A foundation for others

“Leadership in business implies leadership in community service as well. Every private corporation has social responsibilities, and the more successful a corporation is, the greater its responsibilities to the community.” – Dr. George S.K. Ty

There are many great men and women in Philippine society and history but most of them are often remembered for their contribution to politics, government or for being rich and powerful businessmen who built companies and corporations. In many instances, we remember their names but not for acts of kindness or love. Or for changing lives of people who have no way of paying back.

Few are the men and women who are known for leaving a legacy of blessing to thousands of ordinary Filipinos and continue to do so beyond the grave. If not for their loved ones and dedicated associates, their names would be forgotten, but the good we do for others is long remembered, sometimes generationally. In the words of William Wordsworth: “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.”

For the first time ever, I was invited by former “students” to attend the “George S.K Ty Grants Turnover 2023” at the Grand Hyatt Manila yesterday.

I did not know what to expect other than some envelopes and cheques might be handed over to some NGOs in need of financial support. Well, I was quite impressed by the entire program, the people who participated and witnessed the event as well as the line up of organizations or groups who received grants from the Metrobank Foundation (MBFI) and the GT Foundation, which is the family foundation of the Ty Family.

Based on the program presented and details of the grants, it became clear that the Metrobank Foundation has taken philanthropy and directed it towards development while redefining charity and turning it into programs of sustainability. They don’t just give away funds, they direct the funds towards gamechangers and life-changing programs.

During the 2-hour program, a total 32 “development partners” received over P40 million worth of development grants from the Metrobank Foundation and the GT Foundation Inc. What was noteworthy was the fact that the recipients were “hands on” organizations that dealt directly with or were immersed in their communities located in different places in the Philippines.

Based on the commitments of support and scholarships, it is estimated that 12,000 individuals would directly and indirectly benefit from the said grants, specific to the provisions of each grant which would be spent mostly on scholarships, technical vocational training, etc. While yesterday was about giving out the grants, I learned from an insider that the rest of the year would be spent on monitoring, reporting and ensuring that the intended programs were effective or successful.

For this year, the George S.K. Ty grants focused on key areas that have been a cause of public concern. First is to boost Programs to Improve Health and Malnutrition. The second program is Ensuring the Future of the Youth and Education Through Financial Means. Third is Preserving Art Legacy by Empowering Creative Communities. Fourth is Maintaining Cultural Identity Through Sustainable Livelihood.

In addition to the focus programs, the foundations also embarked on Hand in Hand with Partners for Change where MBFI maintained partnerships with special organizations such as the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc., the DFA Ladies Foundation Inc., the International Bazaar Foundation Inc. and the Zonta Club of Mandaluyong San Juan.

To address the health and malnutrition issue, MBFI partnered with Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Food for The Hungry Inc., International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, Save the Children Philippines, Planet Water Foundation, Cure Philippines and Manila Doctors Hospital. The first five are focused on food production and sustainability while the latter two are on physical curative concerns.

For education via financial assistance, the GT Foundation partnered with De La Salle Araneta University, DualTech Training Center Foundation Inc., Don Bosco Technical Institute of Makati, Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology, Fr. Al’s Children Foundation, 4th year STEM learners at the Technological Institute of the Philippines, as well as 12 nursing scholars at Manila Tytana Colleges and 10 first-year college students under the UP-Engineering Research and Development Foundation.

The program also reaches out beyond Luzon and Metro Manila through its link up with Caritas Philippines, where they will assist 250 junior high students in Mindanao. MBFI is partnering with Edukasyon.Ph in training 100 public school teachers on how to strengthen vocabulary comprehension and reading of students, RMN Foundation for construction of hand washing facilities in public schools all over Mindanao and Virlaine Foundation for the integration of street children in schools.

For culture and the arts, grants were given to 23 Sampaguita Artists Collective in Baguio City and Anakbanwa Creative Residency Project.

I was surprised when the hosts announced that one of the recipients was the Masungi Geopark project of the Masungi GeoReserve in order to help reforest and “rewild” 3,000 hectares of abused forests near Metro Manila. This is a very strong statement of support that should get the attention of people in the government on how important the GeoReserve is, considering that the MBFI and the GT Foundation extended its resources to protect and preserve it.

Last but not the least, I must share how impressive it was to see key members of the Ty family, their spouses, as well as the leaders and partners of different business groups that were founded or built by Dr. George S.K. Ty. To see them all in one room signaled how important the work was. Congratulations to all who were involved.

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