In the face of the overwhelming challenge to provide immediate relief to a multitude of people affected by super typhoon Yolanda, The Ascott Limited in the Philippines steps forward to do its share. Ascott, with support from CapitaLand Hope Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Ascott's parent company, CapitaLand, aims to raise PHP1.5 million for the emergency relief response of World Vision.

World Vision's relief efforts aim to provide food, blankets, mosquito nets, tarps, hygiene kits and emergency shelter to nearly 400,000 typhoon victims. The child-focused humanitarian agency has also started setting up child-friendly spaces in the badly hit provinces to help children recover from the trauma and regain a sense of normalcy following the disaster.

Ascott's fundraising campaign officially kicked off during its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony held on 21 November in Ascott Makati. Led by Ascott Philippines's management committee and joined by Mr Jun Godornez, World Vision's Associate Director for National Resource Development and TV host and model Mr Marc Nelson, a World Vision sponsor, the serviced residence owner-operator rallied for contributions from guests.

From 18 November to 22 December 2013, World Vision will be accepting cash donations from their booths located in the lobby of Ascott's serviced residences – Ascott Makati in Ayala Center, Somerset Millennium Makati in Legaspi Village and Somerset Olympia Makati along Makati Avenue. Donations may also be made online through www.worldvision.org.ph.

Ascott's local staff have extended support to the typhoon victims through their time and donations. About 40 employees volunteered daily for one week in the packing of relief goods bound for Tacloban and an internal fundraising drive is underway.

In support of the local fundraising efforts, CapitaLand Hope Foundation has launched an online donation drive. For every electronic Christmas greeting card sent from the website www.capitaland.com/cards from 20 November till 31 December 2013, CapitaLand Hope Foundation will donate PHP70 (SGD2) to World Vision.

Mr Arthur Gindap, Ascott's Regional General Manager for the Philippines and Thailand, said, "The onslaught of typhoon Yolanda has caused tremendous damage and resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. Together with strong support from CapitaLand Hope Foundation, we hope to provide life-saving essentials to affected families through World Vision and at the same time send a strong message that they are not alone. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this trying time."

Supporting disaster relief efforts is one of the ways Ascott does its part for the communities which it operates in. With the support of CapitaLand Hope Foundation, Ascott has extended emergency relief to victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in 2011, the Sumatra earthquake in Indonesia and typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana) in the Philippines in 2009.

About The Ascott Limited

Since pioneering Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984, Ascott has grown to be a trusted hospitality company with more than 940 properties globally. Headquartered in Singapore, Ascott's presence extends across more than 220 cities in over 40 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA.

Ascott's diversified accommodation offerings span serviced residences, co-living properties, hotels and independent senior living apartments, as well as student accommodation and rental housing. Its award-winning hospitality brands include Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Quest, Somerset, The Crest Collection, The Unlimited Collection, Preference, Fox, Harris, POP!, Vertu and Yello; and it has a brand partnership with Domitys. Through Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), Ascott's loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive privileges and offers at participating properties.

A wholly owned business unit of CapitaLand Investment Limited, Ascott is a leading vertically-integrated lodging operator. Harnessing its extensive network of third-party owners and in-market expertise, Ascott grows fee-related earnings through its hospitality management and investment management capabilities. Ascott also expands its funds under management by growing its sponsored CapitaLand Ascott Trust and private funds.

For more information on Ascott's industry record of 40 years and its sustainability programme, please visit www.discoverasr.com/the-ascott-limited. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

About CapitaLand Investment Limited

Headquartered and listed in Singapore, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading global real estate investment manager (REIM) with a strong Asia foothold. As at 30 September 2023, CLI had S$133 billion of real estate assets under management, and S$90 billion of real estate funds under management (FUM) held via six listed real estate investment trusts and business trusts, and more than 30 private vehicles across Asia Pacific, Europe and USA. Its diversified real estate asset classes cover retail, office, lodging, business parks, industrial, logistics and data centres.

CLI aims to scale its FUM and fee-related earnings through fund management, lodging management and its full stack of operating capabilities, and maintain effective capital management. As the investment management arm of CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand's development arm.

As a responsible company, CLI places sustainability at the core of what it does and has committed to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions for scope 1 and 2 by 2050. CLI contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communities where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders.

Visit http://www.capitalandinvest.com/ for more information.

Jasmine SIM
Manager, Corporate Communications, The Ascott Ltd
(65) 6823 3249
The Ascott Limited