A PROFESSOR from the Ateneo de Manila University has been chosen as one of the 2024 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos awardees.

Dr. Ma Regina Hechanova, also a former chair of the Department of Psychology, will receive the award for being an advocate of mental health.

“This is a great honor for our department, and we are proud of Dr. Hechanova for receiving this prestigious award,” Ateneo said in its website.

“Congratulations to Gina! Public mental health champion, prolific researcher, and inspiring facilitator, teacher and mentor. We are so proud of you!” it added.

The Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos is one of the most prestigious career-service awards for Filipino exemplars in the academe, military, and police sectors.

It is a career-service award that looks into the entire professional career of the person — all of their accomplishments and services, both big and small, done while in the line of duty and beyond.

A total of 10 personalities — four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers — make up this year’s awardees.

Each awardee will receive a cash prize of P1 million, net of tax, a golden medallion, and ‘The Flame’ trophy during the conferment ceremonies set September 4 as part of Metrobank’s 62nd anniversary celebration.