The GT Foundation (GTFI) officially launched the 2024 Dr. George S.K. Ty’s Bags of Blessing on November 9, 2024, at San Ildefonso Parish in Makati City. This annual initiative, which began in 2011, has been conducted for the first time this year to also honor the life and legacy of the late Dr. George S.K. Ty, founder of the Metrobank Group. The event was led by GTFI president Alfred V. Ty, GTFI honorary chair Mary V. Ty, GTFI senior vice president Anjanette T. Dy Buncio, GTFI vice president Alesandra V. Ty, GTFI executive director, Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, and GTFI deputy executive director Philip Francisco U. Dy.

Since its inception in 2011 until 2023, the Bags of Blessing has impacted over 108,000 families in 215 locations nationwide, making it one of the most enduring and far-reaching community outreach programs in the Philippines. This year, GTFI aims to distribute food packages worth PhP 10 million to an additional 10,000 families across 20 cities, continuing the tradition of compassion and support.

The bags are set to be distributed from November 9-19, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Caritas Philippines, GT Capital Holdings, and select Metrobank branches. Each bag, valued at PhP 1,000, will be given to the most vulnerable sectors of society, including indigenous peoples, victims of natural calamities, and those who have lost their livelihood due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the distribution will take place at designated parishes across the country, where beneficiaries will receive vouchers to claim their food packages.

The kick-off ceremony for this year’s distribution had 500 beneficiaries from Makati City, coming from the parishes of Our Lady of Fatima, St. Joseph the Worker, San Ildefonso, and Holy Family.

The Bags of Blessing program is inspired by the Chinese tradition of giving “ang-pao” or red envelopes filled with money, to wish others prosperity. This initiative offers a unique approach by distributing food aid in specially designed bags, symbolizing good fortune and well-being while providing sustenance to those in need. Traditionally held every Chinese New Year, the Dr. George S.K. Ty Bags of Blessing event now distributes green bags filled with essential goods, commemorating the late founder’s enduring legacy of generosity and his dedication to improving the lives of underprivileged Filipinos across the country.

For this year’s campaign, distribution sites in the National Capital Region (NCR) include Makati City, Pasay City, Taguig City, Manila, and Quezon City. Outside the NCR, the program will reach families in areas such as General Trias, Cavite; Puerto Princesa and Pag-asa Island, Palawan; Naga City, Camarines Sur; San Fernando, La Union; Ilagan City, Isabela; Iloilo City; Palo, Leyte; Roxas City, Capiz; Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; Cebu City; Cotabato City, Maguindanao; Butuan City, Agusan del Sur; Digos City, Davao del Sur; Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur; and Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Sobrepeña highlighted how the Bags of Blessing program helps to carry on Dr. Ty’s legacy. In his speech, he said, “Ang Dr. George S.K. Ty’s Bags of Blessing ay isang paraan ng Ty family upang maibahagi ang mga biyaya nila at makatulong sa pamilyang hikahos sa buhay, nawalan ng trabaho, at biktima ng sakuna. Ngayong taon, bilang paggunita sa legasiya ng pagtulong sa kapwa, ang GT Foundation ay mamamahagi ng green bags sa sampung libong pamilya sa National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao.” (“Dr. George S.K. Ty’s Bags of Blessing is a way for the Ty family to share their blessings and help families who are struggling, have lost their jobs, or are victims of disasters. This year, in celebration of the legacy of helping others, the GT Foundation will distribute green bags to 10,000 families across the National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.”)

As the 2024 Bags of Blessing unfolds, the GT Foundation and Metrobank Foundation reaffirm their commitment to supporting Filipino families in need, sharing prosperity, and extending kindness to communities across the country. Through every bag distributed, the legacy of Dr. George S.K. Ty lives on, continuing to inspire hope, generosity, and compassion nationwide.

 

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Featured photo: The GT Foundation (GTFI) launched the 2024 Dr. George S.K. Ty’s Bags of Blessing program at San Ildefonso Parish, Makati City on November 9, 2024. The event was supported by partners from Caritas Manila, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and volunteers from the Metrobank Pasong Tamo-Buendia branch.

Tags: Bags of Blessing, Gt foundation