West Middlesex University Hospital praised by Filipino TV on second anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan

Filipino staff at West Middlesex University Hospital have been visited and praised by Filipino television station CAT 8 TV for their fundraising efforts following Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest Philippine typhoon ever recorded, which struck the country in November 2013. 

To mark the second anniversary of the natural disaster, West Middlesex University Hospital held a commemorative event on Wednesday 25 November to welcome Jeff Manibay, Renalie Realino and Mary Fe Florendo from CAT 8 TV. The filmmakers and broadcast journalists have been visiting the UK to say thank you to the British public and Filipino community for the support they received, and made a special visit to the Isleworth hospital which raised nearly £8,000 to support Haiyan’s victims.

The event also showcased the work of Ed Rompal, a Filipino artist and typhoon survivor whose paintings reflect the devastation and destruction left behind.

Short documentaries made by the TV station were played, showing hospital staff the immediate aftermath of the typhoon and first-hand accounts from survivors, as well as footage from the present day to highlight how well the country, and in particular the region of Tacloban City, has bounced back with the support from the British Filipino community.

Speaking at the event, Lesley Watts, Chief Executive, said: “I feel privileged to be a part of such a special occasion and the Filipino staff here should be very proud of what they have done to help the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan.”

Jeff Manibay, CEO and Executive Producer of CAT 8 TV, lost both his parents in the disaster and gave an emotional speech at the event: “It feels very special to be here and to meet those who helped us in person. In the Philippines, we are used to dealing with storms and typhoons, but Haiyan was too big, too strong and too violent – there was nothing left. We were not expecting the level of aid we received from around the world and when Haiyan came, the British people left a very large footprint on our country and in our hearts. We can’t thank you enough for your contributions and donations; many of us wouldn’t have made it without them – you saved us.”