The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) bagged the Top Division Award for “Puso at Sigasig:” MBFI’s 40th Anniversary Celebration in the recent 18th Philippine Quill. Winning the Quill Award of Excellence, “Puso at Sigasig” is a milestone occasion that highlights the corporate social responsibility fetes of MBFI. The anniversary celebration was also an expression of MBFI’s gratitude to the people and institutions that have turned its vision and mission into a successful organization that contributes a significant impact on social development.
The Top Division Award for the Communication Skills category “honors communicators who have demonstrated technical skills such as writing, editing, design, and multimedia production, combined with innovation and creativity.” Organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, the Philippine Quill Awards is a showcase of bright ideas, groundbreaking concepts, marvelous executions, and resounding results. The 18th Philippine Quill Awards was held virtually last March 25, 2021.
Two other communication tools— “Service with a Heart: Metrobank Foundation 2018 Annual Report” and “Beyond Excellence” 2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Souvenir Program”—received the Quill Awards of Excellence. “Service with a Heart” highlights inspirational and empowering stories of ordinary individuals who share its goal of nation-building. The 2018 edition is a fitting tribute to every person who devote their heart to serve others and put emphasis on the untamable Filipino character that enables us to rise again to the challenges of turbulent times.
“Beyond Excellence,” on the other hand, is a publication that features a creative collection of the professional narratives and life stories of the 10 awardees of the 2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. Going beyond the basics of a traditional post-event brochure, the souvenir program seeks to uphold the prestige of the recognition program by creating a timeless keepsake for its intended audiences, something they can turn to as a reminder that public service exemplars are not a dying breed.
Other recipients of the Quill Award of Excellence are “2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos” and “COVID Comms 2020: The Metrobank Group and GT Capital Holdings Response to Contribute to Combating COVID-19.”
The “2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos” is a career-service award for exemplary public servants in the academe, military, and police sectors. In 2019, 10 exemplary Filipinos consisting of four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers were hailed as Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. They join the distinguished roster of 665 awardees honored by MBFI since 1985.
“COVID Comms 2020” showcases the Metrobank Group’s and GT Capital Holdings’ response in addressing the identified needs on the ground by targeting the most vulnerable sectors affected by COVID-19. The response also complements the efforts of the government and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI)’s “Bags of Blessing 2020: #BeyondFestivityGenerosity” also won the Quill Award of Excellence. This annual gift-giving program initiated in 2011 by the late Metrobank Founder Dr. George Ty Siao Kian is held in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Php 10 million worth of food items was distributed to 10,000 identified beneficiaries in 25 cities and municipalities across the country.
Two other programs— “UNLEASH: 2019 Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE)’s 35th Anniversary Celebration” and “Metrobank Foundation Fellowship in Public Service (FPS)”—received the Quill Award of Merit. “UNLEASH” is a two-day celebration of artistic excellence. It also highlighted the role of MADE as a key player in the arts scene through the MADE Awarding and Exhibition and Art Exploration Lecture Series, as well as showcase its appreciation for its patrons through the Vernissage 2019.
The Metrobank Foundation Fellowship in Public Service, on the other hand, is a program created in 2017 to provide a platform for the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos to share and propagate their best practices and innovations. These achievements must have resulted to positive change or addressed sectoral or societal issues.
MBFI has been winning the Philippine Quill Awards since 1985. To date, it has won 71 Quill Awards of Excellence and Merit for its various public relations programs and tools. In 2015, MBFI has received the Top Communication Management Award for its relief and rehabilitation response for survivors of Typhoon Yolanda.
The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) was established on January 8, 1979 by Dr. George S. K. Ty, sixteen (16) years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank). MBFI envisions to be 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 (MADE); Metrobank Scholarship Program (MSP); Metrobank MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC); Grants and Social Development Partnerships, Disaster Response, National Teachers’ Month (NTM) celebration, and the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair Lectures. MBFI is also the principal owner of the Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH), one of the leading centers of wellness in the country.
As a development organization, MBFI aims to uplift individuals and the sectors they represent and strategically link with institutions for a shared-purpose. By creating and propagating a culture of excellence and providing solutions to stakeholder’s needs, the Foundation continuously expands its scope of reach and be at the forefront in serving communities. As the heart of the Metrobank Group, “Excel. Engage. Empower” or the 3Es remains its roadmap.
