Marcos praises Metrobank Medallion of Excellence awardees

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos awarded on Monday the Medallion of Excellence to 10 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, urging them to continue to be the catalysts of change.

The 2024 Metrobank Foundation (MBFI) Outstanding Filipinos were from three key sectors: academe, military and police, who have demonstrated remarkable commitment to their fields and communities.

“To our awardees, continue to be the catalysts of change when you go back now to your communities. Challenge them to dream bigger, to aspire higher and to take action with the same fervor that you have demonstrated, especially now typhoons and storms are made stronger because of climate change and the challenges become even harder to deal with,” Marcos said.

“We need more people like you – innovative, selfless and socially responsible; this is what I have always seen in Filipinos – we never get tired of helping others,” he added.

The 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Teachers are Ma. Ella Fabella, Master Teacher II at Maasin Learning Center in Zamboanga City; Franco Rino Apoyon, Head Teacher II at Kabasalan National High School in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay; Decibel Faustino-Eslava, Professor 9 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna and Maria Regina Hechanova-Alampay, professor at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

The 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Soldiers are Capt. Salvador Sambalilo, 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; Maj. Ron JR Villarosa, 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 Ssgt. Michael Rayanon, 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 Lt. Col. Bryan Bernardino, chief of police at Tacurong City Police Station, Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office; Maj. Mark Ronan Balmaceda, deputy force commander of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion at the National Capital Region Police Office in Taguig City and Ssgt. Llena Sol-Josefa Jovita, monitoring and evaluation police non-commissioned officer of the City Police Strategy Management Unit of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office.

Apart from the Medallion of Excellence, each awardee receives P1-million cash prize and the “The Flame” trophy.

“These honors are a testament to the remarkable heights each of you has reached. Whether you are educating our young, defending our borders or keeping our communities safe, you have gone beyond what is ordinary. And for that, you deserve nothing less than our highest admiration,” the President said.

Meanwhile, Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña announced on Monday that they are donating P10 million for the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

In his remarks during the awarding ceremony, Sobrepeña said they are now coordinating with the Presidential Management Staff to ensure that the assistance will reach the affected communities.