Revised Announcement: Aniceto ‘Chito’ M Sobrepeña (1953-2026)(Memo U2526-058_rev)

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We mourn the passing of Mr Aniceto ‘Chito’ M Sobrepeña. 

Chito was a cum laude graduate of Ateneo (AB Political Science, 1973). He served as a Cabinet Secretary during the term of former President Corazon Aquino and as Deputy Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority under former President Fidel Ramos.

After 22 years of government service, he became the first executive director of the Metrobank Foundation, Inc (MBFI) in 1995. Under his watch, MBFI made a difference in the lives of teachers, soldiers, police, artists and media. For 30 years, he
steered MBFI towards pioneering milestones in corporate social responsibility and social development.

With Chito at the helm, MBFI became a longtime partner of Ateneo de Manila in the Professorial Chair for Public Service and Governance, an initiative aimed at reinforcing the foundational elements of our government by advancing research and facilitating public lectures. MBFI also collaborated with the Ateneo Center for Educational Development for a Food Augmentation Program in 2022. 

Chito also served as a member of the Lux-in-Domino Subcommittee of the University (1997-2017). In 2024, he was appointed as a member of the Honorary Degree Subcommittee.

Chito’s faith made all the difference in his personal and professional life. Chito told TheDiarist.ph a few days before his retirement as MBFI president in July 2025: “Thankfully, a re-introduction to the God of my early religion classes brought me into a relationship with God that was personal and life-changing. There was a paradigm shift from pursuing my agenda to following His lead. Recognizing Him as the source of all good, following Him, was the most logical path to take.”

Chito single-mindedly pursued a simple, lifelong mission: to make the lives of others better. He was truly a man for others, faithful to the ideals of Ateneo.

Chito was laid to rest on 17 January 2026 at San Jose, Nueva Ecija.

We would like to ask the Ateneo community to remember in your prayers this admirable and faithful servant of God and to pray for Chito and his family.