Author: League of Corporate Foundations

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) took home four trophies at the recently concluded 58th Anvil Awards for its programs and tools that define outstanding public relations. The awards received at the Gabi ng Parangal last March 8, 2023 consisted of one (1) gold and three (3) silver Anvils.

Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the Anvil Awards is the symbol of excellence in public relations. With the theme “Isang Habi” or “One Weave,” PRSP awarded organizations that were able to weave work, imagination, and purpose into one. 

Specifically, MBFI received a Gold Anvil for its 2021 annual report “Rekindling Hope” and another 3 Silver Anvils for the following: 2022 Metrobank Outstanding Filipinos; 2022 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos Awarding Ceremony; and 2022 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) Awarding Ceremony. 

Gold Anvil for 2021 Annual Report “Rekindling Hope” 

Winning a Gold Anvil under the PR Tools category, the 2021 Annual Report of MBFI “Rekindling Hope” honored the Filipinos’ unfailing instinct to persevere amid hardship, and served as an ode to the awe-inspiring power of community. Data showed that the publication reached 100% of its target audiences, increased readers’ trust and confidence in the organization, and inspired people with its message of hope. Annually, MBFI consolidates its operational achievements and financial standing in a comprehensive report. Through this annual publication, MBFI complies with regulatory requirements and showcases its closely held values: integrity, accountability, transparency, professionalism, and fairness.  

Twin Silver Anvils for 2022 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos

MBFI’s flagship program in recognizing Outstanding Filipinos was awarded with 2 Silver Anvils for its 2022 edition of the search, under the PR Program on a Sustained Basis and PR Tool Special Events categories, respectively. 

Considered as one of the most prestigious career-service awards in the Philippines, the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos recognizes exemplary servants in the academe, military, and police sectors. Since 1985, the recognition program has awarded 695 Outstanding Filipinos—376 teachers, 166 soldiers and 153 police officers—for going above and beyond the call of duty as public servants. 

In 2022, amid a gradual return to normalcy, MBFI successfully shifted to a hybrid implementation cycle maximizing available online platforms for the search and information campaigns to reach beyond its usual audiences, while also ensuring the return of face-to-face judging and recognition ceremonies befitting the awardees’ achievements. Its success reinforced the Award’s prestige and provided a platform to highlight the work and contribution of each awardee, expand the reach of their advocacies, and leverage networks to gather greater traction and support in the public and private spheres.

The 10 awardees were conferred through a ceremony that blended traditional and modern technology. For the first time, the conferment ceremony was held in a hybrid format, comprising a face-to-face program and a livestream. Thousands of people watched the ceremony, and many of them expressed appreciation for what they found to be a fitting and inspiring tribute to exemplary public servants.

Silver Anvil for MADE 2022 Awarding Ceremony 

On the other hand, MBFI’s pioneering recognition program for visual artists also bagged the Silver Anvil under the PR Tool Special Events category. 

The 2022 edition of the MADE competition relied heavily on the role of digital media.  The highlight of the awarding ceremony was a 59-minute video streamed online that not just springboarded artists to prominence, but also concretized art that transcends space. The Awarding Ceremony was designed to make it more relevant to various audiences–young artists, creative professionals, and art enthusiasts. 

MBFI has been winning the Anvil awards since 1985. To date, it has won 99 Anvil awards for its various public relations programs and tools, gaining the record as the first corporate foundation to win a back-to-back Grand Anvil (Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers in 2010 and National Teachers’ Month Campaign in 2011) and 2 Platinum Anvils (“Launching Dreams:” The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. 35th anniversary Celebration in 2015 and “Empowering Filipinos, Building the Nation” 2014 Metrobank Foundation Annual Report in 2016) in the history of the award-giving body.

MBFI has also earned three Hall of Fame Awards for its programs, the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence or MADE (2016), the Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (2018), and the National Teachers’ Month (2020). It was also hailed as Company of the Year during the 51st Anvil Awards in 2016.

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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.

MANILA – Proudly Filipino conglomerate PHINMA, through its foundation, on Tuesday recognized one of its scholar-graduates for embodying the qualities that the company values the most: academic and leadership excellence, integrity, and social responsibility; and for living up to the company’s mission of making lives better.

PHINMA’s Making Lives Better Award is given to a graduate of the PHINMA National Scholarship (PNS) Program who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership skills, and commitment to PHINMA’s core values.

This year’s awardee, John Paulo Aniceto, graduated magna cum laude from the Philippine Normal University in 2022. In his senior year, he was chairperson of the PNU Red Cross Youth Council. He was also active in Red Cross activities outside of school, serving as a youth peer educator since 2014 and internal vice-president from 2018 to 2021 in the institution’s Rizal chapter. Today, Aniceto teaches Filipino in the grade school department of Colegio San Agustin-Makati.

“It is disheartening to observe that our students come from a generation when the information they utilize to learn about and understand their world comes from erroneous and incorrect sources. So let’s keep holding up the torch high at the forefront of change…If I keep doubting myself because of the shortcomings and depressing realities we have seen, this award will mean nothing to me. We are now left with no choice but to constantly stand up and build our communities up to their full potential. Whereas our children are the dream-makers, each with a special capacity for nurturing ideals and aspirations,” he said as he accepted the award.

Aniceto’s mother, Nila, is especially proud of him, as she has witnessed how he persevered through the challenges presented to their family. She also thanked PHINMA for being their partner in reaching for their dream of a comfortable life. In her speech to the crowd, she addressed the parents in the audience, urging them to let their children become active participants in society.

“Masaya rin na makita siyang nakakatulong at nakakapagbigay ng inspirasyon sa mga kabataan. Nagsimula ito noong sumali siya sa Red Cross Youth kung saan mas nahubog niya pa ang sarili bilang leader at hanggang sa pumasok siya dito sa PNU. Kaya naman, bilang Nanay niya patuloy ang aking pagsuporta sa kaniya dahil dito raw niya nakikita ang kabuluhan ng kaniyang buhay…Sa atin pong mga kasama rin na magulang na nandito po ngayon, gaya po ng aking patuloy na sinasabi sa sarili. Hayaan nating magsuri ang ating mga anak sa kalagayan ng ating bansa, suportahan natin sila sa kung papaano nila nakikitang makapagbibigay ng kakaunting pagbabago sa ating komunidad,” she said.

PNU President Dr. Bert Tuga, in his closing remarks, talked about the power of dreams, which provide a clear vision and a sense of purpose and direction in life. He applauded the awardee and scholars present who “have forged their own path to achieve remarkable success and make a positive impact on the world around them.” He also thanked the PHINMA Foundation for its “unwavering support in our mission to provide quality education to Filipinos.”

“Your generous contributions have made a significant impact on our efforts and we are honored to have their partnership in this important endeavor. Your contributions continue to help enhance the quality of education and create opportunities for Filipinos to access education and make their lives better regardless of their socio-economic background. Because of you, we are able to actualize our core values of truth, excellence, and service. Thank you for your continuous support and trust.”

Tuesday’s luncheon was not only to recognize Aniceto as an exemplary scholar-graduate, but also to thank PNU, which has been PHINMA Foundation’s partner for 17 years in its scholarship program. “The Philippine Normal University was identified from the start as our preferred partner and will continue to be key to the program’s success especially as we expand to include scholars from the other PNU campuses across the country,” said PHINMA Foundation Vice President Peter Perfecto.

PHINMA and PNU have been partners for the last 17 years in providing scholarships to deserving students with great leadership potential. Out of the 253 graduates of the PHINMA National Scholarship Program since 2006, 189 were from PNU. Sixty-five PHINMA scholars are also currently enrolled in PNU.

The two institutions are united in molding future leaders like Aniceto, who dreams of someday serving in the Department of Education as a school division superintendent. Apart from Aniceto, eight PHINMA scholars who graduated from PNU have been recognized for their contributions in making lives better.

PHINMA, through its foundation, has recognized one of its scholar-graduates for embodying the qualities that the company values the most: academic and leadership excellence, integrity, and social responsibility; and for living up to the company’s mission of making lives better. PHINMA’s Making Lives Better Award is given to a graduate of the PHINMA National Scholarship (PNS) Program who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership skills, and commitment to PHINMA’s core values.

This year’s awardee is John Paulo Aniceto, who graduated magna cum laude from the Philippine Normal University (PNU) in 2022.

PHINMA and PNU have been partners for the last 17 years in providing scholarships to deserving students with great leadership potential. Out of the 253 graduates of the PHINMA National Scholarship Program since 2006, 189 were from PNU. Sixty-five PHINMA scholars are also currently enrolled in PNU.