ILOILO City – How would the world measure a mom’s love for her kids when most of her hours couldn’t be theirs? We read them on the headlines, now we are zooming in to their stories “out of their uniforms”.
Three Ilongga police officers share to Panay News their struggles and successes of being moms to both their children and the community they are serving.
Working in the government police force is never easy, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, public information officer of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
Since she has a vital role in the PRO-6, Malong said she needs to be deft in handling the challenge of juggling duty and motherhood.
But duty comes first.
“Some may react negatively to this but the moment you join the police organization, it is always that way,” Malong stressed.
“There would be times you will miss special occasions with your children or family. I am not an exemption to that. For working mothers like me, our work will always be there until we retire or until we give it up,” she said.
So how does Malong deal with it?
“I always see to it that I have time for both (work and family) – quality time. I always grab every chance that I could to let them feel I love and support them in any way. At home, I maximize my time with them. If I have free time on weekends, I spend it with my kids to fullest. We call it road trip, lazy day, do-nothing day, and mom’s weekend kitchen,” she said.
Malong went on: “Second, I focus. If I work, I work hard. I don’t mix things up. In short, what is meant for home is for home and what must be dealt with in the office must be in the office.”
“Third is being kind to myself,” she underscored, “by not blaming myself for any mishaps or shortcomings. Instead, I work it out and I let time heal everything. As they always say, everything has its own moment – its own time.”
At times Malong cannot attend to her children’s activities, “I would explain to them why but I do not expect them to understand at their very young age.”
“I know it has been a struggle for them, too,” she said. “But time will come when they will understand. I just see to it to always be there in all their ups and downs, when they need me the most. That way, they would know and feel that their mom is just there for them.”
“Last but the most important is having a grateful heart. Thank God for everything. I am happy being a mom and a public servant rolled into one. I get to harness my skills, do what I love the most and be a mom of three beautiful children. With this I am truly blessed,” Malong said.
What’s her daily prayer?
“To have more happy moments with my family,” Malong said. “Whatever comes in my career would be an additional blessing to me.”
She added: “I always bear in my mind that if I am doing good at work, I’d do better at home because at the end of the day, this is where we all go back to…home. Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers in the world.”
Malong and her husband, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jay Malong, have three kids – Marian Amaris, 14; Joseph Camillus, 8; and Aurie Bren,1.
On the other hand, time management, open communication and prayers are the keys to handle the multi-faceted role of a woman police officer, said Police Captain Shella Mae Sangrines, commander of Iloilo City Police Station 1.
Sangrines, whose husband is also a police officer, said though she’s leading a unit in the police force, at home, it’s a different story.
“I played a very complex role from being a nursing mother and tutor to my three children, a supportive and caring wife to my husband and a home manager (cook, dishwasher, etc.) at times in the absence of our kasambahay,” said Sangrines.
“My role extends even beyond my own family, as a supportive daughter to my parents and siblings, even to friends and other relatives,” she added.
Professionally and personally in Sangrines’ case, “I am born for that.”
“As they say, in whatever field, we can like be a Supermom and Superwoman at the same time,” she added.
And her mantra in life?
“Rest if I can, but I could never, never quit because of my love for my family and profession,” Sangrines said.
Sangrines also has three children with husband, Police Executive Master Sergeant Rodel Sangrines. They are Princess Janelle, 14; Prince Dale, 9; and Prince Gian, 2.
Meanwhile, Police Captain Chen Tañagras, chief of the Arevalo police station, said it’s quite a challenge to be a working mom, especially if the husband works overseas.
But she’s grateful for her mom, as always.
“I’m just blessed. My mother is there for us, especially to my kids. She can look after them when I’m away,” she said.
How do her children take things?
“I also need to explain to my eldest why mama is not there during nighttime – because of her work. We used to call this langga-langga time. It’s mother-daughter time, before going to sleep. I’m thankful because she now understands the kind of work I have. I’m thankful for the internet because I can call and see them when my schedule permits at the station.”
Time management and setting attainable daily goals is very important, said Tañagras.
“Through planning ahead, it is hassle and stress-free!” she added.
Tañagras has two daughters – Lian, 7, and Cian 2./PN
