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Members News

BDO Foundation and Philippine Geothermal Production Company construct school building in Catarman, Northern Samar

More than 130 students stand to benefit every year from a new three-classroom school building constructed by BDO Foundation and the Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. (PGPC) in Baybay Elementary School in Catarman, Northern Samar.

The result of an agreement signed by the foundation and PGPC, the partnership project aims to address the shortage of classrooms in the school and provide teachers and students an environment conducive for learning.

The structure was turned over to administrators in ceremonies led by BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito, BDO Foundation program director Rosemarie Espinosa, PGPC chief finance officer Ian Jason Aguirre, PGPC director for legal and corporate affairs Ma. Fe Guirnalda-Lucero, and PGPC government affairs lead Victor Dugan. BDO Unibank and BDO Network Bank officers in the province also witnessed the official opening of the building together with school officials.

“The shortage of classrooms affects the academic performance of students,” Baybay Elementary School principal Noel Dolorzo shared. “The new building will help in the development of our learners. It will also serve as an evacuation site for the community during calamities. Thank you, BDO Foundation and PGPC, for your assistance.”

The structure is the latest project of the foundation and PGPC, a pioneering geothermal energy company that provides clean, reliable and renewable energy to meet the Philippines’ power requirements. BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, previously collaborated with the geothermal firm for the construction of other school buildings as part of post-Typhoon Yolanda rebuilding efforts.

The corporate citizenship initiative in Catarman supports the partners’ shared advocacy to aid underserved communities affected by disasters. The municipality has been severely affected by Super Typhoon Odette and other disasters in recent years.

Supportive of the Department of Education’s Adopt-A-School program, the construction of the school building included the provision of blackboards, tables, chairs and electric fans.

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Members News

Security Bank Foundation continues to champion education with three new school buildings in Negros Occidental

Security Bank Foundation turns over second building in Silay Negros Occidental to Gov. Emilio Gaston Memorial Elementary School. From left to right: Tess Golez, Jaime Golez, Mark Golez (former Mayor, Silay City), Dr. Carmela Oracion (Director, Ateneo Center for Educational Development), Melissa R. Aquino (Trustee & Corporate Secretary, SBFI), Melissa Simpao, Rafael F. Simpao, Jr. (Chairman, SBFI), Hon. Joedith Gallego (Mayor, Silay City), Dr. Luz Banson (Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, DepEd Silay), Michelle Lorei Gayoma (Business Manager, Security Bank Bacolod North Drive Branch), Dennis Guadarrama (Relationship Manager, Security Bank Visayas Banking Center), and (2nd Level, 1st) Inocencia Deles (Principal, Gov. Emilio Gaston Memorial Elementary School).

Security Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI), the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Security Bank Corporation focused on education, has successfully turned over three new classroom buildings, equivalent to 14 classrooms, in the cities of Kabankalan, Silay, and Victorias in Negros Occidental.

The donated classrooms consisted of two-story buildings with a four or six classroom configuration and can house up to 50 students per classroom. These buildings were built during the pandemic and turned over to Gov. Emilio Gaston Memorial Elementary School in Silay, Negros Occidental (4 classrooms); Kabankalan National High School in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental (4 classrooms); and the Victorias National High School in Victorias, Negros Occidental (6 classrooms) before the return of face-to-face classes.


“Through our Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project program, we continue to uplift the quality of education received by Filipinos by reducing the classroom to student ratio significantly, giving Filipinos a chance of lifting their lives out of poverty and ensuring a better tomorrow,” says Rafael F. Simpao, SBFI Chairman.

Since 2023, 113 schools in 65 cities and municipalities nationwide have been prepared for the face-to-face classes. Apart from the donation, SBFI has also committed to regularly conduct maintenance checks and repairs on all its donated school buildings to ensure that it can be used by future generations.

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Members News

RVR Siklab Awardee JB Tan’s iVolunteer brings back volunteer engagement expo

iVolunteer, the volunteering platform co-founded by Ramon V. del Rosario Siklab Awardee JB Tan, will be hosting its third volunteer expo together with the corporate social responsibility arm of the country’s biggest mall operator.

Go! Volunteer 2023, organized by iVolunteer together with SM Cares and SM Supermalls, is a 4-day volunteer engagement event that gathers nonprofit organizations with diverse advocacies and volunteers to match their needs and interests. It is scheduled on May 6-7 at the A Event Center in SM Megamall and on May 27-28 at the SM Davao Annex.

“For us, Go! Volunteer 2023 is significant in a way that it ushers in the start of bringing back physical volunteering,” said Tan, who currently serves as iVolunteer Executive Director. “We all started volunteering because of a personal reason, either to try an experience or find connections. Volunteering is the perfect way to discover something new for your life,” he said.

Apart from learning about different advocacies and volunteer groups, attendees to the event can also listen to discussions by invited speakers within the volunteer space, as well as enjoy exciting games and activities. Admission is free.

PHINMA lauds JB Tan and iVolunteer and their work in highlighting the value of sharing time, talent, and treasure with communities. Recognizing this, PHINMA, through the PHINMA Foundation, sponsored iVolunteer’s Volunteer Engagement Workshop held at the Asian Institute of Management last November 26, 2022. This workshop aimed to equip participating NGO partners with the skills and knowledge necessary to engage both new and long-time volunteers. It featured speakers from various fields, including community development, volunteerism, and leadership, who shared their expertise and experiences to inspire and motivate the participants.

PHINMA also holds volunteerism as one of its pillars and constantly encourages active participation by PHINMA employees and their families and friends in various activities. As a mission-driven corporation, PHINMA believes volunteerism can be a catalyst for positive community transformation and a vehicle for nation building.

The PHINMA Group mobilized close to 1,000 volunteers to help clean, repaint, repair, and prepare 40 public schools during last year’s Brigada Eskwela. Their collective effort spruced up 80 classrooms, which benefited 10,907 students and more than 250 teachers across the country. To celebrate the company’s 66th anniversary last November, the volunteers came together again, with some 1,300 joining activities, such as tree-planting, coastal and river cleanups, and blood donation drives.

“PHINMA looks forward to iVolunteer’s expo and the exciting opportunity to gather more people to join us in our advocacy of creating better initiatives. We are especially proud of JB Tan, our RVR Siklab awardee, and how his work reflects the very essence of the recognition we gave him in 2019,” said Peter V. Perfecto, PHINMA Vice President for Public Affairs.

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LCF News

LCF-DLSU Complete Pilot Run of Covenant for Shared Prosperity Program

The 6-module certificate program on CSR Reloaded: Implementing the Covenant for Shared Prosperity held its culminating activity on April 14, 2023 with the graduation of nine (9) participants who successfully completed all the course requirements, including a presentation of an action research plan. 

The one-hour virtual program was hosted by the DLSU School of Lifelong Learning (SoLL), led by Dr. Benito Teehankee, Professor of Business Ethics. Guests at the ceremony included Sebastian Quiniones, Jr. (LCF Chair), Shem Jose Garcia (LCF Vice-chair and oversight for the CSR Institute), and Celine Santillan (LCF Executive Director). Congratulatory messages were also delivered by Dr. Emilina Sarreal, Dean of the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business, Atty. Benedicta Du-Balalad, President of the Management Association of the Philippines, and Maximillian Robert Ventura, ESG Consultant of AIA Philippines, who spoke on behalf of LCF. Also present were faculty members Ma. Pamela Castro of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Dr. Mary Margaret Que of the DLSU, and Dr. Ramon Segismundo, also of the DLSU.

Certificates of completion, jointly signed by LCF and DLSU, were awarded to the 9 graduates, led by Mary Joyce Gaviola, Program Manager of East-West Seed Foundation, who gave the response to the congratulatory messages on behalf of the graduates. Other completers of the program were:

Maribeth Marasigan, President/ COO of Aboitiz Foundation

Marlito Cabigas, Youth Leadership Program of Ayala Foundation

Ieda Ysobel Jimenez, Program Officer, GT Foundation

Ma. Gina Bulanhagui, Executive Director, Jesus V. Del Rosario Foundation

Marievic Mariano, Head of Grants and Healthcare Unit, Metrobank Foundation

Veronica Gabaldon, Executive Director, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation

Raiza Cusi, Program Excellence Manager, Pilipinas Shell Foundation

Reiza Ayla Banega, Lead for Programs and Partnerships, Sun Life Financial Philippines Foundation

Participants who attended select modules of the program were awarded certificates of attendance:

Owen Cammayo, Executive Director of BPI Foundation

John Lemuel Gardose, Program Manager of Megawide Corporate Foundation

Teresa Saavedra, Executive Director, Megawide Corporate Foundation

Jean Karl Huyatid, Reputation and Stakeholder Management Supervisor, Therma South

Angelica Marie Ozaeta, CSR and Sustainability Head, Unionbank of the Philippines

Ma. Camille Vergara, CSR and Sustainability Officer, Unionbank of the Philippines

Joanna Paula Queddeng, Program Officer, Jollibee Group Foundation

Sheila Marie Vergara, Program Officer, Jollibee Group Foundation 

Asked to give a few words about the program, here is what some of the graduates had to say:

“I can now give because I do have. I took care of my petals and now I can take care of others’ petals as well. In CSP, kayang-kaya basta’t sama-sama. #MagingMagiting” – Marlito Cabigas

“It would be strategic to work on the social and emotional development areas because if I communicate clear intentions and build strong connections, advocating CSP would be more manageable.” – Ieda Jimenez

“I’ve always believed in living life to the fullest and never stop learning, and hopefully along the way touch others in a positive way. I believe very much that this is aligned with becoming an advocate for shared prosperity.” – Maribeth Marasigan

“I learned that I still have a lot to work on, especially in my health and other aspects of my development. I learned that as a CSPian, I am able to influence others to become better people and develop our programs better.” – Aviec Mariano

“The more we spread the awareness of CSP to more people the better chance of creating a better Philippines to live in for our future generations. #maypagasapa” – Joyce Gaviola

“I would recommend this course to colleagues and also CSR practitioners. I have been advocating and promoting this course to other colleagues, especially those in the leadership position. The course offers “changemakers” a unique opportunity (not only) to learn and develop, but also to be part of a larger cause/movement.” – Raiza Cusi

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LCF News

LCF holds first Members’ Meeting of 2023

Earlier today, LCF held its first Members’ Meeting of the year at the Sunshine Place on Jupiter Street in Makati City. 85 member-representatives (75 in person and 13 via Zoom) were in attendance.

Highlights of the meeting:

Max Ventura, AIA ESG Consultant and LCF Health Committee Chair, presented the CSR Case Book “Fueling Hope, Driving Change: 15 CSR Stories by LCF Members”.

Led by Board Treasurer and Membership Committee Chair Marie Angeles, attendees welcomed new LCF member Converge, which was sworn in by Sebastian C. Quiniones, our Board Chair. Converge representatives then talked about the company.

Arts & Culture Committee Chair Michelle Santos and Disaster Resilience Committee Chair Fred Dalumpines discussed the Guild Awards 2023.

Board Vice-Chair Shem Jose Garcia provided details about the 2023 CSR EXPO.

LCF then held its Forum, “The Sweet Spot: How CSR Contributes to Corporates’ ESG Practice and Reporting”, which featured the following speakers:

a. Main Speaker: Mr. Ricky De Castro, Executive Director, Business for Sustainable Development, who discussed the intersection and confluence of CSR and ESG reporting as well as important considerations regarding both.

b. Reactors, who took Mr. De Castro’s presentation forward by presenting insiders’ insights into how CSR and ESG reporting are practiced within each of their organizations:

– Ms. Raiza Cusi, Program Excellence Manager, Pilipinas Shell Foundation

– Ms. Jo Ann Eala, Vice President and Head of Sustainability, Bank of the Philippine Islands

– Ms. Gisela Tiongson, Executive Director, Jollibee Group Foundation.

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LCF News

LCF launches 2023 CSR Expo

CSR Casebook “Fueling Hope, Driving Change: 15 CSR Stories by LCF Members” also introduced

LCF Board of Trustees Chairperson Sebastian Quiniones Jr., Executive Director of Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc.; Vice-Chairperson Shem Jose Garcia, Executive Director of Vivant Foundation, Inc; and Secretary Owen Cammayo, Executive Director of BPI Foundation, Inc. take questions from the press during the press launch of the 2023 CSR EXPO, held earlier today in Makati City.

During the launch, the CSR Casebook “Fueling Hope, Driving Change: 15 CSR Stories by LCF Members” was also introduced to the press by Max Ventura, AIA Philippines ESG Consultant, and journalist Tina Arceo-Dumlao.

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LCF News

Strengthening Disaster Resilience: LCF Committee Explores PDRF Emergency Operations Center

On April 13, 2023, the League of Corporate Foundation’s (LCF) Committee of Disaster Resilience visited the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) Emergency Operations Center. The visit aimed to gain a better understanding of the functions and operations of an Emergency Operations Center in a disaster scenario, observe how different organizations and agencies collaborate and coordinate with each other during a disaster response, and identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership with PDRF and other organizations in the field of disaster resilience.

The participants included representatives from various corporate foundations, including Aboitiz Foundation, PHAPCARES FOUNDATION, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), PHINMA Foundation, Inc., PhilSeven Foundation, Inc., Radio Mindanao Network Foundation, Inc., Ayala Foundation, Inc., Megawide Corporate Foundation Inc., Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc., and Manila Water Foundation. The PDRF team welcomed the participants, including its President, RENE S. MEILY, Executive Director, VERONICA T. GABALDON, Center Director, ARNEL Capili, Planning Officer, Miguel Adrian Garcia, Senior Cluster Coordinator, Philline Neille Cruz, Cluster Coordinator, Claudine Yvette Talaran, Information and Operations Associate, Gerson Hubert Aquino, and GIS Officer, Sherry Mae Buentiempo.

During the visit, the participants observed how PDRF and its partner organizations operate during a disaster response. The PDRF team shared their experiences and insights on how they manage emergencies, and how they work with different organizations and agencies to ensure an effective response. The participants also had the opportunity to witness PDRF’s information management and communication systems in action, as well as its partnerships with government agencies, non-government organizations, and private sector organizations.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity for the LCF Committee of Disaster Resilience and its members to learn from PDRF’s experience and expertise in disaster resilience. The participants gained a better understanding of how collaboration and coordination among different organizations and agencies are crucial in responding to disasters, and how they can leverage partnerships to achieve common goals.

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Members News

PHINMA CSR Council Visits Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation Emergency Operations Center

On March 24, 2023, PHINMA‘s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Council visited the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The objective of the visit was to gain a better understanding of PDRF’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities and to enhance collaboration between PHINMA’s CSR Council and PDRF.

During their visit, PHINMA’s CSR Council was oriented on PDRF’s HANDA platform, which is a Hazard and Disaster Analysis for Business Resilience tool. The tool helps businesses identify and assess their vulnerabilities to different hazards and disasters, and prepare accordingly.

Moreover, the Council was also introduced to the key features of PDRF’s EOC facilities, which are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment to ensure that the center can operate effectively during a crisis. The CSR Council also learned about PDRF’s Cluster System, which is designed to facilitate proper coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders before, during, and after a disaster period.

The group was welcomed by Guillermo Luz, PDRF’s Chief Resilience Officer, Veronica Gabaldon, Executive Director, and Anna Katrina Aspuria, Unit Head, Development Programs & Innovation Unit. They provided insights on PDRF’s history, vision, and mission, as well as its initiatives to build resilience and promote disaster risk reduction in the Philippines.

The visit of PHINMA’s CSR Council to PDRF’s EOC was a significant step towards promoting disaster preparedness and strengthening collaboration among different organizations to improve the country’s resilience to disasters. It is hoped that this kind of partnership will continue and that more organizations will join efforts to mitigate the impact of disasters in the country.

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LCF News

Arts & Culture Committee and artist Patricia Zulueta organize art workshop “Love Goes On”

In line with LCF’s Arts & Culture Committee #InFocus this March, on Saturday, March 25, the Committee organized the “Love Goes On” art workshop in collaboration with artist Patricia Zulueta.

“Love Goes On” involved teaching attendees to create journal entries and love lamps from mason jars and keepsakes in celebration of love’s enduring power.

“Love Goes On” was held at Sunshine Place in Makati.

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Members News

Metrobank Foundation carries home four Anvil Awards

Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) wins one Gold and three silver Anvils at the prestigious 58th Anvil Awards held at Manila Marriott Hotel. Photo shows the delegation led by president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, executive vice president Philip U. Dy, executive director Nicanor L. Torres Jr., and assistant executive director Dyan A. Tee.

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.

*****

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.