British philanthropist donates P30M to GMA Kapuso Foundation for Mindanao quake victims

British philanthropist Jonathan Sterling donated P30 million in cash to the GMA Kapuso Foundation to help provide temporary shelter for families affected by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Mindanao in June.

According to "24 Oras" Friday, Sterling and the GMA Kapuso Foundation signed a memorandum of agreement for the construction of the shelter pods using his donation.

The donation was received by GMA Network Senior Vice President and GMA Kapuso Foundation Trustee Annette Gozon-Valdes and GMA Kapuso Foundation EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog.

"We just met at one place and I told him about the work of GMA Kapuso Foundation and he suddenly said, 'I want to donate.' I'm so impressed by his charitable heart. He really is helping so many Filipinos and I am grateful to him," Gozon-Valdes shared in a mix of Filipino and English.

Escudero-Catibog also expressed her gratitude to Sterling, saying, "We hope that the blessing returns to you a hundredfold."

The temporary shelter pods will comprise 16 square-meter single-detached type units with outdoor kitchens. These will benefit the affected families in SOCCSKSARGEN and Jose Abad Santos in Davao Occidental.

Sterling has expressed his sympathies to all the families who were affected by the strong quake.

"My heart goes out to the families that lost what they have, but I think it's important that they keep a positive outlook and that they know help is coming, help is on the way. I'm gonna do my part and what I can do, and so are many others from around the Philippines," he said.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck offshore Maasim, Sarangani back in June. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on June 21, about 1.59 million individuals were affected by the quake in 580 barangays in the Davao Region and SOCCSKSARGEN. —CDC, GMA News