Markus Castro
At the 2025 Awards Night held at SMX Aura, SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) recognized the country’s top firefighters during the Search for the Ten Outstanding Firefighters (TOFF) of the Philippines.
The awardees, chosen from more than 38,000 firefighters nationwide, embody outstanding courage, service, and leadership. In its second year, this program follows a rigorous selection and interview process that assesses socio-civic involvement, ingenuity and innovation, professional accomplishments, and overall performance.
“Firefighting is often associated with sirens and danger, but there is another side to the story: the long hours, the discipline, and the compassion you show every day,” said SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim during the awards night.
“This remarkable event is not just personal achievement for the awardees but a powerful recognition for the entire Bureau of Fire Protection,” BFP chief Jesus Piedad Fernandez said. “Your [SM Prime] support will not only help us to enhance our capabilities but also strengthen our commitment to serve the public and ensure safety at all times,” he added.
At the awards night, 20 outstanding finalists were recognized for their courage, leadership, and commitment to public service. From these finalists, 10 were chosen as the 2025 Ten Outstanding Firefighters of the Philippines, consisting of five commissioned and five non-commissioned officers.
The award-winning commissioned officers are FSSUPT Bartolome O. Beliran, DSC (BFP Region 6); FSUPT Josephus Franco Alburo (Las Piñas City); FCINSP Zardoz V. Abela (OPFM – Biliran); FSINSP Julius R. Mangrubang (Talavera Fire Station, Nueva Ecija); and FSINSP Karl Aerole M. Rojales (Bureau of Fire Protection NHQ).
The non-commissioned officer (NCO) winners are: SFO1 Jan Vincent R. Alba (Lucena Fire Station), SFO2 Donn Canlas Anloague (Davao City Fire District – SRF), FO3 Dianne Daphne P. Bruno (Santiago City Fire Station), SFO2 Lloyd Casilao Francisco (Botolan Fire Station, Zambales), and FO2 Bernard P. Sureta (Daet Fire Station).
Additionally, the other 10 finalists include NCO officers SFO3 Daisy Leal Cabautan, FO2 Jay Lord B. Corpuz, SFO1 Sussie May Limaco Magan, SFO4 Rachel Sangalang Nicasio, and FO1 James Harley Omayao Palencia. The commissioned officer finalists are FSUPT Raul G. Bustaliño, FCINSP Marc Allan C. Consuegra, FCINSP Anthony Cadion De Paz, FSUPT Jacqueline Sanson Ortega, and FCINSP Julius Daryl M. Bulatao.
Each of the 10 winners received a P250,000 cash prize, and each finalist received P25,000. Complimentary airfare and accommodations at Lanson Place Mall of Asia were provided to the immediate families of all 20 finalists.
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