Let’s be inspired by our featured Police Officer of the Week, she defied her poor status and accomplished what others deemed impossible. She was snubbed by her relatives and was told that she will not finish college and will get pregnant at a young age. Additionally, she was told that she will never overcome their situation, like her parents she will crawl and will become poorer.
But this treatment only motivated her to overcome obstacles and conquered all her fears, oppression, bullying and being looked down by relatives and peers. Join me as I narrate to you the life story and transformation of PSMS Shindey Felecitas Saraum Taboco.
She hailed from Purok 2 Tupas, Pinamungajan, Cebu. Born to parents Laurencio and Clementina Saraum. Her father’s work was a jeepney driver while her mother, a housewife. She has four siblings.
In her elementary days, PSMS Taboco was bullied by her classmates. She was hit by a water bottle in her head many times, this prompted her to study karatedo and became a member of Japan Karate Association. She vowed to herself that she will never be a victim of bullying again.
She was used to hard labor and walking from home to school in the next barangay because they cannot afford to spend for transportation.
Since her father was only a jeepney driver sending her to college was impossible. Her ambition to change their situation and fate drove her to endure hardships.
Their life was scarce devoid of the frivolities in life and they lacked the good things that other families had. But PSMS Taboco never complained of their circumstances.
In college, she withstood the destitution. Although her aunt who is married to a German citizen sent her to school but she worked her bones in cleaning and washing the jeepneys and taxis of her aunt. She also served as an all-around maid in order to earn her keep, pocket money and save money for her family in the province.
She sacrificed and would sleep at 1:00 AM daily because of her responsibilities. Despite all these, she was able to juggle her studies and her work in her aunt’s home.
While in college, she still continued walking from the home of her aunt in B. Aranas to University of Cebu Main Campus and vice versa. From elementary to college it was already a habit of hers to walk from home to school.
Hats off to PSMS Taboco despite her being bone weary, tired from all the work that she has done yet she came out Cum Laude of the graduating class of Bachelor of Science in Criminology in 2004.
Her only goal was to get an honorable job that will support her family. She remembered that whenever her father would earn extra he would give her some change. The change she would receive from her father would be saved to buy kitchen utensils because they have few to none at home.
PSMS Taboco used to work at Ken Transportation Inc. and was eventually promoted to Accounting Staff. In 2006, she was hired in the PNP.
In all her sufferings she only has praises for her parents and God for giving her strength and optimism that one day her dreams will come true. Though she has gone through a needle hole she believes that perseverance and endurance is the key to her success.
She may have overcome the greatest test and others yet to come but she believes that “God will make a way”.
PSMS Taboco doesn’t settle for less, she believes that if you do one thing, always do it right and with excellence. Proof of that is when she graduated Top1 of Criminal Investigation Course, Top 2 in Public Safety Senior Leadership Course (PSSLC) and she was awarded the 2nd Runner for PNP Model Family in 2018.
She may face challenges but she is guided by her motto “In any attempts, there is always failure in things that we do, outcomes are not sure. But if we just keep our patience as well as our determination, we can find positive things in every frustration”.
Currently, PSMS Shindey Felecitas Saraum Taboco is assigned at the City of Talisay Police Station handling the Women and Children Protection Desk. She is very active in the programs and rescue operations for the welfare of women and children.
She married her first love and college boyfriend Mr. Francisco Fernandez Taboco a former Non-Uniformed Personnel. In 2017, her partner chose to resign to take care of their children. He used to be assigned in Oslob Police Station. They are blessed with three children.
At present, PSMS Taboco is the breadwinner of her family and continues to support her mother, father and siblings. She has not turned away from them. Instead, she has been true to her promise, to this day she fulfilled her obligations to them.
To all those who lost hope and purpose in life, take a look at PSMS Shindey Felicitas Saraum Taboco, she was not defeated by her challenges instead she made it as her stepping stone to success.
Like her name, Felicitas or Happiness she is an inspiration to everyone and brought sunshine to everyone around her.
Written by: NUP Merlie A. Dacunos
Source: Cebu Police Provincial Office
