This week we will be featuring the life of a policeman whose humble beginnings fueled him to toil hard until he got what he wanted and fulfilled his elusive dream.
“I opened my eyes to poverty, I was conscious of the fact the we never had money to feed our hungry stomachs let alone to fund the simplest joys in life”.
PCpl Marlon T Canillo’s simple and unpretentious life began in the City of Talisay. He was born to a challenging a difficult life whose parents work were a trisikad driver and his mother a housewife. He dreamed of overcoming their poverty stricken life and become a professional somewhere in the near future. This is the only way to cut the cycle of their hand to mouth existence.
It wasn’t easy because nobody supported him in his dream yet this did not stop him from obtaining his longed ambition. He understood that his parents were contented with their simple life because they can’t do anything about it.
Yet this ambitious young lad was not waylaid with the obstacles that were thrown his way. While studying he sidelined as a carwash boy, a baker in one of the malls in Cebu, a stockman, a merchandiser and a working student in Basilica del Sto. Nińo.
He did all these while studying, he recalled that he has to hitch hike his way in going to school because what he earned on the side is not enough for his family and his studies.
Yes, he supported himself throughout his studies and his family. He would sometimes buy rice or viand to support his parents. It was a tough life and he had to endure this for the love his family. When it comes to his student life he remembered that he was always bone tired and would go to school sleepy yet he persisted.
In college, he studied in the University of Cebu and took up Bachelor of Science in Criminology and finished it in October 2013.
PCpl Canillo is a buzzer beater so they say, he worked as a striker in Finance, PRO7 and PRO6. He never stopped until he got his dream job.
At 29, he finally got accepted and was employed by the Philippine National Police. It was a sweet victory for PCpl Canillo when he took the oath as a policeman in September 14, 2015. Finally, his dream job that he worked hard for has become a reality.
Today, PCpl Marlon T Canillo continues to work on his goals, slowly fulfilling his dreams, building his own home because he doesn’t want his family and kids to experience his bitter beginnings.
In 2021, PCpl Canillo came back to PRO7 with the program of then PGEN CAMILO CASCOLAN where policemen who are displaced and away from their families and hometown can go back to their families.
Currently, PCpl Marlon T Canillo is assigned in the Tourist Police Unit stationed in Nalusuan Island serving and protecting the tourists enjoying the Island Cebu.
Since then, together with his family they have established their home in Cebu and has grown his family. He currently has two kids with his wife, Mrs. Princess Tingson Canillo.
May the story of PCpl Marlon T Canillo inspire us to never give-up no matter how difficult life is, to not stop and get discouraged when met with obstacles. May we persevere in whatever tough situations we met. You inspire us to not lose hope even up to the last minute.
Our salute to you, PCpl Marlon T Canillo, Mabuhi ka!
Written by: NUP Merlie A Dacunos
Source: Cebu Police Provincial Office
