Catherine P. Vistro-Yu, Ed.D., was recognized as a 2012 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Teacher. She is program coordinator for mathematics education for the School of Science and Engineering of Ateneo de Manila University. Dr. Vistro-Yu is the author of the prototype syllabus for Mathematics in the Modern World (MMW), which provided students with a broader range of skills in understanding the various dimensions of mathematics deemed essential in developing intellectual, technical, ethical, and practical competencies. She also developed the curriculum for the Ph.D program in Mathematics Education of the School of Science and Engineering at the Ateneo de Manila University. She is a go-to resource person and presenter on mathematics education in various local and international conferences.
Police Major Helen L Dela Cruz was awarded 2011 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Police Officer. She is chief for police community relations of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Police Regional Office IV-A, Philippine National Police (PNP), Calamba City, Laguna. PMaj. dela Cruz was the first female provincial officer of the CIDG, where she now holds three positions—chief of administration, chief of operations, and chief of police community relations. In 2015, she served as the only female PNP personnel appointed to the fact-finding team for the 2015 Mamasapano incident. In 2012, she was chosen as one of the 100 Amazing Filipinas.
Book designer and artist Felix Mago Miguel was a 1989 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence Awardee and runs the Upper Room Studio Art, Design, Editorial Services in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. Felix has had a stellar career in visual arts, both in painting and book design. He is an icon in the design publication industry and a former member of the academe.
GMA Network editorial consultant Horacio “Howie” G. Severino was a 2015 Metrobank Foundation Journalist of the Year Awardee, and has produced award-winning documentaries. During the pandemic, he began The Howie Severino Podcast, holding insightful conversations with leading figures. He has been a speaker in various media training to combat disinformation. He is an advocate and teacher of baybayin (pre-colonial scripts).
They are among the exceptionally committed individuals recognized by the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) from its roster of awardees and scholars, who continued performing their duties with excellence and contributing positively to their institutions and communities. They were recognized in the 5th Metrobank Foundation Award for Continuing Excellence and Service (ACES), having exemplified “A Heart that Serves”—the foundation’s anniversary theme this year.
Celebrating its 45th year this 2024, MBFI continues the legacy of generosity of the late Dr. George S.K. Ty, founder of both the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank) and MBFI. With the vision of becoming 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 on excellence recognition, visual arts, education, disaster response, and grant-giving.
The foundation takes pride in dedicating its energies to the empowerment of others, knowing that nation-building becomes an easy task when all hearts are working together towards its fulfillment. This has been MBFI’s mission since 1979.
These exemplary individuals were honored by MBFI during their anniversary celebration at Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, 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,” said MBFI president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña in his message. “We celebrate it as the legacy of Dr. George S. K. Ty, the man who started it all.”
More than 30 individuals were recognized during the event, each receiving the “Spiral” medallion created by 1984 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) awardee Roberto Feleo.
The honorees were chosen among the previous awardees of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos (OF), which recognizes exemplars from the academe, military, and the police, as well as of the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) program, which honors the talent and hard work of young Filipino artists. Also included are the Metrobank Foundation Journalists of the Year (JOY) awardees and Metrobank Foundation scholars.
ACES awardees from the roster of the Metrobank Foundation are Roy B. Basa, Ph.D. (2016), Allan Moore S. Cabrillas, Ph.D. (2014), Allan M. Canonigo, Ph.D. (2004), Ernelea P. Cao, Ph.D. (2016), Thomas Edison E. Dela Cruz, Dr. Rer Nat (2015), Ernani S. Fernandez Jr., Ed.D. (2015), Rowena R. Hibanada, Ph.D. (2008), Glendale B. Lamiseria, MS (2007), Lourdes L. Matan, Ph.D. (2009), Rejie F. Palmos, Ph.D. (2015), Samuel R. Soliven, Ph.D. (2003), Mark Anthony J. Torres, Ph.D. (2016), Catherine P. Vistro-Yu, Ed.D. (2012), Col. Wilfredo B Manalang Jr, GSC (2016), BGen Pedro Ramon L Sinajon Jr, AFP (Ret) (1999), PSMS Aida L Awitin (2018), PMAJ Helen L. Dela Cruz (2011), PBGEN Joel B Doria, Ph.D. (2017), PMGEN Edgar Alan O Okubo (2013), PCPT Shiela May S Pansoy, MPsy (2017), PMAJ Anna Lisa R Reyes (2008), and PCOL Jemuel F Siason, MPA (2016).
ACES was also presented to MADE awardees: Leslie E. De Chavez (2003), Christopher L. Gomez (2012), Felix M. Miguel (1989), and Heidrun Milan, IDr (2010); to JOY awardees: Rodrigo “Jiggy” D. Manicad Jr. (2013), Horacio “Howie” G. Severino (2015), and Maria Teresa “Marites” D. Vitug (2015); and to former Metrobank Foundation scholars Mary Rachelle C. Batanes, MA, Maria Rosario P. Ilao, and Brian Gil S. Sarinas, Ph.D.
Institutional partners were honored during the special gathering, 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.
Thirty institutions that include national government agencies, non-government and socio-civic organizations, international organizations as well as the academe, business, and media received the “Kapit-Bisig” trophy created by architect Jonathan Dangue, 2011 MADE awardee.
From national government agencies, MBFI acknowledged partners from the Department of Education, the Philippine National Police, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Postal Corporation.
From non-government and socio-civic organizations, MBFI honored Got Heart Foundation, Inc., Linangan Art Residency, BAYO Foundation, Inc., International Care Ministries, Metrobank Foundation Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators, BINHI English Literacy Foundation, Inc., Food for the Hungry, Inc. Branch Office, Philippine Business for Education, World Vision Development Foundation, Inc., and Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc.
Partners recognized from the business sector include City Savings Bank, Inc., China Bank Savings, BDO Network Bank/BDO Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, Inc., Globe Telecom, and Manila Doctors Hospital.
The PEACE award was also presented to SEAMEO INNOTECH and Manila Tytana Colleges, as well as to media partners GMA Network, Inc., DWIZ (Aliw Broadcasting Corp.), and The Manila Times, and COVID-19 intervention partners Ronald McDonald House Charities Philippines, DZRH (Manila Broadcasting Co.), Manila Water Foundation, and Ateneo de Davao University.
Metrobank Foundation honored 30 institutional partners from various government agencies, non-government and socio-civic organizations, international organizations, academe, business, and media with the Partners in Empowerment, Advocacy, and Commitment to Excellence (PEACE) Award to acknowledge their collaborative efforts with MBFI toward nation-building. Joining them on stage (middle, from left to right) are MBFI president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, GT Foundation president Alfred V. Ty, and Metrobank president Fabian S. Dee.
Another highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the gallant members of Armed Forces and Police—Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Soldiers and Police Officers who are promoted as star-rank generals. They were: GEN Romeo S Brawner Jr (2013); BGEN Elmer B Suderio PA (2017); BGEN Antonio Z Francisco Jr PAF (2012); BGEN Eligen F Villaflor PA (GSC) (2016); PMGEN Eric E Noble (Ret) (2009); PMGEN Belli B Tamayo (2012); PMGEN Edgar Allan O Okubo (2013); PMGEN Ronald O Lee (2008); PMGEN Leo M Francisco (2010); PBGEN Alden B Delvo (2009); PMGEN Sidney N Villaflor (2010); PBGEN Wilson Joseph F Lopez (2007); and PBGEN Joel B Doria (Ret) (2017).
Recently, MBFI also recognized its internal stakeholders who were instrumental in helping realize its mission of corporate philanthropy through the Seal of Trust for Allies in Responsive Service (STARS).
MBFI was established on Jan. 8, 1979, 16 years after Dr. Ty founded Metrobank. It is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group, implementing various programs on education, facilitating excellence recognition among key professions in the civil service and visual arts, and extending grants to address disaster relief and response needs, as well as social development gaps.
For inquiries, contact the Corporate Communications Unit of the Metrobank Foundation at (0928) 437 0599 or e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected].
