The 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos receive their prizes at the prestigious conferment ceremony held at the Grand Hyatt Manila on September 4. (Top, from L-R): Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, GT Capital vice chairman Alfred V. Ty, Metrobank chairman Arthur V. Ty, Senator Mark A. Villar, Department of Education Secretary Sonny M. Angara, and Metrobank president Fabian S. Dee. (Bottom, from L-R) 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Awardees Staff Sergeant Michael S. Rayanon PN (M), Major Ron JR T. Villarosa (INF) PA, Captain Salvador M. Sambalilo PN (GSC), Ma. Ella F. Fabella, Maria Regina M. Hechanova-Alampay, Ph.D., Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava, Ph.D., Franco Rino C. Apoyon, Police Lieutenant Colonel Bryan G. Bernardino, Police Major Mark Ronan B. Balmaceda, and Police Staff Sergeant Llena Sol-Josefa M. Jovita.
The Metrobank Foundation (MBFI) honored 10 exemplary Filipinos who have gone beyond the call of duty through its career service award, the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. The much-anticipated Conferment Ceremony was held on September 4, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt Manila as part of Metrobank’s 62nd anniversary celebrations.
Each of the awardees received a P1 million cash prize (net of tax), a golden medallion, and the iconic “The Flame” trophy. MBFI officials, including Metrobank Chairman Arthur V. Ty, GT Capital Holdings Vice Chairman Alfred V. Ty, Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee, and MBFI President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, presented the awards alongside distinguished guests, Secretary Juan Edgardo M. Angara and Senator Mark A. Villar.
In his welcome remarks, Sobrepeña said, “May we all never grow tired of striving for excellence and embodying what it means to have ‘a heart that serves’—excelling in what we do, engaging our communities, and empowering the nation, just like the example of the Outstanding Filipino teachers, soldiers, and police officers we are honoring tonight.”
Guest of Honor Sec. Juan Edgardo Angara also shared, “The [Metrobank Foundation] Outstanding Filipinos is a testament to how every one of us works together to elevate our lives, to be a positive agent of change, and influence in our communities. This award continues to ignite passion and dedication among Filipinos, as it stands as concrete evidence of a prevailing commitment among some of our civil servants to protect and promote the right of every Filipino.”
The 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos include public servants from three key sectors: academe, military, and police sectors, all of whom have demonstrated remarkable commitment to their fields and communities.
The 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Teachers are Ma. Ella F. Fabella, Master Teacher II at Maasin Learning Center in Zamboanga City; Franco Rino C. Apoyon, Head Teacher II at Kabasalan National High School in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay; Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava, Ph.D., Professor 9 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna; and Maria Regina M. Hechanova-Alampay, Ph.D., Professor at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.
The 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Soldiers are Captain Salvador M. Sambalilo PN (GSC), Assistant Chief of Fleet Staff for Weapons, Communications, Electronics, and Information System, F6 at the Headquarters Philippine Fleet of the Philippine Navy in Naval Operating Base in Subic, Zambales; Major Ron JR T. 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 S. Rayanon PN(M), Public Affairs Non-Commissioned Officer of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 of the Philippine Navy in San Vicente, Palawan.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Police Officers are Police Lieutenant Colonel Bryan G. Bernardino, Chief of Police at Tacurong City Police Station, Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat; Police Major Mark Ronan B. Balmaceda, Deputy Force Commander of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion at the National Capital Region Police Office in Taguig City; and Police Staff Sergeant Llena Sol-Josefa M. 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.
Speaking on behalf of the teacher awardees, Dr. Hechanova-Alampay, Quezon City’s Mental Health Champion, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “None of us would have been able to do these without the talents given by our God. We accept these awards on behalf of our leaders, colleagues, and families who have journeyed with us through our struggles, rejections, and successes. We also accept this award on behalf of the students who will walk two hours up and down mountains to go to school. We share this with other teachers who shell out their own funds to make learning better for our students.”
Captain Sambalilo, named as the Philippine Navy’s Cyber Systems Innovator, said as representative of the soldier awardees, “As we celebrate our achievements, I hope that this recognition will further inspire our fellow public servants to continue pursuing excellence, embrace challenges as opportunities, and contribute to our communities with passion and integrity. Let us move forward with the same commitment to service and excellence while educating the Filipino people, protecting their way of living, and defending us against all threats to our existence as a nation.”
Lastly, responding on behalf of police officer awardees, Police Lieutenant Colonel Bernardino said, “I challenge everyone here and those listening to strive for excellence and keep faith at the center of all endeavors. This recognition is not the end but a call to continue making a difference, touching lives, and upholding the values we cherish.” Bernardino, Sultan Kudarat’s Bridge Builder for Peace, added: “Our vision of “highly capable, effective, and credible police organization is finally taking shape, thanks to the men and women of the Philippine National Police who embody the true meaning of “Beyond Excellence.”
The awardees were selected through a meticulous process, chosen from hundreds of nominations. A multi-sectoral Board of Assessors, representing academia, government, civil society, and media, reviewed documents and conducted interviews. Semi-finalists, particularly teachers, were also required to demonstrate live teaching as part of the semi-final interview process.
Eighteen finalists emerged from this stage and were interviewed by the Final Board of Judges, chaired by Senator Mark A. Villar (Legislature – Senate) and co-chaired by Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh (Judiciary). Other distinguished judges included Congressman Roman T. Romulo (Legislature – House of Representatives), Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil (Executive/Cabinet), Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina G. Belmonte (Local Government), San Beda University Rector-President Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. O. Maranan, OSB (Academe), and Philippine Star Business Editor Iris Cecilia Gonzales (Media).
This year’s awardees join the distinguished ranks of 715 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos recognized since the program’s inception in 1985. The program is conducted in partnership with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, PS Bank, Rotary Club of Makati Metro, and Rotary Club of New Manila East.
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The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), established on January 8, 1979 by Dr. George S. K. Ty, sixteen (16) years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank). On its 45th anniversary, MBFI envisions to be the country’s premier corporate philanthropic foundation contributing a significant impact on social development. Its flagship programs include the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos; Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE); Metrobank Scholarship Program (MSP); Metrobank MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC); Grants and Social Development Partnerships, Disaster Response, National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration, and the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair Lectures. MBFI is also the principal owner of the Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH), one of the leading centers of wellness in the country.
As a development organization, MBFI aims to uplift individuals and the sectors they represent and strategically link with institutions for a shared purpose. By creating and propagating a culture of excellence and providing solutions to stakeholder’s needs, the Foundation continuously expands its scope of reach to be at the forefront of serving communities. As the heart of the Metrobank Group, “Excel. Engage. Empower.” or the 3Es remains its roadmap.
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