The 2022 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos has named 10 awardees of this career-service award. They were four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers who exemplify the true meaning of ‘Beyond Excellence’ as their contributions in service and community involvements are geared towards making a difference in sectors where they serve and the country at large.
According to the Foundation, this year’s teacher-awardees have proven that mentorship is crucial in a learner’s journey, especially during a crisis. Their breakthroughs and innovations are rooted in shaping the future generation.
The soldier and police officer-awardees, on the other hand, live up to the values of industry and integrity, serving as role models to their peers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP). Apart from guarding the nation’s peace and sovereignty, they also fulfill their obligations to keep the population safe from COVID-19.
Recipients of the 2022 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Award for Teachers were Junmerth C. Jorta, Teacher I and Officer-in-Charge of Keupiyanan Te Balugo (San Fernando, Bukidnon); Christine Joy DR. Aguila, Ph.D., Special Science Teacher 5, Philippine Science High School-Main Campus (Quezon City); Mark Nolan P. Confesor, Ph.D., Professor 6, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (Iligan City); and Leonila F. Dans, M.D., M.Sc., Professor 12, University of the Philippines Manila (City of Manila).
Recipients of the 2022 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Award for Soldiers were Technical Sergeant Joel L. Tuganan PA, First Sergeant of the Delta Company, 33rd Infantry Battalion, 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (Radjah Buayan, Maguindanao); Colonel Maria Victoria P. Juan NC, Army Chief Nurse, Office of the Army Chief Nurse, Headquarters Philippine Army (Taguig City); and Colonel Stephen L. Cabanlet PN(M), Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Operations, U3, Western Command, Camp Gen. Artemio Ricarte (Puerto Princesa City, Palawan).
Meanwhile, recipients of the 2022 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Award for Police Officers were Police Executive Master Sergeant Rogelio A. Rodriguez Jr., Investigator, Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (Quezon City); Police Captain Rosalino E. Panlaqui, Chief of Police, Jalajala Municipal Police Station (Jalajala, Rizal); and Police Colonel Lambert A. Suerte, Battalion Commander, Regional Mobile Force Battalion-National Capital Region Police Office (Taguig City).
Each awardee will receive a cash prize of P1 million (net of tax), a golden medallion, and
“The Flame” trophy during the conferment ceremonies in September coinciding with Metrobank’s anniversary celebration.
Aniceto Sobrepeña, Metrobank Foundation president, said the outstanding Filipinos are defined by character, competence, and compassion.
They embody the meaning of ‘Beyond Excellence’ for rendering service above and beyond their call of duty, and their contributions speak of not only caliber but also of heart and community presence, Sobrepeña added.
“Their examples, therefore, are a stark contrast to the dark days we’ve experienced in the past couple of years; because they are bringing much-needed light through their selfless work as purveyors of hope,” he noted.
The awardees underwent an intensive selection process and were selected from hundreds of nominations.
A multi-sectoral Board of Assessors, composed of members from the government, academe, military, and non-government sectors, shortlisted the semi-finalists through a review of documents and conduct of interviews. For teacher semi-finalists, live teaching demonstrations were held at the Metrobank Plaza in Makati City.
The members were Robinsons Land Corporation’s president and chief executive officer Frederick D. Go; Nine Media Corporation/CNN Philippines president Benjamin V. Ramos; Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines president Ma. Cecilia L. Alcantara; and International Association of Business Communicators Philippines chairman Agapito Joe R. Zaldarriaga.
Eighteen finalists emerged from this round and were interviewed by the Final Board of Judges chaired by Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares and co-chaired by the Supreme Court of the Philippines associate justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando.
The awardees join the ranks of 685 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos chosen since 1985. The program is held in partnership with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, AFP, PNP, PSBank, Rotary Club of Makati Metro, and the Rotary Club of New Manila East.
