By Francis Wakefield
The Commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, Major General Cirilito E. Sobejana, who is also the concurrent commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Central, was a recipient of this year's Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES) of the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. during its 40th Anniversary celebration at the Le Pavillon, Pasay City on February 21, 2019.
Major General Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Philippine Army's 6th Infantry Division (6ID) and Joint Task Force (JTF) Central (photo courtesy of Wikipedia / MANILA BULLETIN)
Maj Gen Sobejana was one of the 40 exceptional men and women 2019 ACES awardees who have set a worthy example for every Filipino to emulate. He was also a recipient of the 1995 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldier.
During the event, the Metrobank Foundation highlighted their celebration with the recognition of Partner in Empowerment, Advocacy, and Commitment to Excellence (PEACE) to 40 selected partner institutions committed in uplifting the lives of the least in society and recognizing the best of the Filipinos.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), meanwhile, was bestowed with one of the PEACE award, AFP Chief of Staff General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. received the "Kapit-Bisig" trophy for that recognition.
The roster of the 2019 PEACE honorees consists of institutions from national government agencies, non-government and socio-civic organizations, diplomatic missions, media, business, and the academe.
Also awarded with ACES were current and former AFP personnel: General Carlito Galvez, Jr. (Ret), former AFP chief of staff and 2007 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldier; Major General Alexander Balutan (Ret), 2011 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldier; Lieutenant General Raul Del Rosario (Ret), 2011 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldier; Lieutenant General Danilo Pamonag (Ret), 2015 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldier; Commodore Alberto Carlos, Naval Combat Engineering Brigade Commander and 2014 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldier;
Rear Admiral Erick Kagaoan, Philippine Navy Chief-of-Naval Staff and 2012 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldier; Colonel Giemel Espino PAF, 2005 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldier; Brigadier General Custodio Parcon Jr., Acting Inspector General of AFP and 1994 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldier; Chief Master Sergeant Nelson Mercado PAF, 2011 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldier; Colonel Hernanie Songano PN (M), 2005 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldier; and Colonel Romeo Brawner, Jr. PA, 2013 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Soldier.
The ACES awardees received the SPIRAL medallion from the board of members of the Foundation.