MANILA, Philippines - As one of the country’s champions for quality education, Metrobank Group chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty, through his family foundation GT-Metro Foundation (GTMF), recently pledged P120 million for the construction of the Learning Innovation Wing of the Areté, a new building that will rise at the Ateneo de Manila University’s campus in Quezon City.
The Areté – Greek for excellence, goodness, virtue – will be Ateneo’s iconic creativity complex designed by Arch. William Coscolluela and Associates, envisioned to be a center that will cultivate the spirit of creativity and innovation among students. The George S.K. Ty Learning Innovation Wing will serve as an academic wing housing non-traditional classrooms, creative spaces, performing arts studios, as well as the Ateneo-Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute, which shall have a small restaurant at the ground floor.
Ty, together with GTMF chairman Arthur Ty and executive director Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, turned over the first tranche of the P120 million donation to Ateneo president Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ and vice president for Loyola Schools Dr. John Paul Vergara, during a simple memorandum of agreement signing activity at the Metrobank Plaza on Aug. 14.
“Education is very important in our lives. This is why I have chosen to support the Areté, which will help young people enhance their skills, develop their creativity, and foster their love for learning,” said Ty, who aims to leave a lasting mark on the country’s education system by supporting the construction of educational facilities through GTMF Legacy Projects.
Since its establishment in 2009, GTMF has taken an active role in focusing the Ty family’s philanthropic activities in the key areas of health, environment, grants and legacy.