Three members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were formally recognized for their outstanding service during the 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Award for Soldiers (MFOFAS) ceremony, held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City — a prestigious occasion celebrating military excellence, integrity, and dedication to the nation.
The awards program, organized in partnership with the Metrobank Foundation and the Rotary Club of Makati, shines a spotlight on uniformed personnel whose conduct and service record stand as a model for the entire AFP institution.
Awardees Drawn From Three Distinct AFP Branches
According to the AFP Public Affairs Office, the three honorees represent different branches and commands within the AFP, demonstrating that exemplary service is not confined to any single unit or specialty. The 2026 MFOFAS recipients are:
- Lieutenant Colonel Rommel M. Geli PN(M) — Commanding Officer, Marine Battalion Landing Team 9, representing the Philippine Navy's Marine Corps
- Staff Sergeant John Daren P. Noche PAF — Assistant NCO-in-Charge for Safety, Tactical Operation Group 10, Tactical Operation Wing Eastern Mindanao Command, representing the Philippine Air Force
- Staff Sergeant Joebelle O. Cerdinio PA — Signal NCO, 102nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry "Tabak" Division, representing the Philippine Army
Their combined backgrounds cover naval ground operations through the Marine Corps, air force safety management, and infantry brigade communications — illustrating the wide range of roles in which Filipino soldiers have distinguished themselves.
Vice Chief of Staff Leads the Ceremony on Behalf of AFP Chief
AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rommel P. Roldan presided over the event, standing in for AFP Chief of Staff General Antonio G. Nafarrete. In his remarks, Lieutenant General Roldan challenged the three awardees to carry forward the same spirit of service that earned them their recognition — and to pass on their knowledge to fellow soldiers who can benefit from their example.
"Ang pagkilalang ito ay pagpupugay sa inyong nagawa. Dalhin Ninyo ang parehong diwa sa susunod na tungkulin, at ibahagi ang inyong kaalaman upang mas marami pa ang makinabang sa inyong nasimulan. Your recognition reminds us that every act of committed service strengthens our organization and contributes to a stronger nation," Lieutenant General Roldan said, as quoted by the AFP Public Affairs Office.
His address reinforced the institutional value the AFP places on individual excellence — viewing each recognized soldier not merely as a recipient of an award, but as a living standard-bearer for the organization's core principles.
AFP Highlights Honor, Service, and Patriotism as Core Pillars
The AFP Public Affairs Office said the accomplishments of the three honorees are a direct embodiment of the AFP's foundational values: honor, service, and patriotism. In the AFP's assessment, the awardees have demonstrated a level of professional excellence and personal commitment that has left a meaningful impact both within their respective military units and in the broader communities where they have served.
The AFP also expressed its appreciation to both the Metrobank Foundation and the Rotary Club of Makati for sustaining the MFOFAS program over the years. This long-standing partnership between the armed forces, the private sector, and civil society organizations underscores a shared commitment to acknowledging selfless military service at a national level.
The MFOFAS has long served as one of the AFP's most visible mechanisms for publicly recognizing soldiers who exceed the expectations of their roles, offering both institutional affirmation and a public signal of the kind of conduct the AFP holds as its ideal standard.
By drawing honorees from the Philippine Navy's Marine Corps, the Philippine Air Force, and the Philippine Army in a single ceremony, the 2026 edition of the awards sends a clear message that the pursuit of excellence is a cross-branch expectation within the AFP — not the exclusive domain of any particular service.
By the Numbers
- 3 — soldiers honored at the 2026 MFOFAS ceremony
- 3 — AFP branches represented: Philippine Navy (Marine Corps), Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Army
- 3 — organizations behind the awards program: the AFP, Metrobank Foundation, and the Rotary Club of Makati
Why This Matters
The MFOFAS ceremony serves as a formal, institutionally backed avenue through which the AFP and its civilian partners publicly affirm that excellence in military service deserves recognition beyond internal commendations. Honoring soldiers drawn from three separate branches reinforces the AFP's message that commitment to duty is a service-wide standard. The continued involvement of the Metrobank Foundation and the Rotary Club of Makati also highlights the important role that the private sector and civil organizations play in strengthening public confidence in the nation's armed forces.
Source: AFP Public Affairs Office / breakingnewsnegor.com