Police Cadet Fritz John Napalinga Vallador —NIKKO DIZON
CAMP CASTAÑEDA, Silang, Cavite—He is no Cardo Dalisay–the famous policeman character played by actor Coco Martin–but he is certainly proud to be a probinsyano.
Police Cadet Fritz John Napalinga Vallador, the valedictorian of Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Magiting at Responsableng Alagad ng Batas na Gagabay sa Transpormasyong Alay sa Bayang Sinilangan (Maragtas) Class 2018, paid homage to his roots and his family on Wednesday as he led his 105 mistahs march to graduation here.
In his valedictory speech, Vallador recounted how he lived through poverty in different cities of Negros Occidental with his maternal grandparents and foster parents, as well as his experience at the PNPA.
He said he has never met his father while his mother, Anna Marie, had to work abroad as a domestic helper to raise him and his two other half-siblings.
At the age of five, he was entrusted by his mother to his grandmother in Himamaylan town, where he experienced working at an early age to help his grandparents.
At his grandparents, Vallador said, he learned how to catch fish in the wee hours of the morning, which would serve as their food and which they would later sell to the market.
“‘Pag minalas at walang huli, sumasama ako sa aking lola upang ‘mag-alsada’ dala-dala ang malalaking ‘kaing’ na siya namang pagsisidlan ng mga kakanin, saging, kamote at kung anu-ano pa,” he said.
(When we are unlucky because there’s no catch, I accompany my grandmother sell things, bringing the huge fruits baskets that contain rice cakes, bananas, sweet potatoes, and many others.)
“Gamit ang laway lamang at tibay ng loob para lang kami ay makarating sa karatig-bayan kung saan namin nilalako ang aming paninda kahit sa katirikan ng araw,” he added.
(With only words and determination to go to the nearby town where we sell our goods under the scorching heat of the sun.)
Vallador said he had also tried becoming a helper, houseboy, and scavenger to make ends meet and help his folks. This condition, he said, compelled him to repeat first grade.
It also made him question God’s existence.
“Minsan natanong ko rin sa Diyos (I asked God), to the point that I questioned his existence, kung bakit ganito ang buhay ko (why my life is like this) as compared to others,” he said.
This experience made him learn that life is hard and “hardship is a natural way of life,” he said.
Life-changing
Vallador said his life changed when he was adopted by his mom’s best friend, Nelia, and her husband, Edwin Diocares, at the age of nine.
The couple took care of him and treated him as their fourth child, he said. They were the ones who bestowed his medal on stage at the graduation ceremony as his mother failed to come home because she was not allowed by her employer.
“In my hours of loneliness at night, I just think of them (Diocares couple) and remember what joy we have in eating together with decent food they can provide for us, children,” Vallador said.
“I would smile to myself before going to sleep, thinking that all of them are okay way back home. Thinking that one day I will come out from the Academy and return all the love and faith they gave me in whatever form I can offer,” he added.
He said the Academy helped him learn that love for family is one of the “greatest motivating force” to conquer all adversities.
Academy life
In 2014, Vallador entered the PNPA after taking up criminology units at the Bago City College and with the help of his mentor, Dr. Gorgonio T. Parroco.
Vallador said he entered the PNPA as a “nobody” but his training here helped him imbibe the values of justice, integrity and service.
Vallador then called on his fellow cadets to remain steadfast in serving the people, observe the highest ethical standards of all time, and promote justice and fair play.
“As future public safety officers, we will always know what is right—-and not to do what is right is worse than corruption,” he said.
“Service to the people will always remain to be our battle cry,” he added.