WELCOME REMARKS

ARTHUR V. TY

Chairman, Metrobank & Metrobank Foundation

Conferment Ceremonies for 2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos

September 4, 2019, Metrobank Plaza Auditorium

Honorable Speaker of the House Alan Peter Cayetano

Members of the final board of judges chaired by senator sherwiin gatchalian and co-chaired by associate justice alexander gesmundo;

Members of the cabinet, judiciary, and diplomatic community;

Colleagues from the business sector;

Friends from the media;

Valued clients and partners;

Friends, ladies and gentlemen;

Good evening and welcome to the conferment ceremonies of the 2019 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos.

I’d like to begin by thanking you all for coming tonight. It is always such a great honor to see so many distinguised leaders and public servants gathered in one auditorium. This evening, we present to you 10 Outstanding Filipinos who exemplify the best in our people.

We have been looking forward to this event every year, not only to celebrate the lives and works of our awardees; but more importantly, to voice our conviction that nothing creates more hope and impact to nation-building than the heart and zeal of many ordinary Filipinos who go extraordinary lengths for the country’s greater good. Guided by the philanthropic vision of our late founder, Dr. George S.K. Ty, we believe that they deserve nothing less than great achievement for all their great sacrifices in the name of public service.

It is also worth mentioning that it is not a random coincidence, but a deliberate choice, to have this conferment ceremony fall within the bank’s week-long anniversary festivities—our 57th year anniversary, to date. Honoring these unsung heroes on the same day we commemorate the founding of Metrobank is our way of putting forward the values that the bank stands for. Our Outstanding Filipinos embody what it truly takes to serve and keep our fellow Filipinos in good hands, wherever they are and whatever their needs may be.

To our awardees, I say congratulations, and welcome to the growing Metrobank family. The ten of you have stood out from the rest.

Nominations came in from different regions of the country—from various schools, military infantries, and police units large and small, famous and obscure. The decision was difficult, as you can imagine. We have never seen such an impressive pool of nominees.
But you have made the cut, and we applaud the passion and perseverance you have demonstrated in all that you have accomplished. You now join the 655 Outstanding Filipinos who have likewise pledged their lives and continue to work towards building the nation.

With this award on your sleeve, I challenge and remind you that some of your hardest work are yet ahead. We hope that you seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as a springboard to more remarkable contributions to your community.

I would like to end by thanking everyone who has made this program a tremendous success. Thank you to our institutional and program partners, the board of assessors, the members of the final board of judges, and Metrobank Foundation officers and staff, for doing the difficult work behind the scenes. All of you have done such great work.

Lastly, I thank all of you, our guests, for joining us in this evening of celebration. We have much to be grateful for—the bank’s continuous growth, our loyal customers, and most notably, the presence of likeminded individuals like you who share our belief in the potential of the Filipino people.

Cheers to more years of building the nation together. Thank you and please enjoy the rest of the evening.