CTBC Bank (Philippines) Corp., a subsidiary of the largest and most-awarded bank in Taiwan, marks its 19th anniversary in the country by sharing more blessings with the communities it serves. Aligned with its brand promise "We Are Family" as well as its long-held commitment to education, the Bank turned over three disaster-resilient school buildings to its beneficiary schools in Typhoon Yolanda-affected areas, specifically in Cebu where the Bank also has three branches.

Right after assessing the damage brought by the typhoon, the Bank, together with its parent holding company, immediately decided to extend CTBC Bank Philippines' ongoing "Better Readers. Brighter Future." reading and literacy program to include the construction of school buildings. Through a PhP15 million grant to the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the Bank built one-storey three-classroom school buildings at Caduawan Elementary School and Ilihan Integrated School in the municipality of Tabogon, and Guadalupe Elementary School in the municipality of Bogo. Each of the classrooms has comfort rooms (separate for boys and girls) and complete educational supplies, furniture and fixtures.

Following the Department of Education's efforts to restore normal school operations in the Typhoon Yolanda-affected areas and the Department's mandate to "build back better", CTBC Bank Philippines' school reconstruction project applied designs that could withstand the usual typhoons that visit the country. Moreover, it complied with the principles of gender sensitivity, inclusive education, child protection, and environment preservation. Specific features such as wider doors and hand grabs inside the toilets and a ramp at the building's entrance were installed in consideration of the disabled. In planning the location of the new buildings, care was taken to avoid any disturbance to existing vegetation and avoid resultant flooding in the neighboring buildings and areas.

During the turnover ceremony held at Guadalupe Elementary School, CTBC Bank Philippines president and CEO Mark Chen said, "We at CTBC Bank have always believed that education is a powerful tool for building the future."

This is indeed true for CTBC Bank Philippines, which, since its inception, has been advocating programs focused on education. In 2004, it established the Chinatrust (the Bank's former corporate name) Sibol School in Gawad Kalinga Sison, formerly a marginalized community of informal settlers in Muntinlupa City, which the Bank employees helped to transform into a healthy, productive, and sustainable neighborhood through "bayanihan", or being heroes to each other. The Bank also partnered with the Federation of Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry to build two elementary schools in Bulacan; with the AiHu Foundation and Goodwill Industries Philippines, Inc. to donate computer units to the Bulacan Polytechnic College; and with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office to benefit five elementary schools in the 1st District of Zamboanga.

In 2011, CTBC Bank Philippines joined hands with the National Book Store Foundation, Inc. (NBSFI) for the "Better Readers. Brighter Future." – a mobile library program that promoted literacy and readership awareness among public elementary students. The extensive mobile library collection which includes over 500 copies of well-chosen literature toured six schools for six months. At the end of every mobile library tour, the Bank awarded library packages comprising of books and painting of libraries to two deserving beneficiary schools. To date, 17 public schools in Manila and other key cities have benefited from this reading and literacy enhancement initiative.

With the turnover of the newly-rebuilt schools in Bogo and Tabogon, the students and the rest of the communities affected can look forward to better prospects and a brighter future. CTBC Bank Philippines' latest endeavor demonstrates that the possibility of hope and the power of commitment can foster recovery even in the aftermath of the storm.

Only the structure remained of Guadalupe Elementary School after the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda. Today, it is the site of the new disaster-resilient school building donated by CTBC Bank Philippines.

Festivities at Guadalupe Elementary School reflect the hope and joy of the community at the turnover of the newly-opened school building.

CTBC Bank officials led by its Vice Chairman Thomas Chen (center) cut the ribbon to mark the official turnover of Guadalupe Elementary School. Joining him are (from left) Rafael Lopa, Executive Director of PBSP; William Go, Vice Chairman of CTBC Bank Philippines; Mark Chen, president and CEO of CTBC Bank Philippines; and Bea Torres, Programs Manager of NBSFI.

Ready for classes: one of the classrooms with its own comfort room (separate for boys and girls) and complete educational supplies, furniture and fixtures.

CTBC Bank Vice Chairman Thomas Chen and CTBC Bank Philippines president and CEO Mark Chen unveil the school building marker.

Bogo City Councilor Hon. Rhett Minguez presents a Plaque of Appreciation to CTBC Bank officials for the Bank's donation of a disaster-resilient school building for Guadalupe Elementary School.

CTBC Bank officials turn over the ceremonial key to Guadalupe Elementary School represented by (from left) Allison Retuya, PTA President; Cirilo Cabahug, Guadalupe Barangay Capt.; Jose Dennis Ruiz, school principal; and Stephanie Acosta, Grade 3 student representative.

Grade 3 student Xaviera Riz Casinillo entertains guests with a heartfelt declamation piece.

CTBC Bank Vice Chairman Thomas Chen enjoys a moment with the students of Guadalupe Elementary School after the turnover ceremony.

CTBC Bank Vice Chairman Thomas Chen talks to students of Caduawan Elementary School upon his arrival at the school.

Students of Caduawan Elementary School warmly welcome guest officials from CTBC Bank, PBSP and NBSFI.

CTBC Bank, PBSP, and NBSFI officials gamely pose with students of Ilihan Integrated School.

Students of Ilihan Integrated School cheerfully greet CTBC Bank, PBSP, and NBSFI officials.

CTBC Bank Philippines and NBSFI officers celebrate with the students and teachers of Ilihan Integrated School after the turnover ceremony.

In keeping with its thrust to help clients make better investment and business decisions, CTBC Bank Philippines (formerly Chinatrust Philippines) recently conducted two consecutive Economic Briefings for its corporate clients entitled "Managing Risks in Interesting Times". Treasurers of CTBC Bank Philippines Oliver Jimeno and CTBC Bank Singapore Isabelle Lei presented their global and local outlook for the Philippine economy and its prospects. Photo shows Ms. Lei sharing her thoughts on the current issues affecting economies and financial markets around the globe.

CTBC Bank (Philippines) Corp. formerly Chinatrust Philippines, recently inaugurated its 24th branch along Ortigas Avenue Extension at the heart of Taytay, Rizal's commercial district. Opened as full-service commercial bank in the latter part of 1995, CTBC Bank now has one of the largest branch networks among foreign banks in the country catering to the banking needs of both local and foreign companies; aside from extensively servicing the needs of the middle-income consumers. Leading the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon are its guests of honor, Juan Miguel Del Castillo, Jr., owner of MORE Business Center Building (2nd from right), and Eduardo Valerio, Jr., Finance Manager of Mitsubishi Motors (rightmost). Joining them on behalf of the Bank are its president and CEO Mark Chen (2nd from left) and Retail Banking Head Henry Chang (leftmost).

The CTBC Bank (Philippines) Corp. (formerly Chinatrust Philippines) recently turned over PhP15 million to the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) for the construction of disaster-resilient single storey three-classroom buildings and the acquisition of furniture, fixtures, and educational supplies for three public schools in the Municipalities of Bogo and Tabogon, Northern Cebu. The project, which is also in cooperation with National Book Store Foundation, Inc. (NBSFI) who in turn will donate a library cart with storybooks for each rehabilitated classroom, and the Department of Education (DepEd), is an extension of the Bank's and NBSFI's ongoing "Better Readers. Brighter Future." reading and literacy enhancement program. Present during the formal signing were (from left): CTBC Bank Vice Chairman William B. Go, DepEd Undersecretary for External Partnerships and Linkages Mario A. Deriquito, CTBC Bank President and CEO Mark Chen, NBS General Manager Socorro C. Ramos, PBSP Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, NBSFI President Xandra R. Padilla, and PBSP Executive Director Rafael C. Lopa.

The Social Security System (SSS) recently welcomed CTBC Bank (Philippines) Corp. to its roster of accredited banks for the fast, safe and convenient release of employers' reimbursements under the SSS Sickness and Maternity Benefit Payment Thru the Bank (SMB PB) Program. Employer-clients of CTBC Bank (formerly known as Chinatrust Philippines), can enrol their savings or current accounts by submitting their SMB PB application to their CTBC Bank. Application forms are available at SSS branches and are downloadable from the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph). Mandatory implementation of the program started in January 2014, as part of the SSS' thrust to improve service delivery. The SMB PB Program replaces the previous SSS system of reimbursing employers thru checks, thereby eliminating the waiting period for check clearing and instances of lost or misdelivered checks. Photo shows SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio S. de Quiros, Jr. (center) shakes hands with CTBC Bank Executive Vice President Raymundo Martin M. Escalona (2nd from left) after they signed the memorandum of agreement at the SSS Main Office in Diliman, Quezon City. Also in photo are (from left) SSS Sickness, Maternity and Disability Benefit Administration Department Manager Normita M. Doctor, CTBC Bank Assistant Vice President Grace N. Morales and CTBC Bank Cash Management Officer Brian Jasper R. Suarez