Search for the "Crème De La Crème"
of the AFP Begins

Gen. Yano: TOPS inspires and motivates AFP

Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Alexander B. Yano led the formal launching of the 2009 Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) during the AFP’s flag raising ceremony on September 8 at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo Quezon City.

The launching was highlighted by the signing of a tripartite memorandum of agreement (MOA) by Gen. Yano and representatives from the Search’s co-presenters, namely: Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña, and Rotary Club of Makati Metro president Atty. Hernando Perez Jr.

In his message during the ceremony, Gen. Yano said that while “the call of duty to serve is a reward in itself,” honoring the military’s “crème dela crème” through the annual Search continues to challenge, motivate, and inspire the soldiers to become role models in showing the Filipino spirit for community service. “The TOPS award is a call to duty to every soldier to give his best to the nation,” he said.

For his part, Mr. Sobrepeña mentioned that the true value of the Search is that it brings the soldiers’ stories to the fore. “The award brings back the human face to the dedicated men and women in the field so that society would remember the important role the AFP plays in our nation,” he said.

Atty. Perez shared this view, adding that TOP awardees serve as “ambassadors of the military in the public”.

A search for the crème de la crème in the AFP, TOPS celebrates excellence in military vocation by honoring the valor, gallantry and self-sacrifice demonstrated by the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the task of building a free, fair and affluent society. The nationwide search recognizes the career achievements of ten officers and enlisted personnel from the AFP’s three branches – the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, as well as the AFP Technical Units. Each awardee will receive a cash prize of P250,000.

The deadline for submission of nominations to the 2009 TOPS is on November 28, 2008. . For more information, call the Metrobank Foundation at 857-5525.

The Metrobank Foundation is the corporate social responsibly arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies. Over the last 28 years, it has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs notably the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, The Outstanding Philippine Soldier, Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and College Scholarship Program. The Foundation also has a grants program that assists NGOs and government in the fields of education, healthcare, and the arts. Metrobank Foundation celebrates Filipino excellence and presents wellsprings of hope in the future of our nation.

Nomination forms can also be downloaded here.

Read Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about TOPS here.

go to program: The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS)

go to 2008 News and Announcements Archive