2024 Outstanding Filipinos | Photo courtesy of Metrobank Foundation
PASIG CITY, Philippines – The annual search for Outstanding Filipinos, a program conceived by Metrobank and Metrobank Foundation, is open. The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. officially launched the search on December 5 at the Bulwagan ng Karunugan at DepEd.
The event also marked the program’s 40th anniversary. Officials from DepEd, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Savings Bank (PS Bank), and other government and private institutions attended.
The Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos “pays tribute to the excellence, and sacrifies of our Filipino teachers, and police officers — ordinary individuals who have dedicated themselves to a loifetime of service to fellow Filipinos.”
With the theme “Beyond Excellence,” ten awardees will be named – 4 teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers. Each awardee shall receive a Php 1 million cash price, “The Flame” trophy, and a Medallion of Excellence.
“I just want to emphasize that not only are our awardees outstanding, not only are they performing, not only are they men of integrity, men of achievement, they go above and beyond,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in his solidarity message.
Nearly 400 teachers from public schools nationwide have received the distinguished Award for Teachers since 1985. When the Award for Soldiers was conceived, and the Foundation partnered with the Rotary Club in 1994, about 75 soldiers from all services and ranks enlisted and commissioned, including technical and admin services, combat, community service, excellence in career, and exemplary leadership have been conferred with the prestigious Award for Soldiers.
Meanwhile, in 1998, the Foundation, with Rotary, The Club of New Manila East, and PS Bank as its partners, bestowed the Award for Police Officers on about 191 police officers.
The ceremony included signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DepEd and MBFI, reinforcing their partnership in recognizing the exceptional contributions of basic education teachers. Representatives from partner organizations, such as the Rotary Club of Makati Metro and the Rotary Club of New Manila East, participated in the event.
“As we mark this historic four-decade milestone of recognizing exemplary public servants, let us recommit ourselves to celebrating excellence for 40 more years and beyond,” MBFI President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña said in his opening remarks during the ceremony. “Together, the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos will continue to honor those who give their all to build brighter, stronger communities for the Filipinos,” he continued.
The Foundation cites awardees’ characteristics as “an Outstanding Filipino is a model of excellence in their profession, thriving amidst challenges with dignity and confidence. They must have made a long-lasting positive impact, as well as concrete contributions to the onward development of communities. They must also display patriotism, integrity, courage, and social responsibility — the universal values that Filipinos are defined by.”
In addition, they must be exemplary public servants worthy of “such recognition because they ae active agent of positive change influence in the community.”
The selection criteria comprised values such as responsibility as a citizen, service as an exemplary public servant, and impact on the community as an agent of positive change and influence.
The program requires that any of the authorized nominators must nominate a nominee. It does not allow self-nomination. Once nominated [or a nominator has been identified], the nominee must accomplish the Nomination For via bit.ly/2025OF-Nominate before the deadline. Nominations made via courier or email will not be given in due course.
Nominations will be accepted until January 17, 2025. For more details and access to nomination forms, visit the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Facebook page or the MBFI website at https://www.mbfoundation.org.ph/outstanding-filipinos.
