto Jon Ebuen, right, and his uncle, ER nurse Erwin Lambrento, left, who passed away from the coronavirus.

His coworkers at Elmhurst Hospital called him the"king of triage." Erwin Lambrento, 58, died last Saturday from the coronavirus at Mount Sinai Hospital.

To his nephew, Ernesto Jon Ebuen, he was like a second father. To honor his tito, Ebuen renamed his Philippine Table Tennis Academy to the Eerwin Lambrento Tennis Academy. 

The academy, which helps young people move out of poverty and instills in them the self-confidence and pride to make something of themselves, was inspired by Lambrento's request to "pay it forward" when  when he refused Ebuen's promise to repay his uncle for all his help in the US.

After was a recipient of Lambrento's generosity as Ebuen improved his table tennis skills and stayed with Lambrento's family in NYC. 

"Before I flew back to Philippines, I told him 'Tito, one day when I am able, I will pay you back for everything.' His reply to me was, 'There is no need to pay me because I was happy doing it for you. When your time comes, I only ask you to help others and pay it forward.'"

At Elmhurst Hospital in New York City where Lambrento worked on the night shift in the Emergency Room, his coworkers called him "stalwart" and the "king of triage," for his steady leadership.

In the Philippines, Lambrento was a physician and he used his skills in the ER more than once.

"His commitment to his profession and to helping people as doctor and a nurse was outstanding. During the Covid-19 crisis, he was brave and heroic. During the peak of the crisis, he was on the frontlines, caring and saving lives. At the time, everyone was scared to be in close proximity to another human being, he was trying so desperately to save lives and comfort families," wrote Ebuen in a Facebook posting.

Lambrento had been battling COVID-19 for a month before succumbing to the deadly virus.

Although some may think that the scourge of the coronavirus may have peaked in New York City, it remains as the epicenter of the outbreak in the United States. Since the city reported its first case on March 1, health officials have confirmed more than 184,000 cases and at least 19,789 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Ebuen said he'll keep his promise to "pay it forward," by helping others without reservation just like his uncle did.