UK financial firm donates over $200k for ‘Yolanda’ relief

Consul General Senen Malile with C&C Alpha Executive Director Bhanu Choudhrie and Luis Bariuan from ABS-CBN Europe. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

LONDON—Investment company C&C Alpha Group has donated $200,000 (approximately P8,888,098) to ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya as part of the continuing aid efforts for the Philippines in the aftermath of typhoon ‘Yolanda’.

It was the largest cash donation by a single entity from the UK based on a list of aid contributions coordinated by the Philippine Embassy in London since relief efforts began a month ago.

A simple ceremony at the Philippine Cultural Centre in London last December 19 officially marked the company’s contribution.

Consul General Senen Mangalile from the Philippine Embassy welcomed representatives from C&C Alpha, including CEO Cherian Thomas and Executive Director Bhanu Choudhrie.

“We’re overwhelmed by the enormity of the response, and the warmth and generosity of the British people, the UK government, and the international community in the UK. They all came up and proved that we do not stand alone in this catastrophe,” said Mangalile.

“C&C wants to be involved in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the most affected areas, and that for us is the most important phase of the response to typhoon Haiyan.”

The company, which has investments in the Philippines, specifically wants their contribution to go towards rebuilding affected communities through infrastructure and long-term projects.

“We believe very strongly in the Philippines, and the people of the Philippines, especially the community that live here in the UK. And this disaster has affected them, and we feel that this is a support that we would proudly like to give to the people of the Philippines,” said Choudhrie, whose family founded the firm.

“We have business interests in the Philippines and we believe that the market, the Philippine economy, is a very important economy for us and also for the Asian market. And this donation is something we have put together internally to help.”

London-based Filipino Lourielee Garcia, who is Executive Vice President at C&C Alpha, feels emotional and “grateful” about her company’s decision to help her native country.

“I did not even ask for it,” she revealed. “It was very instinctive for them, the family [who own the firm], and for my company to make this donation. I believe this is consistent with what they have been standing for with all of their investments: that they want to give back to the communities where we have investments.”

ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya was chosen as the recipient for its credibility to deliver such initiatives. The foundation is expected to provide the UK firm with monthly reports on the progress of their efforts.

Luis Bariuan of ABS-CBN Europe, official distributor of The Filipino Channel (TFC) in the region, thanked the firm. C&C Alpha Group is an international financial firm based in London with investments around the world from India to the Philippines.

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