BIZ BUZZ: Metrobank changing of the guard
MANILA, Philippines – After 30 eventful years, Aniceto “Chito” Sobrepeña is stepping down as head of Metrobank Foundation. Stepping up to the plate to take his place is Philip Francisco “Boyet” Dy, who had served as chief of staff of Leni Robredo when she was vice president.
Dy will officially take over on July 16 and he does so with all the preparation that he needs having been groomed by Sobrepeña himself. The two worked side by side over the years since Dy was brought in as executive vice president after Robredo ended her term.
READ: BIZ BUZZ: Vietnam’s VinFast joins Philippine auto group
He certainly has large shoes to fill as Sobrepeña is a highly respected name in corporate philanthropy circles.
He was elected the first executive director of the Metrobank Foundation in 1995 and held the post for 11 years. Sobrepeña then became president in 2006 and held the post until 2025.
Sobrepeña will also relinquish his concurrent responsibility as the very first executive director of GT Foundation, the family foundation of the late Metrobank founder George S. K. Ty, a post he held from 2009.
No need to fret, however, as Sobrepeña will still be on board as consultant of Metrobank and trustee of the foundation close to his heart.
He will also remain vice chair of Manila Doctors Hospital, chair of Manila Tytana Colleges and Trustee of GT Foundation.
“I am deeply grateful to the family of the late Dr. George S.K. Ty, led now by Mrs. Mary Ty, Arthur Ty, Alfred Ty, Anjanette Dy Buncio & Alessandra Ty for their unstinting support to all the initiatives,” he said. —Tina Arceo-Dumlao
Home makeover in the south, anyone?
Just when we think our wallets are on the way to recovering from the damage of the monthly e-commerce sales promos, another perpetrator just came up, this time in the south.
Earlier this month, Australian lifestyle brand Anko opened its second branch in the country at Alabang Town Center.
No less than Ayala Corp. chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala attended the opening day.
“This milestone follows the launch of Anko’s first Southeast Asian store in Glorietta 2 last November, marking Ayala’s renewed presence in the consumer space through a meaningful partnership with Kmart Australia,” Zobel says in a Facebook post, referring to Anko’s parent firm.
He goes on to say that this was meant to “strengthen our retail ecosystem,” especially since buyers at Anko can also go cashless through Ayala-backed Bank of the Philippine Islands and GCash.
“We aim to deliver the best in-store experience, offering good quality affordable products that meet the evolving needs of Filipino consumers,” he adds.
Maybe it’s time for that long-stalled home makeover? Well, some of us are still waiting for the Trinoma branch to open! —Meg J. Adonis
