Exceletter the Official Bi-Annual Publication of the Metrobank Foundation, Inc
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
exceletter the official bi-annual publication of the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. December 2016 | Number 29 PSSUPT. SUSAN RABANO JALLA Deputy Director for Operations, PNP Crime Laboratory stories of ARNOL M. ROSALES excellence Master Teacher I, Francisco Melgar Memorial School amidst COL. JOCELYN PANCRUDO TURLA adversity Chief Surgeon, Philippine Navy Our Outstanding Filipinos are the lifeblood of the nation, whose dedication to their mandate sustains the country’s progress. STORY BY NICOLE CORTEZ ISC FERNANDO JUNIO PARCON Intelligence Specialist Chief, Philippine Navy ow do you steer the nation into progress? Quite a challenge to figure out, especially when the Philippines struggles with problems so pervasive and entrenched in the society’s fabric. But look beyond the surface and there actually lies many answers—chief of which is to uplift the very lifeblood that sustains the nation: the Filipino people. HThis is what the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) has so keenly been doing since its inception. For 37 years, MBFI has stood at the forefront of progressive nation-building by honoring and empowering Filipino public servants ERNELEA P. CAO, PH. D. who exhibit exemplary conduct and performance in their line of duty through Professor XII, University of the Philippines - Diliman its annual Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), and Search for the Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS)—collectively known as the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. With the theme “Aspire. Inspire. Stand Out.”, the 2016 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos conferment ceremony was held at the Metrobank Plaza Auditorium last September 05. Each awardee was presented with a specially crafted trophy and gold medallion, as well as a cash prize of P500,000. SPO3 HAMIDHAN BIBIO TEBBENG CONTINUE READING OUTSTANDING FILIPINOS / P. 4 Operation PNCO, PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group Mindanao Here, you will find “ exceletter a newsletter peppered with narratives that, true Editorial Board to our corporate social SUPERVISING COMMITTEE responsibility roots, focus on efforts sustained and Aniceto M. Sobrepeña lives changed. PRESIDENT Nicanor L. Torres, Jr. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Here, you will find a newsletter message peppered with many interesting Irene D. Labitad FROM THE PRESIDENT narratives—narratives that, true to our ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR corporate social responsibility roots, Mabuhay! focus on efforts sustained and lives Christopher L. Bugaoan changed. More than a mere reporting SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER, Excellence, in its every sort and CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS UNIT of our results though, ExceLetter shape, has always been the underlying brings you stories that tug at the heart. motivation behind our work at the Metrobank Foundation. We do our We hope you share in our EXCELETTER TEAM best to uphold it, celebrate it, strive for excitement with these changes. As you browse through this issue, we invite you it—all for the onward pursuit of nation- Nicole Q. Cortez building. to take a look around and share with EDITOR-IN-CHIEF us any feedback you may have. Your ART AND LAYOUT EDITOR With this, I am much delighted to input is very much valuable, as it helps share with you our newest undertaking us ensure we are communicating and towards excellence: the ExceLetter. Laarnie T. Luna reaching out in the most effective ways. In keeping with our strategic directions, Darwin M. Masacupan we felt it was high time to transform We are proud of our efforts; and Almira C. Villanueva REPORTERS the old Metro CSR News into this as always, we are proud to work with new brand identity, so as to match the you in this journey of empowering individuals and communities. Eimee Lopez standard of excellence that have always CONTRIBUTOR defined our organization. From this issue on, the Sincerely yours, ExceLetter is going to be the Metrobank Foundation’s official bi- annual publication. Aniceto M. Sobrepeña dear reader, contact us ADDRESS: 4F Executive Offices, Metrobank Plaza, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., 1200 Makati City elcome to the new edition of our newsletter. ExceLetter aims to TELEPHONE: (02) 898 88 55 | 857 59 18 Wcapture the heart of what we do in the Metrobank Foundation: our TELEFAX: (02) 818 56 56 | 750 08 37 unwavering pursuit of, and commitment to excellence. EMAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: http://mbfoundation.org.ph May the stories in this issue equip you with enough inspiration and MetrobankFoundationOfficial @MBFIPhils willpower to share in the common goal of building a progressive nation. Do Metrobank_Foundation share your comments and suggestions through our contact channels. MetroBnkFoundation PAGE 2 exceletter DECEMBER 2016 IN THIS ISSUE 4 6 Outstanding Filipinos: A Grantee’s Story: Uplifting the Love, dedication, lifeblood of the nation and a farming revolution 7 8 A Y.E.S. Scholar’s story: Journalists of the Year: Paying it back, ‘Fellows’ deliver lectures and then forward across the country 10 11 National Teachers’ Month: Metrobank Art & Design Excellence: Honoring the unsung Hailing phenomenal Filipino teacher artistry and craftmanship DECEMBER 2016 exceletter PAGE 3 ON THE PHOTO The 2016 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos wear their best smiles as they have their photo taken with President Rodrigo Duterte (center), Metrobank Group chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty (8th from left, bottom row), Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña (7th from left, bottom row) and Federal Land chairman Alfred Ty (7th from right, bottom row) during the presentation ceremonies in Malacañang Palace last September 12. Outstanding Filipinos: Uplifting the lifeblood of the nation STORY BY NICOLE CORTEZ FROM P. 1 ASPIRING FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE Recognized as this year’s Outstanding To be hailed as an Outstanding “The 30 Outstanding Filipinos we Police Officers in Service are PCI Ryan honor have aspired to act on their Filipino is a great prestige; but for Manongdo, PSupt. Jemuel Siason, Lieutenant Colonel Eliglen Villaflor, it is visions, inspired countless others to be PSSupt. Mario Razira, Jr., PSSupt. Susan of service to their communities, and a greater responsibility to live up to: the Jalla, PO2 Fatima Ibias-Lanuza, SPO1 goal now is not merely to perform your have stood out even in the most trying Nida Gregas, SPO1 Mhay Rubio, SPO2 of circumstances. Now they serve as tasks, but to actually be outstanding in Jeffrey Ojao, SPO3 Hamidhan Tebbeng, the pursuit of your public service duty. an example to many,” said Aniceto and SPO4 Ezrael Lantingan. Sobrepeña, the foundation’s president. “This award is not about us, it is about This year’s roster of Outstanding our beloved country and the Filipinos we serve,” Lt. Col Villaflor said. Teachers includes Winona Diola, 356 teachers, 151 soldiers, and Rujealyn Cancino, Arnol Rosales, As Commanding Officer of the 4th Josephine Chonie Obseñares, Dr. Roy 138 police officers since 1985. Special Forces Battalion in Basilan— Basa, Nelson Agoyaoy, Ma. Regaele an island community in Southern Olarte, Dr. Katherine Faith Bustos, Dr. 645 Outstanding Philippines known to be steeped in Ernelea Cao, and Dr. Mark Anthony a culture of rampant lawlessness and Torres. Filipinos worth armed violence—Lt. Col. Villaflor has In the Search for The Outstanding celebrating taken it upon himself to be an active Philippine Soldiers, Lt. Col. Eliglen advocate of justice and peace. Villaflor, TSgt. Danilo Ramos, and and emulating. Among his efforts are the “Children TSgt. Bernardo Tacbas of the Philippine of War” program, which trained Army; Lt. Col. Wilfredo Manalang, Jr., soldiers and parents to address child SSgt. Albert Eleazar, and ISC Fernando All 30 awardees have officially trauma towards conflict and combat; Parcon of the Philippine Navy; and joined the ranks of 645 Outstanding and the acclaimed “Brigada Masjid” Lt. Col. Oliver Banaria, MSgt. Abel Filipinos—356 teachers, 151 soldiers, project, which aimed to bridge religious Idusma, MSgt. Andersen Avellana, and and 138 police officers—honored by divides during Ramadan season. Col. Jocelyn Turla of the Philippine Air the Metrobank Foundation since 1985. Lt. Col. Villaflor believes it is through Force merited the award. CONTINUE READING P. 5 PAGE 4 exceletter DECEMBER 2016 helpers who work in the day and pursue Among her notable cases are the their studies at night. successful rescue of 12 trafficking He sees it as his mission to help victims and filing of charges against Their long careers his students make better life choices, its perpetrator; and a landmark sheltering them from abusive employers investigation which led to the in service and deeply- and helping them find jobs. prosecution of a man who has been “ Dr. Basa believes that beyond sexually abusing his stepdaughter for held advocacies prove molding minds, the ultimate role of nearly 15 years. Her adept handling an educator is to mold and touch their of these cases has increased awareness their commitment to hearts—and that is what he has been of gender issues and encouraged trying to do since becoming one. community members to speak up and the public they have stand up for their rights. “The recognition I received has sworn service to. inspired me to continue to persevere, As concurrent Police Community serve with much dedication and loyalty, Relations Officer of her station, PO2 and make a difference in the lives of Lanuza is a frequent speaker on gender these things that the movement towards underprivileged students,” he said. and development, and anti-bullying a culture of peace gets in progress. programs in schools and local civic STANDING OUT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT “There is so much work to do in our organizations. communities and we need to work In the rigid, male-dominated OUTSTANDING FILIPINOS profession of law enforcement, Police together. To see a big change, we need Although coming from different to start with little things. Only then can Officer 2 Fatima Ibias-Lanuza chooses to use care and empathy to stand out. fields, Lt. Col.