Outstanding Filipinos

A foreigner once said that if Filipinos, here and elsewhere, stopped working all at once even for just a day, the world would grind to a halt.

That pretty much sums up what a quintessential Filipino is – hardworking, prolific and persevering.

Whether in Manila or in far-flung areas, in the Philippines or beyond and anywhere in between, there is a Filipino in the service of others. He is working not just for himself but for his family, his loved ones, his countrymen and his country.

There is indeed nobody quite like the Filipino and while I may be perennially frustrated over the impossibly chaotic system which – by virtue of our nation’s history and destiny – we were born into, I will always have faith in the Filipino.

It’s the reason I accepted without hesitation but with great honor and pride an invite from Metrobank chairman Arthur Ty to be among the Final Board of Judges of this year’s Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos.

Now on its 39th year, the Metrobank awards are well-known and are a testament to its founder Dr. George Ty’s love for Filipinos and this nation.

I was giddy with excitement because I wanted to get to know my fellow Filipinos who are not usually under the spotlight, unlike the people I cover.

And what an experience it was.

Outstanding teachers

This piece is my salute to all the awardees. May you all continue your outstanding work in your chosen fields and may you inspire others to continue building a nation that is better than when you first saw it.

The 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Teachers are Ma. Ella Fabella, master teacher II at Maasin Learning Center in Zamboanga City; Franco Rino Apoyon, head teacher II at Kabasalan National High School in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay; Decibel Faustino-Eslava, Ph.D., professor 9 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna and Maria Regina Hechanova-Alampay, Ph.D., professor at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

These educators have made significant contributions by inspiring and mentoring their students, innovating educational practices and engaging in impactful research and community service, according to Metrobank Foundation’s statement on the awardees.

Outstanding soldiers

The 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Soldiers are Capt. Salvador Sambalilo PN (GSC), assistant chief of fleet staff of the fleet staff for weapons, communications, electronics and information system, F6 at the Headquarters, Philippine Fleet of the Philippine Navy in Subic, Zambales; Major Ron JR Villarosa (INF) PA, chief of the civil affairs division at the Civil-Military Operations Research Center, Civil-Military Operations Regiment of the Philippine Army in Taguig City, and staff sergeant Michael Rayanon PN(M), public affairs non-commissioned officer of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 of the Philippine Navy in San Vicente, Palawan.

These soldiers, Metrobank said, have exemplified bravery, discipline and a strong sense of duty.

Outstanding police officers

The 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Police Officers are police lieutenant colonel Bryan Bernardino, chief of police at Tacurong City Police Station, Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat; police major Mark Ronan Balmaceda, deputy force commander of the regional mobile force battalion at the National Capital Regional Police Office in Taguig City and police staff sergeant Llena Sol-Josefa Jovita, monitoring and evaluation police non-commissioned officer of the city police strategy management unit of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office in Cagayan de Oro City.

These officers have shown exemplary leadership and a deep commitment to maintaining peace and order, often going above and beyond the call of duty to serve and protect their communities, Metrobank said.

Dr. Ty started the program in 1985, which has since recognized 715 outstanding public servants, including 384 teachers, 172 soldiers and 159 police officers.

Aniceto Sobrepeña, the indefatigable president of the Metrobank Foundation, said the outstanding individuals continue to raise the bar of excellence in their respective fields, serving as role models to many, trailblazing in their professions and redefining what going beyond public service is all about.

It was not an easy selection process, I learned. There were over 350 nominations which went through validation and assessments, conducted by independent third-party researchers.

And then there was a Board of Assessors – a preliminary panel of judges who are experts from different sectors of society. Their main task was to select the semi-finalists who, in turn, underwent an interview process, with teachers required to give live teaching demonstrations.

The last stage was the final judging which was our responsibility.

It’s an honor for me to be part of the Final Board of Judges, which was chaired by Senator Mark Villar and co-chaired by Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh.

Members were Pasig City Congressman Roman Romulo, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and San Beda University rector-president Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. Maranan and yours truly.

For two days last month, we sat with the finalists for their panel interview. I was awed and moved listening to their stories – their passion, accomplishments, dreams and nightmares.

In another piece, I will write about the specific endeavors of the winners.

Congratulations to the awardees and to Metrobank Foundation for honoring and celebrating individuals who embody the Filipino spirit.

As we will soon commemorate National Heroes’ Day, may we honor our heroes by living a life of heroism which, much like the Metrobank Outstanding Filipinos, means being of service to others and to our beloved country.

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Email: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.