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Monday, April 10, 2006
The Chief
By Ramon C. Salvilla
I ALWAYS see him in gatherings, hear him over the radio and read about him in publications, but never got the chance to know him better. So, it was great to be able to interview him. Frankly, I felt I was on a hot seat.
There I was, facing the Director of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), S/Supt. Norlito Bautista, a man who stands five feet and ten inches, well built, a disciplinarian and God-centered family man who has been in the police service for 38 years.
His grandparents wanted him to be a doctor and practice in the United States but Bautista revealed that it has been his calling to be in the uniformed service, one that he shares with his father, a retired soldier and his brother, a member of the United States Army.
He is from Ilocos who later moved to Manila. He finished his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the Far Eastern University (FEU). He took up law at the University of San Agustin and earned his Masters in Management at the University of the Philippines.
Well, he did not become a chemist who mixes chemicals and stuff; a lawyer or a business manager. But his studies sure did prepare him for his present position. There's the different police personalities he has to mix well so he produce an effective crime-busting organization, numerous precincts to manage and the observance of justice as he maintains peace and order in the city.
He is married to an Ilongga banker and they were blessed with two children. "For me, my wife is the loveliest woman in the world. My girl, my wife and my best friend," he enthuses.
He may be in the limelight all the time - either in good or bad situations - but he admits he's a simple guy with simple needs, a loving husband to his wife and a caring father to his children.
Find out more in this interview.
SUN.STAR ILOILO: How do you start your day?
COLONEL NORLITO BAUTISTA (CNB): I start my day with a morning prayer, kiss my wife and then have coffee and take my daily routine, jog for 30 minutes.
SSI: What occupies your time when you're not doing police work?
CNB: I do household chores like sometimes cooking my favorite dish pinakbet and laswa; and gardening like pulling out grasses, planting fruit bearing tress and vegetables in our backyard.
I also have pets, a Mynah love and four Japanese Spitz dogs with which I play with to relieve my stress.
My sports are to play lawn tennis and table tennis. I am also into scuba diving when I have time.
SSI: Police work seems like a 24/7 obligation. Do you ever have time for your family?
CNB: Of course. No matter how busy I am, Sunday is our family day. We go to church together. If we have extra money, we dine in a restaurant, go malling and watching movies.
SSI: Are you strict?
CNB: Not really, God gave us two wonderful children. I was so blessed to have obedient and God fearing children.
My eldest is an incoming fourth year college student at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV) and the youngest had just graduated from high school at Philippine Science High School.
As a father, I listen to them and sometimes give them advices. They can talk and open up their problems and crush. I always respect their decision what ever they want to in the future.
Tell us something about your childhood days?
CNB: Di ako masaya. I lost my mother at the age of three and my brother is one year old. We grew up under the care of our grandmother.
After graduating from elementary, my grandmother joined my grandfather in the United States, that's the time we moved to Manila to live with our father. Although my father showered all the love in this world but I still missed the love and care of my mother. I envy my classmates when I see them with their mothers.
When I was 21, I finished college and my father got married. I never had good memories with my stepmother.
My brother and all my cousins are in the United States and I was left here alone.
SSIW: Do you visit them?
CNB: Several times. My father secured me a green card but I decline the offer - mas masaya ang buhay sa Pilipinas.
There was a time when I was assigned in remote area what we only had for a meal is tuyo. I told myself in the United States, I won't experience these. For me success is not a measure of the material possession but to enjoy life with your family --- there is harmony, love and respect.
SSI: Do you encourage your children to become cops?
CNB: Any profession except this and I don't see in them the interest, iba ang kanilang hilig. I give them the freedom on what they want. Being in the service is difficult.
SI: Do you feel fulfilled?
CNB: Yes, as a family man.
SSIW: What are your dreams for them, then?
CNB: I want them to be successful and soar high in their chosen field. To remain humble, to be considerate and to be respectful to others and above all to be always in commune with God.
SSI: What about for Iloilo City?
CNB: A peaceful place to live in. A drug- and crime-free Iloilo City.
People should actively participate in the government's program on crime prevention, so that our youth will harness their talents given by God./RCS
(April 10, 2006 issue)
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