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
