Exactly a week ago today, I attended the confirmation of the country’s 10 outstanding Filipinos, an annual recognition program by the Metrobank Foundation, which is now in its 40th year.

The grand ballroom of the posh Grand Hyatt Hotel in BGC was teeming with people dressed in their best. The 10 awardees wore their Barong Tagalog, Filipiniana attire, service whites, and ceremonial dress uniforms.

It was a beautiful sight to behold. Guests from various sectors—the diplomatic corps, the academe, the military, and banking—gathered to celebrate not only the foundation’s 40th anniversary but, more importantly, to give a toast to the outstanding men and women who “come from different fields” yet are “united by a common thread—service beyond self.”

As Metrobank President Fabian Dee put it: “We celebrate not only the individuals before us but also the four decades of public service excellence and stories that define the Filipino spirit.”

Unlike previous years, last Friday’s Metrobank Foundation event was a welcome change amidst the ongoing, distressing investigation into the mind-boggling amount of taxpayers’ money that should have gone to essential infrastructure projects but was instead pocketed by unscrupulous individuals.

Yes, Virginia, for 40 years, the foundation has honored men and women who have educated minds, safeguarded lives, and nurtured communities, weaving together a legacy of service that continues to strengthen our nation.

For me, the Metrobank Foundation gathering was a balm that temporarily soothed my aching heart. It was a reprieve from the pervasive corruption, a cancer that has seemingly metastasized in the bureaucracy and needs to be cured with severe dose of civil and criminal punishment.

It was truly refreshing to listen to the honorees’ stories—their passion for their respective professions is something to behold and emulate. Speaking on behalf of her fellow awardees, Dr. Mylene M. Uy described the recognition as “not just a celebration of our individual milestones.”

Instead, she believes it is a “reaffirmation of what is possible when passion meets purpose, and when service becomes a lifelong vow—one that helps communities grow stronger, more resilient, and more hopeful for the future.”

A licensed chemist and a professor at Mindanao State University, she could have chosen to work abroad at the onset of a struggling economy. Instead, after completing her doctoral studies in Japan, she opted to come back home.

Dr. Mylene believes that the “greatest reward of our profession is not prestige, it is people. Those we serve. Those we uplift. And, those we inspire.”

I simply adore how she described the incalculable, precious reward of the teaching profession: “The joy of guiding students—many of whom are now mentors themselves—has shown me that science, when grounded in compassion, becomes a force for both healing and hope.”

I won’t bore you with the names of the other awardees, as they have already been reported. Suffice it to say that they were chosen for their commitment, integrity, courage, and compassion—qualities that transcend personal achievement, uplift communities, and inspire generations.

In Mr. Dee's words: “They are the embodiment of the core values that the Metrobank Group upholds: integrity, passion for results, and heart for community. Their sacrifices and triumphs remind us that true excellence is not only about achievement but also about uplifting lives. May their stories continue to ignite hope and guide our nation toward a brighter future—within these halls and beyond.”

A toast to the awardees and Metrobank Foundation! À Votre Santé