2021 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos

The pursuit of service excellence is a path strewn with boundless opportunities to make a difference.

But it is not for the faint of heart: to achieve anything excellent for the nation requires a sustained commitment to serve beyond one’s self, and the grit to weather failure and setbacks along the way.

Excellence takes time. It is the outcome of years upon years of working without waning: because there is no effort achieved without error, as much as there are no lessons learnt without losses.

Excellence demands fullness of character. It requires the integrity of heart, the will of mind, and the skillfulness of hands to work in tandem in serving the nation. All three values must be exercised, synchronously, with no room for compromise or complacency.

Above all, excellence for the nation is a matter of collaboration. It is not the toil of one person, rather the responsibility of a collective: marching shoulder-to-shoulder in mutual aid and respect towards the common good.

The Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos have consistently raised the bar of excellence in their fields. Their unsung narratives of triumph and resilience are our nation’s hope and inspiration—reminding us that all our actions, whether great or small, will yield lasting transformation as long as it is done for the right reasons.

With each person they inspire to act, we press closer and closer towards the attainment of our common goals for the nation.

On the cover:

The FLAME represents our Outstanding Filipinos’ tireless zeal to serve without counting the cost. It is excellence refined through seasons and struggles, shining brightly to touch hearts and transform minds.

The Flame is an inspiration and a challenge to become beacons of light for a better nation.

Scan to watch the virtual Conferment Ceremony of the 2021 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos

Scan to read the congratulatory messages from program partners

My warmest greetings to the organizers and awardees of the 2021 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos.

The role of our teachers, police officers, and soldiers are vital in our goal of empowering and safeguarding our people, especially amidst our present challenges.

I deeply thank the awardees for demonstrating the highest form of excellence, integrity, selflessness, and malasakit in public service. Our country needs citizens like you to fully realize the benefits of lasting progress and meaningful development.

Let me recognize as well the efforts of the Metrobank Foundation in giving due recognition to our modern-day heroes through this event. We in government are grateful to have private partners like you in creating a more secure and promising future for all Filipinos. Together, let us build a better and stronger nation for all.

Congratulations and mabuhay kayong lahat!

MALACAÑAN PALACE MANILA

RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE MANILA AUGUST 2021 THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

My warmest greetings to the Metrobank Foundation, Inc., and congratulations to the recipients of the 2021 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Award!

We thank the MBFI for recognizing the efforts of our frontliners in the education and peace and security sectors through this award. May this inspire many others to work harder and closer together, especially during these difficult times. May it remind them that their efforts do not go unnoticed—that hard work and dedication pay off not just for ourselves, but for the communities we serve.

To our awardees, you are proof positive of our belief: Filipinos respond to the worst of times with the best in ourselves. Despite the challenges of the past year, you continued to offer exemplary service, whether as teachers, as soldiers, or as police officers.

I hope this recognition inspires you to exhibit even more courage and selflessness as we build towards a better normal. Continue serving with patriotism and integrity. Keep honing your sense of social responsibility and inspire others to do the same.

These extraordinary times may ask much of us, but now more than ever, the world needs extraordinary people like you to take on the task. With outstanding Filipinos like you leading the way, I have faith that we can build the better normal of our hopes—a world that is fairer and kinder, that is truly empowering and inclusive.

Congratulations, at mabuhay kayong lahat!

LENI ROBREDO Vice President Republic of the Philippines

Congratulations to the 2021 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos!

That the selection was held at all despite the challenges posed by the pandemic is an astounding feat for which much credit goes to the Metrobank Foundation, Rotary Club of New Manila East, and Rotary Club of Makati Metro.

This year’s batch of Outstanding Filipinos have been selected under a rigorous process, one which I was truly honored to participate in. It was both humbling and inspiring to have heard firsthand the finalists and eventual awardees as they shared about their lives and how they have dedicated these in service to our people and nation.

Our Outstanding Filipinos are excellent reminders that the blood of heroes does run in our veins. Truly, love of country, integrity, courage, and social responsibility are not merely abstract words but are ideals that are given form and meaning by our awardees.

As we trudge along one of the darkest periods in our history, I hope that their stories will inspire us to also live our lives for others, and to seek to do more and beyond what is asked of us.

Once again, congratulations to our 2021 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. Mabuhay kayong lahat!

MARIA LOURDES NANCY BINAY-ANGELES Senator Republic of the Philippines Chairperson, Final Board of Judges 2021 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos

Iextend my fervent congratulations and best wishes to the winners of this year’s Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Awards. May your quintessential performances in your respective fields the past year continue to be shining examples and beacons to our fellow Filipinos in the coming years. And may the Good Lord continue to bless you in your respective professions.

Over the years, the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Awards have honored our exemplary teachers, soldiers, and police officers.

The country’s teachers serve by molding our youth, the hope of our Fatherland, into future leaders and responsible citizens. Our soldiers risk their lives in defending our country and our sovereignty. Our police officers too are always in the frontlines of combating crime and maintaining peace and order.

These three occupations embody what is truly expected of every Filipino, to serve the country with the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and civic duty.

Let these awards, therefore, serve as a guiding light to the Filipino as we strive towards nation building and development. Thank you and congratulations once again to the awardees.

Supreme Court of the Philippines

Co-Chairperson, Final Board of Judges

2021 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos

On behalf of the Metrobank Group, I extend my warmest congratulations to the 2021 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos!

These 10 exemplary individuals represent the best in Filipinos. They are public servants whose grit and resilience affirm that excellence can manifest in a variety of ways.

The awardees breathe life to the values that the Metrobank Group stands for—keeping people in good hands by embodying malasakit, performing their duty with integrity, and displaying heart for community.

They use their platforms to amplify good work and contribute to the transformation in their sectors. Amidst all the challenges our nation is confronted with, their stories are sources of inspiration and optimism.

To our awardees, you have proved to be a game-changer in battling a crisis of this scale. Your role as educators is crucial in the continuity of learning, especially during this period of changes and disruptions. Even with great risks, your dedication as soldiers and police officers in defending our home and democracy, and ensuring round-the-clock security and order never wavers.

You have showed that there is hope amidst hardship, and triumph over suffering. Indeed, you have demonstrated that excellence endures even in the face of adversity.

May you never tire in pursuing excellence and as instruments for social good.

Welcome to the Metrobank Foundation family!

Metrobank and Metrobank Foundation, Inc.

Mr. Jason B. Albaro

Dr. Iris Thiele Isip-Tan, M.D., M.Sc.

Police Senior Master Sergeant Mary Joy B. Ylanan

Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace J. Pelare

Police Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan P. Pablito

Ms. Lou Sabrina S. Ongkiko

Dr. Maria Minerva P. Calimag, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D.

Colonel Augusto N. Padua PAF

Technical Sergeant Jake P. Belino PAF

Colonel Elmer M. Boongaling PA

LOU SABRINA S. ONGKIKO

Master Teacher I

Culiat Elementary School

Tandang Sora Ave., Quezon City

Fields of Specialization: Science & English

12 Years in Service

“

QUEZON CITY’S TRANSFORMATIVE EDUCATOR

My most favorite lines from students would be when they tell you, ‘Ma’am, alam ko na!’ or ‘Ma’am, nagawa ko! Ang galing ko pala!’ I think I am most fulfilled when they gain confidence and develop a love for learning. I may not be able to control what happens to them in the future but if they have confidence and love for learning, I have hope that they can use it to find a way to make their lives better.”

Ms. Lou Sabrina S. Ongkiko believes that at the heart of the teaching profession are the learners. And to see the love for learning mirrored in her very own students inspires her to keep going. “That the call isn’t just to teach, the call has always been to love,” she said.

Ironically, being a teacher was not part of Ms. Ongkiko’s plans, as she was set to become a doctor. In fact, she graduated with a degree in Biology at the Ateneo de Manila University. Until one day, one of her mentors asked her to teach science concepts to children.

Since then, 12 years after, she did not pursue any other career. She stayed teaching in a public elementary school as she believed she needed to start in the early grades when “students can develop a love for learning.”

In 2020, Ms. Ongkiko knew it was already difficult for some of her students to continue their education even without a pandemic. That’s why for her, as the country continues to struggle against COVID-19, the most important is not grades but an education system that is built on care and compassion.

She now heads the development, implementation, and improvement of the Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) for Culiat Elementary School in Quezon City. Her responsibilities include the formulation of the plan itself, the creation of scripts and lesson logs for the first weeks of the school year, and coordination with experts to holistically address the needs of learners, their parents, and school personnel. Ms. Ongkiko also supported the pilot of AHA! Learning Center in using Facebook Messenger for blended learning delivery, an approach that has been adopted by other public schools in Metro Manila.

Given her background in Science, Ms. Ongkiko has long been an advocate for a robust and coherent Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in public schools.

Beyond making STEM work better for Culiat Elementary School, she was tapped to bring her innovations to other public schools. Together with the Unilab Foundation, and the University of the Philippines College of Education, they set up the Center for Integrated STEM Education (CISTEM) which help Filipino communities forge a culture of inquiry and innovation through STEM Education. In 2019, CISTEM and Ms. Ongkiko organized the country’s first international STEM education summit that brought the attention and expertise to push the discussion and policy reforms forward.

Besides all these, she also enhanced the learning environment in her school by introducing several school-based interventions. These include providing an avenue for students with special needs to engage with student leaders, offering remedial reading interventions, rebuilding the school’s library, and organizing the school’s very own Library Club to inculcate a love of reading among students across all grades.

Admittedly, her passion to serve was passed down to her by her parents. Ms. Ongkiko shared that her favorite pasalubong (souvenir) when she was a child was her father’s fieldwork stories with farmers “about how their children did not have to cross rivers anymore to go to school because of the bridge they were able to build with the community.”

These stories became her motivation to extend her services not only to her students but to the communities she is able to cross paths with. Today, Ms. Ongkiko is actively organizing programs that directly address the challenges brought by the pandemic to frontliners, co-teachers, parents, and of course, to learners across the country.

At the onset of the health crisis, Ms. Ongkiko, also a 2016 awardee of The Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service (TOWNS), volunteered and headed TOWNS Foundation’s procurement of 165,000 sets of Personal Protective Equipment which were delivered to hospitals all over the Philippines.

She also holds two (2) weekly radio and streaming programs on DZRJ (810 AM) Radyo Bandido entitled “Radyo Turo Guro” and “AHA! Ibang Klase” to help teachers, parents, and students cope with difficulties and uncertainties.

Aside from the broadcasts, Ms. Ongkiko continued engaging a community of teachers that she co-organized back in 2010 called “Kape’t Guro.” What doubles as a kumustahan session and a training program, the program aims to create a nurturing space where teachers can still celebrate who they are, what they do, and find strength and inspiration in sharing their stories in the new normal.

Finally, as concrete efforts to support the technical and psychological needs of students and parents, she closely worked with the Office of the Vice President, concerned barangays, and Parents Teachers Associations to start two (2) Community Learning Hubs where children can get remediation and borrow gadgets to attend their classes. She also led the production of COVID-19 comics for children that was cascaded by the Department of Education’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to support school-based psychological intervention.

Besides the TOWNS award, she is also a recipient of the National Youth Commission’s “Youth Leading Others Award for Education” in 2015, Bato Balani Foundation’s “Many Faces of the Teacher Award,” and the Department of Education-NCR’s Best Teacher Award both in 2014.

Ms. Ongkiko, popularly known as “Teacher Sab” to her co-teachers and students, is also highly recognized for her seminal TEDx talks where she talked about her vocation as a public-school teacher.

Teacher Sab, 36, is a Master Teacher I and head of the Science Department of Culiat Elementary School. She obtained her master’s degree in Education at the University of Melbourne, Australia with academic distinctions such as the John and Elizabeth Robertson Prize for Best Research Essay in Education, and the Australian Leadership Award.

Ms. Ongkiko grew up in a simple family of five (5), where she is the eldest among a sister and a brother. To her, they were her first teachers.

JASON B. ALBARO

Head Teacher III

Muntinlupa National High School Main Poblacion, Muntinlupa City

Fields of Specialization: Chemistry & Research

13 Years in Service

MUNTINLUPA CITY’S GLOBAL SCIENCE EDUCATOR

My fulfillment as a teacher is not measured on what I have become, but on what my learners have done to be of influence on others. I am always grateful to make myself an avenue for individuals to help the unfortunate, to develop communities through science and technology, and to become inventive and innovative literates to be financially capable. In every undertaking, I see to it that my vision of being a global educator must be in heart and spirit.”

Teachers have much to give—their time, energy, wisdom, and their best. For Mr. Jason Albaro, giving without any condition is the aim. He pays it forward by nurturing his love for science and research, which translates to progressive learning experiences for his students, and projects that benefit the community. And all these—his distinct blueprints as a scientist and his impact as a science educator have been recognized globally.

Raised in a humble family of farmers in Camarines Sur, Mr. Albaro took a course in agricultural education because he had high hopes that advances in science and farming practices are keys for the country to develop.

Much like how his beginnings inspired what he does now, he would like the same for his students at Muntinlupa National High School (MNHS) Main. After all, he believes experience is the best teacher. In its simplest form, this is Mr. Albaro’s framework for the “Invention Driven Instruction Design and Innovation Transfer” (I DID IT!) program which balances formal instruction with a progressive learning experience for students.

It properly connects the traditional classroom experience with the real-world life lessons that come through experimenting, inventing, and sharing solutions to cause a change in the affected community. For instance, Mr. Albaro asked his students to get samples from the lake water for their research on wastewater treatment.

I DID IT! was the official entry of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines to the Education for Sustainable Development Prize in 2018.

Come 2020, when the whole world was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers had to switch to new pedagogies due to distance learning. Mr. Albaro, for his part, launched the I DID IT! Version 2.0 to continue encouraging his students to develop their inventions and investigatory projects even when they are not physically present inside the classrooms. He utilizes available materials at home, provides interactive activities, and maximizes the use of technologies to uplift learners’ interests.

Mr. Albaro acquired patent registrations for his and his students’ inventions and is continuing to earn patent grants. Overall, there are three (3) patented utility models, nine (9) patent-pending utility models, 12 groups of researchers who patented their own inventions, and 16 groups of researchers with published scientific research in journals. It is without a doubt why Muntinlupa National High School earned several accolades, which include the recognition as the Global High School for East Asia and the Pacific in 2019.

As an extension of his work at school, Mr. Albaro makes sure that his and his students’ research purposely benefits their immediate communities in Muntinlupa. As an inventor, he develops projects that give way to sustainable food production and livelihood for the locals.

An example of this is the establishment of the country’s first Chlorella Microfarm. Together with 2016 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Ma. Regaele Olarte, Mr. Albaro co-manages the cultivation of microalgae that will be made into food and other products for the benefit of the school and the surrounding community.

Currently, MNHS is working its way to becoming a self-sufficient, off-the-grid community, by combining a variety of innovative technologies and exploring other reliable renewable energy alternatives such as microalgae.

Mr. Albaro also leads as program manager of the rehabilitation of Muntinlupa’s small recreational lake called “Jamboree Lake.” With the participation of the community, stakeholders collectively work together in introducing Bokashi balls or water-purifying materials into the polluted lake.

Persons Deprived of Liberty at the New Bilibid Prison and their families are the primary beneficiaries of the project. Using the fresh harvest from the lake, they assemble food products such as bottled tilapia flakes and pickled fish to be sold in the market.

Besides all these, Mr. Albaro has been an active advocate of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with his works related to environmental protection. He partners with various organizations with programs addressing water safety and rehabilitation, and the alleviation of poverty and hunger.

Substantiating his moniker, Mr. Albaro won the 2019 Zayed Sustainability Prize given by Masdar Institute in the United Arab Emirates which recognizes project leaders for their commitment to sustainable development and its impact in addressing the problems of the world through technology and student empowerment. He also won first place at the 2018 Southeast Asia Creative Camp: Urban Agriculture Online Workshop in recognition of his exemplary work on urban agricultural practices.

Mr. Albaro, 34, is a Head Teacher III of MNHS Science Department since 2019. He earned units for Master of Arts in Science Education with specialization in Chemistry at the Philippine Normal University and is currently pursuing Master of Arts in Educational Management at Pacific Intercontinental College. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Agricultural Education majoring in Chemistry at the Central Bicol State University for Agriculture. He grew up with his parents and five (5) siblings.

MARIA MINERVA

Professor 5

University of Santo Tomas España, City of Manila Fields of Specialization: Pharmacology, Anesthesiology, Clinical Epidemiology, Medical Education

38 Years in Service

P. CALIMAG , M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D.

THE PHILIPPINES’ PROACTIVE ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH LEADER

AND PHARMACOVIGILANCE ADVOCATE

Central to my teaching philosophy is embracing the concepts of active learning and collaboration. In my everyday interactions with students and residents, teaching in the setting of real-world patient care while emphasizing critical decision-making, self-reflection, and interpersonal relationships in meaningful context and in authentic situations gives me the most joy and sense of fulfillment.”

Dr. Maria Minerva P. Calimag said teaching her students to cope in the real world allows her to give them the opportunity to learn things that are meaningful and relevant to their lives and interests. To her, it is important for a student to take ownership of their learning.

Her positive influence among her students, patients, peers, and institutions she collaborates with are manifested in the best practices and capacity-building initiatives she has introduced over the years.

For one, she is a recognized champion in eLearning for using educational media and technology in teaching, delivering lectures and organizing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs, as well as presenting and publishing research papers.

At the University of Santo Tomas, where she currently teaches, Dr. Calimag is a certified Educational Technology eLearning Applications Coordinator at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. She is also a Course Developer for the Certificate Program in Educational Technology specifically for the course on “Web-based Instruction,” a module writer for the training program called Tablet for Teachers, and a trainer for ongoing development programs for all faculty members at the university. Concurrently, she maintains blended learning sites using the Blackboard Learning Management System for her various courses in Medicine and in the Graduate School.

Her experience as an eLearning guru comes with a long history. In 2011, she proposed the inclusion of the Course in Health Informatics as a core subject in the Master in Health Professions Education and the Master in Hospital Administration Program at the UST Graduate School. In 2014, Dr. Calimag conceptualized, initiated, and co-developed the “Online Webbed Learning @ Partnerships for Medical Advancement” (OWL@PMA) for continuing professional development of physicians in the Philippines. This program encapsulates all her years of work in promoting digital scholarship across the continuum of medical education at a time when webinars were not as widely adopted yet.

The pandemic further highlighted her ingenuity as a digital scholar as she joined the Commission on Higher Education-UP Open University initiative on Flexible Teaching and Learning, and the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges-Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities in their initiatives to teach other medical educators about Hyflex Teaching. She also completed and is still currently taking several Massive Open Online Courses about eLearning in Australia, Canada, and the United States of America.

With all these under her belt, Dr. Calimag now chairs the Curriculum Committee for the National eHealth Capability Building Experts Group of the Department of Health, and sits as pedagogical lead for the UST Graduate School. Internationally, she is part of a panel of educators invited by the International Atomic Energy Agency, a United Nations-attached agency, who shares expertise in the design of an e-learning platform for the global training and education of radiotherapy professionals.

On the other hand, Dr. Calimag, an anesthesiologist by profession, also has a decade-long experience with real-life Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) mock drills in the Philippines. MH is a rare, inherited trait that can result in a life-threatening event when anesthetic triggers are used in MH-prone patients. Many clinicians are unprepared to manage an MH crisis because it requires the use of low-frequency, high-risk skills and procedures.

During her term as President of the Philippine Society of Anesthesiologists, Inc. in 2010 and 2011, Dr. Calimag was the Program Initiator and Lead for the MH Awareness Campaign and the MH Drills, a Simulation-based Training in Anesthesia Crisis Management.

As member and incumbent Chair of the Board of Program Accreditation of the Philippine Board of Anesthesiology, she pushed for the creation of a national policy to include MH Simulation Drills as part of the requirement for accreditation of Anesthesia Training Program in hospitals; updating of the MH cart; networking of hospitals for shared responsibility in the procurement of dantrolene, the only current specific treatment for MH; and the writing of the hospitals’ MH policy.

Part of her portfolio likewise includes capacity-building of healthcare professionals in research through digital workflows in research management. Throughout 38 years in the profession, Dr. Calimag has performed the roles of mentoring, continuing education, curriculum development, advising in research, and doing peer-review for local and international journals.

As for her extension work, Dr. Calimag has utilized digital media in engaging and influencing communities, patients, and physician-peers to embrace her pharmacovigilance advocacy on the promotion of drug safety and drug anti-counterfeiting initiatives. She initiated programs and projects with the taglines “Drug Safety for All,” “Truth in Advertising,” and “Consumer Awareness and Grassroots Advocacy,” which all aim to improve public health and safety in relation to medicine usage.

She is also an author of modules promoting pharmacovigilance related to natural medicines and understanding adverse drug reactions utilizing case-based discussions. In 2020, she transformed these modules into video-based gapped lectures.

Dr. Calimag has been the spokesperson of the Samahan Laban sa Pekeng Gamot (Coalition Against Fake Medicines) and the Safe Medicines Network since 2003, and a member of the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT) where she advocated against the perils of Substandard/Spurious/Falsely Labelled/Falsified/ Counterfeit (SSFFC) medical products.

Besides all her appointments in various organizations locally and abroad, Dr. Calimag has earned numerous accolades. She is a recipient of Philippine Medical Association’s Dr. Jose Rizal Award for the Academe in 2017; the 26th Quintin J. Gomez Award as Outstanding Filipino Anesthesiologist in 2014; the Most Outstanding Professional in the Field of Medicine and the Professional Regulations Commission’s 1st Eric Nubla Award for Excellence in the Professions both in 2012; and the Outstanding Physicians in Community Service (TOPICS) Award in 2006.

She obtained her degrees in Doctor of Philosophy in Education, major in Education Management at UST Graduate School, summa cum laude; Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology at the University of the Philippines Manila; Doctor of Medicine at the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, benemeritus; and Bachelor of Science (Pre-Med) at the UST College of Science, magna cum laude.

When asked about her greatest personal challenge and lifelong legacy, Dr. Calimag proudly shared that she was able to singlehandedly support her eight (8) children through medical school after the untimely demise of her husband, Dr. Placido P. Calimag, Jr. in 2009. As of July 2021, seven (7) are already in the medical profession serving as frontliners in the pandemic while her youngest is now a third-year medical student.

IRIS THIELE C. ISIP-TAN, M.D., M.Sc.

Professor 10 University of the Philippines Manila Ermita, City of Manila Fields of Specialization: Internal Medicine-Endocrinology, Health Informatics

17 Years in Service

MANILA’S BREAKTHROUGH MEDICAL EDUCATOR AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCHER IN HEALTH INFORMATICS

My teaching philosophy has always been to make learning visible. I find fulfillment when I see my students discussing their work not only in class but also sharing it online as blog posts or tweets. Learning thus extends beyond the classroom.”

For Dr. Iris Thiele Isip-Tan, service means giving back to Filipinos and staying in her homeland where her expertise is most needed. Combined with her interests, she strives to meet the people where they are: the digital spaces. This passion for innovation has brought great contributions to UP Manila’s medical education, its students, and the future of Philippine medicine.

Dr. Isip-Tan pioneered the use of team-based, flipped and blended learning in the endocrinology module for second-year medical students. As her teaching philosophy is to make learning visible, she asked health informatics students to blog about their assignments and develop personal learning networks on social media.

She also spearheaded the college-wide use of a learning management system for teaching. As co-chair of the Virtualization of Medical Education Committee and an educational technology expert, she conducted workshops on blended learning and digital tools for her colleagues in UP Manila and other faculty in medical colleges across the country with the Association of the Philippine Medical Colleges and the National Teachers Training Center for the Health Professions.

The success of her initiatives before the pandemic allowed Dr. Isip-Tan to gain more experience in blended learning, which was proven valuable in the new normal. As Director of the UP Manila Interactive Learning Center, she led the iTuro Program, an initiative aimed to support the faculty in their development and production of blended learning courses in the UP Manila Virtual Learning Environment. Under this program, she facilitated capacity-building workshops on video production, course redesign for blended learning, and designing for interaction on learning management systems.

When COVID-19 hit in 2020, Dr. Isip-Tan actively participated in the transition of the UP System to remote learning. She composed a faculty guide on integrating technology in the classroom and facilitated several online courses, webinars, and workshops on remote teaching and learning strategies.

Aside from being a breakthrough medical educator, Dr. Isip-Tan also exhibits exemplary research philosophy as she believes that doing research is an act of service to the nation. As a translational researcher in diabetes and health informatics, she focuses on real-world problems. She advocates for improving health outcomes by putting a body of knowledge into practical application.

With that, most of Dr. Isip-Tan’s research root in her experiences as a physician. One of her earlier papers that examined the quality care of patients admitted to Philippine General Hospital (PGH) wards for diabetic foot won in the PGH research forum. She also studied diabetes among overseas Filipino workers. Recognized for her research in gestational diabetes, she became a member of Philippine clinical practice guidelines technical review committee, where she was the lead in writing the recommendations for the diagnosis and management of the disease.

Her other research interests include mobile health, consumer health informatics, and telehealth. In collaboration with computer science students of UP Diliman, she helped develop “Diabetes Bridge,” an application that aims to assist persons with diabetes. In the early months of the pandemic, Dr. Isip-Tan and her graduate students developed telemedicine guidance documents as quarantine measures made clinic visits impossible.

Considering herself as a social media scholar, she encourages medical students, researchers, and fellow physicians to maximize social media in communicating health information to the public. With the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, she introduced

the use of visual abstracts to Filipino researchers. She also facilitated several workshops for physicians of various specialties on creating visual abstracts for the journals’ social media accounts.

In 2014, Dr. Isip-Tan co-founded the #HealthXPH, the first Philippines-based health-related tweet chat which runs weekly on Saturdays. It was the first local tweet chat registered on Symplur’s Healthcare Hashtag project. This long-running tweet chat has global reach.

She also created a Facebook page, the “Endocrine Witch,” to correct misleading health information posted online by publishing laymanized content in the Filipino language. A YouTube channel and a website were also created to supplement her initial platform with the intention of making information digestible for the public.

Given her extensive work in her profession both as an educator and a medical practitioner, Dr. Isip-Tan’s accolades keep growing. In 2015, she was awarded the very first UP System Gawad Pangulo Award for Progressive Teaching and Learning for her exemplary course development and teaching. Dr. Isip-Tan also received the Health & Lifestyle Magazine Exemplar for Health Communication in 2017, Essay.ph’s Philippine Blogging Award for Best Blog Post of the Year and People’s Choice Award in Health & Fitness category both in 2015, and a citation from the Philippine College of Physicians President for her social media advocacy in 2014.

Dr. Isip-Tan, 50, is a Professor and a Ph.D. student in Health Sciences by Research at the UP College of Medicine. She earned her Doctor of Medicine and master’s degree in Health Informatics in UP Manila. Meanwhile, she spent her undergraduate years studying Biology at UP Diliman and graduated magna cum laude

Dr. Isip-Tan is a wife to a nephrologist and a mother of two (2) sons who all inspire her to do better, always.

TECHNICAL SERGEANT JAKE

P. BELINO PAF

Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC)

Civil Military Operations

Tactical Operations Group 1

Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon

Baguio City

Field of Specialization: Operations

18 Years in Service

PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE’S HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND DISASTER RESPONSE VANGUARD

Ibelieve that God Almighty kept me through all of those challenges for me to be his instrument in advocating disaster resilience. With His guidance, I will always dedicate myself to help others to the best of my capability in fostering resilience in my workplace and the community. But I suppose that if we embrace the idea that one man is the savior of all our troubles, then we are already defeated in our vision of a disaster resilient community. When we act on the precept that each person, agency, and organization is a contributor, then we shall achieve our collective vision of a well-prepared community, a disaster resilient country.”

Soldiers are often seen in the frontlines of skirmishes, with the silence indicating either ceasefire or post-battle triumph against enemy forces. For TSgt Jake P. Belino, the fight begins after the storm, and the scene that awaits him and his team is the quiet in the aftermath of a disaster when all survivors have gone for safety. Their goal: the management of dead and missing persons, and search and retrieval operations so families can bring home their loved ones.

In 2017, during the Marawi strife, TSgt Belino was tapped by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to be part of the National Incident Management Team, and serve as the Incident Commander and Operations Section Chief to be deployed in Lanao Del Sur for the management of dead and missing persons (MDM) operations from October 15 to November 17.

Considering the limited experience of the local responders, TSgt Belino even gave crash course trainings and orientation on key rescue techniques and led rehearsals for actual application in the battle zone. These all led to the safe and organized retrieval of the deceased for identification and proper burial.

In another largescale operation, TSgt Belino led an MDM team in response to the mass casualty landslide at Ucab and Loakan, Itogon in Benguet following the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong in 2018. He familiarized stakeholders with the “One Stop Shop” strategy which entailed setting up stations of relevant government agencies—DILG, NBI Crime Laboratory, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Municipal Health Office—in a single facility in order for the needed technical expertise to be readily available for the systematized and efficient processing of the recovered remains.

His team was able to examine, document, and release 58 human remains from the site of landslide. The improved procedure also helped fast track the provision of humanitarian assistance and facilitation of claims of the bereaved families.

TSgt Belino believes that human resource is one of an organization’s great assets. Within this own institution, he ensures the overall personnel and equipment readiness of the Tactical Operations Group 1 (TOG1) so that the soldiers fielded in different mission areas are equipped and tactically proficient through engagement with various agencies and participation in non-military trainings. Further, he trains other uniformed personnel in courses, namely Air to Ground Operations, and Search and Rescue Equipment Familiarization.

TSgt Belino goes beyond his tour and call of duty in helping the community develop disaster resiliency and response capabilities. Outside the Philippine Air Force, he is often invited by local government units to supervise capacitybuilding related to the Incident Command System as well as disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM). Since 2015, he has taught in over 60 DRRM and emergency trainings across the country, thereby contributing to mainstreaming essential concepts and capacitating various stakeholders.

Moreover, the concrete impacts of TSgt Belino’s contributions to the community continue to magnify with every soldier, volunteer, and government organization he trains. In 2015, he organized a Search and Rescue (SAR) Canine and Handler Program in collaboration with the Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera Administrative Region.

The first of its kind in the Cordillera, this training course aimed to form a regional SAR Canine Unit to augment resources during rescue operations in times of emergency. The program graduated 18 volunteers and their dogs. What began as a humble concept evolved into a sustainable endeavor involving a pool of volunteers mobilized for disaster response even to this day.

TSgt Belino, together with the graduates of the Cordillera SAR K-9 Training Program, successfully conducted a search and retrieval operation for a missing resident at Mount Kalugong in La Trinidad, Benguet. He was awarded with the Bronze Cross Medal for this achievement. Likewise, in a separate incident, his group found the body of a female senior citizen of Bokod, Benguet which had not been located by local responders for two weeks.

In the field of capacity-building, TSgt Belino also co-authored the country’s first training package and operations guide for MDM initiated by DILG in 2018. This module adopted his tactical innovations in emergency response and DRRM. He also serves as a resource person in cascading this to various local government units nationwide for standardization of policies and procedures, and expansion of pool of MDM-trained responders in the Philippines.

TSgt Belino was awarded the Cordillera Gawad Kalasag 2019 Special Recognition, and Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year in 2016 and 2020 by the Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon Philippine Air Force. He was also nominated for the 2019 Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Awards, in the field of Military Service, organized by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate Philippines and ANSA Foundation.

TSgt Belino has a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from the Church Planting Movement Institute of Missions. He is married, and the couple is blessed with a daughter.

COLONEL ELMER M. BOONGALING PA

Executive Officer

Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans (G5)

Philippine Army Headquarters

Taguig City

Field of Specialization: Infantry

27 Years in Service

The awardee was recently promoted to Colonel. He ranked Lt. Col. at the time of nomination.

PHILIPPINE ARMY’S PEACEBUILDER FOR SAFE AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES

As a soldier, there is no higher sense of fulfillment than seeing the good impact of my service to the communities and the people I swore to protect and serve. It is fulfilling to see community members smile and thank soldiers for what we have done for them. It is something that neither money nor medals can equal. It is an added motivation to do more and be the best in what we do because the people deserve nothing less.”

Colonel Elmer M. Boongaling said there is no higher sense of fulfillment than seeing the good impact of his service to the communities and the people he engages with. Despite the risks his job entails, he relentlessly pursues efforts to resolve conflicts through peaceful dialogues and activities.

As the Commander of the 33rd Infantry Battalion (33IB), Col. Boongaling conceptualized the unit’s strategy to facilitate the peaceful and orderly conduct of the May 2019 elections in 11 municipalities at Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.

His tireless efforts and collaborations with local government officials and community leaders resulted in the surrender of 11 rebels, apprehension of four (4) drug personalities, and confiscation of illegal drugs and deadly weapons. With these, no single violent incident occurred during the last elections in 33IB’s area of operations.

Putting a premium on peace and order, Col. Boongaling also initiated the improvement of social cohesion of a domain in Central Mindanao—in Shariff Aguak, Pagatin, Mamasapano, and Salibo or the SPMS Box—historically known as a hotbed of violent conflicts. He developed local capacities and resources to prevent conflict among stakeholders and consolidate enduring peace in these communities.

The contributions of Col. Boongaling to the Mindanao peacebuilding process are significant because grassroots-based, bottom-up processes and initiatives involving various stakeholders are generated to safeguard the peace process. An example of this is the reintegration of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters rebel-returnees into the community through a comprehensive reintegration program. As a result, more than 100 former rebels received financial assistance and livelihood packages.

The program was eventually adopted by the Ministries of the Interior and Local Government and Social Services and Development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) through Project TuGON or Tulong Mula sa Gobyernong Nagmamalasakit.

Moreover, he has also pre-empted armed violence in the area, significantly decreasing the number of family clashes. He has successfully mediated clan wars or ridos in at least four (4) municipalities in Maguindanao.

Apart from his experience in combat, Col. Boongaling has also demonstrated leadership in formulating strategic documents on programs that would improve the current state of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). He played significant roles in crafting three (3) important policies, namely the National Military Strategy 2014, AFP Transformation Roadmap, and the AFP Strategic Direction 2028.

He has overseen organizing technical working groups, facilitated development workshops, and fostered active participation and intellectual discussions through the course of policy-making. These strategies helped refine and boost the strategic approaches of the Armed Forces in developing its capabilities and enhancing its systems and processes. These also highlighted the resource priorities and synergies that the agency must observe to attain its objectives and missions.

Col. Boongaling also addressed the ineffectiveness of the existing procedures on appeals and implementation of Ombudsman decisions in the Philippine Army. As the Chief of the Discipline, Law, and Order Branch of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, he meticulously reviewed the policies and processes, drafted a recommending policy, and established an efficient and effective system of processing appeals.

For his extension work, he ensured that education is made available and more accessible to the youth. Col. Boongaling also led active security operations to ensure the safety of the residents, especially the vulnerable children in the conflict-affected area of Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun in Maguindanao. His successful maneuvers have allowed children to return to school and study without worrying about their safety.

His stints in combat operations during his early years in the service earned him six (6) gold cross medals, five (5) military medals, and one (1) military commendation medal for the neutralization of more than 100 enemy personalities and the recovery of over 200 assorted firearms and war materials.

Col. Boongaling is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1997. In 2018, he earned his master’s degree in Development and Security at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Pasig City. He is married to a public financial analyst, and a father of three (3).

PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE’S AIRPOWER INNOVATOR FOR PEACE

Iwant to be remembered as a Commander who made a difference not only in accomplishing the mission of the Air Force but also in leaving a good mark in the hearts and minds of the people I have served with and the friends I have made along my years of service. A mark that would put a smile on their lips at the very least or instill pride in their hearts at the very most.”

Fighter pilots are known to be skilled in aerial warfare, a reputation that often precedes them, alongside the notion that their fights are solely done by target elimination with bombs and missiles. For Col. Augusto N. Padua, combating insurgency might be the aim, but it can be approached through unconventional means in which bombs are not the default weapon: performing non-kinetic air missions known as strategic leaflet dropping and persuasion flights in which information is more tactical than firepower.

Such is the norm-defying method espoused by Col. Padua when he took command of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Tactical Operations Group 2 (TOG2), deployed in the Cagayan Valley Region, in October 2019. One can picture airborne leaflets, containing facts about the government’s nation-building efforts, landing in targeted areas in the region’s hinterlands and on the hands of rebels. This is rooted in the belief that the armed rebellion can be dismantled by fighting misinformation with truth and good governance, gradually persuading insurgents to reintegrate into mainstream society.

While the leaflets dropping operations were initially met with skepticism, Col. Padua and his unit stood their ground which eventually earned the air force victories. Prior to his reassignment, three (3) guerilla fronts in the Northern region were dismantled and 103 enemies of the state surrendered, both directly and indirectly attributed to the leaflets.

Some highlights of Col. Padua’s career also go back to before his commanding roles. In 2000, he was one of the two (2) aviators awarded with the Commanding General PAF Kahusayan Award for Flight Safety, the highest flight safety award bestowed to an individual aircrew. They safely landed the Agusta S-211 Jet Aircraft Number 017 after encountering systems failure during one of their reconnaissance missions over the Kalayaan in the West Philippine Sea.

A few years later, Col. Padua, as a licensed engineer and the Squadron Commander of the 543rd Supply and Support Squadron, authored the fabrication of a machine to demilitarize close to 400,000 rounds of aircraft cannon ammunition in Basa Air Base, Pampanga. Given the volume of rounds, the original tact required the use of thousands of explosives amounting to PhP 32 million including logistics expenses. However, Col. Padua’s pragmatic innovation helped the government save over PhP 30 million.

Furthermore, Col. Padua rallied his comrades to be responsive partners of the people in the North. A testament are the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations swiftly mobilized during the massive flooding that devastated parts of Isabela and Cagayan provinces in December 2019 and November 2020.

With Col. Padua’s leadership, two (2) Water Search and Rescue Disaster Response Teams were deployed at Ilagan, Isabela, and in the 2020 flooding, an Advance Command Post was set up in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan to provide command-and-control of the air operations. The Headquarters PAF supported their operations by sending five (5) helicopters and multiple transport aircraft to ferry donated goods from different parts of the country.

Overall, a total of 67 helicopter flying operations were performed, delivering over 107,300 kilograms of donations, rescuing victims, and evacuating patients.

In a bid to establish a strong linkage between the military and civilian populace, Col. Padua also led the TOG2 in implementing projects to educate locals while also providing alternative livelihood amid the battle against COVID-19 pandemic. They conducted a series of engagements including a monthly press conference, and fora with students and faculty as well as the labor sector to inform the public on the government’s peace and development efforts. TOG2 also launched an urban agriculture program dubbed as “Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat Kontra COVID-19” or ALPAS sa COVID-19 in collaboration with civilian government agencies.

This same vitality in the collaboration with communities is reflected in Col. Padua’s guidance as the Commander of the 543rd Supply and Support Squadron, 432nd Technical Training Squadron and 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Basa Air Base, Pampanga. Together, they made the “Adopt-a-Barangay” project a flourishing endeavor that won the hearts and minds of locals through major civic action efforts, namely rehabilitation works in public schools, provision of learning kits and slippers, and recreational activities for the children.

Col. Padua is presently the Executive Officer of the Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Operations in Villamor Air Base, Pasay City. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Don Bosco Technical College before entering the Philippine Air Force Flying School as an Aviation Cadet. He earned his Master of Management from the University of the Philippines, and Master of Military and Defence Studies from the Australian National University.

Col. Padua is married to an entrepreneur who runs her own travel agency. They are blessed with a daughter.

POLICE SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT

MARY JOY B. YLANAN

Police Community Officer PNCO

Bogo City Police Station

Camp Don Pedro Rodriguez

Taytayan, Bogo City, Cebu

Field of Specialization: Police Community Relations

17 Years in Service

BOGO CITY’S GUARDIAN OF POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS

As a Police Officer, challenges may come along the way but my dedication to serve and perseverance in all undertakings overpower all those trials that tend to undermine my devotion to work. I would like to be remembered in the smiles and gratefulness of people for having me in their community, for this would mean that I served as a good example in the times I was with them. I hope to be remembered in the ways that people would say that the world had become a little better because I lived in accordance with my purpose.”

In a profession that often equates to facing grave risks and circumstances on a daily basis, having a tender heart and warm disposition can be misconstrued as weaknesses. This is far from the truth for PSMS Mary Joy B. Ylanan. For her, these traits are the strengths she wields as her brand of service as a police officer and ally of the people, even earning the trust of her community stakeholders who call her “Ate Joy.”

Her sensitivity to the plight of the vulnerable and at-risk plays a vital role in her adept yet empathetic handling of cases. PSMS Ylanan’s main contributions to the force involve the pursuit of justice for victims of sexual abuse and human rights violations. Over the years, she has helped rescue women, children, and the disenfranchised from offenders.

In 2018, PSMS Ylanan’s prompt verification and response to information from a local led to the mobilization of the Mobile Patrol Team and Women Team for the arrest of a culprit who maltreated and illegally detained a 64-year-old foreign male national inside a pension house without food and water. The victim was rescued which prevented further deterioration of his health and allowed safe return to his home country.

PSMS Ylanan joined the hot pursuit operation despite it being outside her role as a Police Community Relations Officer. For her, justice knows no prejudices, nationalities, and color; what matters is creating a safe place for everyone, and bringing justice to those who knock on their doors.

Children are the most vulnerable to abuse by pedophiles who prey on their innocence, and sometimes even kin who take advantage of their trusting and meek nature. Such is the reality PSMS Ylanan is fully aware of. In 2015, she was the investigator and arresting officer in three (3) separate cases involving exploitation of children and trafficking in persons. All cases involved foreign nationals, with the two colluding with the parent of the kids. PSMS Ylanan and her team acted upon the reports of suspicious activities and collaborated with community volunteers which led to the prompt profiling, issuance of search warrants, and apprehension of the suspects.

Further, employing a preemptive approach, PSMS Ylanan conducts a series of information drive to encourage community members to be vigilant and report suspected infractions of law for prompt investigation and action. These examples demonstrate how the PNP is an ally of the youth, and do not extend special consideration nor favor to both natives and foreign nationals.

In the same year, PSMS Ylanan helped in the resolution of a parricide case in which the felon fled and hid in Bohol to avoid imprisonment. Her persistent efforts in tracking and connecting the dots led to the capture of the wanted person who was brought back to Bogo City for proper disposition.

Moreover, one of her most notable accomplishments was leading her station’s anti-illegal drug awareness campaign as the Chief of the Police Community Relations. In 2016, she spearheaded the operations by establishing the “Pulis Sa Barangay” to support the barangay drug and clearing operations.

She ensured that community engagement would be a prime component of this complex undertaking, and no life will be harmed or taken away. Her efforts came to a fruition when Bogo City became the first city to be declared “Drug Cleared” across all its 29 barangays by the Regional Oversight Committee of Region VII—also the second in the entire country.

PSMS Ylanan and her former Chief of Police also established KAUBAN or Key Allies Undermining Bogo’s Adversaries and Illegal drug Networks, a grassroots program anchored on communityoriented policing and active participation of empowered locals to preserve order and combat all forms of crimes. This initiative bolstered the performance of their station which was awarded the Outstanding City Police Station of PRO7 for three (3) consecutive years. Beyond the recognition, this helped maintain the trust and confidence of the citizens in the uniformed men and women.

Further, PSMS Ylanan led the team that pushed for an outreach program focusing on education and nutrition for underprivileged children. They conducted the “Tutorial Activity and Weekly Feeding Programs” that served close to 50 foster children in two (2) shelters— 23 children in Beato Tommaso Maria Fusco Hope House Inc. and 21 boys in Icon Hope Foundation Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

Originally hailing from Davao Oriental, PSMS Ylanan was a working student and took up Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education at the University of Visayas in Cebu. She is married to a fellow police officer, and has a daughter and a son.

POLICE LIEUTENANT COLONEL GERARD ACE J. PELARE

Chief of Police

Talisay City Police Station

Poblacion, Talisay City, Cebu

Fields of Specialization: Operations and Investigation

15 Years in Service

TALISAY CITY’S POLICE CHIEF PROTECTOR AND COUNSEL

Being a police officer and a lawyer, I am in a great position to introduce change. I humbly dedicate this award to the communities who worked with me in the direction which I think policing should be anchored upon—community relations. I also wish that this will open the door for innovative policing, one that is a product of a thorough analysis of the situation in the ground and introduction of tailored-fit strategies to respond to prevailing issues, and one that is making community participation an indispensable ingredient in maintaining the peace.”

PLTCOL Gerard Ace J. Pelare’s father and grandfather were both decorated non-commissioned police officers, models he looked up to growing up. Their examples inspired him to don the uniform, despite its rigors and risks, even if it meant deviating from his initial plan to pursue a career in law. It turns out, he would achieve both dreams— embodying twin roles and responsibilities which define his legacy in the police force.

The incumbent Chief of Police of Talisay Police Station, PLTCOL Pelare authored and introduced a comprehensive community-based campaign against illegal drugs trade and use dubbed as Oplan Limpyo which translates to “linis” in Filipino and “cleanse” in English. This approach is anchored on four (4) key components, namely arrest of drug personalities, barangay visitation, rehabilitation, and drug clearing.

To date, Oplan Limpyo has been instrumental to the arrest of over 1,300 drug suspects and confiscation of PhP 143 million worth of illegal drugs—successes yielded for Central Visayas without a single human rights violation.

Turning Talisay into a model city of peace and order, the police force garnered the support of the locals. Foremost among the crime prevention initiatives supported by the city government is the Balik-Armas project, another brainchild of PLTCOL Pelare. This intervention is premised on strategic information dissemination to encourage voluntary surrender of unrenewed and unregistered firearms.

A total of 132 firearms were already surrendered since September 2020. This preventive approach can also be credited for the decrease in firearm-related incidents in the area.

As a lawyer cop, PLTCOL Pelare instituted legal aid dubbed as ‘Itanong kay Attorney Tsip,’ which roughly translates to “Consult Attorney Chief.” He offers pro bono legal advice and services to uniformed and non-uniformed PNP personnel as well as indigent families in Region VII. He was struck by the reality that many of his comrades and community members lack access to competent counsel that often hinders their pursuit of justice.

Meanwhile, PLTCOL Pelare recognizes that winning the trust and confidence of the people in the police force needs to be achieved through holistic means: not only through police operations, but improving the internal human resource and setting an example through character and deeds.

Thus, with his leadership, the City of Talisay Police Station became known as the “home of friendly but firm police officers” due to the adoption and institutionalization of Golden Service Rules. This set of tenets aims to complement the policies in place to ensure professionalism, courtesy, respect, and operational competence among police officers as well as uphold quality services that every Talisaynon deserves. Custom activities were introduced in line with the observance of such guidelines: “teach ins” or 10-minute daily discussion and “buddy up” for application and evaluation.

Community engagement is also a priority of PLTCOL Pelare to reinforce the station’s relentless anti-drug operations. Born out of this is Police P.A.C.T. which stands for “Police and Partners Acts of kindness for Children in Talisay.” Cognizant that drug-related crimes often set off a vicious cycle, PLTCOL Pelare and his colleagues look after the children who also become victims left to fend for themselves without proper guidance and a nurturing environment.

Their station tapped private organizations and religious sectors to share blessings to these youth. Companies such as Jollibee and McDonalds, to name a few, were engaged in feeding 100 kids weekly. Police P.A.C.T was launched in November 2019 and has conducted 17 outreach activities before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The City of Talisay was one of the first areas badly hit by the pandemic with a spike in cases and mortality rate. PLTCOL Pelare was driven to aid the community by introducing novel interventions to stem the transmission of virus while the region waits for administration of vaccines. He strengthened the city’s contact tracing efforts by ensuring that all 169 police personnel were virtually trained in the Contact Tracing Course offered by John Hopkins University.

Further, he introduced “Pulis na Palengkero” in which a team of policemen would offer to shop essentials and groceries on behalf of the households in interior areas, without charge. This is not only to limit the residents’ exposure but to control the volume and movement of people in normally crowded places.

PLTCOL Pelare graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Safety at the Philippine National Police Academy. He took up Law at the University of San Jose-Recoletos and passed the bar examination in 2016. He is currently pursuing a master’s in Law at the same university. PLTCOL Pelare is married to a businesswoman, and a father of two (2) kids.

POLICE LIEUTENANT COLONEL JONATHAN

P. PABLITO

Assistant Chief

Regional Police Strategy Management Unit

Police Regional Office 6

Camp General Martin Delgado

Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City

Fields of Specialization: Strategy Management, Police Community Relations, Investigation

19 Years in Service

WESTERN VISAYAS’ ORGANIZATIONAL AND COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION LEAD STRATEGIST

Iwould like the community to remember me as one who brought the PNP closer to them— that I endeavored to understand their culture, their context, their aspirations; that I was proud of my Igorot heritage but sought to adopt the best of the local culture and learn its language; that I encouraged them to love their heritage and at the same time made them understand their responsibility of building a strong Filipino nation.”

For PLTCOL Jonathan P. Pablito, joining the police force was a divine appointment, a decision further solidified by the inclination for government service that runs deep in his clan. No matter what role he takes, he always brings his own brand of transformational leadership: mettle and resolve tempered with empathy and faith. He brings honor to the Kaigorotan and embodies the ideals of a model cop.

Recognized as an excellent communicator in several assignments during his rookie years, he served in the Public Information Office under the Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson and the Police Community Relations Group. His experience in these stints led to his defining role as the most junior pioneer member of the Center for Police Strategy Management (CPSM).

In the CPSM, PLTCOL Pablito dedicated 10 years of his service to the PNP’s Integrated Transformation Program called “Peace and Order Agenda for Transformation and the upholding of the Rule of Law” or P.A.T.R.O.L Plan 2030 which envisions a highly capable, effective, and credible police force. As the Chief of Strategic Communication, he helmed the development, implementation, and monitoring of the program’s communication plan, thereby promoting understanding as well as inspiring support among police officers—from the general to the patrolman—and community stakeholders.

Among the many projects implemented under his tenure that are sustained to date include the PNP e-learning project, individual performance card, posting of PNP office Charter Statements, and activation of social media accounts of Police Strategy Management Units from national headquarters down to the police stations.

When he took the reins of the Regional Police Strategy Management Office 6, PLTCOL Pablito mobilized the advisory councils from community sectors in activities that generated symbolic and financial support, paving for a sustainable Medical and Legal Assistance Fund amounting to PhP 4 million that benefitted 67 police officers who were wounded or killed on duty, or facing legal charges related to police duty.

As a commander, PLTCOL Pablito displays undeniable leadership skills in his posts, steering his units towards drastically reducing crime volume while fostering community engagements. As the Chief of Iloilo City Police Station 1 from 2017 to 2019, his prudent management led to the drastic dip in the city’s crime volume, owing to the strategic conduct of police operations. Their station was a key implementer in the campaign to make Iloilo City smoke-free, as well as in the zero incident conduct of the world renowned Dinagyang Festival, earning the Most Compliant Police Station Award by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Region VI.

PLTCOL Pablito’s zeal for public service is also evident in the ways he brings the police closer to the community alongside advancing the welfare of locals. As the Chief of Police of Malay Police Station—covering the tourist

crown jewel, Boracay, and mainland Malay—he initiated the “Pulis Ko, Lifesaver Ko” program to equip 360 PNP personnel with lifesaving skills.

With the outbreak of the pandemic, PLTCOL Pablito likewise served as Incident Commander of the municipal COVID-19 Crisis Response, proactively curbing the transmission of the virus through successful crisis intervention. He worked with the local government to set up a One-stop shop in four (4) locations for locally stranded individuals, one for each barangay in Boracay and one in Malay, benefitting almost 11,000 stranded foreign and local tourists and workers.

Meanwhile, PLTCOL Pablito made it his mission to actively engage the Ati community of mainland Malay due to not only feeling a sense of kinship with indigenous peoples, being a Kankanaey of Cordillera, but also seeking to eliminate the threat of radicalization by communist forces.

Aside from leading outreach and integration projects focusing on 170 students representing 100 families, PLTCOL Pablito also personally mentors and financially assists two (2) Ati students who he hopes will be the first Ati to take the oath as police officers. For these accomplishments, the Malay Police Station was named the best Municipal Police Station of Region VI in 2020.

PLTCOL Pablito is a BS Medical Technology graduate of Saint Louis University in Baguio City, and BS Criminology graduate of St. Ferdinand College in Isabela City. He earned his Masters in Development Management from the Asian Institute of Management, and Master of Science in International Relations from the Rajaratnam School for International Studies in Singapore. He is currently undergoing the Public Safety Officers Executive Course from the National Police College.

PLTCOL Pablito is married to Dr. Sharonda Abriam and they have a daughter, Aurora Celeste.

FINAL BOARD OF JUDGES

Chairperson

Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay-Angeles Senate of the Philippines

Sen. Nancy Binay-Angeles was first elected to the Senate in 2013. Now on her second term, Sen. Binay-Angeles continues to fulfill her promise of acting as the “Nanay de Pamilya” in the Senate. She is known as one of the lawmakers who champions the rights of women and children, persons with disabilities, overseas Filipino workers, and the elderly.

During the 16th Congress, three (3) of the bills authored by Sen. Binay-Angeles were passed into law: An Act Repealing the Crime of Premature Marriage under Article 251 of the Revised Penal Code (R.A. 10655); Sugarcane Industry Development Act of 2015 (R.A. 10659); and An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability (R.A. 10754).

In the same Congress, where she acted as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, Sen. Binay-Angeles sponsored the passage of the Centenarians Act of 2016 (R.A. 10868). The law entitles Filipinos who reach the age of 100 years old, whether residing in the country or abroad, with a gift of PhP 100 thousand plus a letter of felicitation from the president.

She was also instrumental in the passing of the Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2017 which grants 120-day maternity leave to female workers regardless of civil status. Likewise, she helped push for The Filipino Sign Language Act which declares the Filipino sign language as the National Sign Language of the Filipino deaf and the official sign language of the government when transacting with the deaf. Both legislations were co-sponsored by Sen. Binay-Angeles during the ongoing 17th Congress.

To date, the senator has filed 183 bills and 162 resolutions. She is currently the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on Tourism.

Sen. Binay-Angeles graduated with a Bachelor of Science major in Tourism from the University of the Philippines.

Co-chairperson

Ret. Associate Justice Rosmari D. Carandang Supreme Court of the Philippines

Justice Rosmari Carandang was appointed as a Supreme Court Justice in November 2018. Prior to this, she has served as an Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals for over 15 years, assigned in 2003 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

She first joined the government service in 1976 as a technical assistant of the Commission on Audit. In 1993, Justice Carandang acted as the presiding justice and one of the vice-executive judges of the Regional Trial Court of Manila Branch 12.

Before serving full time in the government, Justice Carandang has also worn different hats in private and financial institutions. She worked as a legal assistant at the Aguiluz Law Office, legal counsel of Filinvest Development Corporation, and corporate secretary and legal counsel of Filinvest Land Incorporated.

Much like her parents who were public school teachers, she also taught law at the Philippine Christian University and the Manuel L. Quezon School of Law.

Justice Carandang finished Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science at the University of the Philippines. In 1975, she obtained her Bachelor of Laws and graduated as cum laude and class salutatorian in the same university.

A consistent high flyer since elementary, Justice Carandang placed 9th in the 1975 bar examinations. She is also one of the founders of the Tau Gamma Sigma sorority.

Member Cong. Junie E. Cua

Representative

Lone District-Quirino Province

Cong. Junie Cua is regarded as one of the country’s veteran lawmakers. He currently serves as the lone district representative of Quirino province. Years prior, he served in the same capacity during the 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, and 14th Congresses.

Among his milestone contributions at the House of Representatives is the passing of laws which benefit the marginalized sectors in the society. These include crafting and passing of landmark measures such as “The General Appropriations Act of 2009,” the “Cheaper Medicine Law,” and the “Strengthened CARP Law.”

An accomplished public servant for more than 30 years, Cong. Cua’s leadership is guided by what he calls the four (4) pillars of development—education, health, infrastructure, and livelihood. He believes that progress can be achieved through political unity and cooperation among the people.

In his stint as Quirino province’s governor from 2010 to 2019, Cong. Cua has united leaders from the barangay, municipal, and provincial levels. Together, they introduced innovations which provided quality services to their constituents. He was also instrumental in sourcing out funds from national agencies and other organizations to attain prosperity and progress for the province.

Concurrently, Cong. Cua takes on different roles in various House Committees—chairperson of the Committee on Banks and Intermediaries; vice chairperson of the House Committees on Appropriations, Economic Affairs and Natural Resources; member of the majority for Committees on Basic Education and Culture, Constitutional Amendments, Ecology, Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples, Public Order and Safety, Trade and Industry and Transportation.

Cong. Cua earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines. He pursued further studies at the Kennedy School of Government Harvard University, where he obtained postgraduate diplomas on Leadership and Development, and in Infrastructure and Market Economy.

Member

Alicia dela Rosa-Bala

Chairperson

Civil Service Commission of the Philippines

Alicia de la Rosa-Bala is the current Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the central human resource agency of the government.

Concurrently, she chairs the Board of Trustees of the Development Academy of the Philippines, Career Executive Service Board, Scientific Career System Council, and 66th Executive Council. Alongside these, she is also the president of the 28th General Assembly of the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration.

Before leading CSC, Chairperson dela Rosa-Bala was an Undersecretary for Policy and Plans of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). For 39 years of working in the DSWD, she led and chaired critical projects and initiatives. Among her valuable accomplishments is the creation of a sub-committee on Social Protection under the Social Development Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority.

Chairperson dela Rosa-Bala also acted as the Deputy Secretary-General for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Socio-Cultural Community Department in Jakarta, Indonesia from 2012 to 2015. During her term, she was recognized by ambassadors of member-countries for her contributions to the association.

In 2010, she was appointed as the country’s first child rights representative to the ASEAN Commission for the Promotion and the Protection of the Rights of Women and Children. She was also the first elected head of the first session of the Commission on Social Development, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UN-ESCAP) in 2008.

Chairperson dela Rosa-Bala was DSWD’s First Best Manager Awardee in 2004. She was also a recipient of Outstanding Career Executive Service Officer Award (2012) and Ulirang Ina Award (2018).

She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Centro Escolar University. She received her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of the Philippines Institute of Social Work and Community Development.

Member

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso City of Manila

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, also popularly known as “Yorme,” is the 27th mayor of the City of Manila. He was notable for his prompt interventions in addressing some of the longest overdue problems in the city.

Among his early accomplishments include clearing up operations in the busy streets of Quiapo and Divisoria. Mayor Domagoso earned praises for improving these commercial districts which were previously packed with street and sidewalk vendors. In support of the displaced vendors, he vowed to implement a more organized rental scheme. This strategy, according to him, will prevent unauthorized individuals from charging rental fees to the vendors.

Mayor Domagoso also advocates for restoration of historical and cultural heritage sites, as well as boost of local tourism. He collaborated with the Department of Tourism towards rebuilding and maintaining 47 parks in Manila, including the famous walled city of Intramuros.

In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Domagoso rose to the occasion as a leader. Among his successful initiatives include the construction of a COVID-19 field hospital, and the establishment of a molecular testing laboratory and COVID-19 vaccine storage facility in Sta. Ana Hospital. The Office of the Mayor also considers as its major accomplishment the purchase of 400,000 COVID-19 vaccines to replenish the local government unit’s stocks.

Mayor Isko undertook leadership and governance courses at the Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government in Massachusetts and at the Oxford University Business School in England.

FINAL BOARD OF JUDGES

Member Kevin L. Tan

Chief Executive Officer

Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI)

Mr. Kevin Tan is the chief executive officer of Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI), one of the Philippines’ most diversified conglomerates with interests in food and beverage industry, gaming and entertainment, tourism and hospitality, real estate development, and quick service restaurants.

Mr. Tan also holds directorships in AGI companies—Emperador Inc., Global Estate Resorts Inc., Empire East Land Holdings Inc., Golden Arches Development Corporation (holder of the master franchise of McDonald’s Philippines), Resorts World Manila, and Megaworld Corporation.

He is also the president of Infracorp, AGI’s infrastructure arm dedicated to complement the infrastructure projects of the national government, as well as the Agile Digital Ventures, AGI’s newly-formed investment arm which spearheads the company’s digital transformation and smart technology innovation.

Mr. Tan also serves as the president of MREIT, Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Megaworld Corporation designated to operate as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). With a vision of becoming Southeast Asia’s biggest office REIT, MREIT has launched the Philippines’ largest REIT offering with a portfolio covering prime office spaces and mixed-used properties located in Megaworld townships.

The youngest CEO of a major Philippine conglomerate, Mr. Tan has been recognized by People Asia in 2018 as one of the ‘People of the Year.’ His efforts in leading AGI have received international plaudits including two (2) prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year awards at the Asia Leaders Awards 2019 and at the 71st George Washington Charity Ball.

He is also a recipient of the Leaders of Tomorrow Award at the World HRD CongressGlobal HR Excellence Awards. Under his leadership, Megaworld’s sustainability efforts in environment, social and governance have earned the company an award at the Asset ESF Awards in Hong Kong.

Member Barbie L. Atienza, DPM President

United Print Media Group Philippines

Mr. Barbie Atienza is an expert in public relations and human resources management. With over 40 years of experience in these fields, Mr. Atienza has landed executive positions at multinational and local companies. He served as the president of the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) in 1998 and of the Society of Fellows in Personnel Management from 2005 to 2007. He was also the vice president of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines for two (2) years.

Concurrently, he is the president of United Print Media Group Philippines and the head of the External Affairs & Human Resources of Manila Bulletin. Also known as a broadcaster and writer, Mr. Atienza anchors teleradyo programs “Good Job Philippines” on DZRJ/ RJTV and “May Trabaho” on DZRH/ RHTV.

Outside of his functions in these institutions, Mr. Atienza is also a Trustee of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation and a consultant to the Mayor of Manila, serving as a representative board member for the Intramuros Administration & National Parks Development Committee.

A sought-after motivational speaker, trainer, and host, Mr. Atienza is also an active civil servant—as the worship leader in the Pag-ibig sa Diyos Catholic Community, a lector-commentator in the church, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

His accolades include the Outstanding Professional Award (2014) by Superbrands Philippines, Don Juan Geronimo Guerrero Alumni Award (2007) by Colegio de San Juan de Letran, and Katipunan Bolo Leadership Award (1998) as PMAP president.

Mr. Atienza graduated at Colegio de San Juan de Letran with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He earned his master’s degree in Business Administration at the De La Salle University.

BOARD OF ASSESSORS

AWARD FOR TEACHERS

ELEMENTARY

Chairperson

MARGARITA CONSOLACION C. BALLESTEROS, Ph.D. Director IV

External Partnerships Service Department of Education

SECONDARY

Member

JOSEPHINE M. CALAMLAM, Ph.D. President MBFI-Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators

Member GINA O. GONONG, Ph.D. Director and Project Leader Philippine National Research Center for Teacher Quality

Chairperson

DIOSDADO M. SAN ANTONIO, Ph.D.

Undersecretary

Curriculum and Instruction  Department of Education

HIGHER EDUCATION

Member CLARISSA S. SEGISMUNDO Education Programs Lead Microsoft Philippines

Member ALLAN B. DE GUZMAN, Ph.D. Professor College of Education University of Santo Tomas

Chairperson

PERFECTO A. ALIBIN, Ed.D. Commissioner Commission on Higher Education

Member

MANUEL B. DY, JR., Ph.D. Professor Department of Philosophy  Ateneo de Manila University

Member QUEENA N. LEE-CHUA, Ph.D. Professor

Department of Mathematics

Ateneo de Manila University

BOARD OF ASSESSORS

AWARD FOR POLICE OFFICERS

Chairperson

CYRIL E. RAMOS

Deputy Ombudsman

Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices

Office of the Ombudsman

AWARD FOR SOLDIERS

Member YASMIN MAPUA-TANG Executive Director Probe Media Foundation

Member

ATTY. MARCIANO G. DELSON Dean College of Law San Beda University

Chairperson

ATTY. MARIA ANTHONETTE VELASCO-ALLONES

Chief Operating Officer Tourism Promotions Board

Member LUISITO G. MONTALBO

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Leadership and Human Resource Ateneo Graduate School of Business

Member MENCHIE A. SILVESTRE Executive Director Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc.

The Metrobank Foundation shall endeavor to be the country’s premier corporate philanthropic foundation contributing a significant impact on social development. As a development organization, we aim to uplift individuals and strategically link with their institutions for a shared purpose. By creating and propagating a culture of excellence and providing solutions to stakeholder’s needs, we continuously expand our scope of reach and be at the forefront in serving communities. “Excel. Engage. Empower.” or the 3Es shall remain our roadmap.

VISION

To be the country’s premier corporate philanthropic foundation contributing a significant impact on social development.

MISSION

As the heart of the Metrobank Group, we live up to our “Excel. Engage. Empower.” roadmap that embodies who we are and what we do.