First Ms. PNP is a registered nurse now studying law

PO1 Arla Ray Paciencia, the first Ms. PNP Ganda Pulis. (Photo by PHILIP C. TUBEZA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

On Tuesday night in Camp Crame, P01 Arla Ray Paciencia, a 24-year-old native of Tacloban City, was crowned as the first ever Ms. PNP Ganda Pulis.

She, who is assinged to the headquarters of Police Regional Office 8, is now taking up law in Tacloban City:

“It would help me in enforcing the law if I’m knowledgeable about it,” she said.

Paciencia has vitiligo, a skin disease which produces white patches of skin. Her disease has inspired to become an advocate of women with physical infirmities.

“My advocacy is to uplift the morale of the women who have physical deficiencies, (in)securities in themselves and ,secondly, the rights of the children, the vulnerable sector of our society and the women’s rights as well,” she said.

She said she would also want to promote the programs of the PNP through medical missions, information campaigns about the dangers of illegal drugs, and other forms of public service.

“Before the pageant began, Secretary Gina Lopez of DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) talked to us and said the candidates would become the ambassadress of the DENR in their regions,” she added.

Besides her crown, Paciencia also received P25,000 and a plaque of appreciation from pageant organizers.

Following are the runners-up in the pageant:

• First runner-up: P01 Liezel L. Abajero from Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsual)
• Second runner-up: P01 Bernie Jane L. de la Cruz from Region 3 (Central Luzon)
• Third runner-up: PO1 Nove Lago of Region 11 (Davao Region)
• Fourth runner-up: PO1 Janice Etang of Region 13 (Caraga Region)

/atm