By Alec Go
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. commended this year’s 10 outstanding Filipinos recognized by the Metrobank Foundation in the academe, military, and police sectors who have made noteworthy contributions in the society.
Marcos, who led the awarding ceremony at the President’s Hall in Malacañan Palace on Friday, Sept. 9, expressed gratitude to the awardees’ outstanding service to the country as he described their jobs as one of the most difficult and often thankless.
“And yet, you did it and you did it well. And you look into the face of the challenges that were before you, and you did not allow that to stop you, because clearly, you have a commitment to the service that you have taken an oath to continue and to serve,” he said.
“Your constant resolve to fulfill and transcend your duties to the best of your ability will exemplify what it means to be true public servants. You are the living embodiment of the phrase ‘beyond excellence’,” he added.
Marcos also told the awardees that their day-to-day activities make them heroes in the community and advised them to continue doing what they believe to be right and do it with all their hearts.
He also thanked the Metrobank Foundation for its 30-year initiative to recognize exemplary public servants.
“This is corporate social responsibility at its best. If this day tells us anything, it is that each and every single one of us, in our own way plays a crucial role in nation-building,” he said.
This year’s awardees are teachers Junmerth C. Jorta, Christine Joy DR. Aguila, Ph.D., Mark Nolan P. Confesor, Ph.D., Leonila F. Dans, M.D., M.Sc.; soldiers TSg. Joel L. Tuganan PA, Col. Maria Victoria P. Juan NC, Col. Stephen L. Cabanlet PN(M); and police officers PEMS Rogelio A. Rodriguez, Jr., PCPT Rosalino E. Panlaqui, and PCOL Lambert A. Suerte.
