The University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the multi-specialty building, Felicidad Sy Hall.
Funded by the Felicidad T. Sy Foundation (FTSFI), this is the second medical building whose construction the Sy family supported for UP Manila-PGH. Back in 2019, the family, through their Henry Sy Foundation, collaborated with the University of the Philippines Medical Alumni Foundation Inc. (UPMAFI) to support the construction of the 11-storey Medical Sciences Building.
According to UP-PGH Director Dr. Gap Legaspi, to bring quality medical services to the Filipino people, the 15-storey building will house the neuroscience department, as well as the orthopedic, dermatology, oncology, laboratory, psychiatry, ICU, and ophthalmology departments, among others. He also said that the building is designed to be the first pandemic-ready building in the country. It will also house the nation’s most advanced laboratory.
“Putting up this building is not only an infrastructure achievement—it’s a big achievement for anyone who dreams big for UP. Our alumni and current UP students always have a big dream for the university and the hospital. Through this kind of collaboration, we can realize that there’s always a way to do it and achieve our dreams,” Dr. Legaspi stated.
Through a video message, Teresita T. Sy conveyed Nanang’s—her mom Felicidad’s—excitement and commitment to the said project: “My mom is excited that her personal foundation was invited into this worthy project. She’s always happy when her foundation is supporting developments that are focused on health and wellness issues.”
UP President Danilo Concepcion also expressed his gratitude to the FTSFI and the Sy family for supporting the infrastructure project for the benefit of the Filipino people who are in need of medical interventions.
“Lubos po ang ating pasasalamat sa FTSFI at sa Sy Family sa kanilang kabutihang loob sa pagsuporta sa pagpapatayo ng gusaling ito. Gusaling kailangang-kailangan natin upang maparami pa natin ang mga doktor na ating sasanayin dito sa PGH, at upang dumami pa ang mga pasyenteng magagamot at mapagsisilbihan natin. Makasisiguro kayo na ito po ay aming pagyayamanain para sa taumbayan,” Concepcion said.
Furthermore, UP Chancellor Carmencita Padilla underscored the importance of collaboration in making this effort come into fruition: “At the end of the day, we cannot come up with these big things around us without collaboration. This is a big day not only for the UP Manila and PGH community, but also for the Filipino patients. It is indeed a fruit of collaborative planning and the philanthropic spirit of the Sy family.”
“This Felicidad Sy Hall will be a place of healing, innovation, compassion, wisdom, and courage! Thank you to our donors and partners who have continuously trusted us to be the hope and beacon of our people,” Padilla concluded.
An affiliate of SM Foundation, FTSFI is a personal foundation of the SM matriarch, “Nanang” Felicidad T. Sy. Aside from infrastructure projects, the foundation also supports the restoration and building of Catholic churches, provides SM employees with spiritual development programs, and carries out special projects to enable church leaders and ministers to spread social good through spiritual wellness and the promotion of culture.