TOPS: In Search of Armed Forces’ Crème de la Crème
September 12, 2008, Makati City
By Pres Randy Perez, RC Makati Metro
Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Alexander B. Yano, the Rotary Club of Makati Metro (RCMM) and Metrobank Foundation, formally launch the 2009 Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) during the AFP’s flag raising ceremony on September 8 at the AFP General Headquarters Canopy Ground, Camp Aguinaldo Quezon City. The launching was highlighted by a tripartite MOA signing between Gen. Yano, Mr. Aniceto Sobrepeña, Metrobank Foundation Inc. President and RCMM President Atty. Hernando “Randy” Perez Jr. |
Joining them at the event were Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado (Army), Rear Adm. Ferdinand Golez, (Navy), Maj. Gen. Rene Badilla (Air Force), Gov. Boyet Limon, RI District 3830, Mr. Albert Guevarra, Chairman of TOPS 2009 and Elvira Ong-Chan, Exec. Vice President of Metrobank Foundation.
In his message during the ceremony, Gen. Yano said that the TOPS competition continues to challenge, motivate and inspire the soldiers to become role models in showing the Filipino spirit for community service. “The TOPS award is a call to duty to every soldier to give their best to the nation.”, Gen. Yano said. Likewise, Mr. Sobrepeña mentioned that the true value of the TOPS search is that it brings the soldiers’ stories to the fore. “The award brings back the human face to the dedicated men and women in the field so that society would remember the important role the AFP plays in our nation.” Mr. Sobrepeña said. “For while this is a civilian award, the TOPS is also a military award. Our awardees immediately become ambassadors of the military to the public,” Pres Randy Perez said in his address.
The TOPS Award celebrates excellence in military vocation and aims to encourage and recognize examples of personal and professional achievements evident in the track records of the nominee. The TOPS search also looks closely into the nominee's personal character, professional training, and contribution to the advancement of the public good. Winners will be chosen for their career achievements in the entirety of their military service. The TOPS search will choose two outstanding Enlisted Personnel and one outstanding Commissioned Officer from each of the three branches of the AFP, namely, the Army, Navy and Air Force, and one awardee from the AFP Technical Services. Each awardee will receive a cash prize of Php 250,000.
Since its inception in 1994, the TOPS already recognized 106 gallant men and women of the Armed Forces. Among the past TOPS awardees are Brig. Gen. William Campos (2003), Brig. Gen. Renato Lorenzo Sanchez (1995), Brig. Gen. Cesario Atienza (2002), Brig. Gen. Lino Horacio Lapinid, (1997) and Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban (2003). |
