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Alsons starts building river hydro plant, launches new coal-fired unit

ALSONS Consolidated Resources, Inc. (ACR) launched on Friday construction of a 14.5-megawatt (MW) hydroelectric power plant in Sarangani while marking the inauguration of the second unit of its 210-MW coal-fired power plant in the same province.

“The two power projects that we are showcasing this afternoon represent our own modest contribution in support of the President’s commitment to provide the needed infrastructure for the economic growth and sustainable development of Mindanao and the rest of the country,” ACR President and Chairman Tomas I. Alcantara said in a speech to mark the two milestones.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte attended the two launches. ACR claims to be the first private-sector power generator in Mindanao.

Mr. Alcantara said the projects are in line with the government’s vision of “a Mindanao that enjoys the benefits of power security and the preservation of the environment by employing both traditional thermal baseload power and renewable energy.”

Sarangani Energy Corp.’s $570-million baseload plant began operating its first 105-MW unit in 2016 and started commercial operations for its second 105-MW unit in October this year. The power plant serves more than six million people in 10 provinces and 12 cities in Mindanao, including Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Iligan, Butuan, Digos, Dipolog, and Pagadian.

ACR said the plant is the single largest power investment in Sarangani province and the entire Region 12. Sarangani Energy is majority owned by Alsons Thermal Energy Corp., a partnership between ACR and Global Business Power Corp. Its other shareholder is Japan’s Toyota Tsusho Corp.

The P4.5-billion Siguil hydropower plant is the Alsons power group’s initial entry into renewable energy. It is expected to begin commercial operations in 2022 to power Sarangani province, General Santos City and key municipalities of South Cotabato.

ACR said Siguil hydro will be the first of eight run-of-river hydro power facilities that the group plans to develop in Zamboanga del Norte, other areas in Mindanao, and Negros Occidental in Western Visayas.

The Alcantaras’ power business currently operates four power facilities in Mindanao with a total generating capacity of 468 MW.

On Friday, ACR was 0.82% higher at P1.23. — Victor V. Saulon

Negros Island Biomass targets three operational plants by end of year

NEGROS Island Biomass Holdings Inc. hopes to have three operational biomass plants this year and avail of the benefits offered by the government’s feed-in tariff (FiT) scheme.

San Carlos BioPower, Inc., one of the three biomass plants, achieved a power generation level of 20 megawatts (MW) on Sept. 21. It is said to be the first in the world to purely run on sugarcane waste material.

Two more biomass power plants — North Negros BioPower, Inc. with 25 MW and South Negros BioPower, Inc. with 25 MW — will be connecting to the grid within this year. The P16-billion project is funded by global investment firm ThomasLloyd Group Ltd.

Arthur N. Aguilar, president of the BioPower projects, said in a statement that San Carlos BioPower “has accomplished its proof of concept from the logistical system of sugarcane trash collection to the conversion to electricity.”

The plants, which will generate 70 MW of baseload capacity, are to be fueled mainly by sugarcane field residues sourced within Negros.

“The team is pleased to finally have (San Carlos BioPower) connect and export power to the grid. Our goal is to have all three of our plants running by end of this year and improve the quality of power in the island of Negros,” Mr. Aguilar said.

The plants will be supported by 12 company-owned and -operated transloading stations in Negros to annually collect and use more than 610,000 tons of feedstock.

“We have among the largest agricultural fleets to have sufficient collection capabilities for fuel inventory, while also having around 1,500 employees to support our day-to-day operations,” Mr. Aguilar said.

The biomass plants’ use of cane byproduct is expected to provide 510 gigawatt-hours of energy in its first year of operation. They are estimated to power 160,000 homes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 57,680 tons.

The holding firm said the biomass projects in Negros have provided development in host communities, while raising farmer incomes.

“BioPower’s collection of cane trash is as important as bagasse feedstock for fuel. It adds value to diversifying the sugar industry and mitigates the practice of open field burning, without additional investment from planters,” it added.

The biomass plants are vying to be eligible for FiT, an incentive scheme that grants priority connections to the grid, priority purchase and transmission of, and payment for, electricity generated from renewable energy sources wind, solar, ocean, run-of-river hydropower and biomass.

Under the rules, eligible RE developers are guaranteed a rate for 20 years for each kilowatt they produce. — Victor V. Saulon

Global Business Power signs 4-MW Boracay supply deal with GERI township

GLOBAL Business Power Corp. (GBP) said Friday that its retail electricity supply business signed a 4-megawatt (MW) contract to supply power to a township in Boracay.

The contracting parties are GBP unit Global Energy Supply Corp. (GESC) and Global Estate-Resorts, Inc. (GERI), which is behind the 140-hectare Boracay Newcoast.

“Our partnership with GERI comes at such an exciting time, as this retail supply agreement harnesses the synergy between the energy and real estate sectors and is well-positioned to tap into the country’s dynamic tourism sector,” GBP president Jaime T. Azurin said in a statement.

He said the partnership could further boost the tourism sector. He noted GBP’s commitment to boost its service offerings to clients as it aims to become a total sustainable energy solutions provider.

GERI, a subsidiary of Megaworld Corp., is currently developing its first master-planned community on the island, which will consist of five districts: Newcoast Village, Oceanway Condominiums, Savoy, Belmont and Chancellor Hotels, Boracay Town Center, and Newcoast Station.

“We are proud to share with GERI the same passion for nation-building,” Mr. Azurin said.

GBP quoted GERI President Monica T. Salomon as saying: “We thank GBP for helping us meet our energy requirements in Boracay and we are excited to harness opportunities for mutual growth.”

The power supply deal between GESC and GERI is made possible by regulations on retail competition and open access (RCOA), a requirement of Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, the law that restructured the energy sector.

RCOA allows contestable customers, or those whose average peak demand for the past year reached the threshold set by the Energy Regulatory Commission, to freely choose their electricity supplier. — Victor V. Saulon

Manila-bound PAL plane makes emergency landing in LA

A PHILIPPINE Airlines flight bound for Manila suffered an apparent engine failure on Thursday shortly after takeoff from Los Angeles and made an emergency landing, authorities said.

All 347 passengers and 18 crew aboard Flight 113, a Boeing Co 777 widebody, are safe, an airline spokeswoman said.

Pilots of flight 113 declared an emergency and reported a possible engine failure, Los Angeles International Airport said.

A witness on the ground described “bursts of flames” coming out of an engine.

The US Federal Aviation Administration said the plane returned and landed safely. Television station ABC-7 in Los Angeles aired video of the aircraft after takeoff that showed flames and smoke coming out of the right engine.

The plane landed around noon local time (2000 GMT) and was met by the Los Angeles Fire Department, the airport said. The emergency landing did not affect other flights.

Although the cause of the apparent engine failure was not immediately clear, it comes as Boeing faces intense scrutiny over twin deadly crashes involving its 737 MAX single-aisle jetliner. The 737 MAX has been grounded worldwide since March.

GE Aviation, a unit of General Electric, which makes the GE90 engine for the 777 twin-aisle jetliner, said it was aware of the incident and was “working with the airline to determine the cause of the event and to promptly return the aircraft to service.”

Boeing said it was aware of an incident regarding Philippine Airlines and was closely monitoring the situation.

“You saw bursts of flames, little flames shooting out from the engine,” said Andrew Ames, a 36-year-old fitness professional in Los Angeles, who watched as the 777 ascended over the ocean after takeoff. “It almost looked like backfire flames from a motorcycle or car.”

“I had never seen a plane spew flames repeatedly. Then it stopped. As soon as it stopped, I saw the plane bank left, like it was heading back to airport,” Ames said.

The Philippine Airlines spokeswoman said the flight crew noticed smoke in the plane’s second engine, declared an emergency and returned safely to the airport.

“All passengers are safe and sound,” spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna said. “They are all being assisted to another flight.” — Reuters

Philippine eyes arms deal with South Korea

THE Philippine government might continue discussions on the procurement of military ships and weapons during President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s second visit to South Korea next week, Foreign Affairs department said on Friday.

“Defense procurement with the Republic of Korea is ongoing,” Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Junever Mahilum-West said at a televised briefing.

Mr. Duterte on Tuesday said his visit to South Korea was vital because he planned to acquire arms.

He will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-ROK commemorative summit in Busan, during which he would meet with other Asean leaders as well as South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

Mr. Duterte will be joined by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez and Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista.

The president last met with the heads of Asean member-states and President Moon at the Asean Summit in Bangkok in October. This will be his second visit to South Korea during his term.

The Philippines and South Korea are expected to sign agreements on education, tourism and social security, among other things, Ms. West said.

Summit participants are expected to issue a joint vision statement for peace, prosperity and partnership. The co-chairman will also issue a statement on the commemorative summit.

“These two represent the strong partnership between Asean and ROK,” Ms. West said.

The summit will focus on the 30-year cooperation between Asean states and South Korea as well as connectivity and concerns on security in the Korean peninsula.

Mr. Duterte won’t have time to meet with the Filipino community in South Korea during his two-day visit, she added. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Customs to block vape products

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has ordered ports nationwide to block imported vapor products after President Rodrigo R. Duterte outlawed their use.

“All importation of vape products and related items shall immediately be subject to seizure by the Bureau of Customs,” it said in a statement on Thursday.

The bureau said it had consulted other regulatory agencies including the Food and Drug Administration before it issued the order.

The import ban covers only vape products, Customs spokesman Jet Maronilla said in a mobile-phone message. “All tobacco-based products like heated cigarettes are technically not included,” he added.

Mr. Duterte on Tuesday ordered law enforcers to arrest anyone vaping in public, and outlawed vape imports after Health authorities confirmed the first vape-related lung injury in the country.

The president said vaping was contrary to public health.

The Health department earlier said the Office of the President was finalizing an executive order for the ban.

Vaping groups have said the ban would lead to vapers going back to smoking cigarettes. They also said smokers should be given alternatives including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Peso barely moves after unclear US-China dialogues

THE peso barely moved against the dollar on Friday as talks between the world’s two biggest economies to finalize their trade deal continued to be uncertain.

The peso closed at P50.80 a dollar, only 6.5 centavos stronger than a day earlier, according to data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP).

The peso opened at P50.89 a dollar dollar, strengthened to as much as P50.725 and weakened to as much as P50.845 against the greenback.

Dollars traded slipped to $1.099 billion from $1.439 billion on Thursday.

The local currency barely moved against the greenback this week due to the clout of the US-China trade deal talks, a trader said.

“The peso ended slightly stronger because some institutions were anticipating their flows this month and as remittances come in as the holiday season gets closer,” he said by telephone.

On Thursday, the Chinese commerce ministry said it would seek to finalize a “phase one deal” with the US.

“This is in line with the interests of both China and the United States, and of the world,” said Gao Feng, a spokesman at the ministry.

Previously, sources including trade experts and those close to the White House told Reuters that a phase one deal finality could slide into 2020 with Beijing looking for more “extensive tariff rollbacks” while the US countered with new demands for its part.

US President Donald J. Trump told reporters in Texas on Wednesday that China was not “stepping up to the level that I want.” — Luz Wendy T. Noble with Reuters

PSEi ends flat amid lack of leads

By Victor V. Saulon, Sub-Editor

STOCKS barely moved on Friday amid a dearth of news from listed companies that left the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) ending the week closing higher by only 0.07% or 5.7 points to 7,824.59 from Thursday.

“Shares traded flat as investors weighed potentially positive news about the US-China trade talks against concerns over possible repercussions should President Donald Trump sign legislation expressing support for protestors in Hong Kong,” said Luis A. Limlingan, business development head at Regina Capital Development Corp.

The broader all-shares index also closed slightly higher at 4,679.04, inching up by 0.18% or 8.28 points from the previous day.

“Vice-Premier Liu He cited in early Asian hours the day before that he was cautiously optimistic about the prospect of a deal,” Mr. Limlingan said.

“China’s commerce ministry also said that China will strive to reach an initial trade agreement with the US,” he said, adding that late in the day “news surfaced that China had invited American negotiators to Beijing for a face-to-face talks.”

Four of the six sector indices managed to close higher. Only the mining and oil index came out strong with a 2.39% or 190.82-point improvement to close at 8,175.43. Services followed by advancing 0.46% or 7.17 points to 1,549.70, trailed by industrial stocks’ 0.31% or 30.95-point rise to 9,911.62. Holding firms were flat at 7,756.93, higher by 0.02% or 1.78 points from the day earlier.

Two sub-indices slipped: financials by 6.16 points or 0.32% to 1,874.13 and property by 2.04 points or 0.05% to 4,033.22.

In value, total trading was down four percent to P5.49 billion from P5.72 billion previously. About 384.17 million shares changed hands, or nearly half the previous day’s volume turnover of 781.11 million.

Foreigners were net sellers for the fourth day in a row with P642.36 million worth of shares as their selling of P3.73 billion outpaced their buying at P3.09 billion.

DFNN, Inc. was Friday’s top gainer as it closed higher b 12.35% or P0.63 to P5.73 per share. Jolliville Holdings Corp. and Benguet Corp. “A” were the other biggest upward movers during the session.

Manila Broadcasting Corp. was the biggest loser as it gave up 17.72% of its share price to close lower by P2.52 to P11.70 apiece. A Brown Co., Inc. and SOCResources, Inc. round out Friday’s top three losers.

Still, the trading day closed with more advances at 90 as against declines of 88. A total of 58 stocks finished unchanged.

Among the few companies that disclosed updates of their projects were Ayala-led AC Energy Philippines, Inc., which said the estimated 60-megawatt capacity of its solar power plant project in Palauig, Zambales would cost around $37 million and funded by equity. “Project completion is expected in 2020. The plant will likely be operated as a merchant plant, delivering power to the grid at spot market rates,” AC Energy Philippines said.

The project will be led by AC Energy Development, Inc. through a wholly owned project company, Gigasol 3, Inc.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. said its board in a meeting on Friday had approved the creation of a new wholly owned subsidiary to handle its road transport business. The independent oil company said it would investing corporate funds in the unit amounting to P57 million “in whole or in part as initial capitalization.”

He had a light-giving life

Remembering George S.K. Ty: the Legacy of a Titan

The legendary icon of Civil Rights, Martin Luther King, once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

As one of the Philippines’ most influential luminaries, Dr. George S.K. Ty, on Nov. 23, 2018, has left the world brighter than when he had entered it.

When he passed away, he was the chair of GT Capital Holdings, Inc., a holding company with interests in many of the country’s most important sectors, and was known as the founder of Metrobank, the second-largest bank in the Philippines.

As its chair, Dr. Ty had an outsized contribution in GT Capital’s interests, which include Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation, Federal Land, Inc., Property Company of Friends, Inc., Philippine AXA Life Insurance Corporation, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Toyota Financial Services Philippines Corporation, and Toyota Manila Bay Corporation.

However, most of Dr. Ty’s renown comes from his accomplishments in the banking sector. As Metrobank is one of the country’s foremost largest banks, it has garnered a diversified business portfolio in investment banking, thrift banking, leasing and financing, bancassurance, and credit cards.

Dr. Ty started the company at the age of 29 with his colleagues in 1962 to provide financial services to the Filipino-Chinese community, and in no time at all, the bank has expanded beyond Philippine shores. It established its first international branch in Taipei in 1970, and a representative office in Hong Kong in 1973. From there, Metrobank began sprouting branches in locations as far as London, New York, Taichung, Tokyo, Seoul, and Shanghai.

Nowadays, Metrobank has almost a thousand branches with more than two thousand automated teller machines nationwide.

As one of the country’s wealthiest people, Dr. Ty never lost sight of his responsibilities to his countrymen. He also founded the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), which acted as the corporate social responsibility (CSR)  of the Metrobank Group.

Since the foundation of the organization, MBFI has emerged as one of the country’s most active corporate philanthropic organizations, undertaking a wide range of CSR programs in such key sectors as education, visual arts, and health care, as well as handing grants to charitable institutions in the Philippines and in other parts of Asia. The Foundation also partners with like-minded organizations that contribute towards the common goal of nation-building.

Among MBFI’s flagship programs are the Search for Outstanding Filipinos, Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE), Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), College Scholarship Program (CSP), Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC), The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), and Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS). These programs seek to recognize and honor the best of the country’s public servants, unnamed heroes who play the most important roles in building a just and enlightened society.

In addition, MBFI pledges its support for programs aimed at educating Filipinos on issues through research and lectures given by the distinguished holders of the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Lecture established by the Foundation in partnership with reputable educational institutions.

“Dr. George S.K. Ty, Metrobank Group Founder and Chairman, has always been driven by a purpose higher than profit — he envisions his business to be a force for the benefit of the Filipino people,” the Metrobank Foundation wrote on the GT Capital web site.

Remembering a titan

Such is the legacy of Dr. Ty that after his passing, many Filipinos inspired by him honored his memory by raising a total of P7 million to donate to chosen charities in his memory. The amount was donated to CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation, Philippine Red Cross, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF).

MBFI President Aniceto Sobrepeña and MBFI Executive Director Nicanor Torres, Jr. led the turnover of the first tranche of donations to the PDRF represented by its president Butch Meily and executive director Veronica Gabaldon.

GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI), the Ty family foundation, contributed P3 million to the total and designated two more organizations to be the recipients: the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) for its school building program and the Tzu Chi Foundation.

Manny V. Pangilinan, a Philippine business icon in his own right, the managing director and CEO of First Pacific Company Limited and CEO of many prominent Philippine businesses such as PLDT and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, wrote a eulogy that celebrated Dr. Ty’s astuteness and wisdom both as a businessman and a mentor.

“In business, strong passions are the norm. Mr. Ty was a strong man. He was shrewd. He was decisive. I have seen him make decisions that could determine the fortunes of a business — as in our case 18 years ago. Those were his finest hours,” Mr. Pangilinan wrote.

“Where did that confidence come from? Where was that strength acquired? It is the courage of a boy who left China when he was young. It is the courage of a young man who dared to dream big things and act on them — Metrobank being the outstanding example. It is the courage of a man who waited on the Lord to finally call him home,” he added.

Dr. Ty’s life had cast a brilliant light that lives on in everyone he has affected, both through his own personal deeds or through those of his companies. Through his dedication and commitment to serving the country, he has driven away much of the darkness in his fellow Filipino’s lives and has inspired countless others to do the same.

“I heard it said that people die twice — once, with their last breath, and once more, later on, when people say their name for the last time. I’d like to think that Mr. Ty made sure that his second death does not happen — that indeed, we will remember him for a long time,” Mr. Pangilinan wrote. — Bjorn Biel M. Beltran

A hero of philanthropy

Remembering George S.K. Ty: the legacy of a titan

Most people might remember Dr. George S.K. Ty as a successful business tycoon who founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank). But for those who witnessed his generosity and passion in helping others, he is more likely remembered as a philanthropist who was always driven by a purpose higher than profit.

In 1979, 16 years after the founding of Metrobank, Dr. Ty established the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) to serve as the bank’s venue to contribute to the advancement of the society. The Foundation is guided by Dr. Ty’s principle that “Leadership in business implied leadership in community service.”

Over the years, MBFI has implemented various programs on education, visual arts and design, and health; and has maintained a dynamic partnership with other organizations that provide assistance to the underprivileged and marginalized sectors of the society. The Foundation has also remained responsive to aid survivors of natural calamities in the country and the region through relief and rehabilitation efforts.

One of the advocacies closest to Dr. Ty’s heart was education, which he believed is a significant key to unlock a future of possibilities. This pushed MBFI to develop a multi-pronged approach to education development by introducing some student- and teacher-centered initiatives such as Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC), MetroGold Scholarship Program, and National Teachers’ Month celebration.

The MMC is an annual mathematics competition, in partnership with the Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), aimed at raising the competitiveness of elementary and high school students. It is the longest running math competition in the country with more than half a million students participating in the nationwide elimination rounds yearly, attracting students from both private and public schools.

The MetroGold Scholarship Program, on the other hand, provides financial assistance to underprivileged but academically-deserving students, giving them the chance to build a better life for themselves and their families. Meanwhile, the National Teachers’ Month celebration encourages the different sectors of the society to pay tribute to the teaching profession.

In the field of arts and design, MBFI pioneered the Metrobank Art & Design Excellence (MADE) that has been recognizing the talent and hard work of young Filipino artists, and has been continuously promoting the Philippine art culture.

Since 1984, the program has given recognitions to hundreds of young artists, and has supported various art activities including exhibits of competition winners, art workshops, facilities improvement of museums and schools, among others.

Recognizing the importance of proper health care in securing an overall well-being, MBFI acquired a controlling interest in the Manila Doctors Hospital, which is one of the most esteemed centers of wellness in the country. As the health care arm of the Foundation, Manila Doctors has been offering a wide array of social services such as subsidies for in-house patients, outreach programs, medical missions, and other health-related interventions in adopted communities.

The MBFI has also been contributing to the rebuilding of lives and communities affected by disasters through its Grants and Calamity Assistance Programs that provide financial support for worthwhile projects that are aligned with the thrusts of the Foundation on education, health care, and visual arts, as well as the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Moreover, with Dr. Ty’s desire to honor and nurture outstanding public servants from among the ranks of academe, military, police and media, MBFI initiated various recognition programs. The Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), for instance, recognizes the country’s top educators aimed at fostering a culture of excellence and community service for the teaching profession.

The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), on the other hand, honors the valor, gallantry, and self-sacrifice demonstrated by the men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP); while the Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (COPS) affirms the shared responsibility between gallant police officers and the community on crime prevention and solution.

The MBFI also established the Search for Journalists of the Year (JOY), which honors distinguished Filipino journalists for their body of work that has contributed to the development of the nation and inspired other media practitioners.

With all its benevolent initiatives, the MBFI has emerged as one of the country’s most active corporate philanthropic organizations, and has garnered various awards across and outside the country.

“From the very beginning, the Foundation was given the wherewithal to carry out Metrobank’s commitment to nation building, intervening in different sectors to address the underserved, as well as cultivating a culture of excellence among our countrymen,” MBFI President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña said in a eulogy he delivered at the funeral services for Dr. Ty last year.

The eulogy, which spoke about Dr. Ty’s generosity and passion to help others through the MBFI, bagged the Quill Professional Excellence Award in the 17th Philippine Quill Awards.

From the words of Mr. Sobrepeña, Dr. Ty’s leadership was born of a generous heart. “He was not indulgent but focused and definitive about how he wanted to help others. He liked to help others but he did it responsibly, so that the assistance was enabling and empowering,” he said.

Mr. Sobrepeña added that, “While Dr. Ty appreciated the many accolades and recognition of his successful enterprises, it was the distinction of being named one of Fortune magazine’s Heroes of Philanthropy that meant more to him. When he was named one of the wealthiest men in the Philippines, he said: ‘We can spend more money now and do more for the community’.” — Mark Louis F. Ferrolino

A man of high honors

Remembering George S.K. Ty: the legacy of a titan

Dr. George S.K. Ty is very much known to many for fearlessly reaching for his aspirations and for selflessly serving communities and the nation in general. While he successfully set out visions and realized them throughout his lifelong career in business, he consistently gave back and paid it forward through the foundations he established. No wonder the late taipan was recognized and honored by many institutions and award-giving bodies throughout his lifetime and even after his passing.

Dr. Ty was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Asian Banking Awards in 2000. A year later, he was given the Outstanding Manilan Award by the City of Manila, a recognition given to “those who have excelled in their fields of endeavor” on every anniversary of the nation’s capital.

In 2002, Dr. Ty was one of the awardees of Dr. Jose Rizal Awards for Excellence, an award handed out in observance of the birth anniversary of the national hero. The founder of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company received the “Tsinoy Lifetime Achievement” award, along with other Filipino-Chinese taipans such as the late John Gokongwei and Lucio Tan.

Dr. Ty also began receiving international accolades in 2003 when he was conferred the Magnolia Gold Award by the Shanghai City government in China. The said award “recognizes foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to the city”. This was followed up by a recognition from the Nanjing Municipal Government to Dr. Ty in 2010 as Honorary Citizen of Nanjing.

One of his highly-esteemed accolades, the former Metrobank Group chairman was recognized as the Management Man of the Year by the Management Association of the Philippines in 2006. This annual award by MAP is considered as the most prestigious award for excellence in the practice of management.

In 2010, Dr. Ty, who also chaired the Metrobank Foundation, was conferred by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Bayani. According to the Official Gazette, this particular presidential honor is conferred “upon an individual whose life is worthy of emulation by the Filipino people”.

The renowned business leader was accorded another recognition for serving as a steward “of business and economic development in the country” in 2011. The Employers Confederation of the Philippines granted the Gawad Lakan ng Kalakalan to Dr. Ty, and it was presented by former President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III.

That same year, Dr. Ty also received the Medal of Merit “for Outstanding Achievement in the Promotion of Philippines-Japan Relations” by the Philippines-Japan Society, being its 33rd awardee. In the award’s citation, Dr. Ty was recognized for “his immeasurable contributions to Philippine society, and his significant accomplishments in forging meaningful and dynamic relations between Filipinos and Japanese”.

In 2012, he was conferred the CEO (Communication Excellence in Organizations) Excel Lifetime Award by the International Association of Business Communicators. This particular award has been given to leaders who “epitomize management competence and excellence in communication at a strategic level.”

Not only has Dr. Ty received accolades from institutions and the government; he was also acknowledged right in the Metrobank Group, as shown in 2014 when he was conferred the Grand Exemplar Medallion by the Board of Advisers of the Metrobank Foundation for “his distinguished leadership, generous spirit, compassion, and outstanding achievements that [have] contributed to the growth of the nation.”

In 2017 Dr. Ty received two prestigious awards. First, he received the Ramon V. Del Rosario Award for Nation Building from the Junior Chamber International Manila and the Asian Institute of Management’s Center for Corporate Responsibility in July of that year. The late banker and philanthropist was chosen “for exhibiting entrepreneurial spirit, good corporate citizenship, social responsibility, and for his underlying passion for nation-building”.

The other award he received that year was the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, conferred by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Matsukaze-no-Ma, Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan. This distinct honor was given to Dr. Ty “in recognition of his contribution to strengthening the economic relations between Japan and the Philippines.”

The following year, weeks before his passing, Dr. Ty was the first MVP Bossing Lifetime Achievement awardee in PLDT Enterprise’s MVP Bossing Awards. This award recognized the visionary as “an individual who had built his career with an unwavering honesty and commitment to his entrepreneurial vision.”

Nonetheless, even after his death at the age of 86, Dr. Ty is still recognized as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Filipino to emulate.

Last Sept. 9, both chambers of the 18th Congress gave their respective honors to Dr. Ty. The Senate of the Philippines unanimously adopted Senate Resolution No. 10, titled “Resolution Posthumously Honoring Dr. George S.K. Ty for his Philanthropic Contributions”; while the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution No. 10, titled “Resolution Honoring the Achievements and Contributions of Dr. George Siao Kian Ty, an Outstanding Filipino, Philanthropist, and Business Leader.” — Adrian Paul B. Conoza

The legacy continues

Remembering George S.K. Ty: the legacy of a titan

Aside from the establishment of the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI), the late Dr. George S.K. Ty also demonstrated his philanthropic contributions to the country through the GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI). Since its inception in 2009, the foundation has invested in strategic development programs that empower communities and respond to the basic needs of the Filipino people.

One of GTFI’s remarkable initiatives is the annual Bags of Blessing (BOB) project, which was the brainchild of Dr. Ty himself. BOB is a series of nationwide gift-giving activities held to welcome the Lunar New Year where P10 million worth of food packages are distributed to 10,000 families in different cities and provinces.

The foundation was able to further its cause in the field of education through the GTFI Scholarships for Technical Vocational Education Program (STEP). It equips young people with vocational skills and a broad range of knowledge and attitudes that are indispensable for meaningful participation in work and life. GTFI continued to strengthen the program in the past years with the addition of new scholarship slots.

In partnership with different health institutions and organizations, GTFI has also conducted surgical missions and programs across the country. Meanwhile, in response to the Marawi crisis in Lanao del Sur, the foundation provided assistance to families of soldiers killed, and provided groceries in support of soldiers and police officers who fought during the conflict.

Although Dr. Ty has already passed away on Nov. 23, 2018, his legacy continues and remains evident. Early this year, GTFI, together with De La Salle University (DLSU), inaugurated the George S.K. Ty Advanced Instrumentation Building at the university’s Laguna campus in Biñan City.

The four-storey facility, which was named after Dr. Ty, houses the university’s research laboratories in different areas of science, engineering, and technology. It also houses a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectrometer — which is the most sophisticated of its kind in the country — that thoroughly analyzes and interprets molecular and compound structures.

The inauguration of the building was led by GTFI President Alfred Ty and DLSU President Br. Raymundo B. Suplido FSC. They were joined by other officers of GTFI, Metrobank Group subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as DLSU administrators.

“The Lasallian identity of a spirit of faith, zeal for service and communion in mission, and its motto Religio, Mores, Cultura, resonates the vision and mission of GTFI of addressing the needs of the less privileged to improve the quality of their lives,” Mr. Ty said in a message.

“It is for these reasons that GTFI partnered with DLSU in the construction of the Dr. George S.K. Ty Advanced Instrumentation Building — an affirmation of Dr. Ty’s commitment to support and sustain the advancement of science, technology and engineering education in the Philippines,” he added.

For Br. Suplido’s part, he expressed his appreciation for the late philanthropist and the GTFI for choosing DLSU as its beneficiary.

“On behalf of the De La Salle University community, I would like to extend our humble and sincere gratitude for being chosen as a partner and beneficiary of Dr. Ty and his Foundations’ trust and generosity. Rest assured, his faith in our brand of education will bear much fruit, not only with the achievements of current and future Lasallians, but with the values and virtues that Lasallians will carry with them into the workplace and for the benefit of our country,” Br. Suplido said. — Mark Louis F. Ferrolino

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