GT Foundation Inc. (GTFI) and Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI) virtually kicked off their annual gift-giving tradition called 'Bags of Blessing' on January 20, 2023 as part of their unique Chinese New Year celebration.

Since 2011, this program has touched the lives of 108,000 families across 215 sites nationwide. This year, the tradition provided aid to a new batch of 10,000 families in 20 sites across the country through the distribution of food packages worth P1,000 each or P10 million in total.

In partnership with Caritas Philippines, the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines, with the support of select Metrobank branches, the priority beneficiaries chosen this year were the poorest of the poor families.

The ceremony was led by Federal Land chairman and GTFI President Alfred Ty, GTFI honorary chair Mary Ty, GTFI Vice President Anjanette Dy Buncio and MBFI President Aniceto Sobrepeña, along with Caritas Philippines national director Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Diocesan Social Action Center coordinators, and select Metrobank branch managers.

'Circumstances may have changed but the heart for community that animates the Bags of Blessing tradition remains steadfast. Behind this over-a-decade legacy of our founder, Dr. George S.K. Ty, is the hard work of individuals united by the goal of providing food aid to our fellowmen. It is in sharing that we reinforce our strength as one community,' Sobrepeña said.

'While we recognize that we have this program because there is still a need that we need to fill, and because there is poverty lingering in the midst of our partner communities, we also know in our hearts that we do this because of our shared commitment to better the lives of our kababayans,' Bagaforo said.

Inspired by the traditional exchange of ang-pao, the especially designed red bags contained P1,000 worth of food packages distributed to indigent families, instead of cash.