2023 Metrobank Foundation outstanding Filipinos named: Each awardee to receive P1 Million prize

Ten Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos comprised of four teachers, three soldiers and three police officers are recognized for going beyond their call of duty and making a difference in the community. 

Recipients of this year’s career-service award for Filipino exemplars in the academe, military, and police sectors were presented to the public on Thursday, August 3. Each of them will receive a cash prize of PhP 1 million each (net of tax), a golden medallion, and “The Flame” trophy in a conferment ceremony on August 29, ahead of the Metrobank’s anniversary celebration in September. 

THE 2023 METROBANK FOUNDATION OUTSTANDING FILIPINOS (L-R): Staff Sergeant Danilo S. Banquiao PA; Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J. Bitancur PAF; Colonel Joseph Jeremias Cirilo C. Dator PA; Rex M. Sario, MAT; Jovelyn G. Delosa, Ph.D.; Metrobank Foundation President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña; Edgar R. Durana, MAEd; June Elias V. Patalinghug, EdD; Police Colonel Renell R. Sabaldica; Police Major Mae Ann R. Cunanan; and Police Chief Master Sergeant Dennis D. Bendo.

Outstanding Filipinos embody the true meaning of “Beyond Excellence” as they go the extra mile in their chosen profession and selflessly extend a helping hand to those in need through their various service and community involvements while overcoming adversities and challenges. 

Bagging the 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Award for Teachers are (1) Mr. Rex M. Sario, MAT, Master Teacher I / Teacher-in-Charge of Balogo Elementary School (Pangantucan, Bukidnon); (2) June Elias V. Patalinghug, EdD, Master Teacher II, Catalunan Grande Elementary School (Davao City); (3) Edgar R. Durana, MAEd, Master Teacher I / SPED Coordinator, Don Jose Ynares Memorial National High School (Binangonan, Rizal); and (4) Jovelyn G. Delosa, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Northern Bukidnon State College (Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon).

To be conferred with the 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Award for Soldiers are (5) Staff Sergeant Danilo S. Banquiao PA, Civil-Military Officer – Non-Commissioned Officer, 103rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army (Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur);  (6) Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J. Bitancur PAF, Assistant Commandant, Basic Military School, Air Education, Training, and Doctrine Command, Philippine Air Force (Lipa City, Batangas); and (7) Colonel Joseph Jeremias Cirilo C. Dator PA, Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations (G3), Presidential Security Group (City of Manila) (formerly Commanding Officer, 10th Military Intelligence Battalion, 10th Infantry Division in Mawab, Davao de Oro).

Meanwhile, recipients of the 2023 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Award for Police Officers are (8) Police Chief Master Sergeant Dennis D. Bendo, Section Team Leader, District Mobile Force Battalion, Manila Police District (City of Manila); (9) Police Major Mae Ann R. Cunanan, Chief, Police Community Relations, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Camp Crame (Quezon City) (formerly Chief, Case Monitoring Section, Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division, PRO 9 in Zamboanga City); and (10) Police Colonel Renell R. Sabaldica, Chief, Morale and Welfare Division, Directorate for Personnel and Records Management, Camp Crame (Quezon City) (formerly Provincial Director of Cagayan Police Provincial Office in Tuguegarao City).

“Outstanding Filipinos inspire us to go beyond excellence and pursue a mission that is bigger than ourselves. This year’s batch proved to us how the competence of Filipinos combined with character and compassion can positively impact other people’s lives,” said Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña.

“As educators, peacekeepers, and defenders, they have chosen to render selfless service to the community and the country even despite many adversities. We hope that their examples and their contributions to the society create a ripple effect that transcends generations,” he added. 

The awardees underwent a guided 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. The semi-finalists for the three sectors were then interviewed, including requiring live teaching demonstrations for the semi-finalist teachers, at GT Tower International in Makati City to determine the finalists.

Eighteen finalists emerged from this round and were interviewed by an esteemed Final Board of Judges chaired by senator Francis Joseph G. Escudero and co-chaired by the Supreme Court of the Philippines associate justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting. The members of this year’s judges include Marikina 2nd District representative Stella Luz A. Quimbo; Department of Science and Technology secretary Renato P. Solidum, Jr.; Baguio City mayor Benjamin B. Magalong; Ateneo de Manila University president Rev. Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ; Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc. (GCash) president and chief executive officer (CEO) Martha M. Sazon; and The Manila Times Publishing Corporation chairman and CEO Dante Francis M. Ang II.

The awardees implemented innovations in their respective institutions and led advocacies that benefit several communities.

Teacher-awardee Mr. Edgar R. Durana, MAEd, answers questions from the media during the press conference on August 3.

Through the projects they have spearheaded, this year’s teacher-awardees are pushing the boundaries to bridge learning gaps in their own communities and ensure that no learner is left behind. 

On the other hand, the soldier and police officer-awardees this year created an impact on the lives of their fellow men and women in uniform and the underserved communities, allowing them to serve as role models to their peers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Dr. Jovelyn G. Delosa, dubbed as “Bukidnon’s Assessment Strategist for Modern Educators.” She pushes for educational assessment in higher education, spearheading a project designed to train teachers in creating assessment tools in determining skills, values and competencies of their students. 

Colonel Joseph Jeremias C. Dator PA, called “Philippine Army’s Innovator of Military Intelligence,” led innovative practices in intelligence operations, gaining him the distinction of Officer of the Year in every office he has held. His leadership has also resulted in the rehabilitation of former members of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army, paving the way for an insurgency-free Davao region. He also principally authored the intelligence annex of the Philippine Army’s Development Support and Security Plan Kapayapaan, which would serve as the blueprint for intelligence operations across the country. 

Police Colonel Renell R. Sabaldica is also known as “PNP’s Transformational Leader for Innovative Law Enforcement and Community Development.” As the chief of the Morale and Welfare Division under the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management of the Philippine National Police, he believes in empowering his colleagues to achieve radical reforms. Sabaldica was instrumental to the Center for Policy Strategy Management where he facilitated the procurement of new infrastructure and equipment to improve the working conditions of fellow policemen. Formerly designated to PNP Regional Office II (PRO II), he managed successfully the projects of the regional office in establishing a One-Stop-Shop, IT Plaza, COVID-19 Isolation Facility, among others; achievements that will later help him become the Provincial Director of Cagayan Provincial Police Office.

The awardees join the ranks of 695 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos since 1985. The program is held in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), PSBank, Rotary Club of Makati Metro, and the Rotary Club of New Manila East.

ADVT.