The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) took home six (6) trophies at the 15th Philippine Quill Awards last July 5, 2017, held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport City, Pasay City. Organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, the Philippine Quill is a prestigious award for organizations which have used excellent communication strategies in achieving their business objectives and in making a difference in the society. MBFI received six (6) trophies—four (4) Excellence Awards and two (2) Merit Awards—for its various programs entered under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) category and one program tool entered under the Publications category.

The first Excellence Award was given to the “2016 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos”, a recognition program which honors public servants in the academe, military, and police for their outstanding service to their sworn duties and noteworthy contributions to nation-building. The program has three components searches—Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), Search for The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), and Search for the Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS).

Another Excellence Award was conferred to the “2016 Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE),” an annual recognition program which aims to discover young talents in painting, sculpture, interior design and architecture. Now on its 33rd year, MADE has served as a career launch pad for its awardees by recognizing the excellent works of budding artists as well as professional sculptors, interior designers, and architects.

Through its MADE-Network of Winners, the alumni organization of previous MADE awardees, MADE also conducts public art and art education activities to further promote art appreciation to target sectors and at the same time implements Project HeART, an art psychosocial intervention program for individuals with special needs.

Meanwhile, the “2015 & 2016 National Teachers’ Month (NTM)” also received an Excellence Award. Held from September 5 to October 5 every year, NTM is a movement spearheaded by MBFI and the Department of Education (DepEd), together with various multi-sectoral groups which recognize Filipino teachers and educators and their contribution in shaping the country’s future.

The 2015 celebrations demonstrated the continuing activities dedicated to teachers – composed of capstone events, on-the-ground initiatives, the yearly menu of benefits and discounts, and a supplemental digital celebration. This continued in 2016 wherein NTM reached a milestone with the enactment of Republic Act 10743, officially designating “October 5 of every year as ‘National Teachers’ Day’—affirming the State’s recognition of teachers and their valuable role in national development.”

The fourth Excellence Award was given to the 2015 Metrobank Foundation Annual Report entitled “Dreams, Journeys & Discoveries.” The annual report highlights inspirational and empowering stories of ordinary individuals who share the Foundation’s goal of nation-building. It serves as a tool to account milestones and accomplishments of the Foundation for the period in review by highlighting success stories of its stakeholders and underscoring the roles of its institutional partners in the attainment of corporate objectives.

As a testament to good corporate governance and transparency, the publication aims to deliver accurate information on the Foundation’s operations and financial standing, being the CSR arm of the Metrobank Group.

On the other hand, the two Merit Awards were given to the “2016 Metrobank Math Challenge (MMC)” and the “2016 Bags of Blessing (BOB).”

For 16 years now, MMC has become the longest running and most widely participated annual mathematics competition for elementary and secondary students in both public and private schools in the Philippines. It is implemented by MBFI, in partnership with the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines and the DepEd. Through the years, MMS has produced young math geniuses who have represented the country and have won in various international math competitions, including the International Math Olympiad.

Meanwhile, underprivileged Filipinos shared in the revelry of the Chinese New Year celebration in the Philippines through the 2016 BOB, a gift-giving project that distributed PhP 10 million worth of food items to 10,000 poor families in 20 cities and municipalities across the country. Implemented by the family foundation of Metrobank Group Chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty—GT Foundation, Inc.—together with the Roman Catholic dioceses, the different companies of GT Capital Holdings, and subsidiaries of the Metrobank Group, the activity enabled the Church to aptly open its doors and give food to the hungry during the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2016.

To date, MBFI has won 46 Philippine Quill for its various programs and public relations tools since 1986.

Tags: 2017 Press Releases