George would be proud

George S.K. Ty would likely be beaming with pride in heaven at how his children – led by Arthur, Alfred, Alesandra and Anjanette – have proven themselves as able stewards of the conglomerate that he started, initially with Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. and which has since expanded to GTCapital Holdings to include non-banking interests such as automotive, infrastructure and utilities, property development, insurance and microfinancing.

But beyond the financial success of his conglomerate, George’s children have ensured that their father’s philanthropy continues through his two foundations – the Metrobank Foundation Inc. and the GT Foundation Inc.

The MBFI was established on Jan. 8, 1979, by George Ty, 16 years after he founded Metrobank. On its 45th anniversary, MBFI envisions being the country’s premier corporate philanthropic foundation contributing a significant impact on social development. Its flagship programs include the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, Metrobank Art & Design Excellence, Metrobank Scholarship Program, Metrobank MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge, Grants and Social Development Partnerships, Disaster Response, National Teachers’ Month celebration and the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair Lectures. MBFI is also the principal owner of Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH), one of the leading centers of wellness in the country.

Last Wednesday at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in BGC, the family once again shared their blessings with deserving beneficiaries. With the theme “Engaging Partnerships, Empowering Communities,” the George S.K. Ty Grants turnover ceremony underscored the collective commitment of development organizations to empower communities in addressing key societal challenges.

This year’s ceremony celebrated collaborative efforts in areas such as health promotion, access to quality education, livelihood development and disaster preparedness.

According to Aniceto Sobrepeña, MBFI president, “For 45 years, we have instilled the essence of a heart that serves by highlighting our commitment to the nation’s well-being beyond just economic growth. We recognize that in empowering an entire nation, we must engage in partnerships to nurture communities, support societal progress and deepen the contribution we can make to the greater good.”

MBFI and GTFI’s support this year focuses on addressing critical issues such as malnutrition, quality education, disaster preparedness and sustainable livelihoods. MBFI has partnered with Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation and Caritas Manila to tackle health challenges through nutrition and health programs that target malnourished children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Other key initiatives include the Roots to Shoots 2.0 program with Pilipinas Shell Foundation, addressing food insecurity in Camarines Sur and the W.A.S.H. for L.I.F.E. project in Basilan, a water source rehabilitation initiative in collaboration with Manila Water Foundation.

GTFI extended support to ensure access to food through partnerships with organizations such as Advancement for Rural Kids to promote vegetable exchange programs, ensuring food security in rural areas and Planet Water Foundation to provide clean and potable water to communities in Baguio City through the installation of an aqua tower.

The foundation continues to strengthen its collaboration with Manila Doctors, supporting in-patient services and in-house surgical procedures for indigent patients.

In addition, the CBCP Caritas Philippines Foundation’s augmentation program will deliver essential food items to 20 residential care facilities nationwide, ensuring vulnerable groups receive the care they need.

Meanwhile, the Salamin sa Maliwanag na Bukas program, a GTFI flagship initiative, provides free eye check-ups and prescription glasses to public elementary students, addressing vision issues that can hinder learning. Another round of this initiative will be done, this time in partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation.

Education remains a top priority for both MBFI and GTFI. Through partnerships with institutions like De La Salle Araneta University, Manila Tytana Colleges, and Technological Institute of the Philippines, GTFI leads the GT Reformation and Educational Assistance Program, providing financial assistance and career opportunities for STEM students who are in their last academic year.

In line with its commitment to livelihood development, MBFI has reinforced its partnership with Stairway Foundation to provide livelihood training and enterprise development to women and youth in a Mangyan indigenous community in Barangay Baclayan, Puerto Galera, Mindoro. The program focuses on skills development in sewing and tailoring, helping diversify family income streams while fostering community resilience.

On the disaster preparedness front, MBFI supports Good Neighbors Philippines through the TRAILER project, which provides customized boat trailers and establishes a boat evacuation team to assist fisherfolk in safely transporting boats to secure areas ahead of typhoons. This initiative enhances evacuation efforts and protects livelihood assets in Gigmoto, Catanduanes.

MBFI’s collaborative efforts extend to various organizations with special advocacies. Notable partnerships include the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, focused on reforestation and livelihood opportunities for indigenous communities, and the Union Church of Manila Foundation, promoting nutritional support for undernourished preschoolers in urban poor areas.

Other key partnerships include the DFA Ladies Foundation’s scholarship program, the Congressional Spouses Foundation’s BBM Cancer Care and Trauma Wing project at the AFP Medical Center, and Senate Spouses Foundation’s socio-civic initiatives that aim to contribute to improved medical care and developmental initiatives, including “A Christmas in November,” the “Adopt a Barangay” program, and the surgical mission project, which aims to benefit more than 1,200 individuals.

Similarly, the Association of Women Legislators Foundation and Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce support various socio-civic projects that benefit marginalized groups, as well as educational programs that further enhance mental health services, academic excellence, and cross-cultural exchanges.

On the sidelines

Wednesday’s grant turnover event had the added beauty and glamour of Alfred Ty’s wife, Cherry Tan-Ty, Senate Spouses Foundation member and Senate President Chiz Escudero’s global fashion darling, Heart Evangelista, and it even enticed Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona’s publicity-shy, love of his life, Marie, to receive the grant for the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, allowing us to tease out a few snippets of her recent trip to Cambodia with Gov. Eli and their healthy lifestyle.

Ms. Marie revealed that while accompanying Gov. Eli on a recent official trip to Cambodia for the signing of an enhanced cooperation MOU, she suffered from heatstroke. She and the Governor follow a healthy regimen and regularly enjoy long walks or trekking with friends when they are abroad and likewise enjoy walking around Legazpi and Salcedo Village in Makati during the weekends. Unfortunately, the heat in Cambodia was a bit too much for her.

She reveals that she even imposes a 5 p.m. work deadline for Gov. Eli so that they can have dinner together. She also regularly advises the BSP Gov. to go easy on indulging in his favorite dish of sisig, especially because of his age and attendant health issues. Ms. Marie is getting more relaxed in her social interactions with the media and is allowing us a little more glimpse of her life with the Gov.