About the Writers Former Philippine Undersecretary of Education ISAGANI R. CRUZ (Ph.D., University of Maryland) teaches at De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, Ateneo de Manila University, and the University of Santo Tomas. He belongs to the Hall of Fame of the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards in Literature. He is the founding Chair of the Manila Critics Circle. He writes for the Philippine Star. FELICE PRUDENTE STA. MARIA is a commissioner of the UNESCO National Commission. She was a former commissioner for cultural heritage of the National Museums (NCOM) and the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in the Philippines. She writes on Philippine history and culture. Dr. Alice G. Guillermo studied at the Université d’Aix-Marseille in France as a scholar of the French Government, and at the University of the Philippines where she obtained her doctoral degree in Philippine Studies. She writes on art, culture, and politics, and was awarded the Centennial Honoree for the Arts by the Cultural Center of the Philippines. J. Albert Gamboa writes on banking, securities, telecommunications and energy in his column for the Business World. He has an MBA from the University of the Philippines and is an Economics graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University.
In Good Hands (The Metrobank Story) by multi-awarded writer, columnist and critic, Dr. Isagani Cruz is a poignant retelling of how the country’s premier bank, the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company or Metrobank, began as a young man’s ardent dream. Dr. George S.K. Ty was that young man in the 1950s whose seemingly simple desire—“to make money so I can give money”—had become a life long commitment, integral to his personal life, and also to Metrobank, the bank that he founded. Today 48 years after its creation in 1962, Metrobank is one of the largest universal banks in the Philippines with over 500 branches and offices nationwide. Its presence is felt in over 30 countries, one of which is the Republic of China whose government gave Metrobank the first ever license to operate in its country, because of Dr. Ty’s impeccable reputation as a banker. More than a chronicle of milestones that have made Metrobank the leader that it is in its industry, In Good Hands is a case study of the fascinating combination of business and philanthropy. The Metrobank Foundation is the fulfilment of Dr. Ty’s aspiration to help the less privileged and to raise the bar in its search for outstanding teachers, students, policemen and other deserving Filipinos. The story of Metrobank also reveals the core values of discipline, loyalty, honesty, integrity and teamwork that are lived and employed daily by thousands of Metrobankers who cheerfully serve the Bank’s customers. In Good Hands confirms that on Day One of the existence of Metrobank, its customers were really and truly already—in very good hands.