Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Awarding of the Medallion of Excellence to the 2025 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos

Thank you to our Education Secretary, Secretary Sonny Angara. [Please be seated.]

Our Interior and Local Government Secretary, Secretary Jonvic Remulla; DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman; the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner; Metrobank and Metrobank Foundation Inc. Chairman Arthur Ty; GT Capital Holdings, Inc. Vice Chairman Alfred Ty; Metrobank Foundation, Inc. President Philip Francisco Dy; awardees of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos and their families; my fellow workers in government; partners from the private sector; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Good afternoon.

It is always with the greatest pride, honor, and pleasure that I honor the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos every day, every year, and each time that we have these occasions.

Because you are exemplary individuals who have gone the extra mile to transform lives, to uplift communities.

Mga kababayan, ipinakita ninyo na ang tunay na paglilingkod sa bayan ay hindi nasusukat sa katayuan sa lipunan, kundi sa layuning maghatid ng pagbabago sa ating mga kababayan.

Kayo ang mukha ng Bagong Pilipino: matapat, may paninindigan, at buong pusong naghahatid ng serbisyo sa kapwa Pilipino.

It is also fitting that this celebration coincides with the 40th year of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos program.

Since its inception, this program has become a beacon of integrity and inspiration, proving that even at the most difficult times, there will always be Filipinos who remain committed to serving and leading with honor.

This year’s Outstanding Filipinos show us once again that service wears many faces but is bound by one shared goal: to serve the community, to serve the country.

Among our teachers, we honor Mr. Noel Sadinas, who turned a dumpsite into a classroom for indigenous learners. Well done. Thank you. [applause]

Mr. Amando Perfecto Molin, whose programs in sustainability and acts of kindness inspired students across Southeast Asia. By your teaching — bringing our culture to other peoples around the world.

Dr. Mylene Uy, who pioneered natural products research in Mindanao. That is state-of-the-art in a locality where you would not expect to find it.

And Dr. Angelo Mark Walag, who championed experiential learning and empowered teachers in underserved schools. By the way, Dr. Walag, that was a very fine speech. And, Sec. Sonny, I think he was talking to the two of us when – [laughter] in his comments. Well noted, Dr. [laughter]

Within the ranks of our soldiers, we recognize Underwater Operationsman First Class Anro Anthony Turallo, whose courage helped reclaim communities from violent extremism.

Colonel Ricky Canatoy, who rebuilt war-torn villages.
Colonel Joey Fontiveros, whose leadership established the nation’s first Cyber Battalion.

Of our policemen, we pay tribute to Police Master Sergeant Ivan Velasco, whose community-driven programs unite law enforcement and environmental protection. A combination that you would not expect but that he made work.

Police Major Elmira Relox, whose rescue and reintegration efforts have restored the dignity to countless women and children.

And Police Colonel Frederick Obar, whose innovative reforms and digital learning system have transformed the way our police serve and protect the public.

Guro. Sundalo. Pulis. Anuman ang inyong propesyon o paraan ng paglilingkod, ipinapaalala ninyo na ang tunay na kadakilaan ay nasa serbisyo na may dangal at may katarungan.

At a time when our nation faces many challenges that shake our people’s trust in our institutions, your stories once again give us reason to believe in the goodness of our people. They remind us that integrity and excellence must be at the heart of the work that we all do.

And so, we confer these awards at a time when we also confront a difficult question, one that is not lost on any of us.

Mapagkakatiwalaan ba ang pamahalaan?

And to that, I say: Look at these men and women. In their service, you will find your answer. Because of them, we are reminded that hope is never lost, that integrity lives in our institutions, that honor still defines what it means to be a Filipino.

Bawat tapat na guro, sundalo, at pulis ay isang tagumpay laban sa katiwalian at pangun
gutya na sumasalot sa ating bansa.

Kasama po kayo sa aming inspirasyon upang magsumikap na itama ang mga nakagawiang mali sa gobyerno.

Patuloy tayo sa paglilinis ng hanay ng pamahalaan upang matiyak na ang bawat opisyal, bawat lingkod-bayan ay karapat-dapat sa tiwalang ibinibigay sa kanila ng taumbayan.

Hindi madali ang laban na ito. Marami pa tayong haharapin, marami pa tayong pagdadaanan.

It will be hard and sometimes it will be painful, but it will be worth it because what we are fighting for is a country that our children will inherit [and] a nation that they can be proud of, that they can be proud to say I am Filipino.

Ito po ang ating Bagong Pilipinas, kung saan ang katapatan ay hindi lamang hangarin, kundi isang pamantayan.

As we strive towards this vision, we also acknowledge those who make it possible to celebrate the best in our nation.

So, we once again thank Metrobank Foundation and its partners in the private sector, PSBank, Rotary Club of New Manila East, [and] Rotary Club of Makati Metro, for honoring those who embody the best ideals of public service.

Let us nurture hope, courage, and integrity among Filipinos so that our communities may flourish in this age of the Bagong Pilipinas.

Once again, congratulations to all the awardees.

Maraming salamat at mabuhay kayong lahat!

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas! [applause]

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