Marcos honors 10 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. honored 10 public servants recognized as the 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos during a ceremony at Malacañang Palace on 29 September, awarding them the Medallion of Excellence for their contributions to their communities and public service.

The awardees, composed of four teachers, three soldiers and three police officers, were recognized for embodying integrity, excellence and service in their respective fields.

In his address, Marcos highlighted the prestige and credibility the awards program has built over the decades.

“When you are honored by the Metrobank Foundation, it means something. It has come to mean something,” Marcos said, noting the foundation’s role in identifying exemplary public servants.

“Because the Metrobank Foundation has established this whole system of finding the best public servants in the Philippines... and it has gained credibility, it has gained great stature in terms of the way we look at those awardees.”

Metrobank Foundation president Philip Francisco U. Dy said the recognition also underscores the importance of public service beyond formal ceremonies.

“The presence of our Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos reminds us that while recognition is very much appreciated when conferred in halls such as these, nation-building takes place every day in classrooms, communities, police stations, military outposts, and countless places far from the spotlight,” Dy said.

He said honoring the awardees highlights the role of teachers, soldiers and police officers in strengthening public trust and inspiring excellence.

Teachers, soldiers, police officers honored

Sheila Marie M. Amigo, Master Teacher I of Siay National High School in Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay, delivered the response on behalf of the awardees.

Amigo, who transitioned from engineering to education, said the recognition was more than an acknowledgment of individual achievements.

“For us, this moment is more than a recognition of individual accomplishments. It is a reaffirmation of a shared belief that excellence in service remains one of the most powerful forces for nation-building,” Amigo said.

She described the Medallion of Excellence as a renewed call to serve with integrity, excellence and malasakit for the common good.

The other teacher awardees are Emmanuel D. Guarde, PhD, Master Teacher III of Cornelio Lintawagin Memorial Elementary School in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro; Cecilia O. Bucayong, PhD, Professor VI and director of the Office of Environmental and Safety Management at Central Mindanao University in Maramag, Bukidnon; and Jefferson A. Hora, PhD, Professor VI and dean of the College of Engineering at Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.

The three soldiers recognized were Staff Sergeant Joebelle O. Cerdinio of the Philippine Army; Staff Sergeant John Daren P. Noche of the Philippine Air Force; and Lieutenant Colonel Rommel M. Geli of the Philippine Marine Corps.

The police awardees were Police Master Sergeant Dwight Alexis B. Supsupin, Police Major Baby Rose P. Cajulao and Police Lieutenant Colonel Robert R. Mansueto.

Recognition for public service

The award ceremony was attended by government officials and representatives of institutions that have supported the program, including Education Secretary Sonny M. Angara and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic C. Remulla Jr.

Metrobank and Metrobank Foundation Chairman Arthur V. Ty and GT Capital Holdings Vice Chairman Alfred V. Ty also led the delegation.

The awardees had earlier been honored during a conferment ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Manila on 4 September, held as part of Metrobank’s 64th anniversary celebrations.

At that ceremony, the Metrobank Foundation presented each awardee with a P1 million cash prize, net of tax, and “The Flame” trophy symbolizing their lifelong commitment to public service.

The foundation said the Outstanding Filipinos program seeks to strengthen public trust in institutions by highlighting individuals who demonstrate integrity, competence and service.

The foundation is set to open nominations for the 2027 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos program later this year.