The 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos (top row, L-R) Staff Sergeant Danilo S Banquiao PA, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J Bitancur PAF, Colonel Joseph Jeremias Cirilo C Dator PA, Rex M. Sario, MAT, June Elias V. Patalinghug, Ed.D., Edgar R. Durana, MAEd., Jovelyn G. Delosa, Ph.D., Police Colonel Renell R. Sabaldica, Police Major Mae Ann R. Cunanan, Police Chief Master Sergeant Dennis D. Bendo; (seated from L-R) GT Capital Holdings Inc. vice chairman Alfred V. Ty, Republic of the Philippines President His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Metrobank chairman Arthur V. Ty, and Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. awarded the Medallion of Excellence to the 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos in a formal ceremony on September 9 at the Heroes Hall of the Malacañan Palace, City of Manila.

The awardees composed of four (4) teachers, three (3) soldiers, and three (3) police officers were honored before government leaders and esteemed dignitaries present. Metrobank and Metrobank Foundation (MBFI) chairman Arthur V. Ty led the presentation of the awardees before President Marcos and were joined by GT Capital Holdings vice chairman Alfred V. Ty, and MBFI president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña.

“You have taken the extra mile, climbed that steeper mountain – and this is literal. Iyong climb the steeper mountain, talagang ginawa nila ‘yan. Iyong panel na namimili, kung saan-saan napapadpad, kung saan mga lupalop pinupuntahan ‘yung mga teacher, ‘yung mga sundalo, ‘yung mga pulis, talagang kung saan-saan nila pinuntahan. Kaya’t hindi figuratively speaking ‘steeper mountains’. Talagang bundok ang inakyat nila, tumawid ng ilog and have gone beyond what is expected of them,” said president Marcos.

His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. delivers his message to the 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. The president awarded them with Medallion of Excellence in a ceremony held at the Heroes Hall of the Malacanan Palace

“In the flagship program of Metrobank Foundation, ‘outstanding’ is characterized as ‘going beyond excellence.’ Excellence is oftentimes translated to the Filipino word ‘magaling’, but the word ‘mahalaga’ perhaps defines it even more,” shared MBFI president Sobrepeña in his welcome remarks.

Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña delivering his welcome remarks.

Beyond Excellence, which is the Outstanding Filipino’s annual slogan, highlights contributions in service and community involvement that are geared towards making a change in different sectors and the country at large.

The 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Teachers are (1) Rex M. Sario, MAT, “Bukidnon’s Icon for Transformative Education in the Modern Age,” Master Teacher I/Teacher-in-Charge of Balogo Elementary School (Pangantucan, Bukidnon); (2) June Elias V. Patalinghug, Ed.D., “Davao City’s Modern Teacher Influencer,” Master Teacher II, Catalunan Grande Elementary School (Davao City); (3) Edgar R. Durana, MAEd, “Rizal’s Relentless Educator for People-with Special-Needs,” Master Teacher I/SPED Coordinator, Don Jose Ynares Sr. Memorial National High School (Binangonan, Rizal); and (4) Jovelyn G. Delosa, Ph.D., “Bukidnon’s Assessment Strategist for Modern Educators,” Associate Professor/Vice President for Academic Affairs, Northern Bukidnon State College (Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon).

The 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Soldiers are (5) Staff Sergeant Danilo S Banquiao PA, “Lanao del Sur’s Peace and Youth Empowerment Sentinel,” Civil-Military Officer – Non-Commissioned Officer, 103rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army (Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur); (6) Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J Bitancur PAF, “Philippine Air Force’s Model Mentor on Military Training,”Executive Officer, Office of the Assistant Chief of Command Staff for Operations, C-3 Air Education, Training, and Doctrine Command, Philippine Air Force (Lipa City, Batangas); and (7) Colonel Joseph Jeremias Cirilo C Dator PA, “Philippine Army’s Innovator of Military Intelligence,” Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations (G3), Presidential Security Group (City of Manila) (formerly Commanding Officer, 10th Military Intelligence Battalion, 10th Infantry Division in Mawab, Davao de Oro).

The 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Police Officers are (8) Police Chief Master Sergeant Dennis D. Bendo, “Manila City’s Police Mentor for the Out-of-School-Youth and Children-in-Conflict-with-the-Law,” Section Team Leader, District Mobile Force Battalion, Manila Police District (City of Manila); (9) Police Major Mae Ann R. Cunanan, “PNP’s Vanguard of Police Integrity”, Chief, Police Community Relations, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Camp Crame (Quezon City) (formerly Chief, Case Monitoring Section, Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division, PRO 9 in Zamboanga City); and (10) Police Colonel Renell R. Sabaldica, “PNP’s Transformational Leader for Innovative Law Enforcement and Community Development,” Chief, Morale and Welfare Division, Directorate for Personnel and Records Management, Camp Crame (Quezon City) (formerly Provincial Director of Cagayan Police Provincial Office in Tuguegarao City).

Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Awardee Colonel Joseph Dator joined by his family in accepting the Medallion of Excellence.

Colonel Dator delivered a response on behalf of the awardees. “This honor bestowed upon us today is not ours alone. It represents the collective sacrifices, efforts, and dreams of countless individuals who, like our soldiers, policemen, and teachers, have dedicated their lives to the betterment of our nation. It is a testament to the enduring Filipino spirit that rises above challenges, time and again,” he said.

For Colonel Joseph Jeremias Cirilo Dator, military intelligence takes center stage as revolutionary instrument of combat—a force of smarts not just brute strength. With 29 years of service, he worked with military intelligence to empower commanders in making sound decisions to outwit and win over adversaries.

Mr. Rex Sario is known for his resourcefulness, transforming learning facilities to revolutionize teaching techniques to help students learn better. Project iCONnect is his groundbreaking initiative that fosters learning in and out of the classroom. During the pandemic, he created a modified radio-based instruction that ensured learning is not interrupted even in the most remote communities.

For close to 2 decades in service, Police Chief Master Sergeant Dennis Bendo has been a silent force of transformation for the young generation. He is devoted to giving second chances to the youth who have lost their way by providing opportunities for them to have a brighter horizon. As the Squad Leader of the Manila Police District’s Community Affairs Section, he demonstrated a profound understanding of the complexities faced by marginalized youth and children-in-conflict-with-the-law and has taken proactive measures to address their needs.

The awardees underwent a guided selection process and were selected from hundreds of nominations. A multi-sectoral Board of Assessors, composed of members from the government, academe, military, and non-government sectors, shortlisted the semi-finalists through a review of documents. The semi-finalists for the three sectors were then interviewed, including requiring live teaching demonstrations for the semi-finalist teachers, at GT Tower International in Makati City to determine the finalists.

Eighteen finalists emerged from this round and were interviewed by an esteemed Final Board of Judges chaired by Senator Francis Joseph G. Escudero and co-chaired by the Supreme Court of the Philippines associate justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting. Members of this year’s judges include Marikina 2nd District representative Stella Luz A. Quimbo; Department of Science and Technology secretary Renato P. Solidum, Jr.; Baguio City mayor Benjamin B. Magalong; Ateneo de Manila University president Rev. Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ; Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc. (GCash) president and chief executive officer (CEO) Martha M. Sazon; and The Manila Times Publishing Corporation chairman and CEO Dante Francis M. Ang II.

The 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos were awarded during the formal conferment ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Taguig City last August 29 as part of Metrobank’s 61st Anniversary Celebration, with each awardee receiving a cash prize of one million pesos (net of tax), a golden medallion, and “The Flame” trophy. Among the attendees was First Lady of the Philippines Louise Araneta Marcos.

The awardees join the ranks of 695 other Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos since 1985. The program is held in partnership with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, PSBank, Rotary Club of Makati Metro, and the Rotary Club of New Manila East.

Tags: 2023 News