Metrobank Fetes Exemplar Public Servants During 49th Anniversary Celebration
 
2011 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. In celebration of its 49th Anniversary, Metrobank awarded 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) in joint awarding ceremonies held last September 5, 2011 at the Metrobank Plaza Auditorium, Makati City. 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 awarding ceremonies were led by Metrobank Group chairman and founder George S.K. Ty (10th from left bottom) and Honorable Vice President Jejomar Binay (11th from left) joined by (starting 6th from bottom left) AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo S.J. Oban, Jr.; CHEd Chairperson Hon. Patricia B. Licuanan; DepEd Secretary Hon. Armin A. Luistro, FSC; Senator Loren Legarda; Metrobank president Arthur V. Ty; Metrobank chairman Dr. Antonio S. Abacan, Jr.; and Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña.
In celebration of its 49th Anniversary, Metrobank awarded 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) in joint awarding ceremonies held last September 5, 2011 at the Metrobank Plaza Auditorium, Makati City. 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.
Honorable Vice President Jejomar Binay served as the Guest of Honor during the event, which was also graced by notable officials from the government, business, academe, and diplomatic communities.
“It is with great blessing that we are able to serve our stakeholders for more than four decades since we founded Metrobank 49 years ago,” said Metrobank Group founder and chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty in his welcome remarks during the awarding ceremonies. “We are one year away from our golden year, and we remain vigorous and dedicated to be better than we are now”, he continued. Metrobank has been once again emerged as “Best Bank in the Philippines” in the Euromoney Awards for Excellence in 2011.
In the history of its anniversary celebrations, this is the first time that the Bank has awarded simultaneously Outstanding Teachers, Soldiers, and Policemen to highlight the occasion—a fitting celebration to recognize excellence in service among key professions.
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.
In the past 32 years since it establishment in 1979, the Metrobank Foundation has sought to promote and foster the values of excellence and achievement among the people, consistent with its mission of showcasing the best in the Filipinos. As part of its commitment to make a difference in the lives of its chosen stakeholders and contribute to nation-building, the programs of the Foundation have always endeavored to encourage and reward individuals and organizations to be the best they can be, and in the process, inspire the rest to similarly strive for the highest standards of performance of conduct in their respective professions.
Delivering a response on behalf of the awardees is Outstanding Soldier Colonel Daniel A. Lucero, Commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in Kampo Ranao, Lanao del Sur.
“In the carefree days of my exuberant youth, being a hero meant you didn’t live long enough to know you have been declared one, or that being a hero meant a life of constant hardship, struggle, and sacrifice’ he said. “For after all, it is the most difficult and challenging circumstances gives rise to the best that is in all of us,” he added.
In 2001, having been served as the Commander of the 18th Infantry Battalion stationed in Basilan, Col. Lucero and his group received the Commanding General-Philippine Army Streamer Award. The success of the Balikatan Exercises became a model for the Americans who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq, and resulted in relative peace in Basilan from 2001 to 2006. Col. Lucero graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1983, holds Masters Degrees from the University of the Philippines, and obtained a degree in International Relations from the Australian National University.
To highlight other exemplary public servants, Outstanding Teacher Dr. Teodora Conde of Andres Bonifacio Elementary School in Sta. Cruz, Manila is the most senior with 44 years of teaching career in this year’s batch of the SOT winners. Dr. Conde proves that teaching knows no-age and boundaries and with no doubt it gives her the feeling of being young at heart in the company of bright young students. Dr. Conde is yet another example of a teacher who constantly innovated when it comes to developing instructional materials making use of disposable materials turned into models/dioramas—economical yet innovative and useful enough when discussing lessons in science such as the human brain, simple machines, solar system, gravity, light among others.
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 last August 26, 2011 at the Malacañang Palace. They were also awarded with a combined total cash prize for the three (3) Searches close to Php 10 million.
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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