2018 TOPS Recognition Ceremony

RC Makati Metro’s 2018 TOPS Recognition Ceremony

Doting father, loyal and affectionate spouse, dutiful subordinate, upright public servant, honorable community member, inextricably patriotic and devout to the Higher Power are the common qualities exemplified by LTC Francis A. Senoron PA (GSC), LTC Danilo T. Facundo PN (M) and LTC Thomas Ryan R. Seguin PAF, the three deserving awardees of the 2018 Search for TOPS who emerged among the highfliers in the AFP, after the rigorous and absolute evaluation and investigation. ­­­­­­­­

In a joint effort between the highly esteemed Rotary Club of Makati Metro and the Metrobank Foundation, renowned for its noble undertaking of propagating the­­­ heroic and inspirational stories, notable contributions and worth of the outstanding Filipino soldiers, the three awardees of this year’s TOPS were honored in a ceremonial dinner on September 25, 2018 at The City Club, Makati City.

TOPS, known as one of the most coveted and prestigious awards for public service in the country, is the flagship project of the Rotary Club of Makati Metro as a tribute to the outstanding Filipino soldiers. The criteria for recognition include summary of operational and internal accomplishments, professional development, position and contribution to the service and to the community. TOPS searches have significantly improved in terms of criteria, scope and relevance. For two straight years, TOPS has been conducting field validation to verify the authenticity of the nominees’ milestone of accomplishment. Assessors of TOPS visited the areas where the accomplishments of the nominees were said to be accomplished to get an actual grasp of the nominee’s involvement and contribution to their communities, to gauge the significance of the nominees’ accomplishments and to determine the characters of the nominees through the testimonies of the beneficiaries and stakeholders that have been identified. Among the board of assessors of the 2018 TOPS are Deputy Ombudsman Hon. Cyril E. Ramos, BusinessWorld Managing Editor Wilfredo G. Reyes and Prof. Renato De Castro from DLSU.

Sixty six prominent personalities in the country graced the remarkable event organized under the leadership of IP Raul Del Rosario and supported by the other members including PP Humprey O’Leary, Rtn. Francis Jardeleza, PP Noli Acosta, PP Matt Mayuga, PP Rolly Ramirez, IPP Roy Rafols and PP Dondi Sanz.

The attendees of the occasion include the Commander of the Southern Luzon and former TOPS awardee Lt. Gen Dan Pamonag, the Commanding General Philippine Army Lt. Gen Rolando Bautista, Metrobank Foundation President Chito Sobrepena, Rotary District 3830 PDG Jimmy Cura, the former Tops awardees, members of RC New Manila East, members of the RC Makati Metro and their ANNS and TOPS 2018 Board of Assessors.

One million in cash, a trophy, media recognition and an honorific title were among the rewards and privileges for the three awardees who serve as inspirations and role models to the whole armed forces.

In the event, IP Del Rosario left a note he quoted from Manuel Quezon’s delivered speech in 1883 that no nation will succeed, if its citizens do not succeed. Paramount to the speeches of the awardees was the statement that the problems faced by the country couldn’t be solved by the military alone but through the involvement and support of all the stakeholders and outside the government.

w/ LTC Thomas Ryan R. Seguin PAF
2018 TOPS Awardee

w/ Mr. Aniceto Sobrepeña
President, MBFI

Congratulations RC Makati Metro and Metrobank Foundation!

To many more years of service above self!