The Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research & Environmental Management (SUAKCREM) condoles with the families of Archie King, president of the Angelo King Foundation Incorporated (AKFI), and CEO of the Victoria Court chain of motels in Manila, who died in a helicopter crash in Cuenca, Batangas, caused by strong winds brought about by tropical storm Egay.
The King helicopter was flying from Puerto Galera in Mindoro to Manila when the accident happened. The six other passengers in that flight survived the crash.
Archie gave full financial support to SUAKCREM, and even approved my additional request for extra funding in the past.
He understood the need of research centers like SUAKCREM to carry on with their programs for local communities. He left us too soon at age 62.
From his many activities as a philanthropist, I think he has lived a full life.
We thank him for his contribution to SUAKCREM, and to the search for knowledge that can translate to the improvement of life of the people living in coastal areas.
It may be recalled that Archie’s father, Angelo King, and former Silliman Board of Trustees Chairman Roman Yap, agreed in 1999 to set aside an endowment fund of P5 million.
The earnings of this donation were to be used for the operational expenses of SUAKCREM.
Because of this fund, we were able to access more support from other sources to carry on the research and development program.
In the past 15 years, the SUAKCREM has able to achieve a substantial track record on knowledge on marine and terrestrial biodiversity in terms of publications in the best journals of the world.
We have used this fund of knowledge to create practical action programs that have improved the life of our people, especially those in the coastal areas of the country.
It is also acknowledged that Silliman University, as well as SUAKCREM researchers have benefited from the research program in association with the Angelo King Foundation Inc. in the past 15 years.
We are looking forward to more research and development work with the Angelo King Foundation Inc.
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Author’s email: suakcrem@yahoo.com
