An outstanding Filipino soldier's story

Point o£ view

- By ANNA ISABEL C. SOBREPENA

Une day 1n September, 1 sat beslde a soldler and listened to his story of a seemingly evanescent peace which emerged from a longstanding conflict in the country. Staff Sergeant Michael S. Rayanon of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 3 of the Philippine Navy is one of the 10 Outstanding Filipinos awarded by the Metrobank Foundation. It was during the dinner following the recognition ceremonies that I learned about his pursuit of building trust between the military and the communities in Palawan where he is assigned.

The absence of flash and dash was typical of the winners in the 40-year-old annual, nationwide search conducted by the philanthropic arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies. He had completed a degree in Secondary Education in Social Science, a trajectory towards becoming a history teacher. Instead, he Metrobank FOunda' enlisted in the Philippine tion's professional ser- Marine Corps, yielding vice awards annually to an aspiration from his amplifies educators, younger days to become peacekeepers and de- a soldier. "It was one of fenders who raise the the best decisions I had bar of excellence in the ever made! he Sand: I Service Of the countr found a profound sense y' of identity, purpose and fulfillment."

Sincerely yours