OUTSTANDING FILIPINOS. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. awards the medallion of excellence to the 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos in a formal ceremony on Thursday (Sept. 28, 2023) at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace. The awardees compose of four teachers, three soldiers and three police officers. (PNA photo by Rolando Mailo)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday extolled the 10 outstanding Filipinos named by the Metrobank Foundation, saying their accomplishments bring the country “closer to Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines)” that his administration is trying to build.
In a ceremony for the 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, Marcos said the awardees’ excellence is “truly worth emulating” as it could help transform the Philippines into a nation that has “a globally competitive education system, a safe and empowered citizenry and a society that offers equal opportunities for all.”
“Well, our honorees are clearly the noteworthy Filipinos who have passionately pushed the limits of what and how public service should be. All of you 10 awardees who are here with us today have greatly contributed to the development of their respective institutions and advocacies,” Marcos said in a keynote speech delivered at Malacañan Palace in Manila.
“As you accept this prestigious award, embrace it and consider it as a proud badge of honor. You deserve it. You're all here for a reason and that is because of your commendable service to your people and your country,” he added.
During the event, Marcos conferred the medallion of excellence on 10 awardees composed of four teachers, three soldiers and three police officers.
The outstanding Filipino teachers recognized by Metrobank Foundation are Rex Sario, Master Teacher I and teacher-in-charge of Balogo Elementary School in Pangantucan, Bukidnon; June Elias Patalinghug, Master Teacher II at Catalunan Grande Elementary School in Davao City; Edgar Durana, Master Teacher I and SPED coordinator at Don Jose Ynares Sr. Memorial National High School in Binangonan, Rizal; and Jovelyn Delosa, associate professor and vice president for academic affairs at Northern Bukidnon State College in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
For soldiers, the awardees are Staff Sgt. Danilo Banquiao, civil-military officer - non-commissioned officer of the Philippine Army’s 103rd Brigade in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; Lt. Col Joseph Bitancur, executive officer at the Philippine Air Force’s Office of the Assistant Chief of Command Staff for Operations, C-3 Air Education, Training and Doctrine Command in Lipa City, Batangas; and Col. Joseph Jeremias Cirilo Dator, assistant chief of Staff for Operations, Presidential Security Group in Manila.
The awardees for police officers are Police Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Bendo, section team leader of Manila Police District’s District Mobile Force Battalion; Police Maj. Mae Ann Cunanan, chief of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s Police Community Relations; and Police Col. Renell Sabaldica, chief of Morale and Welfare Division of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management.
Marcos said while the awardees’ exemplary work as academicians, soldiers and police officers are “always the most demanding, exhausting and wearisome professions,” it is also the “most important, rewarding and fulfilling vocations that there are.”
“I used the word vocations carefully because what you have done has gone above and beyond. This is beyond the, shall we say, the job description that was given you and you have gone far beyond that. It is because you have taken on this profession, not as a job, not as a duty, but as a vocation,” he said.
“Beyond that, we not only honor you but through you, we honor Filipinos and we remind our countrymen: This is what a Filipino is. We are not a damaged culture. I hate that term. We are great people and you are an example of that greatness,” Marcos added.
He also thanked Metrobank Foundation and its partner stakeholders for initiating a program that acknowledges the efforts of exemplary civil servants.
He said such recognition serves as a reminder that Filipinos are “good, kind and hardworking.”
"That's why through recognitions like this, our civil servants become more motivated to go above and beyond in selflessly extending a helping hand to fellow kababayans,” Marcos said. “I urge everyone to continue doing your respective share in realizing our goal of a more productive, peaceful and progressive Philippines.”
The Outstanding Filipino is the flagship program and most prestigious career-service award given by the Metrobank Foundation Inc. in the academe, military and police sectors.
Apart from the golden medallion awarded by the President, each outstanding Filipino received a cash prize of PHP1 million and a trophy. (PNA)
