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REMARKS OF COLONEL DANIEL A LUCERO PA
On Behalf of The Outstanding Philippine Soldier (TOPS) 2011 The Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS) 2011 The Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT) 2011 Awarded by the Metrobank Foundation
Metrobank Plaza, 05 September 2011
Honorable Vice President Jejomar Binay, Group Chairman Dr. George SK Ty, Distinguish Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Afternoon!
 I stand before you greatly humbled and yet imbued with a deep sense of pride for having been chosen as an outstanding soldier of the Philippines for 2011, and for being given the rare privilege of delivering a message on behalf of the other awardees.
“Heroes of Nation-Building,” this year’s theme for the TOPS is not only apt for us soldier awardees, but equally fitting for this year’s outstanding policemen, chosen for their exceptional work in and with the community in crime prevention and resolution; and this year’s outstanding teachers who have been selected not only for being models of excellence in education but also as exemplary community members and enablers.
To be called a “Hero of Nation-Building” is one of the best, if not the best accolade that any soldier, policeman, or teacher can receive in his/her lifetime. This may sound naïve, but I think you will agree with me that many of us enter our selected profession oblivious to the notion, that we, too, would be praised and affirmed by others as living models of modern-day heroism, and actually live to hear it ourselves.
’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. After all, it is in the most difficult and challenging circumstances that bring out the best in all of us.
This notion was reinforced when, as a young soldier, I witnessed the profound grief and irreplaceable loss of a spouse, of a child, and of a parent of soldiers whose lives were cut short in defense of our democratic way of life; and of policemen and women, whose lives were sacrificed in securing our peaceful and productive existence against criminality.
While the teaching profession may not have snuffed out as many lives in the tragic ways that have become a way of life for soldiers and for those in the police force, “death”- in quotation marks - comes in another way. It sometimes comes in the death of the belief that our chosen profession is the road towards a financially-rewarding career. But despite this rude awakening, we see many dedicated teachers whose hardship and sacrifice are manifested in walking kilometers to be with their students in the remotest areas of the countryside, or those who handle close to a hundred students per class, deftly juggling meager resources to lead a nation out of ignorance and illiteracy.
But if there is anything that every soldier, policeman, and teacher knows, is this… the calling of true service and the opportunity to make a REAL difference in the lives of REAL people amidst REAL difficulties and challenges, is far more compelling than any financial or economic reward available. Seeing our efforts bear fruit among the people whose lives we have sworn to serve is reward enough.
It is for this reason that the awardees this year have made the conscious effort and oftentimes difficult decision to continue to serve the country with dedication and excellence despite the persistent adversities in the field, and in spite of the continued temptations of greener pastures and opportunities here and abroad.
Thus, for the gesture of honoring living heroes of nation-building and for publicly recognizing and rewarding the exemplary acts of courage, dedication, innovation, and selflessness of the Filipino soldier, policeman, and teacher, allow me to convey, on behalf of all the awardees this year, our most profound and deepest gratitude to the Metrobank Foundation, Inc., and its partners, the Rotary Clubs of Makati Metro and New Manila East, the AFP, PNP, DepEd, and CHED.
Thank you for starting and sustaining this yearly tradition that has now become a source of inspiration not only for those in the service but to the Filipino nation. These awards is a stamp of confidence that the military, the police, and teaching forces are not just bastions of a few good men and women, but are, in fact, breeding grounds for numerous dedicated, committed - albeit silent and reticent - heroes and heroines.
I would also like to thank the many people whose presence in our lives have helped us evolve and become the public servants and awardees that we are today.
To our parents, many of whom are no longer here to share this honor with us, thank you for being our first models of self-sacrifice, unconditional love, and support. Thank you for showing us that doing good is reward in itself.
To our spouses and children, thank for your constant understanding, life-changing tenderness, boundless affection, and for the patience in being willing to live within the paycheck of a soldier, a policeman and a teacher so that we, your awardees, can do our work with the highest integrity. To our siblings, friends, and supporters, thank you for being constant sources of inspiration through your generosity, loyalty, kindness, and dependability through the years.
To our fellow soldiers, policemen, and teachers in the field, both living and those who have gone before us, your company in uncertain battlefields, in difficult missions, and in challenging classrooms has shown us the certainty of your support and the steadfastness of your presence. Our bonds at work go deeper than blood relations. You are our communities of strength where resides kindred souls that sustains us all.
To our commanders and mentors, past and present, thank you for teaching us what it takes to be true servant-leaders and for inspiring us to go beyond ourselves.
To the Filipino people, for surviving a turbulent history, we take inspiration from your collective resilience and unsinkable sense of hope.
And finally, to the Almighty and Infinite Power who sees all and knows all, thank you for the timely reminder, in the form of this award, that good deeds do not go unnoticed. That if we just do our work in the best way possible, without any conscious anticipation of reward or recompense, You Almighty One, always find a way to recognize and affirm us in moments when we need it the most. Thank you for lifting our tired souls and battle-weary bodies through the wonderful people that surround us today and every day.
Compared to our teacher colleagues, we, your soldiers and policemen, are admittedly not known for our eloquence. I am hoping however, that through awards like these, we are able to demonstrate that there can be no greater eloquence than in our continued, conscious, and purposive actions that strengthen our nation’s integrity, prosperity, and sovereignty; in actions that empower the poor, that reaches out to the marginalized and secures the vulnerable.
Let me thank all of you once again for choosing us as your awardees this year. This award will further inspire us to always let our actions speak louder than words, to lead lives of dedicated service and excellence, and to continue to move those around us to become active participants in the continuing work of nation-building.
We stand before you today proud to be part of the Filipino people’s outstanding soldiers, policemen, and teachers for 2011; prouder still that you have affirmed and hailed us as your partners and heroes of nation-building. We will not fail you.
Good afternoon and Mabuhay tayong Lahat.
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