On her birthday, Mary Rose Marbil could have chosen a quiet celebration. Instead, she marked the occasion by giving the gift of health and hope to thousands across the country.
As the National Adviser of the Philippine National Police – Officers’ Ladies Club Foundation (PNP-OLC FI), Mrs. Marbil led the simultaneous nationwide launch of the LAB Virus Program and Medical Mission on June 4, 2025, in partnership with Cardinal Santos Medical Center—a landmark initiative that signals how far the once-modest organization has come.
What began as a support group for the spouses of PNP officers has now evolved into a national network of empowered women leading transformative programs. The LAB Virus—short for “Love and Blessing”—has become the flagship of that evolution. From helping critically ill PNP personnel and underprivileged families to providing educational support and livelihood initiatives, the program continues to grow in reach and purpose.
“This is no longer just a social club,” said Mrs. Marbil, reflecting on the organization’s journey. “We saw that the greater need was among the very people serving our communities—our police officers and their families.”
A Birthday Marked by Service
While many might spend their special day surrounded by cake and candles, Mary Rose Marbil chose to celebrate through service. The June 4 initiative mobilized PNP-OLC chapters across all regional police offices, reaching into police camps, barangays, and remote communities with essential medical services.
In collaboration with Cardinal Santos Medical Center, the nationwide effort offered:
- Free medical consultations and basic lab services
- Blood pressure and sugar monitoring
- Pneumonia and flu vaccinations
- Free circumcision for young boys
- Medicine distribution
- Wellness education for police personnel and families
The partnership with a leading healthcare institution ensured that even far-flung areas received quality care, something Mrs. Marbil has long championed.
A Lifelong Partner in Purpose
Much like her role as wife to former PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil, Mary Rose’s approach to advocacy reflects quiet determination, long-term thinking, and a shared vision.
“Ang pangarap niya ay pangarap ko rin. Matatag na ekonomiya, maayos na lipunan at maayos na Kapulisan,” she said, underscoring their shared belief that security and service must begin with the wellbeing of those in uniform.
Over the last year, under her guidance, the LAB Virus Program expanded its mandate—from providing financial and medical assistance to PNP personnel with chronic illnesses, to educational support for children in daycare centers like Bahay Bulilit, and sustainable livelihood efforts such as the soap-making workshops for police families and street sweepers.
These initiatives may seem modest in isolation, but together, they form a tapestry of care—rooted in community, powered by compassion, and backed by structure.
More Than Symbolic: Women in Uniformed Communities Lead the Charge
The June 4 mission is more than a one-off event. It’s a statement—one that reflects a broader goal to redefine the role of women within the police community. Once viewed simply as “supporters” to their uniformed husbands, women in the PNP-OLC are now organizers, leaders, and changemakers.
Mrs. Marbil has been instrumental in ensuring the continuity and sustainability of these programs. With a transition in PNP leadership underway, she has already taken steps to institutionalize the initiative’s future.
“I made a playbook,” she shared. “Para may guide na kung ano ‘yung gagawin. We will support the new adviser. I’m sure may mas marami pa siyang ideas na maiisip for the police force.”
Her proactive approach is not just about legacy—it’s about ensuring that service outlives any single term or administration.
From Healing Homes to Healing Communities
For Mary Rose Marbil, the LAB Virus is more than a catchy acronym—it’s a philosophy. One that sees “love and blessing” not as abstract ideals, but as tangible things you can deliver: a bag of medicine, a consultation in a camp, a skill passed from mother to daughter.
From her home in Batangas, where she and her husband care for rescued dogs and tend to storm-affected communities, to the far reaches of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, Mary Rose has proven that leadership doesn’t always wear a badge—it sometimes wears compassion.
And on her birthday, as hundreds of medical volunteers, police families, and community members gathered in different corners of the country under one shared mission, it was clear: this wasn’t just a celebration of another year. It was the next chapter in a mission that continues to grow, one act of kindness at a time.
