The Senate of the Philippines honored this year’s Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos—consisting of 4 teachers, 3 soldiers, and 3 police officers—in a plenary session held last September 3, 2018.

The 17th Congress passed Resolution No. ___ authored by Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara, chairperson of the Final Board of Judges, Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay-Angeles, Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero and Senator Gregorio “Gringo” B. Honasan II to commend the achievements of the awardees. Senate President Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III led the ceremonies.

The Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos is a prestigious career-service award for Filipino exemplars in the academe, military, and police sectors.

Guided by the theme of “Beyond Excellence”, a Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino is recognized for rendering service above and beyond his/her call of duty. His/her accomplishments must have inspired and influenced their peers as well as the people in their respective communities. Their works must have transformed a community with a lasting positive impact on people and to the country.

Teacher awardees are: (1) Mary Jane S. Ramo of Tonggo Elementary School (Tudela, Misamis Occidental); (2) Dr. Alma S. Janagap of Pavia National High School (Pavia, Iloilo); (3) Dr. Aimee Marie C. Gragasin of Philippine Science High School-Cagayan Valley Campus (Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya); and (4) Dr. Carla B. Dimalanta of the University of the Philippines-Diliman (Quezon City).

Soldier awardees, on the other hand are: (5) Lieutenant Colonel Francis A. Señoron PA of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, OJ4, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Camp Aguinaldo (Quezon City); (6) Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Ryan R. Seguin PAF of the 5th Fighter Wing, Basa Air Base (Floridablanca, Pampanga); and (7) Lieutenant Colonel Danilo T. Facundo PN(M) of the Marine Corps Force Development Center, Philippine Marine Corps (Taguig City).

Police officer awardees are: (8) Senior Police Officer 1 Aida L. Awitin of Davao Occidental Police Provincial Office (Malita, Davao Occidental); (9) Police Senior Inspector Dennis S. Ebsolo of the Villanueva Municipal Police Station (Villanueva, Misamis Oriental); and (10) Police Senior Superintendent Pascual G. Muñoz, Jr. of the Directorate for Logistics, Philippine National Police, Camp Crame (Quezon City).

Delivering a message on behalf of the awardees, Dr. Dimalanta said “being an Outstanding Filipino today means not only having the love and burning passion to be of service to others in one capacity but going above and beyond the call of duty.”

Dr. Dimalanta, Philippines’ First Female Exploration Geophysicist with a Doctoral Degree, delves in researches that provide answers to geoscientific problems in the Philippines, such as assessment of landslide hazards, investigating gold mineralization, and identifying sources of groundwater for coastal communities. A professor in the UP Diliman, her works on climate change and disaster risk reduction are integrated into UP’s General Education classes.

Dubbed as Philippine Air Force’s Freedom Warfighter, Lt. Col. Seguin was among the dauntless few who directed aerial missions instrumental in scoring back victory against the Maute group during the five-month-long armed conflict in Marawi last year. Outside his usual duty, he spearheaded the planning and implementation of the Adopt-a-Barangay program for the Aeta community of Barangay Nabuclod in Floridablanca, Pampanga which provided the community a supplication of potable water system, medical and dental services, feeding programs, tree planting activities, and the occasional children’s parties and storytelling activities.

PS/Insp. Ebsolo, Misamis Oriental’s Horse-Mounted Cop, initiated the use of horses in patrolling the hinterland barangays covered by the Cagayan de Oro Police Station 8. It was instrumental in the arrest of numerous robbery and murder suspects, and the capture of high-profile drug offenders involved in elusive trades within the province. Beyond his command office, he spearheaded the Suroy Bata (loosely translated as “Fieldtrip for the Children”) which lets the entire police force treats the children—coming from lumad families and marginalized communities in the hinterlands—to a day of learning and enjoyment by touring them to places in the Cagayan de Oro metropolis.

The awardees were chosen by the distinguished members of the Final Board of Judges chaired by Senator Angara and co-chaired by Supreme Court of the Philippines Associate Justice Noel G. Tijam.

The other members include: Department of Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra, Makati City Mayor Mar-Len Abigail Binay-Campos, De La Salle Philippines President Br. Armin A. Luistro, Philippine Business for Social Progress Chairperson Manuel V. Pangilinan, Rockwell Land, Inc. President & Chief Executive Officer Nestor J. Padilla and veteran journalist Ma. Teresa “Marites” B.Vitug.

Each 2018 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos will receive a cash prize of P1 million each, a gold medallion, and a trophy during the 56th anniversary celebration of the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank) on September 7, 2018 (Friday) to be held at the Metrobank Plaza Auditorium, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Makati City.

Tags: 2018 News