Metrobank Foundation recognizes outstanding Filipinos, partners

For exemplifying “A Heart that Serves”, MBFI conferred 32 exceptional individuals consisting of teachers, police officers, soldiers, artists, journalists, and scholars with ACES (Award for Continuing Excellence and Service). With them on stage (middle from left to right) are MBFI president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, GT Foundation president Alfred V. Ty, and Metrobank president Fabian S. Dee.

MANILA, Philippines — Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI),  the corporate responsibility arm of the Metrobank group, recognized more than 30 individuals and about the same number of institutional partners as it celebrates its 45th year this 2024.

With the vision to become the country’s premier corporate philanthropic foundation, MBFI vows to continue to carry on the legacy of generosity of the late Dr. George S.K. Ty, Metrobank and MBFI founder. It is determined to engage and empower communities toward nation-building through its various corporate social responsibility programs on excellence recognition, visual arts, education, disaster response, and grant-giving.

On its 45th year,  MBFI recognized exceptional individuals from its roster of awardees and scholars who continued performing their duties with excellence and contributing positively to their respective institutions and communities. They were conferred the 5th Metrobank Foundation Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES), having exemplified “A Heart that Serves”—the foundation’s anniversary theme for this year.

“A Heart that Serves” is a philosophy that defines the foundation’s advocacies.

“A heart that serves is powerful and transformative as we have seen through the last 45 years of Metrobank Foundation’s work. We celebrate it as the legacy of Dr. George S. K. Ty, the man who started it all,” said MBFI President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña in his message.

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This same heart can be seen in the enduring commitment of the exemplary individuals that MBFI honored during their anniversary celebration held at Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on Feb 29, 2024.

ACES recipients

More than 30 individuals were recognized during the event, each receiving the ‘Spiral’ medallion created by 1984 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) awardee, Roberto Feleo.

The honorees were chosen among the previous awardees of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos (OF), which recognizes exemplars from the academe, military, and the police, as well as of the MADE, which recognizes the talent and hard work of young Filipino artists. Also included in the roster are the Metrobank Foundation Journalists of the Year (JOY) awardees and Metrobank Foundation scholars.

ACES awardees from the roster of the Metrobank Foundation OF are: Roy B. Basa, Ph.D. (2016), Allan Moore S. Cabrillas, Ph.D. (2014), Allan M. Canonigo, Ph.D. (2004), Ernelea P. Cao, Ph.D. (2016), Thomas Edison E. Dela Cruz, Dr Rer Nat (2015), Ernani S. Fernandez Jr., Ed.D. (2015), Rowena R. Hibanada, Ph.D. (2008), Glendale B. Lamiseria, MS (2007), Lourdes L. Matan, Ph.D. (2009), Rejie F. Palmos, Ph.D. (2015), Samuel R. Soliven, Ph.D. (2003), Mark Anthony J. Torres, Ph.D. (2016), Catherine P. Vistro-Yu, Ed.D. (2012), Col. Wilfredo B Manalang Jr, GSC (2016), BGen Pedro Ramon L Sinajon Jr, AFP (Ret) (1999), PSMS Aida L Awitin (2018), PMAJ Helen L Dela Cruz (2011), PBGEN Joel B Doria, Ph.D. (2017), PMGEN Edgar Alan O Okubo (2013), PCPT Shiela May S Pansoy, MPsy (2017), PMAJ Anna Lisa R Reyes (2008), and PCOL Jemuel F Siason, MPA (2016).

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ACES was also presented to MADE awardees: Leslie E. De Chavez (2003), Christopher L. Gomez (2012), Felix M. Miguel (1989), and Heidrun Milan, IDr (2010);  JOY awardees: Rodrigo “Jiggy” D. Manicad Jr. (2013), Horacio “Howie” G. Severino (2015), and Maria Teresa “Marites” D. Vitug (2015), and former Metrobank Foundation scholars: Mary Rachelle C. Batanes, MA, Maria Rosario P. Ilao, and Brian Gil S. Sarinas, Ph.D.

Institutional partners

Institutional partners were also honored during the special gathering, under the 4th Metrobank Foundation Award for Partners in Empowerment, Advocacy, and Commitment to Excellence (PEACE) to acknowledge their collaborative efforts with MBFI toward nation-building.

“We encourage you to continue with us in this noble call to nation-building, leveraging our modest resources, and amplifying your work as our partners to be there for the disadvantaged and the marginalized. Let us not get tired of doing what is right,” said Sobrepeña, addressing the partners of the foundation.

Thirty institutions that include national government agencies, non-government and socio-civic organizations, international organizations as well as the academe, business, and media received the ‘Kapit-Bisig’ trophy created by Architect Jonathan Dangue, 2011 MADE awardee.

Acknowledged partners from national government agencies were the Department of Education, the Philippine National Police, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine Postal Corp.

From non-government and socio-civic organizations, MBFI honored Got Heart Foundation Inc., Linangan Art Residency, BAYO Foundation Inc., International Care Ministries, Metrobank Foundation Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators, BINHI English Literacy Foundation Inc., Food for the Hungry Inc. Branch Office, Philippine Business for Education, World Vision Development Foundation Inc., and Knowledge Channel Foundation,Inc.

Partners recognized from the business sector include City Savings Bank, Inc., China Bank Savings, BDO Network Bank/BDO Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation Inc., Globe Telecom, and Manila Doctors Hospital.

Metrobank Foundation honored 30 institutional partners from various government agencies, non-government and socio-civic organizations, international organizations, academe, business, and media with the PEACE award to acknowledge their collaborative efforts with MBFI toward nation-building.

PEACE award

The PEACE award was presented to SEAMEO INNOTECH and Manila Tytana Colleges, as well as to media partners GMA Network Inc., DWIZ (Aliw Broadcasting Corp.), and The Manila Times, and COVID-19 intervention partners such as Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines, DZRH (Manila Broadcasting Co.), Manila Water Foundation, and Ateneo de Davao University.

Another highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the gallant members of armed forces and police—Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Soldiers and Police Officers who are promoted as star-rank generals. They were: Gen. Romeo S Brawner Jr (2013); BGen Elmer B Suderio PA (2017); BGen Antonio Z Francisco Jr PAF (2012); BGen Eligen F Villaflor PA (GSC) (2016); PMGen Eric E Noble (Ret) (2009); PMGen Belli B Tamayo (2012); PMGen Edgar Allan O Okubo (2013); PMGen Ronald O Lee (2008); PMGen Leo M Francisco (2010); PBGen Alden B Delvo (2009); PMGenSidney N Villaflor (2010); PBGen Wilson Joseph F Lopez (2007); and PBGen Joel B Doria (Ret) (2017).

Recently, MBFI also recognized its internal stakeholders who were instrumental in helping realize its mission of corporate philanthropy through the Seal of Trust for Allies in Responsive Service (STARS).

MBFI was established on Jan 8, 1979, 16 years after Dr. Ty founded Metrobank.