Celebrating the Season of Giving Through Metrobank Foundation’s Helping Hands

Written by Laarnie Luna on December 29, 2023. Posted in Disaster Response, Media, News, Press Release

Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña (third from the left), Good Neighbors International Philippines country director Jae Choon Lee (second from the right), and Metrobank Foundation executive vice president Philip Dy (first from the left) led the distribution of Noche Buena food packs to the family representatives in the Sitio Ibayo, San Mateo, Rizal.

The season of sharing and giving is not just about seeding generosity but also giving hope and love to the needy. This year, Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI) employees kicked off the gift-giving season with outreach activities in the remote communities of Sitio Bakal in Quezon City and Sitio Ibayo in San Mateo, Rizal.

On December 16, 2023, MBFI and GTFI together with Good Neighbors International Philippines brought the festive Christmas mood to the economically disadvantaged families struggling with the unfavorable conditions in their communities. The families warmly welcomed and expressed their appreciation to the volunteers through song and dance production numbers, while fun games for all ages enlivened the atmosphere. The outreach culminated with the distribution of Noche Buena food packs to 350 families.

“The best manifestation that the community is grateful for what we have shared with them is the fact that the community collectively exerted effort for their special presentation to us,” says Philip Dy, MBFI executive vice president.

The community representatives showcased their talent and appreciation through a dance number for the MBFI and GTFI employees.

These outreach activities are part of MBFI’s Helping Hands program. Primarily a volunteerism and disaster response program, Helping Hands expanded its initiatives to spreading hope and love this holiday season and dedicated PHP 9 million to provide Noche Buena packs to 18,000 families across Metro Manila and nearby provinces. In partnership with the Tanging Yaman Foundation, they facilitated the packing of the Noche Buena food items, including the kilos of rice which they directly sourced from their farmer-beneficiaries. They delivered the food packs to over 90 parishes and communities in time for the Christmas Eve celebration.

“The experience touched my heart as I have witnessed how God works in many people’s lives. The happiness of giving gifts to the community and their gratefulness for what they have received seems so fulfilling,” says Citas Quendangan, a GTFI employee. “It shows that spreading kindness and sharing love to those in need, brings hope and inspiration to the community, fostering growth to the nation as a whole,” she added.

For the MBFI and GTFI employees, the outreach went beyond just delivering gifts. By spending time with the communities, they volunteered their hearts and spread the true essence of Christmas. It is an enriching reminder that the season of giving is about compassion, connection, and sharing the Christmas spirit with those who need it most.