Marcos fetes 10 outstanding Filipinos

SERVICE EXEMPLARS President Marcos with Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) president Aniceto Sobrepeña (sixth from left), GT Capital Holdings vice chair Alfred Ty, MBFI chair Arthur Ty (10th) and this year’s Outstanding Filipino awardees. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

President Marcos called on this year’s 10 recipients of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos award to continue being catalysts of change despite the mounting challenges they face in their line of work.

In a ceremony in Malacañang on Monday, the President said their medallions should serve as a reminder for them to keep upholding high standards in public service.

“[May you] 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,” he said.

“You are the new faces of public service—dedicated, selfless and committed to excellence—the living examples of what it truly means to be a Bagong Pilipino,” the President added.

Mr. Marcos made the call as he led the awarding of the Medallion of Excellence to this year’s honorees.

They include teachers Ma. Ella Fabella and Franco Rino Apoyon; professors Dr. Maria Regina Hechanova-Alampay and Dr. Decibel Faustino-Eslava.

Others were uniformed personnel of the Philippine Navy, namely Staff Sgt. Michael Rayanon and Capt. Salvador Sambalilo; Army Major Ron Villarosa Jr.; and police officers Lt. Col. Bryan Bernardino, Maj. Mark Ronan Balmaceda and Staff Sgt. Llena Sol-Josefa Jovita.

“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,” he said.