Beyond excellence

It will take some time for many people to regain their trust and confidence in the police, after learning about the existence of “scalawags” in the Philippine National Police. Just read the many stories coming out in the papers and in the electronic media about policemen killing prisoners inside their cells, strangling foreigners, engaging in kidnapping and extortions. An embarrassed President Duterte and PNP Chief Gen. “Bato” dela Rosa, have instituted a cleansing process and sent the culprits off to Mindanao to fight the war against terrorists.

It was thus heartening to listen to PSSupt. Dionardo Carlos, chief of the public information office of the PNP, talk about his duties and aspirations at the Bulong Pulungan sa Sofitel last week. The forum’s program was on the Metrobank Foundation Inc.’s 2017 Search for Outstanding Filipinos.

Yes, there are good policemen like Supt. Carlos who professed that he is first a Christian, and a PNP officer, and a happy-family man. He has seen combat duty in Luzon and Visayas, and, surprise, surprise, aspires to be assigned in Mindanao. His good “works” won him a slot in Metrobank Foundation’s search for outstanding cops in 2009.

Aside from Supt. Carlos, two other former Metrobank Foundation awardees spoke about their accomplishments.

Dr. Arthur Casanova is a visual and theater artist, speaker and mentor. He graduated from the Mindanao State University, the University of Santo Tomas, and the Philippine Normal University. He is now a sought-after theater director and teaches Filipino and drama in the US.

Col. Ariel Caculitan is superintendent of the Marine Corps Force Development Center with the Philippine Navy Marines. An awardee of the 2015 Metrobank Foundation’s search for outstanding cops in 2015, he shared his cash award with a poor school. He told media he loves his work, and he is happy to train marines and impart to them the values of patriotism and service to the country.

Metrobank Foundation’s  2017 Search for Outstanding Filipinos is different from the previous separate searches for outstanding policemen, soldiers, teachers, journalists and artists. This time with the theme, “Beyond Excellence,” the search will award 10 outstanding individuals under one roof, if you may – four outstanding teachers, three soldiers and three police officers. A meticulous board of judges will select the winners from among the nominees submitted by individuals and organizations not later than March 24. The awards will be given on the bank’s 54th anniversary in September.

“Like in previous years, we are again on an active search for noteworthy individuals,” MBFI executive director Nicanor Torres, Jr. said. The “flagship” recognition program, he said, searches for public servants “who are not merely models of excellence in their professions, but more importantly are agents of positive change in their sectors.” The awardees will each be given a check for P1 million which is tax free, conferred a medallion titled “2017 Metrobank Foundation Fellow in Public Service,” and given the opportunity to share their advocacies and best practices through a series of public lectures across the Philippines.

For this noteworthy project, MBFI has partnered with the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, the Rotary Club of Makati Metro, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Rotary Club of New Manila East, the Philippine Savings Bank, and the Philippine National Police.

According to Chito Sobrepeña, MBFI president, the nominees who are qualified elementary and secondary teachers must have master’s degrees, and higher education teachers, a doctorate degree. AFP commissioned officers must have a bachelor’s degree, and enlisted personnel, a high school graduate. PNP commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers must have completed a bachelor’s degree.

Nominations will be accepted by the MBFI secretariat or the nearest Metrobank branch on or before March 24. For further inquiries, call 02 8988898, 02-8576757, 02 945700s. Look for Dyan Tee or Neury Chan (SOT), Hero Hernandez (COPS), and Third Salang (TOPS). Email inquiries to [email protected].

Nomination forms can be accessed via www.mbfoundation.org.ph; Facebook@Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos.

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Since time immemorial, breastfeeding mothers in the Philippines have been integrating  moringa oleifera (malunggay) into their meals or chewing malunggay leaves in the belief that they would have a good supply of milk for their babies. Medical studies have shown malunggay to boost a mother’s milk volume.

However, some mothers have experienced a low supply of breast milk due to their fast-paced lifestyle. But no worries. They don’t need to chew malunggay leaves anymore.

Natureearth has formulated the M2 Malunggay, Okra, Luya Concentrate Tea Drink that is available at Robinson’s Supermarkets. Mothers who have been drinking M2 Malunggay testify that they’ve been having a good supply of milk.

To the rescue  comes Natureearth, which is sponsoring “M2 Padede Mom Meet-Up,” a whole afternoon of workshops, presentations, guest speakers and freebies for expectant and lactating mothers on March 21, a Tuesday, at the Ace Waterspa Hotel in Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City.

Topics and speakers will be “Healthy Lifestyle Nutrition for Nursing Mothers,” (Dr. Galvez Tan); “Learning to De-Stress Through Reiki,” (Deanne Hernandez); “Power meals and recipes with Malunggay” (Zonito Torrevillas-Tamase), and “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) breast massage by Rebecca Roble which adopts the all-natural-antibiotics process of Dr. Beth Micaller of the Philippine Institute of Naturapathic Sciences (PINS).

Natureearth, makers of M2, together with MPFI Moringaling Foundation Philippines, both of which are headed by Zonito Tamase, have worked hand-in-hand to make the March 21 a success.

The event also encourages lactating mothers to develop their MOMtrepreneurial skills through Kaliza.PH, a recently launched Filipino online shopping company.

Regular registration fee for the workshop is P2,500; for early birds, P2,000. For registration, email [email protected] or call 0917-7982887 or 504-1497.

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International Women’s Day and Women’s Month in the country were celebrated by the House of Representatives with an all-women led session at the plenary organized by the 86-strong Association of Women Legislators Foundation Inc. (AWLFI) and the House Committee on Women and Gender Equality (CWGE) last March 6.

Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica of the 4th District, Bulacan and  AWLFI president,  and Rep. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar of Party List-DIWA and AWLFI chair, steered the deliberations on the rights and welfare of women as designated Speaker and Deputy Speaker for the day, respectively.

“We pressed for action on legislation that impact women such as the suspension of the implementation of the reproductive health law,” says Villarica.

The legislators commended Maxine Medina for her finishing as sixth placer at the 65th Ms. Universe pageant. Seven legislators delivered privilege speeches on the  continuance of the peace talks, an end to contractualization which disproportionately affects women; heightening breast cancer awareness, and women empowerment for greater gender equality.

Other presiding officers for the day were Reps. Glona Labadlabad, 2nd District, Zamboanga del Norte, and Lorna Silverio, 3rd District, Bulacan. Designated Majority Leader and Minority Leader were Reps. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla and Cecilia Leonila Chavez, respectively.

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Email: [email protected]