The lady from Ukraine

I was certainly intrigued by the invitation to meet up and have coffee somewhere in Makati. Yes, my mother always told me not to talk to strangers, but this was different.

Imagine being invited by an “ambassador” to meet at a coffee shop and not the usual “We’ll see you at the embassy” or at the ambassador’s residence. Adding to the mystique was that the “ambassador” personally sent the message via WhatsApp.

As the movie line goes, “She had me at ‘let’s meet at the coffee shop.”” This was a first. Most ambassadors get their staff or PR people to make the calls or extend the invite, often at an embassy reception or through a PR contact. This one was all personal, humble and straight forward.

Last but not least, the ambassador represented Ukraine! I immediately said yes because “I Stand With Ukraine,” but a day before the set date, I landed in the ICU for atrial fibrillation, so we ended up meeting at the embassy two weeks later.

Yes, they have an embassy in the Philippines and Ambassador Yuliia Fediv has been in office for only three months but is already very engaged and very busy doing the diplomatic rounds and making the extra effort to meet up with stakeholders such as the Philippine media.

Let’s all bear in mind that an ambassador represents the entire nation, its government and its people and so one must respond with respect and courtesy. In this particular case, the country concerned has been fighting a Russian invasion for “three years, three months, two weeks and three days” (Google).

Knowing how much the people and the country have continued to suffer from daily drone attacks and the tragic loss of lives, one is hard pressed to extend any form of support or cooperation that would make a difference or at least to remind the world, and Filipinos in particular, that the war still continues.

When I looked into her background, it became clear that Ambassador Fediv is very much into culture, communications and media, aside from her diplomatic concerns.

Our meeting was for the most part about the Philippine media landscape compared to the Ukrainian model as well as those of other nations such as Germany and the US, where the ambassador either stayed, studied or visited. The ambassador provided me interesting comparisons of Philippine media versus EU and US media.

Given her busy schedule, I thought it best to make our meeting short, but I left with the impression that Filipinos, government officials and leaders and academe should invite and engage with Ambassador Fediv.

To begin with, she can share and talk about the Ukrainian geopolitical experience that China calls the Proxy War in Europe because we have something similar brewing in our backyard. In desiring to align with NATO, Ukraine certainly did not expect to be invaded and attacked as Russia did.

What are the lessons to be learned from that misfortune and miscalculation? How did Ukraine manage to stand up to Russia and quickly shore up its defenses and offense? Should we prioritize fighter jets or development of drone-based technology?

Even colleagues in media will find Ambassador Fediv transparent and engaging and surely a rich source of material about Ukraine, politics, media, as well as the realities of war. There is also the diplomatic agenda of Ukraine in the Philippines as well cultural matters about Ukraine.

Welcome to the Philippines, Ambassador Yuliia Fediv. MABUHAY!

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Nearly a week ago, I received a Viber message from Mr. Chito Sobrepeña, the long-time president and driving force behind the Metrobank Foundation and their numerous high impact projects recognizing Filipino achievers, game changers and artists.

I know that many friends and supporters would benefit to know about the recent developments at the Metrobank Foundation so, with his permission, I am sharing his message.

Good morning Cito,

I would like you to be among my media friends to first know that effective July 16, 2025, I will step down as president of the Metrobank Foundation. Philip Francisco “Boyet” Dy, currently executive vice president and whom I have groomed as my successor, will assume the position I have held for three decades.

I was elected the very first executive director of the Metrobank Foundation in 1995 and held the post for 11 years. I was elected president in 2006 and held the post until 2025 or a total of 19 years. I am also relinquishing my concurrent responsibility as the very first executive director of the GT Foundation, the family foundation of the late Dr. George S. K. Ty, the post I held since 2009.

Metrobank has appointed me as a consultant and I will remain a trustee of the Foundation.

I will also continue in my current roles as vice chairman of the Manila Doctors Hospital, chairman of the Manila Tytana Colleges and trustee of the GT Foundation.

I am deeply grateful to the family of the late Dr. George S.K. Ty, led now by Mrs. Mary Ty, Arthur Ty, Alfred Ty, Anjanette Dy Buncio & Alessandra Ty, for their unstinting support to all the initiatives.

Thank you for the support and friendship you have extended to me personally. I look forward to our continued relationship as well as your support for Boyet and our projects.

Chito Sobrepeña

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I can only wish Chito Sobrepeña all the best and may he now get his well deserved “Me Time” after being a good and faithful servant of the foundation and the Filipino people! God bless you!

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E-mail: [email protected]