Malabon rolled out the gold carpet last November 15, 2025, as the city marked the 40th Gintong Parangal Awards — but this year, one presence drew the spotlight brighter than the rest: Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, Malabon’s proud son and one of the country’s strongest voices for integrity in public service.
The Gintong Parangal, organized annually by KaSaMa, Inc. in partnership with the Malabon City Government, celebrates men and women whose achievements uplift not just their community but the nation at large. And amid the 270 distinguished honorees, it was Commissioner Nepomuceno’s appearance — not merely as a guest, but as keynote speaker — that electrified the hall.
Why? Because this was a homecoming anchored not in nostalgia, but in principle.
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THE HOMETOWN SON WHO REFUSES TO BRING SHAME TO MALABON
Commissioner Nepomuceno stood before his fellow Malabueños not as a bureaucrat, but as a man who carries his roots like a compass. He spoke with the conviction of someone who knows exactly where he came from — and more importantly, what values he must uphold because of it.
His message was razor-focused:
•End corruption in the BOC,
•Collect what is rightfully due to the government, and
•Advance true good governance,
all while ensuring that no stain of dishonor ever touches the name of Malabon.
For a hometown crowd, this was not mere rhetoric — this was a promise from one of their own.
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A CLEAR WARNING TO SMUGGLERS: “HARDER DAYS ARE COMING”
In one of the strongest declarations of the night, Commissioner Nepomuceno expressed confidence that under his leadership, smuggling will become significantly more difficult.
A bold statement, yes — but one consistent with the decisive actions his administration has already begun at the Bureau of Customs.
It was a message that resonated far beyond the venue: a clear notice to syndicates and corrupt operators that the BOC under Nepomuceno is an entirely different beast.
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INTEGRITY: THE HEART OF HIS MESSAGE
If there was a single theme that anchored his keynote, it was integrity.
Not as a slogan. Not as a bureaucratic requirement. But as the lifeblood of genuine achievement.
Commissioner Nepomuceno reminded everyone — awardee or public official — that without integrity, no award, no title, no milestone carries real value.
It was a striking reminder in a time when public trust is often shaken: honor means nothing without honesty.
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A COMMISSIONER WHO ELEVATES HIS HOMETOWN
More than 270 individuals were recognized that night, and Commissioner Nepomuceno congratulated them warmly — but it was his own presence and message that left a lasting imprint on the event.
Malabon did not just welcome back a decorated official.
Malabon welcomed back a leader whose brand of governance is anchored on discipline, conviction, and moral clarity.
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THE GINTONG PARANGAL MOMENT WE NEEDED
By the night’s close, one thing was undeniable:
Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno didn’t just attend the 40th Gintong Parangal — he elevated it.
His keynote was more than a speech; it was a declaration of what leadership should look like in this country:
Firm but fair.
Principled but compassionate.
Ambitious but grounded in the values of one’s own community.
In a nation hungry for genuine public servants, Commissioner Nepomuceno’s presence at the awards served as both an inspiration and a challenge — a reminder that excellence means nothing without integrity.
And in that moment, Malabon — and the Filipino people — saw exactly why he stands out.
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