TWO mothers, one moment: Baguio City police officer breastfeeds baby boy, so mother can take a chance at NAPOLCOM Exam

FEATURE

Baguio City, Philippines – In the middle of a high-stakes examination that could shape futures, a quiet yet powerful act of compassion unfolded outside the testing venue—one that reflected both the humanity of public service and the silent struggles of mothers chasing their dreams.

A police officer in Baguio City stepped in to comfort a crying infant by breastfeeding him, allowing the child’s mother to continue taking the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Entrance Examination without interruption.

For many aspiring police officers, the NAPOLCOM Entrance Examination is more than just a test—it is a gateway to a career in law enforcement. But for one young mother, it also meant balancing her ambitions with the immediate needs of her child.

The uniformed mother

Police Corporal Marjorie P. Wacnag, 29, a native of Sagada, Mt. Province, found herself in an unexpected yet deeply human moment while on duty.

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, Wacnag recalled that she and fellow officers were stationed near the gate of the examination venue when they noticed an elderly man carrying a baby. Curious, they approached him and later learned that the child’s mother was inside taking the exam.

“… adda kami lang idiay asideg ti gate nga naka-standby ta idiay ti posting mi. And then, habang agtutugaw kami, nakita mi diay maysa uncle nga kadwa na diay apo na, kaay-ayam na. Kina-istorya mi ket naamwan mi nga adda anak na madama nga ag-exam,” she said.

As the hours passed, the grandfather returned with the infant after spending time at Burnham Park. This time, however, the baby was crying—restless, possibly from hunger or fatigue.

Wacnag and the other officers tried to soothe the child, taking turns carrying him. But nothing seemed to calm the infant.

Faced with the situation, they considered a simple but compassionate solution—breastfeeding.

With the grandfather’s consent, Wacnag brought the baby to a more private area and breastfed him until he finally fell asleep.

“…umay piman kanyami ni uncle isu nagsusublatan mi diay kakadwak nga igeygey …sinublat ko piman ket inpakadak ken lolo na nu mabalin nga pasuso ek, pimmayag met piman. Napana nak idiay en mobile nga in-breastfeed ni baby hanggang di naturog. That time talaga ket awan sabali nga intention ko, basta inalak diay baby, breastfeed ko tapnu ma-ease piman diay sangit na… feeling ko anak ko metlang diay papasuswek,” she said.

For Wacnag, the act came naturally.

She is also a mother to a six-month-old baby—an experience that allowed her to immediately understand the infant’s distress and respond with empathy. Her own journey through motherhood made the moment less about duty and more about instinct.

Beyond the uniform

The brief yet meaningful encounter shed light on a deeper reality—one that many women silently carry. For mothers, pursuing careers or education often means navigating two demanding worlds at once.

In that moment, outside the examination hall, compassion bridged the gap.

While one mother fought for her future inside, another stepped in to care for what mattered most.

The incident has since stood as a quiet reminder that beyond uniforms and responsibilities, it is empathy that defines true public service—and that sometimes, the simplest acts of kindness can leave the most lasting impact.