Mothers lead the way: A conversation with Mary Rose Marbil

Mary Rose Marbil, a woman who has skillfully balanced her roles as a devoted mother, loving wife and the leader of the PNP OLC Foundation modern mom.

The 55-year-old wife of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rommel Marbil led the transformation of the Officers’ Ladies’ Club into a dynamic humanitarian organization. Today, the OLC Foundation provides vital medical and financial assistance to critically ill PNP personnel.

But beyond her leadership role, Mary Rose finds her true passion in her unwavering devotion to her family. She holds a special bond with her daughter, 26-year-old Robyn Marie, who now stands on the brink of a new chapter in life. As the Marbil family prepares for Mother’s Day, we explore Mary Rose’s life as a mother, her work with the OLC Foundation and the values that continue to guide her.

DAILY TRIBUNE (DT): How would you describe yourself outside of your role as a wife and mother? What are some of your passions?

MARY ROSE MARBIL (MM): I would say I’m an active person. I’m an outdoors person. I’m really into environmental activities. I love tree planting, and I feel very connected to nature. I enjoy water sports, especially paddleboarding and biking. I’m a beach person at heart — I can spend hours just relaxing by the water, soaking in the energy of the ocean. There’s something about the beach that recharges me.

DT: That sounds very peaceful! Do you consider those activities your personal recharge?

MM: Yes, definitely. It’s all about staying close to nature for me. I’ve always felt that it helps me get my energy back. I believe it’s important to have those moments of quiet and peace, especially with everything that goes on in my day-to-day life. The beach really helps me with that. It’s my form of therapy.

DT: You’ve transitioned the OLC from a traditional club to a foundation that helps PNP personnel. Could you briefly walk us through the foundation’s work?

MM: Yes, absolutely. The OLC Foundation now focuses on supporting critically ill PNP personnel — those who are facing illnesses like cancer and chronic kidney disease. Many of these officers need dialysis or chemotherapy, and the existing benefits from the PNP aren’t enough to cover their needs. So we step in and provide financial support, medical assistance and in-kind donations to help. We’ve been able to reach officers in all regions, and we’ve seen just how much these small acts of kindness mean to them. It’s really fulfilling to know that we are able to help.

DT: What has been the most fulfilling experience you’ve had so far with the OLC Foundation?

MM: I think the most fulfilling moment has been seeing the appreciation from the officers and their families. It’s always heartwarming to hear them say, “This has never happened before. You are the first to notice us.” They feel that the foundation sees their struggles, and that’s a big deal. Many of these sick officers had been going through their medical treatments without much support. When we come in and offer assistance, it makes a world of difference to them. That’s what keeps me going.

DT: How has motherhood influenced your perspective on leadership and service?

MM: I think motherhood is the most basic training for everything. That’s where you learn time management, emotional control and even mental and physical discipline. When people ask me what the best training I’ve ever had is, I always say — it’s being a mother. You get to use all aspects of management in motherhood.

It also gave me that instinct for care — motherly care — not just for my child, but for my team, for the entire PNP personnel. That type of care came from being a mother. It’s really the foundation of how I lead and serve today.

DT: How do you balance innovation with tradition within the foundation?

MM: That’s always been a bit of a challenge. The OLC used to be a very traditional organization where senior members would dictate the direction of things. But when I came in, I knew that we needed to adjust to the changing times. I wanted the foundation to grow and evolve. I always tell the team, “If you have ideas, speak up. Challenge me if you think we can do things differently.” I think that’s the only way we can improve. It wasn’t easy at first because change is always hard, but now, the women involved in the foundation are more proactive, and they’re taking ownership of our work. It’s become a team effort, not just about following orders.

DT: What does a typical day look like for you, especially with all your commitments to the foundation and family?

MM: I wake up early, around 6 a.m. I like to start the day at 8 a.m. It’s usually straight into foundation work after that — whether it’s meeting with the team, coordinating aid, or checking on our beneficiaries. My schedule can get packed, but I’ve learned to manage it well.

DT: Robyn, your only child, now lives independently. Tell us more about your relationship with her. How do you bond?

MM: Robyn is a very studious and determined young lady. She’s very focused and knows exactly what she wants. That’s something I admire about her. She’s very much like me in some ways, but also very different. She’s into sports like me — she was a black belt in taekwondo, and she also loves football and golf. We both enjoy the outdoors, but her sports interests are a bit different from mine. One thing we both love is just lazing around by the beach or by the lake. It’s our quiet time together, and we both cherish it.

DT: What’s the most proud moment you’ve had as her mother?

MM: I think the proudest moment for me was seeing her turn into such a kind, thoughtful young lady. As a mother, all you really want is to know that your child has grown up to be a good person, someone who values integrity and kindness. I’m proud that she’s become independent, but also knows how to care for others.

DT: What’s usually the tradition when Mother’s Day comes around? What do you usually do?

MM: Just the usual. Either we eat out or celebrate her birthday — she was born on Election Day, the 11th of May, and Mother’s Day is on the 10th. Or sometimes, when she was younger, she and her dad would bake something for me if they had time.

DT: Robyn is now engaged and may choose motherhood someday. What message do you have for young mothers this Mother’s Day?

DT: I would tell young mothers to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to motherhood. It’s okay to make mistakes, as long as you’re trying your best and always coming from a place of love. Be there for your child, emotionally and physically. It’s important to stay connected with them, no matter what stage of life they’re in. And most importantly, trust your instincts. You’ll know what’s right for your family. Motherhood is a journey, and as long as there’s love, everything else will fall into place.