ON its 45th year this year, the Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) continues to carry on the legacy of generosity of the late Dr. George S.K. Ty, founder of the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) and MBFI.
With the vision to become the country's premier corporate philanthropic foundation, MBFI is determined to engage and empower communities toward nation-building through its various corporate social responsibility programs.
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. It conferred the 5th Metrobank Foundation Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES) to those having exemplified "A Heart that Serves" — the foundation's anniversary theme for this year held at Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, on Feb. 29, 2024.
"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. It was his corporate vision that the Metrobank conglomerate would pursue nation-building by serving the people who have been an integral part of the company's acceleration," MBFI President Aniceto Sobrepeña said in his message.
More than 30 individuals were chosen among the previous awardees of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. Also included were Journalists of the Year awardees and MBFI scholars, each receiving the Spiral medallion created by 1984 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence awardee Roberto Feleo.
Institutional partners were also honored 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.
The Peace Award was also presented to Seameo Innotech and Manila Tytana Colleges, as well as to media partners GMA Network, DWIZ (Aliw Broadcasting Corp.) and The Manila Times.