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Response on Behalf of the SOT, TOPS, COPS Awardees
MRS. MARCELA E. JINGCO
2011 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher Angeles Elementary School, Angeles City
“Towards The Right Path To Nation-Building”
His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III, distinguished members of the Senate, Congress, Honorable members of the Cabinet and the Judiciary, esteemed representatives of the Diplomatic Community, heads of various departments of the government, fellow awardees, ladies and gentlemen good afternoon.
 Today marks an important milestone in our careers as public servants. I am deeply honoured 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, The Malacañang Palace. I remember what His Excellency talked about during his State-of-the-Nation-Address (SONA) last July encouraging everyone to acknowledge and recognize the contributions of key professions like us—teachers, policemen, and soldiers (gesture of hand pointing to teachers, police and soldiers) considered to be as key pillars of nation-building. The President thanked his Filipino teacher in Ateneo, Ginang Escasa, saying “Bago ka umuwi galing eskuwela, lapitan mo ang guro mong piniling mamuhunan sa iyong kinabukasan kaysa unahin ang sariling ginhawa.” Mentioning such words of encouragement made me feel that I am also being acknowledged just like any other teacher who have been offered teaching jobs abroad but selflessly decided to invest in the education and future of the Filipino children and youth instead. On behalf of my co-awardees, Your Excellency, you are assured of our continuing commitment to serve as instruments in carrying out the government’s advocacy of “Tuwid na Daan.” Thank you for bestowing upon us the honour today.
As the nation commemorated the 28th death anniversary of the late Senator Ninoy Aquino last August 21, 2011 we remember his sense of nationalism and patriotism leaving us his powerful words when he said that the “The Filipino is Worth Dying for.” We have shown to the world how democracy should prevail as a result of our collective action representing the vast majority of the people towards the path of building or healing our beloved nation. We, as Filipinos, are known to be resilient in times of challenges and adversities. For instance, the unprecedented destruction of lives and properties during natural calamities have required Filipinos to devote their attention, energy and resources to help victims while it has also provided us an opportunity to witness the greatness of the Filipino that seems to shine the brightest during difficult times.
Justice. Equality. Freedom. These are the key elements of a sovereign nation that should clearly surface in times of crisis or economic turmoil. It is what our national heroes and even our forefathers have fought and died for in order to realize the independence we are enjoying today. As today’s Filipinos, it is our obligation and responsibility to become instruments of social transformation in our own capacity by doing good at the same time doing it very well. Each of us has the potential to become models in our own spheres of influence worthy of emulation by our peers, colleagues, and other members of our respective communities.
In our humble ways as public servants, we feel the responsibility of advancing our nation to becoming a developed one. Together with other thousands of teachers, soldiers, and policemen in the field, we remain to be dedicated to our sworn obligations—educators as agents of literacy and the proliferation of knowledge, and policemen and soldiers as protectors of the people and the state despite the negative public perceptions that continue to taint the institutions we are representing. Believing in the values of honesty, service, integrity, and dedication in our day-to-day activities is what we can only offer to the rest of the society, needless this recognition bestowed upon us today. We hope to bring inspiration to everyone while we aim to uplift the image of the often looked-down professions of teaching, policing, and soldiery. We salute the Metrobank Foundation, through its chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty, and its institutional partners for supporting this kind of recognition that fosters appreciation to our professions and inspire the rest of us to similarly strive for the highest standards of performance of conduct in their respective jobs.
As teachers, we care about our passion to cultivate the skills and intellect of our students as future leaders of the country. Each of us had gone through the guidance, honing and mentoring of a teacher and we owe it to them whatever we have achieved today. In my last 17 years of teaching, I have learned to address certain challenges. Teachers have learned to become innovative and resourceful in creating teaching devices and instructional aides in order to stimulate children’s curiosity and address their enthusiasm and hunger for knowledge and learning. That alone, I am proud to say that Filipino teachers are among the bests in the world.
On the other hand, maintaining peace & order situation has remained a challenge nowadays. Today, we serve as witnesses of the presence of the finest men & women in uniform of the AFP and PNP who are wholeheartedly serving as models of integrity to the rest of their ranks, peers, and in their respective communities. Each of them has a story to tell of extraordinary worth, ranging from their experiences in battlefields, crime solution and prevention, and other acts of heroism in order to preserve the nation’s sovereignty. Also underscored is the promotion of shared responsibility in maintaining peace and security between the soldier and police forces and the community. Join me as we give a hand salute to them as they restore the trust, dignity, and confidence in the PNP and AFP.
Let me end by thanking our families who have always remained supportive in every endeavour we undertake. We draw the strengths and inspirations from you in order to remain committed to our professions. We may have committed shortcomings as husbands or wives and as fathers or mothers while devoting much of our time to our respective work, but you have never failed to understand us knowing how crucial our functions are in the field of public service. We also thank our superiors in the field who have always believed in our capabilities and skills, and who have constantly served as guide and mentors. Without your guidance, we would not be here accepting a national recognition that affirms the kind of service we have put into our areas of assignment. Lastly, we thank the Almighty Father for the abundant blessings, of the gift of service to others that have enabled us to discover our talents and skills while making a difference in the lives of others. To my fellow awardees, we may have achieved something but this will not stop us from creating a positive impact in our society. We shall continue to do more!
Congratulations! Mabuhay tayong lahat!
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