DFALF and IBF celebrate Scholars’ Day with Metrobank Foundation Inc.

2023 DFALF Scholars with SFA Enrique A. Manalo, Overall Chairperson Pamela Louise Manalo, Metrobank Foundation Inc. President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, MBFI Executive Vice President Philip U. Dy, DFALF President Mary Jennier D. Dingal and 2023 DFALF Board of Trustees. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)

PASAY 14 AUGUST 2023 – The DFA Ladies Foundation Inc. (DFALF) and the International Bazaar Foundation, Inc. (IBF) held a Scholars’ Appreciation Day with one of their long-time partners and scholarship donors, Metrobank Foundation Inc. The event was attended by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, MBFI Executive Vice President Philip U. Dy, and the 2023 DFALF and IBF Board of Trustees on 10 August 2023 at the FSI Library.

The two Foundations, which are both chaired by Madame Pamela Louise Manalo, wife of Secretary Manalo, share common missions and objectives, which are to develop unity, promote camaraderie, contribute to the physical, intellectual and social development of its members, and be engaged in activities/projects beneficial to not only the DFA personnel but also to the communities they serve. 

This year, both Foundations were able to fulfill its goals and objectives by way of improving their flagship project, the scholarship program. The DFALF was able to increase its scholarship offering with 15 additional slots, while the IBP has 13 more.

DFALF President Mary Jennifer D. Dingal giving the opening remarks (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)

In her opening remarks, DFALF President Mary Jennifer Dingal extended the DFALF’s heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to MBFI. 

“This remarkable addition to our already-existing number of scholars would not have been possible without the generosity of one of our partners, Metrobank Foundation Inc. – the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group. Just like the mission of DFALF and IBF, MBFI implements various programs on education, visual arts, health, and in recognition of excellence among key professions. And, over the years, under the leadership of President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña and Executive Vice President Philip Francisco Dy, MBFI has emerged as one of the country’s most active corporate philanthropic organizations and has since garnered various awards both in the local and international scene,” Ms. Dingal said. 

from L-R: IBF Executive Director Nora Salazar, IBF Treasurer Alice T. Guerrero, Overall Chairperson Pamela Louise Manalo, MBFI President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, IBF Vice Chairperson Helen Ong, and MBFI Executive Vice President Philip U. Dy (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)

Both Foundations awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Sobrepeña and a Plaque of Appreciation to MBFI. The awarding was headed by Overall Chairperson Pamela Louise Manalo, DFALF President Mary Jennifer D. Dingal, and IBF Vice Chairperson Helen Ong.

One active scholar and two alumni shared testimonials on how both Foundations made a strong and positive impact in their education and their future. Ms. Christine Joy Capungoll, an existing IBF/STI Scholar, Mr. John Carlos T. Roales, a graduate of BS Civil Engineering IBF Batch 2019 from UP Los Banos, and Mr. Mark Angelo Uzagara, DFALF Scholar Batch 2023 with the program of BS Information Technology at STI EDSA shared their experiences and the successes resulting from their hard work and dedication to their studies.

2023 IBF Scholars with SFA Enrique A. Manalo, Overall Chairperson Pamela Louise Manalo, Metrobank Foundation Inc. President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, MBFI Executive Vice President Philip U. Dy, IBF Vice Chairperson Helen Ong and 2023 IBF Board of Trustees. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)

The event was followed by the presentation of the 2023 DFALF and IBF scholars by DFALF First Vice President and Scholarship Committee Chair Candy S. Cypres-Bauzon and IBF Executive Director Nora C. Salazar. Scholars received a Certificate of Scholarship Grant from both Foundations as they have successfully passed the screening process of both Foundations. 

“Determining the recipient of the IBF and DFALF Scholarship Grant has always been difficult and is based on the guidelines of the Program,” IBF Executive Director Nora Salazar said.

The DFALF also conveyed appreciation to all concerned Philippine Ambassadors, officers, and staff of Philippine Foreign Service Posts, and retired Ambassadors who donated to the 2023 DFALF Scholarship Program. DFALF Treasurer Lourdes Francis M. Morallos presented the ten (10) identified Foreign Service Posts, as follows: 

DFALF also received the following five (5) anonymous donations:

Overall Chairperson Pamela Louise Manalo giving her message
(Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD Maria Vanessa Ubac)

At the culmination of the event, Overall Chairperson Pamela Louise Manalo addressed the scholars. “To our scholars, I urge you to continue your journey of academic excellence, serving as inspiration for future aspiring scholars. To the parents present here, your guidance and support remain instrumental in your children’s journey, and we hope to see you pay it forward one day, empowering yet another child to pursue their educational dreams,” Madame Pamela Manalo said in her message.

Madame Manalo also expressed her thanks to Mr. Sobrepeña for the assistance extended by the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. She said that the assistance is a beacon of hope, especially in these challenging times, as both Foundations collectively navigate these uncharted, post-pandemic waters. END