This month we will feature women of strength behind all the insurmountable obstacles they have faced, yet they came out successful and victorious in the many challenges thrown their way.
For this week, our featured police officer used to be frowned- upon by her mother whose opinion that girls’ destiny is meant only to be homemakers. According to her mother, women should not pursue a college education because for her, women are only designated as housewives taking care of the home and children.
PEMS Brenda Lauron Apura hails from Sitio Tubod Barangay Valladolid, Carcar City, Cebu. She has three siblings, two sisters and one brother.
Her parents used to be contractors of Loalde but fates were cruel when a strike broke out in the company where they worked. They had to transfer residence and PEMS Apura had to take responsibilities at home, taking care of her elder brother at the same time helped in their shoe factory.
She excelled in school in her elementary years belonging to the top 10 of her class. Upon graduation in high school she applied as a housemaid in a Taiwanese household in Subangdako, Mandaue City to help her family and to gain funds for college.
PEMS Apura pursued her college education despite the discouragement from her mother, she took-up Bachelor of Science in Criminology at the University of Cebu with the help of her sister. Finally, in 2001 she graduated as Cum Laude. She did not only finish her college education but she finished with flying colors.
Right after college, she worked under her mentor PMAJ ROMEO CORDOVA (Ret), she taught as a sub-teacher in the University of Cebu. She was given an allowance which helped her during her review. Luckily, she didn’t pay anything during the review with the help of her mentor.
Her parents were slowly warming up to her when she graduated with her own efforts, not only that she graduated Cum Laude.
On November 2001 through her diligence and perseverance, her lifelong dream to become a police officer became a reality. After 23 years in service, she can finally say that if she if didn’t put her foot down, she wouldn’t be where she is now. She rose up in her difficult situation despite the prejudice.
If she was lucky in her career, it was the opposite for her marriage. In 2011, they separated for personal reasons I cannot disclose. But they were blessed with three children whom she carried solely.
She is proud of her kids who are well trained since childhood, they are capable of doing things on their own like cooking, doing laundry, cleaning the house. In fact, for almost three years now her second child lives alone in Talisay City since he is already in college. On the other hand, her daughter is serving a Mission in Davao for 18 months, a voluntary church service, since they are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of a Latter Day Saints. Additionally, her 14 year-old youngest child is under her care. With this set up, she needs to have proper time management prioritizing tasks both at work and at home to ensure everything gets done.
It’s her deep sense of responsibility and love for her children that motivates her to pursue life. “I want to provide them the best possible life for my kids, which can drive them to pursue their goals too, overcome challenges, and create opportunities for themselves and their future families” said PEMS Apura.
She is guided by this saying “Strong, Resilient, and Thriving: Single Moms Making It Happen!”
Now, he mother is living with her helping her and her kids. Sadly, her father died in 2002 while PEMS Apura was undergoing Basic Course.
Currently, PEMS Apura is assigned at San Fernando Police Station. She holds the position of Municipal Executive Senior Officer.
She recalls when was still assigned in the City of Talisay Police Station she was instrumental in the arrest of three Muslim drug traders wherein one of the three was a MILF member. As a result, they were convicted to life imprisonment. Another accomplishment she had was when she was chosen as first lady Provincial Executive Senior Police Officer in 2021 where her proposal for financial assistance was institutionalized and implemented in 2022.
Let us all celebrate the women who struggled, sacrificed yet they came out successful. Let’s give them a hug and thank them for not giving up on their dreams, we are a product of those dreams, hail to the women in our lives!
Kudos to you PEMS Brenda Lauron Apura, carry on the good work.
Written by: NUP Merlie A. Dacunos
Source: Cebu Police Provincial Office
