President Aquino Honors Exemplars In Public Service
 
Metrobank Foundation Exemplars in Public Service. His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III, together with Metrobank Group founder and chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty (6th from left) and Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña (8th from left), awards winners of the 2011 Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), and Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS). (Outstanding Teachers—bottom from L-R): Dr. Jericho Thaddeus P. Luna; Maricel S. Franco; Vilma C. Ambat; Buenaventura D. Luces; Dr. Chelo C. Tangan; Marcela E. Jingco; Lora E. Añar; Dr. Teodora D. Conde; Djhoane C. Aguilar; and Dr. Allan B. De Guzman (Outstanding Soldiers—top from L-R): MSgt. Sixto P. Navarrosa; Chief MSgt. Billy C. Benebile; Technical Sgt. Rommel V. Carbon; Data Processor 3 Jairus M. Cenabre; Master Sgt. Maria Teresa M. Bitong; Master Sgt. Nelson S. Mercado; Col. Alexis D. Tamondong; Col. Daniel A. Lucero; Col. Alexander F. Balutan; Col. Raul L. del Rosario; and (Outstanding Policemen—starting 12th from top left): PSupt. Steve B. Ludan; PSupt. Samuel P. Turla; Police Chief Insp. Delia J. Ingalla; SPO4 Emmanuel P. Isiang; SPO2 Helen L. Dela Cruz; SPO1 Manuel A. Padlan; SPO1 Rodel U. Alcano; and PO2 Rina D. Salaya.
“Sila ang mga sundalo, pulis at gurong Pilipino?mulat sa bigat ng nakataang na responsibilidad na nakakabit sa kanilang pangalan?subalit hindi nag-aatubiling higitan pa ang inaasahan sa kanilang pagsisilbi sa bayan. Sila ang sumasalamin sa likas na sipag, katapatan, at kadakilaang taglay ng lahing kayumanggi? ang mga bayani ng panahong ito.”
“Sila ang mga pulis, sundalo at guro na kinikilala at pinaparangalan natin ngayon. Hayaan ninyong isaboses ko, sampu ng sambayanang Pilipino, ang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa inyo pong lahat.”
These were the encouraging words of His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III during the joint awarding ceremonies of this year’s winners of the Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), and the Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) held last August 26, 2011 at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace. Collectively called as Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, they are recognized as exemplars in public service— educators as agents of literacy and knowledge, and policemen and soldiers as protectors of the people and the state.
“The Metrobank Foundation, along with our partners, express our support to President Aquino’s program on good governance by arduously searching for men and women who fulfill their duties above and beyond the norm,” said Metrobank Group founder and chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty. “This is our humble way of contributing to the government’s vision of an ideal civil service through programs that create public-private partnerships,” he continued.
Eight (8) public school teachers from the elementary and secondary levels and two (2) higher education professors made it in the list of 2011 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teachers. They are: Marcela E. Jingco of Angeles Elementary School (Angeles City); Lora E. Añar of Bukidnon State University (Malaybalay City); Dr. Teodora D. Conde of Andres Bonifacio Elementary School (Sta. Cruz, Manila); Djhoane C. Aguilar of Panabo Central Elementary School (Panabo City); Dr. Chelo C. Tangan of Cagayan National High School (Tuguegarao City); Buenaventura D. Luces of Lusacan National High School (Tiaong, Quezon); Vilma C. Ambat of Baguio City National High School (Baguio City); and Maricel S. Franco of Nueva Vizcaya General Comprehensive High School (Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya); Dr. Jericho Thaddeus P. Luna of the University of the Philippines-Manila (UPM) and Dr. Allan B. De Guzman of the University of Santo Tomas (UST).
On the other hand, exemplary members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who made it as 2011 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldiers are: Colonel Daniel A. Lucero (Kampo Ranao, Lanao del Sur); Master Sergeant Sixto P. Navarrosa (Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City); Chief Master Sergeant Billy C. Benebile (Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City); Colonel Alexander F. Balutan (1st Marine Brigade, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat); Technical Sergeant Rommel V. Carbon (Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City), Data Processor 3 Jairus M. Cenabre (Naval Intelligence and Security Group-NCR); Colonel Raul L. del Rosario (Philippine Air Force HQ, Pasay City); Master Sergeant Maria Teresa M. Bitong (Fernando Air Base, Lipa City); Master Sergeant Nelson S. Mercado (Fernando Air Base, Lipa City) and Colonel Alexis D. Tamondong (Camp Tito Abat, Manaoag, Pangasinan).
Meanwhile, 2011 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Policemen are: Police Superintendent Steve B. Ludan (Aviation Security Group, Pasay City); Police Chief Inspector Delia J. Ingalla (Taguig City Police Station); PSupt. Samuel P. Turla (Pasay City Police Station); Senior Police Officer 1 Manuel A. Padlan (Antipolo City Police Station); Senior Police Officer 4 Emmanuel P. Isiang (Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office); Senior Police Officer 1 Rodel U. Alcano (Calapan City Police Station); Police Officer 2 Rina D. Salaya (Maasin Municipal Police Station) and Senior Police Officer 2 Helen L. Dela Cruz (NCR Criminal & Investigation Detection Group Quezon City).
“As part of our commitment to make a difference in the lives of our communities and contribute to nation-building, we hope to encourage and reward individuals and organizations to be the best that they can be,” said Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña. “In the process, we hope to inspire the rest of us to similarly strive for the highest standards of performance of conduct in our respective professions,” he continued.
Delivering a response on behalf of the awardees is Outstanding Teacher Mrs. Marcela Jingco of Angeles Elementary School in Angeles City.
“Today marks an important milestone in our careers as public servants. I am deeply honored and gratified to represent equally outstanding colleagues from the academe and in the sectors of community policing and national security. Moreover, it is with great privilege to be recognized by the highest leader of the land, His Excellency President Aquino, here at the seat of the national government,” said Mrs. Jingco. “Your Excellency, you are assured of our continuing commitment to serve as instruments in carrying out the government’s advocacy of “Tuwid na Daan,” she added.
For Mrs. Jingco, teaching devices and instructional aides need not be expensive in order to stimulate children’s curiosity and address their enthusiasm and passion for learning. She exhibits innovativeness and resourcefulness in creating her teaching devices made of recyclable materials. This is one of her many ways in order to teach her students how to care for the environment, at the same time to encourage her co-teachers to inject their creativity whenever they prepare their teaching devices.
One of this year’s Outstanding Soldier is MSgt. Ma. Teresita M. Bitong of the Philippine Air Force. As the lone female soldier, MSgt. Bitong served in her early years for the Presidential Security Group (PSG). Together with her peers, she served as a guard to the late Pres. Cory Aquino during her presidency especially during the tough times such as the 1989 military coup. Her successful defense of the seat of the government won her a letter of commendation from Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, then the group commander of the PSG.
Meanwhile, among this year’s outstanding policemen is PSupt. Steve Ludan, who is the current Chief of the Budget and Fiscal Office of the Aviation Security Group. PSupt. Ludan graduated from the Philippine Military Academy and eventually joined PNP. He led in taking down big kidnap and ransom group and dismantling of shabu laboratories. During the typhoon Milenyo in 2006, his brainchild “Oplan Sagip and Saklolo” saved the lives of victims in Los Baños and Calauan, Laguna.
The winners were conferred with gold medals for excellence in public service by President Aquino. They will also be awarded with a combined total cash prize for the three (3) Searches close to Php 10 million during the celebration of the 49th anniversary of the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company’s on September 5, 2011 which was once again emerged as the “Best Bank in the Philippines” in the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2011.
On its 27th year, SOT honors educators who have dedicated their lives to mentoring the youth through classroom instruction and beyond and by serving as models of excellence in their respective communities. In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), the Search has become a sought-after award among educators as it earned the prestige of becoming a benchmark of excellence in the teaching profession. TOPS, on its 12th year honors the valor, gallantry, and self-sacrifice demonstrated by the men and women of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in preserving our nation’s sovereignty. It pays tribute to the members of Army, Navy, Air Force, and Technical Service, highlighting examples of competence, integrity, professionalism, and civic involvements. The program is implemented together with the Rotary Club of Makati Metro. COPS, on its 9th year recognizes the shared responsibility between the policemen and the community to prevent and solve crime. It honors the gallant men and women of the Philippine National Police (PNP) underscoring their commitment to professionalism and dedication to their sworn duty. It is implemented together with the Rotary Club of New Manila East and PSBank.
The Metrobank Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies established by Dr. George S.K. Ty in 1979. With the theme “Excel. Engage. Empower.” the Foundation has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs, such as the Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE), The Outstanding Philippine Soldier (TOPS), Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS), the Metrobank Math Challenge (MMC), and College Scholarship Program (CSP) and Excellence in Judiciary Program (EJP). It also supports social development projects through like-minded organizations that have sought to uplift the lives of the disadvantaged groups and marginalized sectors in the society. “Converging to Inspire Change!” serves as the battlecry of the Foundation this year. After 32 years, it shall continue to uphold values of excellence and champion its chosen stakeholders and the rest of our communities. It aims to strength ties with institutional partners in both public and private sectors such that there will always be a venue to further honor those who are able to reach their highest potential. Today, the Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to remain a leader in corporate social responsibility by initiating and supporting leading edge programs that uplift the lives of our people and inspire the best in the Filipinos
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