Dr. George S.K. Ty
Founder
Metrobank and Metrobank Foundation

Guided by the philanthropic vision of George S.K. Ty, the Metrobank Foundation has long recognized the modest, unwavering dedication of individuals who quietly hold the foundations of our society together, and supports them in their vocation to make a greater impact.

The Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, now the country’s most prestigious and sought after career-service award, pays tribute to the excellence, and sacrifices of our Filipino teachers, soldiers, and police officers—ordinary individuals who have dedicated themselves to a lifetime of service to fellow Filipinos.

It is a career-service award that looks into the entire professional career of the person—all their accomplishments and services rendered, whether big or small, done while in the line of duty and even beyond, from the moment they started working up to the present time.

“Beyond Excellence” is the defining battle cry of the OF Award. The Foundation advocates for the pursuit of service excellence, one that requires making a difference for the nation. As such, we annually seek and recognize ten (10) exemplary individuals who go above and beyond the call of passion and duty to serve their communities – four (4) teachers, three (3) soldiers, and three (3) police officers.

Since 1985, the Metrobank Foundation has honored hundreds of Outstanding Filipinos in the academe, peace, and security sectors.

The success and strides of the OF Award will not be possible without the support of its institutional and program implementing partners, namely the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education for the Award for Teachers; the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Rotary Club of Makati Metro for the Award for Soldiers; and the Philippine National Police, Philippine Savings Bank, and Rotary Club of New Manila East for the Award for Police Officers.

The distinction as a Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino is conferred to individuals who are exemplary public servants — but more importantly, Outstanding Filipinos are worthy of such recognition because they are active agent of positive change and influence in their community.

An Outstanding Filipino is a model of excellence in their profession, thriving amidst challenges with dignity and confidence.  They must have made a long-lasting positive impact, as well as concrete contributions to the onward development of communities.  They must also display patriotism, integrity, courage, and social responsibility — the universal values that Filipinos are defined by.

A Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino will be selected based on the following criteria:

1. VALUES: As a Responsible Citizen
   • The values of patriotism, heroism, and courage that the nominee lives by and how these values are exemplified
   • The nominee’s sense of common good

2. SERVICE: As an Exemplary Public Servant
   • The nominee’s demonstration of honesty, integrity, and professionalism in the practice of their career
   • The nominee’s attitude towards their profession

3. IMPACT on Community: As an Agent of Positive Change and Influence
   • The nominee’s contribution to their community
   • How the nominees demonstrate effective leadership
   • The nominees ability to translate knowledge into action
   • The nominee as a visionary

All nominees must satisfy the following criteria:

Position and Rank

Teachers

1. Public or private school teachers in the elementary (including Kindergarten level provided it is part of the integrated curriculum or part of an elementary school system) and secondary levels, including Alternative Learning System (ALS) teachers with a full teaching load
2. Teachers holding administrative positions (except school administrators, school heads, district, and division supervisors, regional directors, campus directors, executive directors, presidents, and chancellors of schools) provided they carry a minimum of six hours/week teaching load during the school year they are joining in
3. Higher education and graduate school teachers

Soldiers

1. Commissioned Officers (COs):
   • Philippine Air Force: Captain to Colonel
   • Philippine Army: Captain to Colonel
   • Philippine Navy: Lieutenant to Captain
2. Enlisted Personnel (EPs):
   • Philippine Air Force: Airman 1st Class to Chief Master Sergeant
   • Philippine Army: Corporal to Chief Master Sergeant
   • Philippine Navy: Seaman 1st Class to Master Chief Petty Officer

Police Officers

1. Senior Police Commissioned Officers (SPCO):
   Police Lieutenant Colonel to Police Colonel
2. Junior Police Commissioned Officers (JPCO):
   Police Lieutenant to Police Major
3. Police Non-Commissioned Officers (PNCO):
   Police Staff Sergeant to Police Executive Master Sergeant

Educational Attainment

Teachers

• Basic Education Teachers: Master’s degree or at least completed the academic requirements (CAR) for a Master’s degree
• Higher Education and Graduate School Teachers: Doctorate degree, a medical degree (MD), a juris doctor (JD) degree, a dental medicine degree (DMD), or its equivalent

Soldiers

• Commissioned Officers (COs): Bachelor’s degree
• Enlisted Personnel (EPs): High School Diploma

Police Officers

• Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Police Officers: Bachelor’s degree

Tenure

1. Nominees must have been in active service for a minimum of ten (10) years.
2. Nominees must not have been on leave for more than two (2) years immediately prior to nomination.
3. Nominees must have at least two (2) years of remaining service before retirement.

Appointment Status

• Nominees must have a full time or permanent appointment

Performance Rating

• Nominees must have attained performance ratings of at least Very Satisfactory or its equivalent for the past ten (10) years.
• For those who have been on official/study leave or on secondment, performance ratings for ten years closest to the period of nomination should be provided.

 Character Record

• Nominees must have exhibited good moral character.
• Nominees must not have been found guilty in any administrative, civil, or criminal case.

1. A nominee must be nominated by any of the authorized nominators. Self-nomination is not allowed.
2. Once nominated [or a nominator has been identified], the nominee must accomplish the Nomination Form via bit.ly/2025OF-Nominate before the prescribed deadline. Nominations made via courier or sent via email will not be given due course.
   
3. Secure endorsement from the nominator, accomplish the Nominator’s Certification Form, and submit the form via the Online Submission Portal (OSP).
4. Accomplish the online nomination and submit the nominator’s certification within the prescribed deadline.
5. Nomination will be evaluated accordingly. Results will officially be communicated electronically, including additional supporting for the next level of the selection process, if deemed eligible.

The program employs an open-nomination process.  Nominators must be of legal age and should not be related to the nominee within the third civil degree of consanguinity (relationship by blood) or affinity (relationship by marriage).  Self-nominations are NOT be accepted.

Each nominator can only nominate one (1) nominee / entrant. Multiple nominations from a single nominator will not be given due course.  Only the following individuals are considered and authorized to serve as nominators for the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos:

1.  Award for Teachers
   • Presidents of Universities and Colleges
   • Chancellors of autonomous campuses
   • Campus Executive Directors / Campus Directors
   • School Administrators
   • School Heads
   • DepEd Schools with Principals: Teachers-in-Charge (TICs) / Officers-in-Charge (OICs)
   • Regional Directors
   • Schools Division Superintendents
   • Regional / Division Level Chiefs
   • Regional / Division / District Supervisors
   • Leaders of unions related to education
   • PTCA/PTA Presidents
   • Student Council / Pupil Government Presidents

2.  Award for Soldiers
   • Star Rank Generals
   • Commanding Officer or the Immediate Superior of the Nominee
   • Highest Ranking Commanding Officer of the Unit

3. Award for Police Officers
   • Star Rank Generals
   • Commanding Officer or the Immediate Superior of the Nominee
   • Chiefs of Police of City or Municipal Police Stations
   • City Directors
   • Provincial Directors
   • District Directors
   • Directors of Regional Support Units
   • Regional Directors
   • Area Police Commanders
   • Directors of National Support Units (NSUs)
   • Directors of National Operational Support Units (NOSUs)
   • Directorial Staff
   • Command Group

4. Multi-Sectoral Nominators
   • Government officials and leaders (elected officials, heads of agencies, and individuals holding the rank of at least a division chief) with Salary Grade 24
   • Journalists / Members of the media
   • Business leaders
   • Religious leaders
   • Leaders of civil society groups (CSGs) – non-government organizations, foundations, charitable organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, community groups, labor unions, indigenous groups, among others
   • Awardees of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos (formerly SOT/TOPS/COPS)

A maximum of ten (10) awardees will be named as the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos every year — four (4) teachers, three (3) soldiers, and three (3) police officers.

Each Outstanding Filipino shall receive a PhP 1 Million cash prize, “The Flame” trophy, and a Medallion of Excellence.

Semi-Finalists will receive P20,000.00 cash incentive and a certificate of recognition, while Finalists will receive P50,000.00 cash incentive and a certificate of recognition.

Award for Teachers

Award for Soldiers

Award for Police Officers

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. pays tribute to the dedication of our Filipino teachers, soldiers, and police officers through the annual Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos.

These exemplary public servants selflessly pledge their lives in the pursuit of service to our nation, quietly fulfilling their sworn duties that yield positive change in their respective communities.

Their professionalism, bravery, and sacrifices should never be left unnoticed.

Through the Metrobank Foundation Fellowship in Public Service, professional achievements and personal life stories of the awardees are brought to the fore. Achievements that result to positive change and innovations that address major societal concerns are highlighted and widely shared.

Their stories need to be heard, hoping that others will replicate or even surpass these outstanding achievements.

Metrobank Foundation Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (MBFI-NOTED)

Founded in October 26, 1997, the Metrobank Foundation Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators (MBFI-NOTED), Inc. is an honor society composed of all the winners of the Metrobank Foundation’s Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT) since 1985.

With its philosophy, “Outstanding Teachers: Us for Others in the Service of the Nation,” NOTED aims to serve as a conduit of Filipino teacher excellence, engagement and empowerment by providing responsive and functional excellence-drive programs and projects to teachers and educators across levels of education.

The Organization of Philippine Soldiers with Outstanding Leadership, Dedication, Integrity, Excellence and Responsibility to Society (TOPSOLDIERS)

The Organization of Philippine Soldiers with Outstanding Leadership, Dedication, Integrity, Excellence and Responsibility to Society is an association of all members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who have been recognized under the Metrobank Foundation – Rotary Club of Makati Metro Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers or TOPS.

The TOPSOLDIERS envisions its members to grow as disciplined, focused and committed individuals responsive to the needs of the nation and concern for the consequences of its actions. TOPSLDIERS seek to excel by constantly seeking self improvement and professional advancement among its members, committed to live morally upright lives and genuinely serve the Filipino people, to promote a culture of excellence and transformation among ourselves and within their institution, to promote organizational and management excellence in the communities where they serve, and to undertake meaningful social, economic and civic projects.

Police Officers Responsible for Organizing, Transforming, Empowering Communities (PROTECT)

Police Officers Responsible for Organizing, Transforming and Empowering Communities is an alumni organization of awardees previously recognized by Metrobank Foundation – Rotary club of the New Manila East Search for the Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS). PROTECT is an organization that aims to promote a culture of excellence in the police force by conduction programs that advocate responsible citizenship, not only ion the Philippine National Police but more importantly, in their respective communities as well.

PROTECT also has internal programs that benefit its members. These projects include Financial Literacy Program/Proper Management of Finances, Theory of Change: Genuine Transformation in the PNP and Community Mobilization. The programs ensure personal and professional development of all the members of PROTECT.