“An achievement award is not the end goal; but rather a symbolic confirmation of your potential future success.”—Wayne Chirisa
Every year the Metrobank Foundation Incorporated (MBFI) chooses 10 Outstanding Filipinos from the country’s academe, military and police sectors who have shown excellence in their respective fields and disciplines, and have imprinted significant contributions for the community and the entire nation. With the foundation’s meticulous process, the awardees were selected from hundreds of nominees across the country through a multi-sectoral Board of Assessors, representing academia, government, civil society, and media who are primarily in-charge for reviewing and validating the submitted documents and in conducting the necessary interviews.
On October 28, 2024, at the President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., personally awarded the medal of excellence to this year’s Metrobank Outstanding Awardees.
Among the ten Metrobank awardees, four are chosen from the academe, three from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, while the other three are from the PNP ranks. The outstanding police officers awarded were Police Lieutenant Colonel Bryan G. Bernardino, Chief of Police, Tacurong City Police Station; Police Major Mark Ronan B. Balmaceda, Deputy Force Commander, RMFB NCRPO; and Police Staff Sergeant Llena Sol-Josefa M. Jovita, Monitoring and Evaluation PNCO, CPSM, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office.
PLtCol Bryan G. Bernardino known as the “Sultan Kudarat’s Bridge Builder for Peace,” became instrumental in creating a peaceful community, it (Sultan Kudarat) being the venue of conflict and war, through his milestone accomplishment dubbed “Kakep Ka Su Kalilintad” (Embracing [the] Peace). Through the said program, the Tacurong City Police Station under his leadership forged partnerships with various agencies to conduct neutralization operations leading to a significant reduction in terrorism incidents in Sultan Kudarat. PLtCol Bernardino has been spearheading counter-radicalization activities through community dialogues, educational forums and successful engagement with Muslim communities to prevent radicalization and drug abuse through Project Madrasa and Skul Ka Ba with notable outcomes leading to peace and zero recruitment of terrorists among the Muslim youth in the said locality.
On the other hand, Police Major Ronan B. Balmaceda, the Deputy Force Commander, Regional Mobile Force Battalion, National Capital Region Police Office, also tagged as “The Valiant Police Defender of Liberty and Integrity,” contributed to the strategic military operations in the successful liberation of Marawi City, particularly in hostage rescue and the recovery of enemy weapons. Oplan: Pagsungko was the brainchild of PMaj Balmaceda which aims to ensure a fair and corrupt-free PNP recruitment. He also conceptualized a comprehensive security plan for the La Mesa Watershed Reservation Complex to better protect the area—and the Filipinos who benefit from it.
Completing the PNP’s representation was Police Staff Sergeant Llena Sol-Josefa M. Jovita, known as the “Cagayan de Oro’s Community Care Advocate,” who had implemented the “Gatas Mo Kinabuhi Ko” Program in Cagayan de Oro City, allowing mothers who are unable to breastfeed their babies to obtain milk from healthy lactating women. She also developed the “Safe Swim Program” which trains at-risk children in swimming, and educate them with water safety; as well as the “Together We Can Program” aimed to dissuade the youth in substance abuse, in the process, educating them on its ill-effects; and in bullying to create a harmonious and peaceful community who cares for one another.
PBBM had emphasized that the 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos embodies the finest qualities of individuals that the country aspires to— patriotism, integrity, courage and social responsibility.
“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… As you wear these medallions, carry them as a reminder of your determination to keep pushing forward. You have set a high standard, and I know you will continue to surpass it,” PBBM further stated.
PBBM also urged the Filipinos to join the government in working towards a brighter future, highlighting the importance of collective commitment to achieving the country’s greatness. “Together, let us write the next chapter of our history — the Bagong Pilipinas filled with promise, hope, and the undeniable spirit of the Filipino,” he added.
Other outstanding awardees were: Ma. Ella F. Fabella of the Maasin Learning Center in Zamboanga City; Franco Rino Apoyon of Kabasalan National High School in Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay; Decibel Faustino-Eslava of the University of the Philippines Los Baños; Maria Regina Hechanova-Alampay of Ateneo de Manila University; Capt. Salvador Sambalilo of the Navy; Maj. Ron JR Villarosa of the Army and Staff Sgt. Michael Rayanon of the Navy.
Moreover, Police Lieutenant Colonel Bernardino, had delivered his message on behalf of the police officer awardees, stating: “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.”
“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 Sultan Kudarat’s Bridge Builder for Peace added.
The awardees had received a Php1-million cash prize each, a trophy, and a gold medallion.
