TEN PUBLIC SERVANTS received P1 million each at the 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Awards on Tuesday for their contributions to education, national defense and public safety.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Metrobank Foundation, Inc. conferred the Medallion of Excellence on four teachers, three soldiers and three police officers during a ceremony at Malacañan Palace.
Each recipient also received a trophy called The Flame as the foundation marked the award program’s 41st year.
“This year’s awardees come from different parts of the country and serve in different capacities, yet they share a common purpose — creating opportunities where few exist, strengthening systems that serve the Filipino people and helping others reach their full potential,” Metrobank Foundation President Philip Francisco U. Dy said.
Sheila Marie M. Amigo, an engineer and master teacher at Siay National High School in Zamboanga Sibugay, said the recognition reinforced the recipients’ commitment to public service.
“This award is more than a recognition of individual achievement,” she said at the event. “It is a reaffirmation of a shared belief that excellence in service remains one of the most powerful forces for nation-building.”
“We receive this medallion not as the culmination of our work, but as a renewed call to serve,” she added.
Mr. Marcos commended the foundation’s selection process, saying it had established the awards’ national standing.
“Nation-building is not confined to high office,” he said. “It is carried out in classrooms, in institutions, in communities all over the country.”
The other education awardees were Emmanuel D. Guarde from Oriental Mindoro who developed culturally responsive learning tools for Alangan Mangyan preschool pupils, and Cecilia O. Bucayong of Central Mindanao University, who established the Physics Meetup initiative linking rural classrooms with scientists overseas.
Jefferson A. Hora from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology was recognized for establishing the Center for Integrated Circuits Design to advance microelectronics education in Mindanao.
The military awardees were Lieutenant Colonel Rommel M. Geli of the Philippine Navy, cited for intelligence-driven maritime monitoring in the West Philippine Sea, and Staff Sergeant Joebelle O. Cerdinio, who helped deploy emergency communication networks across the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Staff Sergeant John Daren P. Noche was recognized for developing digital platforms to assess mission risks in the Philippine Air Force.
The police awardees were Police Lieutenant Colonel Robert R. Mansueto, who developed digital traffic management systems in Western Visayas, and Police Major Baby Rose P. Cajulao, recognized for community-based drug prevention initiatives in Cagayan Valley.
Police Master Sergeant Dwight Alexis B. Supsupin received the award for youth empowerment programs in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Mr. Marcos conferred the awards alongside Metrobank Group Chairman Arthur V. Ty, GT Capital Holdings Vice-Chairman Alfred V. Ty and Mr. Dy.
Since 1985, the foundation has recognized 735 public servants — 392 teachers, 178 soldiers and 165 police officers, according to the program brief. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking