TOPS Awarding Held at Malacañan Palace
May 17, 2009, Makati City
By Pres Randy Perez, RC Makati Metro

The awarding ceremony of the Ten Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) was held on 26 March 2009 at Malacañan Palace. The event was graced by the presence of no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Secretary of National Defense Hon. Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., AFP Chief General Alexander B. Yano and District 3830 Governor Edgardo Limon.

After six (6) months of searching for the crème de la crème in the Philippine Armed Forces, the Rotary Club of Makati Metro (RCMM), together with the Metrobank Foundation, is pleased to announce the following winners for TOPS 2009:

A.  Philippine Army

1. Lt. Col. Lope C. Dagoy
2. M. Sgt. Romeo H. Jandugan
3. S. Sgt. Fidel C. Delara

B.   Philippine Navy

1. Col. Romeo T. Tanalgo
2. T. Sgt. Ramon B. Cabeguin
3. DP2 Reynor S. Calzado

C.   Philippine Air Force

1. Col. Restituto F. Padilla, Jr.
2. S. Sgt. Blas C. Austria
3. T. Sgt. Salvador S. Buenaobra, Jr.

D.  Technical Services

1. Col. Pedro G. Herrera-Davila

To start with, a list of 80 candidates were submitted, the highest number in the history of the competition, from where 20 were shortlisted as finalists. Eventually, 10 were chosen as winners by the board of judges which was composed of the following:

1. Secretary Norberto B. Gonzales
2. Congresswoman Zenaida B. Angping
3. Justice Portia A. Hormachuelos
4. Ambassador Donald G. Dee
5. Rev. Fr. Mateo J. De Jesus, OSB
6. Mr. Miguel G. Belmonte
7. Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip, Ph.D.

In his speech, RCMM President Randy Perez stated that, “For while this is a civilian award, the T.O.P.S. is also a military award. Our awardees immediately become military ambassadors to the public. Our awardees serve as the models of Philippine soldiery at its best.”