Top of the class

MANILA, Philippines - “There is a lot of humanity behind each soldier. It is very comforting to know for a civilian like me that we are producing these kinds of soldiers. I am very impressed with the commitment of our soldiers to their duty to the people and our country,” said UP president Alfredo Pascual, who was on the board of judges who selected the Metrobank Foundation’s The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) of 2013.

Awarded earlier this month were: Colonel Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief Master Sergeant Rogelio Mendoza and Technical Sergeant Ferdinand Baladjay from the Philippine Army; Captain Vicente Cejoco, Technical Sergeant Dante Berganio (Marines), and Hospitalman Third Class (Sergeant) Sergs Estropigan from the Philippine Navy; Lieutenant Colonel Moises Micor, Master Sergeant Alberto Pesebre and Technical Sergeant Nolito Tumesa from the Philippine Air Force; and Major Daneck Dang-awan from the Technical and Administrative Services – Chaplain Service.

Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. has led many successful operations against insurgency. He considers his stint as Battalion Commander in Bohol as his most memorable experience as a soldier because he was able to directly contribute to the maintenance of peace there. Coming from a family of soldiers, Brawner is a believer of the people-centered approach in maintaining peace.

Also coming from a family of soldiers, Chief Master Sergeant Rogelio Mendoza was inspired to join the army by his father. With his vast experience on handling explosives, he led the team that ensured the peaceful conduct of the first-ever national elections in East Timor.

Back at home, he also gives lectures and training on the AFP’s core philosophy, values, ethics and leadership to the personnel of different infantry battalions.

In 2001, Technical Sergeant Ferdinand Baladjay was awarded the Gold Cross Medal, the third highest award for combat in the AFP. An innovator, he designed a lightweight, load-bearing army vest that is currently being used in the AFP.

A sharp shooter, Baladjay was part of the rescue of civilian hostages in Basilan in 2001. He was also instrumental in the construction of a road for the community of Basilan, for which he was awarded the Gawad sa Kaunlaran Medal.

Captain Vicente Cejoco, a licensed radio operator, introduced the first real time GPS-based target tagging and monitoring system, first Internet Station, and first broadband wireless Internet for mobile surveillance missions in the whole AFP. He has risked life and limb in leading numerous disaster relief and rescue missions.

Technical Sergeant Dante Berganio has been awarded the Gold Cross Medal for two consecutive years, the Honor of Bayonet Award, and numerous other commendations for his bravery.

Aside from being part of successful combat operations, Berganio was also able to unite his community through the Key Leader Engagement discussion which helped foster a harmonious relationship with leaders in the community.

In 2012, Hospitalman Third Class Sergs Estropigan received the Bakas Parangal ng Kagitingan, the highest award given by the civilian sector. He also received a Combat Kagitingan Badge with two bronze stars for his contributions in the combat operations as a member of the Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) team and was part of the search, rescue and retrieval operation for the late interior secretary Jesse Robredo.

Estropigan believes that being a soldier is not a profession but a dedication to serve the Filipino people and the country.

Despite receiving offers from commercial airlines, Lieutenant Colonel Moises Micor has remained with the service because of his commitment to serving others. An experienced pilot, he has earned medals and commendations including the Gold Cross Medal, two Gawad sa Kaunlaran Awards and two Presidential Citation Badges.

Under his leadership, his unit garnered the PAF Streamer Award for the Best Support Group of the Year in 2010 and PAF Streamer Award for Best Tactical Squadron in 2005.

Master Sergeant Alberto Pasebre was instrumental during the conduct of reconnaissance missions over the Kalayaan Group of Islands and the island of Sulu. For his commendable performance, he received numerous coveted awards such as the Airman of the Year Award for two years.

He also conceptualized the Mobile Personnel File (MPF) which revolutionized the retrieval of military files in the AFP. This innovation earned him the AFP Adjutant General Service (AGS) Enlisted Personnel of the Year award in 2006.

The highlight for Technical Sergeant Nolito Tumesa was the successful flight of the first all-Filipino team, using a repaired C-130 cargo aircraft. He is also responsible for the enhanced operational readiness of the Philippine Air Force’s helicopters. This accomplishment earned him several Military Merit Medals.

Tumesa is always at the forefront when it comes to relief and rehabilitation during calamities and disasters. Because of this dedication, he earned the Certificate and Commendation and an award of the Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Operations Ribbon.

Major Daneck Dang-awan initiates a Church Children’s Ministry wherever he is assigned. In Cagayan de Oro, he organized the Mindanao Street Children Ministry wherein he conducts weekly feeding, sports festival, scholarship program and tutorial class.

He also initiated Project I.S.L.A.M. (I Sincerely Love All Muslims) which was able to rebuild 250 houses, the village water system, school and mosque for almost 1,000 villagers at Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, among other projects.

Like Dang-awan, all of the outstanding soldiers are involved not only in combat, relief, and rescue mission, but also go the proverbial extra mile to help in community development in the areas where they are assigned, epitomizing the highest standards of true service to people and country.

Each winner received a cash prize of P300,000 and a specially designed trophy from the Metrobank Foundation.