Metrobank Foundation Honors Sobrepeña, Welcomes New President Dy
The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) and GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI) formally opened a new chapter through their Leadership Turnover Ceremony held on July 15, 2025, at the GT Tower International in Makati City, marking the official transition of leadership from Aniceto M. Sobrepeña to Philip Francisco U. Dy as President of MBFI and Executive Director of GTFI, respectively.
The ceremony concluding Sobrepeña’s tenure of nearly three decades was graced by the MBFI and GTFI management, officers, and employees of both foundations. The program opened with the reading of the joint Resolution of the Boards of Trustees of MBFI and GTFI, followed by the formal declaration of the new leadership and Dy’s oath-taking ceremony.
Dy most recently served as Executive Vice President of MBFI and Deputy Executive Director of GTFI from August 2022 to July 2025. His extensive background in public service includes serving as Chief of Staff (with the rank of Undersecretary) to former Vice President Ma. Leonor G. Robredo, and as Head Executive Assistant to the late Secretary Jesse M. Robredo at the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Dy holds a Master in Public Policy degree from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, focusing on democracy, politics, and institutions, and graduated summa cum laude and valedictorian from the Ateneo de Manila University. Following his graduate studies, he served as Program Manager for the Disaster Net Project of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. His career spans leadership development, volunteer mobilization, and community-based programs in education and nutrition.
“As the mantle of leadership is passed on to me today, I stand before all of you to accept it with utmost humility.”
Buong puso kong niyayakap ang pananagutan at karangalang maging inyong pinuno. Excited akong malaman kung saang tagumpay tayo dadalhin ng ating pagtutulungan, sa ilalim ng panibagong yugto nang napaka-tigib na istorya ng Metrobank Foundation at GT Foundation.” (I wholeheartedly embrace the responsibility and honor of being your leader. I am excited to see what successes our collaboration will lead to, as we begin a new chapter in the rich and storied journey of the Metrobank Foundation and GT Foundation.”)
The program also paid tribute to Sobrepeña, who led MBFI from 2006 to 2025 as its first full-time and non-banker president. A former Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Presidential Management Staff under former President Corazon Aquino, as well as Deputy Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority under the Ramos administration, Sobrepeña brought decades of public sector expertise to the role.
Under his leadership, MBFI significantly expanded its programs in education, healthcare, the arts, and public service. The Foundation garnered over 50 national and international awards. Known for his values-driven leadership, Sobrepeña helped position MBFI as one of the country’s most respected philanthropic institutions.
In his valedictory address, Sobrepeña shared, “Our culture is one of quiet discipline and bold vision. We plan carefully, act strategically, communicate purposely and measure impact rigorously. But behind every metric is a story—a life touched, a future shaped, a community served.”
To all of you—thank you for walking this journey with me. The work continues, and I remain your advocate, your ally, and always—your fellow development worker.”
With a legacy of exemplary service over the past 46 years, MBFI and GTFI now welcome Dy as their sixth President and second Executive Director respectively. As both Dy and Sobrepeña continue the work of stewarding this legacy, the Foundations remain committed to advancing impactful programs, strengthening strategic partnerships, and upholding the philanthropic vision of their founder, Dr. George S.K. Ty, who once said, “Philanthropy is not about giving what is easy to give—it is giving what is most needed.”