This week we will feature the life story of a policewoman who defied all the challenges she encountered and continues to stand strong despite all the misfortunes that her family stumbled upon.
Join me as I narrate to you her story, a quote from Bob Marley “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice” end of quote. This quote is apt for PSSg Ireis Garrido Labrado’s experiences, yet she never surrendered instead she barreled on and never faltered in her personal and professional life.
PSSg Labrado hails from Cabonga-an, San Francisco Camotes Island, Cebu. She belonged to a large family with ten siblings. He parents are farmers. Truly, it was difficult to survive with eleven mouths to feed, yet they were united in their struggles as a family.
She remembered that whenever her parents went to town they would be happy when her parents brought hanging rice as a “pasalubong”. They would pair it with their maize, because to them it was already a treat. It was heaven, back then it felt glorious to eat maize with rice.
Her father would plow the fields and PSSg Labrado and her siblings helped in planting root crops. They also tried buying and selling livestock. Life was tough but they were strong enough to build a strong foundation for their family. His father became a Barangay Captain, where it helped them financially in sending them to college where she had the privilege to become a barangay scholar and only have to pay the school miscellaneous.
Despite the difficulties, she excelled in school and graduated salutatorian in elementary, meanwhile she was also one of the top students in high school.
In college she took up Bachelor in Elementary Education at Cebu State College of Science and Technology – System now Cebu Technological University in San Francisco, Cebu Campus. She graduated in 2007.
Before she was employed with the PNP she experienced working as a Receiving Staff at O&N Town Center, a factory worker at Monde Nissin and a substitute teacher for two (2) months at DepEd.
In February 1, 2010 she became a member of the Philippine National Police. After 14 years, she has served the people of San Francisco with loyalty, diligence and integrity.
PSSg Labrado’s greatest blow to her personal life was when her husband had a stroke in 2020. She singlehandedly carried the burden of taking care of her children and her husband.
During daytime, a caregiver would take care of her husband and after work PSSg Labrado she will take over. When she went schooling for the Public Safety Junior Leadership Course (PSJLC) she had to juggle her responsibilities. She had to leave her children with her sister and her husband to her in-laws. Her attention was divided, but through it all she was thankful that they were able to overcome it.
Now that PSSg Labrado is back in San Francisco, they are together again as a family. Would you believe that despite the problems that she bears, she still came out the Top 2 over-all for the PSJLC graduating class. Kudos to you PSSg Labrado!
PSSg Ireis Garrido Labrado remained strong because of her children, Heindrich and Richmond who continues to inspire her despite the challenges.
She believes that a rainbow is waiting for her at the end of the tunnel, everything will be alright as long as she prays. She is guided by her motto “Better an “Oops” than a “What if”. If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit”.
We would like to thank PSSg Labrado for sharing your story with us, it may be painful but you are brave to tell us your story. Truly, you are keeping your sacred vow to your husband and family, “In sickness and in health, ‘til death do you part”. Hats off to you!
Currently, PSSg Ireis Garrido Labrado is assigned at San Francisco Municipal Police Station handling the Women and Children Protection Desk. May we all be inspired by your story and never give up no matter what lies ahead.
Written by: NUP Merlie A. Dacunos
Source: Cebu Police Provincial Office
