Ten public servants who spent decades tackling critical national issues in education, defense, and public safety were named the 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos on September 4, 2026.

Conferred during a ceremony at the Grand Hyatt Manila as the centerpiece of Metrobank’s 64th anniversary, the award recognized four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers. Selected from hundreds of nationwide nominations, each recipient received 1 million pesos net of tax, a golden medallion, and “The Flame” trophy.

“Their achievements remind us that success is built on accountability, discipline, and a commitment to serving others well. These are principles that have guided Metrobank throughout its history and continue to shape how we create value for our clients, support businesses, and contribute to our country’s growth,” said Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee.

Educators Bridging the Learning Gap

The four teacher awardees focused on expanding educational access and developing innovative learning tools in underserved regions:

• Dr. Emmanuel D. Guarde (Oriental Mindoro): Dedicated 16 years to working with the Alangan Mangyan community to build culture-based education preserving indigenous language and traditions. He helped set up a primary school and led community initiatives in sanitation, solar lighting, healthcare, and livelihoods.
• Engr. Sheila Marie M. Amigo (Zamboanga Sibugay): Created the Dynamic Utilization of Learning by Amusement initiative, utilizing recycled and low-cost materials to teach complex physics concepts. The program grew from 15 to over 3,000 students while mentoring 200 teachers.
• Dr. Cecilia O. Bucayong (Bukidnon): Spent nearly 30 years simplifying physics through patented instructional equipment now used across 21 institutions in Mindanao. She also launched “Physics Meetup,” a rural-based platform connecting local learners with global scientists.
• Dr. Jefferson A. Hora (Iligan City): Led the expansion of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology’s microelectronics laboratory into the Center for Integrated Circuits Design in 2023. He secured over ₱100 million in research funding, authored 72 Scopus-indexed publications, and filed four Philippine patents.

Soldiers Innovating on the Frontlines

The three military awardees adapted to shifting operational challenges by driving technological and intelligence breakthroughs:

• Staff Sergeant Joebelle O. Cerdinio SC (PA): After sustaining severe injuries in the 2017 Marawi Siege that rendered him unfit for combat, he co-developed the GESCON command-and-control platform, cutting information-processing times by more than 50 percent. He also built a unified radio network across 16 municipalities in Zamboanga Sibugay, serving 670,000 residents.
• Staff Sergeant John Daren P. Noche PAF: Taught himself computer programming to build three digital systems that reduced firearm accounting time by 50 percent, cut personnel processing times by 90 percent, and accelerated mission risk assessments from hours to seconds for 483 military personnel. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as his unit’s sole certified swabber.
• Lieutenant Colonel Rommel M. Geli PN(M): Leveraged 22 years of service to strengthen maritime surveillance in the West Philippine Sea. Since 2013, he developed a Maritime Domain Awareness framework and a satellite-enabled real-time tracking system while conducting intelligence operations using indigenous boats.

Police Officers Transforming Public Safety

The three police awardees reshaped law enforcement by focusing on trust, technology, and community engagement:

• Police Master Sergeant Dwight Alexis B. Supsupin: Developed the Sulat Kamay Program in the Cordillera region, using values formation and school partnerships to build youth resilience against extremist influences.
• Police Major Baby Rose P. Cajulao (Cagayan): Spearheaded Project Manang BIDAY, training over 1,300 women to lead community-based drug prevention efforts, alongside managing scholarship programs and youth protection initiatives.
• Police Lieutenant Colonel Robert R. Mansueto (Antique): Modernized local policing by introducing the Traffic Information and Monitoring System and the Barangay e-Blotter System to implement data-driven law enforcement and road safety programs.

Four Decades of Recognition

Established under the vision of Metrobank founder Dr. George S.K. Ty, the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos program has honored 735 professionals across 41 years since its inception in 1985.