PRESS RELEASE
February 25, 2019
Balutan receives Metrobank’s ACES award
In recognition for his continued service and excellence, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan was given the Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES) by Metrobank Foundation (MBFI).
Balutan recieved the prestigious award at the Le Pavillon, Roxas Blvd., EDSA, Pasay City on February 21.
“I feel proud and honored to be chosen as one of the ACES awardees,” said Balutan.
The recognition, which coincided with MBFI’s 40th founding anniversary, was given to past MBFI awardee who have continued to stand out in their respective fields after having been honored by the Foundation for their career service achievements.
In 2011, Balutan was one of The Outstanding Philippine Soldier (TOPS) awardees. A graduate of Philippine Military Academy “Matikas” Class of 1983 who earned the moniker “Mandirigma” (or warrior in English), the bemedalled major general has served the government as Marine commander to Bureau of Corrections chief and now the PCSO general manager.
Prior to his current position, Balutan was a Mindanao combat veteran whose nose for intelligence-gathering helped quell threats in conflict-plagued provinces like Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao.
Balutan spent more than 38 years of his adult life in the Marine Corps, two-thirds of it in the battlefronts, and has survived more than 50 combat encounters and four ambushes against the enemy of the state.
Looking back, Balutan credited his humble beginnings as what greatly shaped who he is today. He knows how to plant rice, sow corn and beans, herd carabao and other farm animals - where they get their livelihood and money to augment the meager salaries of their parents to support their education.
“My late father had said: ‘We are not capable’. That challenged and encouraged us to stand and fight our way in life. Up to now, I think about it. And this gave me the impetus to rise to any challenges life may bring. Due to my late father’s excellent parenting, all of us his children are now successful in life,” shared Balutan.
Balutan’s father, Alejandro, a World War II veteran and a Master sergeant at the Philippine Army, raised them in militarily, which influenced him and his younger brothers to enter the military and police service.
With that mindset to follow the footsteps of his father, Balutan took the PMA entrance exams and the rest is history.
“There is no greater glory and fulfillment than serving the country and saving the lives of the people. I am most passionate in touching lives. I do not belong to an affluent family. During my younger years, we have to work every day in the farm in order to support the needs of the family. I know how hard it is to live with less,” said Balutan.
As PCSO’s incumbent general manager, the former marine general prides his administration for the countless of lives by PCSO, local government units, non-government offices, and other civic organizations that were given ambulance and financial assistance in order to provide their constituents with better medical and charity services.
“When I was in the military, I always look forward to the day when people can walk anytime and anywhere without fear. Now that I am with PCSO, I look forward to the day when no one will succumb to death without being brought to the doctor or hospital due to lack of money. With PCSO, this will all come true,” he said.
In the future, Balutan sees himself as an “apostolate” looking after and playing with his grandchildren. But for now, he will do his job and follow orders from the President.
“I am serving in the pleasure of the President and like a good soldier, I will follow orders. So it’s up to the President where he will see me best to serve the Filipino people,” Balutan stressed.
“I want the Filipino nation to remember me as the incorruptible ‘Mandirigma’ who have touched the lives of many people.”
“As for my family, I want them to simply remember me as a ‘loving father’,” he concluded.
CAPTION:
PCSO General Manager Alexander Ferrer Balutan receives the Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES) (second from the left) with his wife, Maria Angelina (second from the right). Also in photo are the officials from Metrobank Foundation.
ALEXANDER F BALUTAN
General Manager
For clarifications, pls call Mr. Florante S. Solmerin, Deputy Spokesman for the Office of the General Manager-PCSO at 09274841800 / 099859347 59 or
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