MANILA — The Senate on Monday adopted a resolution commending the 10 outstanding Filipinos recently awarded by the Metrobank Foundation for achieving a level of excellence over and above their mandates and responsibilities in the professions and in their lives.
The awardees were composed of four teachers, three soldiers and three police officers, who were recognized for their excellent work and extraordinary dedication in their respective professions.
This is the second year that Metrobank Foundation has placed under one roof its three main excellent awards — the Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), and The Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS).
The teachers are Mary Jane S. Ramo, Master Teacher II of Tonggo Elementary School, Misamis Occidental; Alma S. Janagap, EdD Master Teacher II of Pavia National High School, Iloilo; Aimee Marie C. Gragasin, PhD Special Science Teacher V of Philippine Science High School, Cagayan Valley Campus; and Carla B. Dimalanta, PhD Professor X University of the Philippines – Diliman, Quezon City.
For soldiers, the awardees are Major Francis A. Senoron, Assistant Division Chief, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Lt. Col. Danilo T. Facundo, Director Mobile Training and Exercise Unit, Philippine Marine Corps; and Lt. Col. Thomas Ryan R. Seguin, Squadron Commander, 5th Fighter Wing based at Basa Air Base.
Meanwhile, the awardees for the Philippine National Police are Senior Police Officer 1 Aida L. Awitin, Assistant Police Community Relations, Davao Occidental Police Provincial Office; Senior Insp. Dennis S. Ebsolo, Chief of Police, Villanueva Municipal Police Station, Misamis Oriental; and Senior Supt. Pascual G. Munoz, Jr., Chief Supply Management Division, PNP.
Senator Sonny Angara, chairman of the final board of judges for the Metrobank search, said this year’s winners deserved recognition for going “beyond what is minimally expected of them and render such service and offer sacrifice that their communities are greatly transformed for the better.”
He said such excellence award paves way for opportunities to recognize teachers, soldiers and police officers and become inspirations to the nation.
“This is not to say that only teachers, soldiers and policeman deserve praise. But, it is to underscore that these professions are essential to our nation’s development and long-term prosperity,” he said.
“Soldiers defend our borders, and keep us all safe from harm. Policemen enforce our laws and help maintain order throughout our society. Teachers imbibe not just the knowledge and skills, but also the habits, attitudes and values every person needs to become good citizens. All allow life to flourish across our nation,” Angara said.
Senator Joel Villanueva said the Outstanding Filipinos of 2018 are living witnesses that it is never unconventional for Filipinos to be selfless and to be at the service of their motherland.
“The Ten Outstanding Filipinos in our midst today served as living proofs that anyone can rise above and beyond the call of duty,” he said.
“These men and women inspire us to be better, to think big and to believe. They epitomize genuine public service. They manifest the character of a true and conventional Filipino: an inspiration, a modern-day hero, a nation-builder,” Villanueva said.
Meanwhile, Senator Nancy Binay said “the awardees have made our country proud and have proven to the world the country’s promise for greatness in the field of education, military service, and law enforcement.” (Jose Cielito Reganit/PNA)