SENATE HAILS METROBANK'S 2018 OUTSTANDING FILIPINOS

The Senate on Monday has adopted a resolution commending the 10 outstanding Filipinos recently awarded by Metrobank Foundation for achieving a level of excellence over and above their mandates and responsibilities in the professions and in their lives.

In his sponsorship speech for Senate Resolution No. 846, Senator Sonny Angara enjoined his fellow senators to recognize this year's winners of the annual search for outstanding Filipinos who "go beyond what is minimally expected of them and render such service and offer sacrifice that their communities are greatly transformed for the better."

This year's awardees are:

For Teachers

1. MARY JANE S. RAMO Master Teacher II Tonggo Elementary School, Misamis Occidental

2. ALMA S. JANAGAP, EdD Master Teacher II Pavia National High School, Iloilo

3. AIMEE MARIE C. GRAGASIN, PhD Special Science Teacher V Philippine Science High School - Cagayan Valley Campus

4. CARLA B. DIMALANTA, PhD Professor X University of the Philippines - Diliman, Quezon City

For Soldiers 5. MAJOR FRANCIS A. SENORON Assistant Division Chief, AFP

6. LIEUTENANT COLONEL DANILO T. FACUNDO Director Mobile Training and Exercise Unit, Philippine Marine Corps

7. LIEUTENANT COLONEL THOMAS RYAN R. SEGUIN Squadron Commander, 5th Fighter Wing Basa Air Base

For Police Officers

8. SENIOR POLICE OFFICER 1 AIDA L. AWITIN Assistant Police Community Relations, Davao Occidental Police Provincial Office

9. POLICE SENIOR INSPECTOR DENNIS S. EBSOLO, PhD Chief of Police, Villanueva Municipal Police Station, Misamis Oriental 10. POLICE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT PASCUAL G. MUNOZ, JR., PhD Chief Supply Management Division, PNP

According to Angara, chairman of the final board of judges for the Metrobank search, such excellence award paves way for opportunities to recognize teachers, soldiers and police officers and become inspirations to the nation.

"This is not to say that only teachers, soldiers and policeman deserve praise. But, it is to underscore that these professions are essential to our nation's development and long-term prosperity. Soldiers defend our borders, and keep us all safe from harm. Policemen enforce our laws and help maintain order throughout our society. Teachers imbibe not just the knowledge and skills, but also the habits, attitudes and values every person needs to become good citizens. All allow life to flourish across our nation," the senator said.

This is the second year that Metrobank Foundation has placed under one roof its three main excellent awards, namely the Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), and The Country's Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS).

"Hopefully by shining a light on the exemplars in these professions, we entice more of our best and brightest to enter them. And demonstrate to them, the kind of greatness they are capable of achieving.

"Their success is also the nation's success," he added.

On a personal note, Angara narrated how his father, the late Senate President Edgardo Angara, has been credited by Metrobank founder George S.K. Ty for conceptualizing and organizing the very first Search for the Outstanding Teachers (SOT) in 1984, when the older Angara was president of the University of the Philippines.