MA ELLA F. FABELLA
Zamboanga City's Beacon of Hope for the Sama-Bajau
Master Teacher II
Maasin Learning Center
Zamboanga City
Specialization: Early Childhood Education
Years in Service: 25 years
As an Indigenous People's Education (IPEd) Program teacher, Ma. Ella F. Fabella pledges to work for the Sama-Bajau kids to guide them to become better persons with dignity and pride and who will stand up for their tribe. Teacher Ella started Project B.E.A.R. or Bajau Educational Activities and Recreation and pioneered Pantawid Tutorial Reading Program at Maasin Learning Center—an innovative initiative where 4Ps parent leaders serve as tutors to Sama-Bajau learners.
FRANCO RINO C. APOYON
Zamboanga Sibugay's Cultivator of Greenducation
Head Teacher II
Kabasalan National High School
Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay
Specialization: Biological Sciences
Years in Service: 11 years
As an advocate for environmental education, Franco Rino C. Apoyon pioneered the integration of “Greenducation” in basic education in Zamboanga Peninsula and last-mile barangays by strengthening the implementation of the Youth for Environment in Schools Program. Teacher Poy developed an award-winning environmental story book, "Ang Paglalakabay ni Papa Gong: Tahanan sa Bakawan." He also championed sustainability with a product called "Plantable Paper" and advocates for Reach to Teach—the promotion of sustainable practices among last-mile barangays.
MARIA REGINA M. HECHANOVA-ALAMPAY, PhD
Quezon City's Mental Health Champion
Professor
Ateneo de Manila University
Quezon City
Specialization: Psychology
Years in Service: 23 years
Maria Regina M. Hechanova-Alampay PhD, enabled focus on the mental health and well-being of Filipinos in communities, workplaces, and schools, by developing teaching and research materials, research, and conducting outreach programs related to organizational psychology and public mental health for those who need it. Professor Alampay's Katatagan framework, a free community-based mental health intervention program that is being replicated by LGUs addresses the following: (1) mental health of disaster-stricken communities (2) mental recovery and rehabilitation from drug abuse, and (3) public mental health awareness.
DECIBEL V. FAUSTINO-ESLAVA, PhD
Los Baños' Environmental Crusader
Professor 9
University of the Philippines Los Baños
Los Baños, Laguna
Specialization: Environmental Geology
Years in Service 15 years
Hinged on understanding earth systems, Decibel V. Faustino-Eslava, PhD, provides guidance to holistic environmental management approaches to ensure effective protection, rehabilitation, and enhancement of our ecosystems. Professor Eslava’s Project SARAi (Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines), an action research on smarter agriculture, developed traditional and non-conventional methods for effective knowledge and skills dissemination. Her Project LIGTAS (Landslide Investigations on Geohazards preparedness and Timely Advisories in the Philippines)—a national landslide database is now integrated into the GeoRiskPH of DOST-PHIVOLCS. She also leads the research on the impacts of mining activities on watersheds in the country. In 2023, UP Los Baños School of Environmental Science and Management launched a pioneering PhD program in Environmental Diplomacy and Negotiations, the first in Southeast Asia, where Eslava is one of the core faculty members.
Staff Sergeant MICHAEL S. RAYANON PN(M)
Palawan's Empowerment Vanguard for the Indigenous Peoples
Public Affairs Non-Commissioned Officer
Marine Battalion Landing Team 3
Philippine Navy
San Vicente, Palawan
Specialization: Civil-Military Operations - Public Affairs
Years in Service: 19 years
Staff Sergeant Michael S. Rayon PN(M), as a Civil-Military Operations Operator, is dedicated to transforming the youth and the indigenous communities in Palawan through proactive engagement and empowerment initiatives. He played a key role in addressing Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) threats; employing diverse training methods and engaged local authorities to foster collaboration; and safeguarding Palawan against the resurgence of CTGs. He also held a crucial participation in coordinating humanitarian and disaster response operations following Super Typhoon Odette; ensuring rapid deployment of assistance; and leading the implementation of Php 20M Barangay Development Projects, with several Serbisyo Caravans in Northern Palawan, contributing to the region’s declaration as insurgency-free.
Major RON JR T. VILLAROSA (INF) PA
Bangsamoro's Transformative Peacebuilder
Chief, Civil Affairs Division
CMO Research Center
Civil-Military Operations Regiment
Philippine Army
Taguig City
Specialization: Infantry
Years in Service: 13 years
Major Ron JR T. Villarosa (INF) PA has sought unconventional approaches to provide solutions to the root causes of armed conflict in his areas of operation, particularly by transforming barren communities into farmlands for the returnees. He has initiated "Seed of the Future" to address the needs of MNLF communities, post-Zamboanga siege, and has expanded the reintegration efforts to returnees in Basilan. He also played an active role in addressing the humanitarian crisis post-Marawi Siege, restoring governance and peace among internally displaced persons (IDP) families; and implementing strategies to foster self-sufficiency in Lanao del Sur to create a stable foundation for long-term rehabilitation.
Captain SALVADOR M SAMBALILO PN (GSC)
Philippine Navy's Cyber Systems Innovator
Assistant Chief of Fleet Staff
Fleet Staff for Weapons, Communications, Electronics, and
Information Systems, F6
Headquarters Philippine Fleet
Philippine Navy
Subic, Zambales
Specialization: Cyber Warfare
Years in Service: 25 years
Captain Salvador M. Sambalilio PN (GSC)’s priority is to advance his trailblazing excellence in Philippine Navy modernization and cyber warfare, focusing on strategic roadmap for ICT development and technology and systems management. He also spearheaded the modernization of the Philippine Navy’s administrative information systems, replacing outdated legacy systems. He advocated for the key cybersecurity strategies within the Navy, and developed initiatives involving cyber reservist recruitment and gamifying cyber awareness campaigns to advance digital transformation.
Police Staff Sergeant LLENA SOL-JOSEFA M. JOVITA
Cagayan de Oro's Community Care Advocate
Monitoring and Evaluation Police Non-Commissioned Officer
City Police Strategy Management Unit
Cagayan de Oro City Police Office
Cagayan de Oro City
Specialization: Police Community Relations
Years in Service: 12 years
Police Staff Sergeant Llena Sol-Joefa M. Jovia implemented the "Gatas Mo Kinabuhi Ko" program in Cagayan de Oro City which allows mothers who are unable to breastfeed to obtain milk from healthy, lactating women. She also developed the "Safe Swim Program," which trains at-risk children in swimming and educate them with water safety, as well as the "Together We Can" program, aimed at educating the youth against substance abuse and bullying to create a harmonious, peaceful community who cares for one another.
Police Major MARK RONAN B BALMACEDA
The Valiant Police Defender of Liberty and Integrity
Deputy Force Commander
Regional Mobile Force Battalion
National Capital Region Police Office
Taguig City
Specialization: Operations and Intelligence
Years in Service: 16 years
Police Major Mark Ronan B. Balmaceda contributed to the strategic military operations in the liberation of Marawi City, with a focus on his leadership in strategic military operations, hostage rescue, and the recovery of enemy weapons. He also drafted the Oplan: Pagsungko to ensure a fair and corrupt-free PNP recruitment, and conceptualized a comprehensive security plan for the La Mesa Watershed Reservation Complex to protect the area—and the Filipinos who benefit from it.
Police Lieutenant Colonel BRYAN G. BERNARDINO
Sultan Kudarat's Bridge Builder for Peace
Chief of Police
Tacurong City Police Station
Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office
Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat
Specialization: Intelligence
Years in Service :21 years
Police Lieutenant Colonel Bryan G. Bernardino plays an active role in creating a peaceful community to a venue of conflict and war with his milestone accomplishment, Kakep Ka Su Kalilintad (Embracing the Peace), where people embrace life with peace. By pushing for joint efforts involving the Tacurong City Police Station and various agencies, their neutralization operations led to a significant reduction in terrorism incidents in Sultan Kudarat. His projects involve counter-radicalization activities by community dialogues, educational forums, and successful engagement with Muslim communities to prevent radicalization and drug abuse through PROJECT MADRASA and SKUL KA BA with notable outcomes leading to peace and zero recruitment of terrorists among Muslim youth.
