The 2005 Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS)

Outstanding Soldiers Of Metrobank Foundation Bared
January 20, 2006

From left to right: Lt. Colonel Arnulfo J. Marcos (PA); Maj. Hernanie S. Songano (PN M); Staff Sergeant Irwin P. Parolma (PAF);  SMS Fidel A. Alegre, Jr. (PA); Col. Dacio Teody Udal (Technical Services); Captain Giemel O. Espino (PAF); MSgt. Guillermo P. Francisco (PA); RD2 Freddie E. Asence (PN); TSgt. Larry A. Dacuray (PAF); Sgt. Rudy D. Espuelas (PN M)

The names of the ten winners of the 2005 Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers sponsored by the Metrobank Foundation in partnership with the Rotary Club of Makati Metro were released after the Final Board of Judges chaired by the Hon. Arthur Defensor, representative of the 3rd District Iloilo and Chair of the House Committee on Good Governance with Hon. Dante O. Tinga, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, as Vice-Chair, held a series of interviews of the finalists last November 2005.

The roster of winners of last year’s Search are, from the Philippine Navy;

• Maj. Hernanie S. Songano

• RD1 Freddie E. Asence

• Sgt. Rudy D. Espuelas

from the Technical Services;

• Col. Dacio Teody Udal

from the Philippine Army;

• Lieutenant Colonel Arnulfo J. Marcos

• Senior Master Sergeant Fidel A. Alegre, Jr.

• Master Sergeant Guillermo P. Francisco

and from the Philippine Air Force

• Captain Giemel O. Espino

• Staff Sergeant Irwin P. Parolma

• Technical Sergeant Larry A. Dacuray

They will be presented to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacañang on January 31, 2006 where the President will personally confer the trophies. Each outstanding soldier will likewise receive a cash prize of P150,000.00.

The other members of the Final Board of Judges were Prof. Nieves R. Confesor, Chairperson of the GRP Negotiating Panel for Talk with CPP, NPA, NDF; Dr. Lydia B. Echauz, President of the Far Eastern University Mr. Benjamin F. Abadiano, 2004 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Emergent Leadership and Executive Coordinator of the Assisi Development Foundation Ms. Belinda Olivares - Cunanan, Columnist, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Radio Host, DZRH.

The Search is a testament of the shared commitment of the Rotary Club of Makati Metro and the Metrobank Foundation to honor excellence among the men and women in the military as an expression of the civilian sector’s appreciation and gratitude for the selfless acts of gallantry of the country’s soldiers in preserving our nation’s sovereignty.

go to program: The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS)

go to 2006 News and Announcements Archive