Get to know this year's 10 'outstanding Filipinos' that will receive P1 million each

MANILA, Philippines — Four teachers, three soldiers and three police officers headline this year’s Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, and five of the 10 award recipients come from Mindanao. Each honoree will receive a cash incentive of P1 million, a gold medallion and a trophy.

Based on the theme of “Beyond Excellence," the 10 outstanding Filipinos are recognized for rendering service above and beyond their call of duty. Their accomplishments must have inspired and influenced their peers as well as the people in their respective communities. Their works must have transformed a community with a lasting positive impact on people and to the country.

For the teacher category, the awards went to Jennifer Rojo of Neogan Elementary School (Tagaytay City); Edgar Elago of Magallanes National High School (Magallanes, Agusan del Norte); Dr. Esperanza Cabrera of De La Salle University (City of Manila); and Dr. Alonzo Gabriel of the University of the Philippines-Diliman (Quezon City).

The soldier award recipients, on the other hand, are Staff Sergeant Narding Pascual PA of the 26th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (Talacogon, Agusan del Sur); Lieutenant Colonel Elmer Suderio PA of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army (Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur); and Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Bunayog PA of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao).

Police officer award winners include Police Officer 3 Shiela May Pansoy of Digos City Police Station (Digos City, Davao del Sur); Police Chief Inspector Rosalino Ibay, Jr. of the Manila Police District (City of Manila); and Police Senior Superintendent Joel Doria of Cebu City Police Office.

“We present to you these exceptional individuals who embody the best in the Filipino and have redefined public service as a worthy endeavor,” said MBFI president Aniceto Sobrepeña, adding, “From teachers who shine a light on the future of our children and youth, to heroic military officers who exhibit acts of valor and integrity as guardians of our sovereignty, and to police officers who are peace warriors, life savers, and community builders, the awardees, no doubt, render service above and beyond their respective call of duties.”

The award receivers were chosen by the distinguished members of the Final Board of Judges headed by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and co-chaired by Quezon City 4th District representative Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, Jr.. The other members of the judging panel include Court of Appeals Associate Justice Magdangal De Leon, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim, Manila Electric Company president and CEO Oscar Reyes, Asian Institute of Management president and dean Dr. Jikyeong Kang, Palo Archbishop John Du, and GMA Network senior vice president for radio Miguel “Mike” Enriquez.

Joining the ranks of 645 outstanding public servants recognized by MBFI since 1985, the award recipuents will be honored during the formal conferment ceremonies on September 7 at the Metrobank Plaza, Makati City as part of Metrobank’s 55th anniversary celebration.

This year's "10 outstanding Filipinos":

1. Tagaytay’s Visionary Science Teacher

A passion for science and teaching children has led Jennifer Rojo to pursue a career in education. Currently a Master Teacher II at the Neogan Elementary School—a meek barrio school situated at the fringes of bustling Tagaytay City—this same passion for teaching is what fuels her to continuously be a visionary in her craft, developing various learning initiatives beyond what the textbook can offer.

To sow early interest in science onto her students’ hearts and minds, she authored in 2015 the JenSci–Voc (Joyful Enrichment in Science Vocabulary), a compilation of scientific vocabulary worksheets in the form of puzzles and games. Used until this day, the JenSci-Voc has helped students, especially those struggling in English, comprehend highfalutin scientific ideas and jargon in an enjoyable way. 

Rojo knows children learn best when they use their imagination in hands-on activities. With this, she developed the Mobile Sci–Hub/Lab—a house-inspired instructional material meant to simplify into visuals some hard-to-grasp scientific concepts, such as astronomy and electricity generation. The exteriors of the Hub feature concept maps of plants and animals, while its interiors feature a mini science laboratory and various illustrations of electric circuits, constellations, and earth cycles. The Hub is foldable and designed with wheels, making it suitable for schools without laboratory rooms or prone to floods.

As part of the implementation of the K to 12 curriculum, she served as a writer of instructional materials and lesson plan guides for Grades 3 and 4 Science, incorporating practical examples and everyday situations  in the lessons so that learners can easily relate with it. These materials eventually served as the main reference resources produced by DepEd.

In addition to being a writer of these materials, Rojo served as a K to 12 National Trainer, lecturing in front of other teachers regarding the proper use of materials and implementation of the curriculum.

A recipient of the Regional Gawad Patnugot Outstanding Elementary Teacher Award from DepEd-Region IVA in 2016, Rojo is a devoted wife and mother to two children. She received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the Philippine Normal University and her Masters in Education Major in Administration and Supervision from Philippine Christian University.

2. Agusan del Norte’s Culture Coach

For Edgar Elago of the Magallanes National High School in Agusan del Norte, there is no such thing as a four-walled classroom. The role of a teacher does not stop once the classroom doors are shut.

From formulating culture-based instructional materials, mentoring students in various cultural competitions, to helping scholars continue their college education, Elago has constantly looked for ways to extend his art and culture advocacy beyond the classroom and into the larger community.

To foster this love for Filipino art and culture among students and teachers nationwide, Elago authored a comprehensive action research on cultural awareness as part of his scholarship under the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA). The resulting framework, comprised of culture-based lesson modules and localized instructional materials, now serves as a guideline for other teachers to utilize.

Additionally, under his NCCA scholarship, Elago served as a resource speaker in various national trainings and seminars, helping other teachers integrate lessons in culture and arts, specifically on performing arts and cultural activities, into different subject areas. Teachers were trained to develop culture-based lesson exemplars and modules, localized visual arts, culture-based song compositions, ethnic dances, and dance drama-theater arts—leading to the overall enhancement of their strategies and teaching pedagogies. 

Beyond his advocacy for culture and arts, Mr. Elago is a staunch advocate of accessible education for all. In 2011, Elago developed ‘Project Scholar’—an initiative that aims to help high school graduates who come from financially challenged households to continue their college education. Under Project Scholar, Mr.Elago has taken it upon himself to facilitate the students’ college applications and help them look for scholarships, using his own resources and meager salary.

To gather extra funding for the scholars, Elago established Art Shop, a social enterprise that rents out Filipino costumes which he designs himself. Part of the earnings from the art shop is used to fund his college scholarship program. Further, he employs his scholars on a “cash for work” arrangement, letting them do costume production and delivery jobs.

To date, Elago’s efforts have benefitted over 60 scholars—ranging from indigenous peoples, out-of-school-youth, former drug addicts, and children in conflict with the law—significantly reducing incidences of early marriages, drug addiction, and other forms of crimes among these youth.

Elago is the recipient of the 2017 National Outstanding Teacher in Performing Arts (National Level) from the Philippine Arts and Culture Educators Society (PACES). He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Education from Caraga State University; and his Master of Arts in Education Major in Educational Management from Saint Joseph Institute of Technology. He also has a Graduate Diploma in Cultural Education from Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan.

3. Manila’s Master Microbiologist

Science is an academic discipline taught in schools and practiced in laboratories, but it must ultimately help improve people’s lives. With her accomplishments in the field of microbiology, Dr. Esperanza Cabrera has clearly lived out this ideal.

Long a pillar at the De La Salle University (DLSU) in Manila, Dr. Cabrera was instrumental in the institution of the BS Human Biology program and the improvement of the Microbiology and Cell and Molecular Biologycourses and student research in these areas   in the undergraduate and graduate programs offered in the Biology Department.

To build up DLSU’s capacity for microbiological research, Dr. Cabrera led the development of fully functional facilities for budding and practicing microbiologists. Since their development, various researches on microbiological topics have been carried out—covering a wide array of fields such as antimicrobial research, microbial drug resistance, surveillance of pathogens in public places, among others. Such researches would not have been possible prior to the establishment of the facilities.

Apart from trailblazing initiatives in her school, Dr. Cabrera is a major contributor to the continuous upgrading of skills and competence in the microbiologists’ milieu. In her various capacities in the Philippine Society for Microbiology (PSM) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM),she has been able to organize and serve as resource speaker in various trainings, workshops, scientific fora and symposia nationwide. Her involvement in the Philippine Academy of Microbiology (PAM), the certifying arm of PSM, allowed her to significantly contribute to the certification of microbiologists, thereby professionalizing the practice of microbiology and promoting professional growth among microbiologists in the country.

Perhaps shadowed by her active involvement in DLSU, PSM, ASM and PAM is her equally significant research work done to help the broader community, a prime example of which is her study conducted in the overcrowded bulwarks of the Manila City Jail and the National Bilibid Prison, where there was an outbreak of boils or ‘pigsa’ among the inmates. In collaboration with the medical staff of Philippine General Hospital, she found out the antibiotics administered to the infected inmates were not effective against the bacteria causing the boils. After identifying the problem, the appropriate antibiotic regimen was administered to them—providing cure for the inmates and preventing further spread of infection.

In her research work, Dr. Cabrera has made her results available to the administrators of such institutions, so that effective management measures can be crafted and implemented to mitigate risks of nosocomial and community-mediated disease transmission. 

Dr. Cabrera is happily married with two children. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from the University of Santo Tomas, summa cum laude, and later earned her  PhD in Biological Science from the same university. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Public Health Major in Medical Microbiology from the University of the Philippines College of Public Health.

4. Diliman’s Food Security Advocate

In a third world country like the Philippines, the relevance of food safety and security is more often than not ignored, overshadowed by more pertinent food issues such as hunger and malnutrition.

But for Dr. Alonzo Gabriel, food security is a crucial national issue, one that deserves much deeper attention than it gets. The Philippines, being a tropical developing country, is especially at risk. The food in most Filipino households is a hotbed teeming with deadly organisms just awaiting an opportunity to infect society.

This is where most of Dr. Gabriel’s work comes in. As a food science and technology professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, he led the establishment of the country’s first and only Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Hygiene based at UP’s College of Home Economics (CHE). In the past, some Food Technology students would have to drop out of the course as they were unable to afford expensive laboratory experiments to complete their studies. But since its establishment in 2010, the laboratory has been opened to students and faculty not just from UP Diliman but other institutions as well.

Being one of the most productive laboratories in the whole university has resulted to various research papers being published internationally by Dr. Gabriel, his students, and fellow faculty. It has allowed Dr. Gabriel to pioneer novel technologies, such as the use of plasma and ultraviolet radiation in killing bacteria in food without destroying the nutrients.

Outside the university, Dr. Gabriel was a crucial member of the Philippine Food Defense Core Technical Working Group (TWG) convened by the Department of Agriculture and the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2011. The five-man TWG authored the Philippine National Food Defense Standard as a response to global conflict situations faced today. Bioterrorism poses a real threat, as even a very small amount of contaminant in food can be used as weapon to harm the whole humankind.

Now free-to-use and downloadable online, this guide is relevant and responsive to the needs particularly of food manufacturing industries in the country that export their products, as it allows them to comply with standards set by the ASEAN and the US FDA.

At the grassroots level, Dr. Gabriel’s desire to cascade food security education down to the masses has led him develop teaching materials and conduct awareness drives and nationwide public consultations on food defense.

A Gawad Chanselor Para sa Natatanging Guro awardee in 2016, Dr. Gabriel earned his undergraduate degree in Food Technology and his master’s degree in Food Science from UP Diliman. He received his Ph.D. in Biofunctional Science and Technology Major in Food Microbiology and Hygiene from Hiroshima University.

5. CARAGA’s Lumad Hero

Amid the far-flung wilderness of San Luis municipality in Agusandel Sur is a local Lumad soldier armed with grit and dedication in the fight for the rights of his fellow tribespeople. His name is Staff Sergeant Narding Pascual, a proud native of the local Banwaon tribe.

As Squad Leader of Bravo Company of the 26^th Infantry Battalion, SSg. Pascual has spearheaded a number of successful armed operations against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) rebel units aimed to bring peace and order in the Banwaon communities. His efforts have caused the recovery of several firearms, surrender of the rebels, military takeover of a rebel encampment, and retrieval of rebel paraphernalia and documents.

SSg. Pascual also became instrumental in the realization of community development projects which have tremendously benefited the Banwaon tribes in San Luis municipality.

Although a high school graduate, SSg. Pascual acknowledges the importance of education as a tool for development. He was designated as the barangay’s Sub-project Committee Chairperson for the construction of a primary school building for elementary pupils in the area.

As Patrol Base Commander of the Sta. Rita Patrol Base, SSg. Pascual did the groundwork for the rural electrification projectin Sitio Km. 24 in Mahagsay, San Luis. Because of his continuous engagement with the municipal government, the local power distributor built power lines to connect to over 60 households including the Patrol Base. With electricity now available in the household, the huts where Banwaons live have portable radios and light bulbs.

SSg. Pascual also initiated a livelihood project in the form of a falcata tree plantation covering four hectares in Mahagsay. Falcata is a source of raw material for paper and plywood and is sold by the trunk to ready buyers in Agusandel Sur and neighboring provinces. The plantation started with about 6,000 seedlings sourced locally by SSg. Pascual, and is now being maintained by the Banwaons in the area.

Finally, SSg. Pascual and Supreme DatuNapongahan are working towards securing a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) for the Banwaon communities numbering about 5,000 individuals in seven barangays in San Luis, and another barangay in the adjacent municipality of Esperanza in Agusandel Sur.   

A recipient of the Distinguished Conduct Star, the country’s second highest military award after the Medal of Valor, SSg. Pascual is married and has four children.

6. Basilan’s Soldier-Trailblazer

When one thinks of a soldier, the image that comes into mind is that of a warrior, defending the country against various threats. Less known though is the soldier as administrator, academic, and development worker. In his 28-year career in military service, Lieutenant Colonel Elmer Suderio has been all these and more. 

As Commander of the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion, Lt. Col. Suderio led a series of armed operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) terrorists in Basilan from 2015 to 2017.  By neutralizing highly-wanted terrorists and capturing enemy strongholds, he contributed greatly to the improvement of peace and order in Basilan.

In 1998, Lt. Col. Suderio  proved how prolific an administrator he was during his stint as the Company Commander of the 12th Scout Ranger Company (12th SRC), a newly formed company in Basilan whose more than 100 problematic soldiers were mostly rejects from other Scout Ranger companies. Faced with the challenge of ASG terrorists, Lt. Col. Suderio transformed the 12th SRC into a disciplined and cohesive unit, developing their combat skills while implementing welfare programs to maintain high morale. The 12th SRC was eventually adjudged as the best Company of the First Scout Ranger Regiment that same year.

Recognizing the need to train officers in administrative responsibilities, Lt. Col. Suderio led the conceptualization of a three-unit subject for the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) curriculum, titled MA 341 or “Unit Administration” in 2006. Before the inclusion of MA 341 in the PMA curriculum, there were no subjects preparing cadets to tackle administrative functions in a military unit. This is important given that more than 50 percent of an officer’s time is actually spent handling administrative matters. Initially designed for cadets going to the Army, the course is now also major subject for members of the Navy and Air Force, benefitting about 300 graduates per year.

Beyond the bounds of duty, Lt. Col. Suderio understands the importance of winning hearts and minds if a just and lasting peace is to be achieved. As such, he worked to provide alternative livelihood opportunities for Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) returnees after the organization signed a peace treaty pactwith the government in 1998. Lt. Col. Suderio has also leveraged his strong working relationships with local chief executives and community stakeholders to implement activities such as medical missions and community support programs. Through initiating these civil military operations, he has helped bridge gaps between the military and the community.

A recipient of many awards, including the Gold Cross Medal for leading the 12th SRC against the ASG and a Gawad sa Kaunlaran medal for his civic action programs, Lt. Col. Suderio is a husband and father to 3 children.

7. Central Mindanao’s Warrior-Peacekeeper

In conflict-ridden Central Mindanao, where secessionist movements and blood feuds weave themselves into the very tapestry of society, the pursuit of peace remains an ever-elusive goal. But it is not without hope—as long as there are peacemakers and public servants willing to take on the challenge of moving towards it.

Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Bunayog has taken this challenge as his life mission. As Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the 6th Infantry Division in Maguindanao, he has facilitated hundreds of combat operations against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and other established armed lawless groups. These operations resulted to the neutralization of high-value criminals and the recovery of various war materials and ammunitions. 

Lt. Col. Bunayog’s counterterrorism initiatives go beyond executing combat missions. Aside from bearing down hard on dangerous terrorists, he recognizes the need to pursue socio-economic and non-combat activities to win the peace.

Chief among his non-combat initiatives is the resolution of long-standing blood feuds in the province, colloquially known as ‘rido’. Rido is considered a major issue in Muslim Mindanao, as it involves generation upon generation of families engaging in clan wars leading to numerous casualties and divisions among the Moro people.

Lt. Col. Bunayog facilitated the settlement of ridos stemming from land conflicts and religious clashes in the five municipalities of Sultan Kudarat and ten municipalities of Maguindanao. He closely coordinated with municipal governors, town mayors, and local leaders in the said towns in reconciling the warring parties. Eventually, through his persistence, the groups settled their respective ridos and found ways to compromise.

On another front, Lt. Col. Bunayog facilitated the construction of two Madrasah buildings and the repair of schools in Maguindanao, giving Muslim children better schooling and education.

Lt. Col. Bunayog graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1993. In 2008, he pursued a Master’s Degree in Training and Development at the Griffith University in Australia. Finally, in 2013, he finished his Master’s in Public Management major in Security and Development at the Development Academy of the Philippines, with a Bronze Medal for Academic Excellence.

8. Davao del Sur’s Anti-Abuse Herald

A victim who suffers tragedy comes out stronger on the other end. The victim, now a survivor, then becomes an advocate against further victimization. This is how the narrative goes for Police Officer 3 Shiela May S. Pansoy—a former victim of abuse, but is now a proactive anti-abuse champion of the Hagonoy Municipal Police Station in Davao del Sur.

As an investigator of her station’s Women and Children Protection Desk, PO3 Pansoy is instrumental in the implementation of ‘AksyonAgad’ (Quick Response) for abused children and women in their community—a program which entails the rescue and assistance of victims towards recovery, and filing of cases against abusers. PO3 Pansoy also ensures children are given the opportunity to live in abuse-free foster homes for shelter.

A devoted wife and BS Psychology graduate, PO3 Pansoy knows very well that a healthy marriage is the key to prevent domestic abuse and violence. This is why since 2013, she has conducted various counselling workshops on smart parenting and harmonious marriages in different barangays in Hagonoy. Since these seminars materialized, there has been a significant decrease of marital abuses reported in their area.

A mother of three, PO3 Pansoy recognizes the importance of youth engagement in crime prevention and solution. In 2015, she was part of the team that organized the Hagonoy Junior Police—a group of students trained to serve specifically as advocates of anti-bullying and anti-gangsterism in schools. The initiative, which continues to this day, has resulted to crime- and bully- free environments for the 21 elementary schools in Hagonoy.

PO3 Pansoy’s heart for service shows not only in how she champions advocacies dear to her, but also in how she makes herself accessible to citizens whom she serves. During school visitations and barangay assemblies, she always makes it a point to give out her cellphone number and the Hagonoy police’s hotline number to citizens. Since starting this practice in 2011, it has become easier for the citizens to communicate with the Hagonoy police at their most convenient time.

Adjudged as the “Best WCPD Investigator” in both regional and provincial level in 2016, PO3 Pansoygraduated BS Psychology at the Holy Cross of Davao College in 2004.

9. Manila Police District’s Finest Officer

At the heart of Tondo, Manila, the city’s largest slum district, lie the best and worst of humanity. Growing up in this place develops your character rather solidly. This is what fueledTondo native RosalinoIbay, Jr. to eventually pursue the profession of peacekeeping.

Now the Chief of Manila Police District’s Intelligence and Operation Unit, Police Chief Inspector Ibay has led numerous operations against the most notorious crimes in Tondo, including cases of robbery, murder, human trafficking, syndicated illegal recruitment, and prostitution. He has also led operations to confiscate various counterfeit products such as diplomas and licenses at different locations in Manila, resulting to the arrest of several suspects and an increased public awareness and vigilance of such illegal businesses.

Most notably though, PCInsp.Ibay was instrumental in the resolution of unprecedented carnapping cases in Manila, considered as the carnapping capital of the Philippines. This led to the recovery of hundreds of stolen vehicles and motorcycles, arrest of numerous suspects, and filing of appropriate cases in court.

To reinforce his anti-carnapping initiative, PCInsp.Ibay developed the Manila CRAV Facebook Page—a digital platform where stolen vehicles are posted and netizens are notified of recent developments in real time.

Beyond police work, PCInsp.Ibay is an active community leader. In May 2010, PCInsp.Ibay authored the Barangay Management System (BMS), which files and organizes personal information records of all barangay residents. The BMS comes with a validated ID system, making tracking of residents and identification of criminals more convenient. To date, 35 barangays have been using the BMS.

PCInsp.Ibay is also the founder and current vice president of the Buklod ng Alyansang Nagkakaisang Anak ngTondo or BANAT, a non-government organization in Tondo doing humanitarian projects such as medical missions, feeding programs, and distribution of goods to residents.

Adjudged as the “Best Provincial Chief” during his stint in Davao del Norte’s Regional Highway Patrol Group in 2011, and “Best Junior PCO” in 2013 and 2015, PCInsp.Ibay has been serving the police force for 20 years. He earned his BS Criminology degree at the Philippine College of Criminology in 2000; and his Master’s Degree in Public Administration at the Philippine College of Health Sciences in 2011.PCInsp.Ibay is married and has two children.

10. Cebu’s Pokemon Groundbreaker

Ask the people of Cebu City what ‘Pokemon’ is, and they will not tell you that it is an anime about virtual pocket monsters or an augmented reality game that revolves on catching one. To them, Pokemon takes on a more serious, community-oriented role: it is an anti-criminality crusade which aims to capture illegal drugs traders and gambling perpetrators in the community. 

This program, which started in August 2016, is the brainchild of Police Senior Superintendent Joel B. Doria, City Director of the Cebu City Police Office. Under PSSupt.Doria’s leadership, Oplan Pokemon—which stands in Cebuano speak for, Pakigbatukan Ogsumpoonang KrienugangEpektosa illegal nga Makadaut Ogmakagubasa Nasud (Fight and Eradicate Crime and Illegal Activities that are Detrimental to the Nation)—has already conducted 30 buy-bust operations, resulting to the arrest of more than 1,700 criminals, including big-time drug traders, and the confiscation of huge cargos of contrabands worth more than P80 million. Pokemon operations continue until today, with beyond 30 arrests happening every week.

What sets apart PSSupt.Doria’sPokemon from similar anti-illegal drugs initiatives in the Philippines is its commitment to tackle criminality without ever compromising morality and integrity: one year has passed since its implementation, and there has not been any single reported violation nor human rights complaint against it. He was able to achieve this outstanding record mainly through initiating partnerships with concerned government officials, particularly the region’s human rights director as well as Cebu’s chief prosecutor. Together, they facilitated the conduct of seminars and workshops for police officers on crucial topics such as human rights and court rules and processes on the filing of cases.

In his 26 years in service, PSSupt. Doria has always ensured the quest for justice does not in any way infringe the pursuit of peace. This shows in the many other duties he has handled over the years, such as the resolution of numerous robbery, murder, and illegal drugs cases in Pasay when he was the city’s station chief, and the safe and secure conduct of tourist-packed festivities such as the Sinulog Festival in Cebu.

PSSupt.Doria’s principles rule foremost in whatever task or position he’s assigned to—earning him the respect of his peers and the community he has sworn to serve and protect.

PSSupt.Doria is married and has three children. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety at the Philippine National Police Academy in 1992; and his Masters in Peace and Security Studies as well as Doctorate of Public Security Administration at the Bicol University in 2001 and 2011, respectively.