MBFI Executive Director Chito Sobrepena and GTFI Executive Director Boyet Dy, with the heads of GTFI partner HEIs. Photos by MBFI/GTFI
Metrobank Foundation and GT Foundation hosted an event for their partner higher education institutions (HEIs) including UPCOE on April 14, 2023 at the Metrobank Plaza in Makati. UPCOE, with UPERDFI acting as the administering organization for UPCOE scholars, is a partner for the GTFI Youth for Excellence and Service (GTFI YES) Scholarship Program. GTFI YES aims to provide assistance to deserving students who excel academically but lack the financial resources to pursue their studies.
The event was marked with the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreements, formally launching the new batch of MBFI ACCESS and GTFI YES Scholarship Programs.
The first batch of 10 GTFI four-year scholars in UPCOE enrolled in 2018 and graduated in 2022 and 2023. The second set of 13 scholars started this AY 2022-23. The scholars are guaranteed four-year support subject to their meeting academic standards.
Event hosts Mr. Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, President of MBFI and Executive Director of GTFI, and Mr. Philip Francisco U. Dy, Executive Vice President of MBFI, expressed their commitment to the programs and the partners involved, highlighting the importance of education in the development of individuals and the country as a whole.
UPCOE Dean Dr. Maria Antonia Tanchuling was not able to attend due to an emergency. Representing UPERDFI were President Chicho Mantaring and ED Tito Aliga. They expressed their gratitude for the partnership with GTFI and their continued support for the scholarship programs. ED Tito hailed GTFI for being the first donor in UPCOE that adopted the concept of PLANT, NURTURE and HARVEST, as exemplified by GTFI guaranteeing four-year support for their scholars in UPCOE when they start as freshmen, subject to their meeting academic standards. From UPERDFI’s perspective, MBFI and GTFI have added a fourth stage – MULTIPLY – as they are open to supporting their graduated scholars in carrying out their own societal-benefit initiatives in their respective communities!
Aside from UPCOE, GTFIs partner HEIs include Adamson University, TIP, Ateneo de Naga, University of Mindanao, University of San Jose Recoletos, University of Mindanao, and Tytana Colleges. Among MBFI’s partner HEIs is the UP Diliman School of Statistics.
 Chito and Boyet with Pres Chicho and ED Tito after the signing of the MOA. |  Pres Chicho and ED Tito shared with MBFI a copy of the UPERDFI Golden Anniversary Book. |
