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Private sectors to recognize soldiers' excellence, improve public perception
Isabela City, Basilan (2 November 2010) -- It's an award that goes beyond a mere tap on the back.
Besides recognizing the "selfless acts of gallantry" of the Filipino soldiers, the search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) 2011, conducted annually by the Metrobank Foundations, Inc. (MFI) in partnership with the Rotary Club of Makati, aims to change the negative perception of the public towards the soldiers by bringing their stories of courage, dedication, integrity and exemplary community service to the people.

MFI Executive Director Nicanor Torres Jr, who conducted an information campaign at the Western Command (WESCOM) last October 28 to encourage the soldiers here to join the search, said the TOPS Award is an expression of gratitude from the private sectors for the sacrifices and the heroism shown by the Filipino soldiers in performing their duties.

More importantly, Torres said the award wants to help change the public perception towards the public servants, which in this case are the soldiers.

He explained that media coverage has almost always cast the armed forces in bad light in the past and they want to counter that by showcasing the accomplishments of the soldiers and their meritorious contributions to the community.

With a sense of poetic justice, they will also use media exposure so that the soldiers will be able to tell their stories to the people and inspire them.

The MFI executive director shared that, every year, they hear many inspiring stories involving the Filipino soldiers that motivate them to continue the program.

WESCOM Commander Major General Juancho M. Sabban, who himself was one of the TOPS Awardee in 2003, encourages his men to join the contest and even promised to sign their endorsement to their mother unit so as "not to deny any WESCOM soldiers of the opportunity to receive the award."

He said he values his TOPS award more than some of the military awards he had received because it came from the civilian sector.

"Napakahirap kumbinsihin ng mga sibilyan na magaling tayo (It's very hard to convince the civilians that we're good at our jobs)," he jokingly remarked as he was sharing his experience in receiving the award but seriously added, addressing his men, that "we need to show that we are at the frontline of nation-building."

Besides receiving the TOPS Award, MGen Sabban is also a recipient of the Continuing Award for Excellence in Service, or the ACES award, having been selected from the list of all who already won the TOPS Award.

LTC Juan Ismael T. Villadolid, Acting CUCS of WESCOM and co-current U7, WESCOM, said the award could also empower the soldiers to become better partners in community development.

The TOPS award is part of the recognition the MFI confers to different public servants, which include the police and the teachers.

Since 1999, already 126 great soldiers were honored by the award. The MFI gives the award to ten soldiers, who are selected and judged by a multi-sector body, every year.

The MFI executive director said that by giving face to heroism, they hope that the deeds of these soldiers will be emulated by their peers in the military. (6CRGAFP Released through PIA9-BST)

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