By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
“They remind us that integrity and excellence must be at the heart of the work that we all do.”
Amid the various challenges currently faced by the nation, the 2025 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos continues to serve as a beacon of integrity and inspiration, proving that the citizenry can still trust people in government institutions.
This, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the awarding of the medallion of excellence to four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers who have shown exemplary deeds as educators, peacekeepers, and defenders of the nation in a ceremony on Tuesday.
“At a time when our nation faces many challenges that shake our people’s trust in our institutions, your stories once again give us reason to believe in the goodness of our people. They remind us that integrity and excellence must be at the heart of the work that we all do.”
Coinciding with the program’s 40th-year anniversary, anchored on the theme ‘Beyond Excellence’, Marcos hailed the following awardees:
TEACHERS
- Mr. Noel Sadinas
- Mr. Amando Perfecto Molin
- Dr. Mylene Uy
- Dr. Angelo Mark Walag
SOLDIERS
- AFP Cyber Command Commander Col. Joey Fontiveros
- Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, G7, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army Col. Ricky Canatoy
- Chief Enlisted Personnel for Operations, Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, Naval Special Warfare Force, Philippine Navy UO1 Anro Anthony Turallo
POLICE OFFICERS
- PMSg. Ivan Velasco
- PMaj. Elmira Relox
- PCol. Frederick Obar
The Chief Executive honored them, saying, “Mga kababayan, ipinakita ninyo na ang tunay na paglilingkod sa bayan ay hindi nasusukat sa katayuan sa lipunan, kundi sa layuning maghatid ng pagbabago sa ating mga kababayan.”
President Marcos, meanwhile, reaffirmed his commitment to a ‘clean sweep’ among the ranks in the government, citing the awardees as a source of inspiration towards ensuring that the future generation will inherit a nation worth living.
“Hindi madali ang laban na ito. Marami pa tayong haharapin, marami pa tayong pagdadaanan. It will be hard and sometimes it will be painful, but it will be worth it because what we are fighting for is a country that our children will inherit [and] a nation that they can be proud of, that they can be proud to say, “I am Filipino.”
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