Leukemia stricken boy becomes cop for a day
AN 11-year old leukemia-stricken boy on Wednesday became a cop for a day as he joined Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos in ceremonies marking the official lighting of lanterns and Christmas tree in Camp Crame as part of the police force’s celebration of the yuletide season.
Christian Laurente Memoria, a Grade 5 student, was the special guest during the occasion when Carlos led the countdown and traditional ceremonial lighting in front of the PNP National Headquarters building following a short program attended by members of the PNP Command Group, Directorial Staff and other Camp Crame-based officers and men.
Memoria is currently battling acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow affecting blood cells which leads to frequent infection and fever.
During the occasion, the boy who wants to be a cop was given the special privilege to wear a PNP Lieutenant’s uniform and imbibe the essence, relevance and feeling of being a police officer even for a day.
It was in line with the “Cop for a Day” program of the Police Community Affairs Development Group (PCADG) headed by Brigadier Gen. Eric C. Noble in collaboration with the PNP Directorate for Police-Community Relations under Major Gen. Bartolome R. Bustamante and other PNP stakeholders.
Memoria, together with his mom, personally received from Carlos a special advanced Christmas present to honor the brave child who despite the illness and challenges is remained determined to finish his studies and make his dream come true, to become a police officer someday.
Carlos said they are joining the whole nation in celebrating the coming of the yuletide season amid the pandemic.
“With the world shifting to the new normal and as we find an array of advanced methods being integrated into the celebration of this festive year, let us remember that whatever challenges life has bring to our lives, it doesn’t prevent us from making this Christmas a merry and meaningful one by bringing new hope, positivity and solutions to worries and uncertainties”, the top cop said in his message.
According to Carlos, the switching of decorative lights on Wednesday evening is also a time to remember the people for whom it is being lit.
They are the family members who will be away from home, the 125 valiant PNP personnel who have succumbed to the virus since March 2020 and those who lost their lives while performing their duty.
Also add to the list our frontliners performing peacekeeping duties and essential health care services on holiday and the ‘Bayanihan’ spirit of every Filipino during this most difficult time.
“Amidst the global effect of COVID-19 pandemic, let us not also forget that this Christmas season is reminding us that life is an ongoing progression and there will always opportunity for new possibilities, new beginnings and new hope which inspire us to embrace even more fully the joy of spending time with our loved ones,” Carlos said.
