NUEVA VALENCIA, Guimaras – A mother’s embrace is as warm as the morning sun. She serves as a light in our lives that can guide us through the right path when one loses its way in the midst of the vast darkness. A guiding light that leads us to a better perspective in life. Her presence cannot only be felt at home; but also takes all shapes and forms.

Motherhood does not only end at home. Sometimes, it can be extended to other aspects of social community. We can experience a motherly love from our aunts, neighbours, and even our teachers. Sherelyn Boteja is living proof of that.

A resident of Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, and is currently a Manpower Development Officer (MDO) in Regional Rehabilitation Center for the Youth (RRCY) for the Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) in the Department of Social Welfare and Development VI (DSWD6). She is now in her 34th year of service under the DSWD6. The RRCY is a residential facility for children in conflict with the law ages 15 years old and below 18.

The center aims to provide the residents the ambiance of a home for their reformation. It envisions to enable the youth offenders to restore their social functioning and live a normal life through reintegration and reunification to their family and become a productive member of the community and society. Its mission is to provide social protection to disadvantaged youth ages over nine years old and below 18 years who need appropriate care, guidance, supervision, rehabilitation and development through alternative forms of parental care with coordination with the Local Government Units Social Workers and other stakeholders.

The 57-year-old Sherelyn reminisced about her prime years and shared stories of her memorable childhood. She grew up in her hometown, Cabatuan, Iloilo along with her eight siblings. Her father, Angelo Tangeres, is a driver, and her mother, Patria Tangeres is a housewife. Even if they were not doing well financially, they were showered and full of love. Sherelyn finished her elementary and high school in Cabatuan and pursued a 4-year-course Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education at Iloilo Science and Technology University previously known as the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology. (WVCST).

With the help of their father’s hard work and the Tangeres’ sibling’s collaborative effort in being self-sufficient, they were able to finish their education and live in a life of comfort. One of her siblings currently resides in Saudi and the other one is in the United States of America. Both living with their own families. The rest of her siblings, including herself, stayed in the country.

After graduating from college, she immediately secured employment in DSWD6 Roxas City at the age of 23. She faced a wide variety of clients such as: women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWD). Sherelyn worked in the mentioned city for three years and was later on assigned at the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras where she finally found her other half to spend a lifetime with, who is a seafarer. They were blessed with three lovely children, their eldest are twins and have already received their college degrees. On the other hand, the youngest is currently studying at Guimaras State University pursuing Criminology. In all of her 34 years in service for DSWD, she worked hard enough to finally make herself proud and achieve success before she retires from the field someday.

“Proud ako nga taga-DSWD ako. Ang serbisyo bala? Tanan para gid sa pamilya, halos tanan ara gid sa DSWD. Amo na nga proud man ako nga nakasulod gid ako diri. Kumbaga 34 years in service na man ako, para gid man ako diri.” [I am proud that I work for DSWD. It is because the services that the DSWD offer is for the people and has only one aim which is to help people. In my 34 years of service, I can say that I am proud and that I was meant to be where I am right now.]

When Sherelyn is asked about what were the challenges she encountered in entering a child protective facility, she answered that she was already oriented and was fully aware of the environment she will be in before accepting the challenge. According to her, it was not a problem for her to face different behaviours of a child because it was easy for her to understand and to deal with them, as she is a mother herself. She described it as if she was raising her own children. Her eyes glimmered and a ghost of a smile was plastered upon her lips. A warm emotion flickered and was visible from her — a ‘mother’s love’.

Sherelyn further explained that the reason behind a child’s behaviour can be affected by several factors: separation of parents, cruel environments, and peer pressure. As a parent, she strongly believes that the best way to correct their ways is to accept, to embrace, and to understand them. Because in her mind, there is no child born evil.

“Once makapuli sila, at least madala nila puli sa ila ang mga natun-an nila halin diri. Tanan nga skills nga natun-an nila, at least ma-apply nila sa ila kabuhi subong kag kung magkapamilya na sila,” [Once they go back to their life outside, at least they can bring home all the things they have learned from here. At least they can apply the skills that they’ve discovered to help them and their own family in the future,] the 57-year-old, Mrs. Boteja heartily said. Sherelyn mentioned that they give monetary assistance for the children who are freed from RRCY which they can use to start a business for themselves and to finally reach their dreams. The side of her lips arched and the lines on her face creased as she recalled all her memories with the children she raised herself. When she retires from the service, at least she can proudly claim that the kids learned a lot from her and her love for them.

The world has always been a cruel place. And all that a mother wants is for their child’s safety, happiness, and freedom. That is why they serve as a light through the vast darkness when one loses its way. To guide the children for a better future, to embrace every ounce of flaw, and to kiss the fears away. A mother’s love and understanding is way more bigger than the vast darkness and it is what keeps them free of any harm. It is a child’s right to have their freedom and to be given a second chance in life. Jail no child.

(DSWD6/ Sherylyn Mae Bonotano & Princess Yiana Paitan, BA Journalism – WVSU)