Villanueva commends 2018 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos

Senator Joel Villanueva on Monday sponsored Senate Resolution No. 869 "Recognizing and Congratulating the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos of 2018".

Villanueva underscored that the recipients of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos of 2018 are living witnesses that it is never unconventional for Filipinos to be selfless and to be at the service of their mother land.

"We thank the Metrobank Foundation, Inc., headed by its President, Mr. Aniceto Sobrepeña, for remaining steadfast in searching for individuals who are living witnesses of such conventional Filipino character. This year, 10 Filipino exemplars in the academe, military, and police sectors will join the ranks of 655 outstanding public servants recognized by MBFI since 1985," the senator said during his speech.

"I was grade 4 when Metrobank Foundation launched this initiative. Like many of you, except, probably, some of our senior colleagues who were here in 2002 when the Senate started to recognize Metrobank awardees, I did not get the chance to meet the past honorees. As a matter of fact, the very first time I personally encountered Metrobank's Outstanding Filipinos was in 2016 when I was chosen as Chairman of the Final Board of Judges for the Search for Outstanding Teachers," Villanueva added.

Villanueva also said that for over three decades, the country never runs out of people who embody the best of a conventional Filipino who puts country above self.

"Whatever generation it may be, Filipinos are always capable of altruism and serving their country, in putting more than needed effort, beyond excellence, for nation-building," Villanueva said.

Villanueva stressed that the Ten Outstanding Filipinos in our midst today served as living proofs that anyone can rise above and beyond the call of duty.

"These men and women inspire us to be better, to think big and to believe. They epitomize genuine public service. They manifest the character of a true and conventional Filipino: an inspiration, a modern-day hero, a nation-builder," Villanueva concluded.