The Philippine government through the Department of Tourism took to social media and bought some ad space in some of the world’s most prominent strips on Saturday, February 8, 2014 to say “Thank You” to the global community for its help three months ago after Yolanda hits the country.
Watch the Thank You Campaign Video:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x3odfwVeFU
The ad campaign of the Philippines started when the electronic billboards lit up simultaneously at New York’s Time Square, Lafayette Mogador, Paris, France, Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing, and London’s Piccadilly Circus early Saturday, during the exact time when Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) struck the Philippines on November 8, 2013.
On the official Twitter account of the Department of Tourism, the government posted pictures of the billboard spreading all around the globe. The Filipino netizens were urged by the Department of Tourism on Saturday to let the world know of their gratitude in its “PHthankyou” campaign on social media.
Typhoon Yolanda is the worst typhoon that hits the Philippines in recent memory leaving scores thousands of people homeless, losing families and struggling to build up their livelihood. Whatever the situation the Filipino victims are currently facing right now, they never forget to say “Salamat Po” to all the donors who supported the Philippines during and after the devastation of the super typhoon.
As Filipino bloggers this our chance to say “Thank You” to the world by spreading the news and helping the Philippine government on their effort to spread our gratitude towards various international organizations who helped our fellow Filipinos, no matter how big or small their contributions.
This is not a matter of advertisement for the Philippine government, but it is a matter of how grateful we Filipinos are towards our neighbors.
Here’s the official announcement and press release from the National Government:
On February 8, 2014, at 4:40 a.m., Manila time, exactly three months after Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines, the country launched a global campaign expressing its gratitude to the world, having received an outpouring of support following the devastating effects of the typhoon.
Triggered by an overwhelming sense of appreciation, which has been strongly expressed in social media—for example, #PHthankyou, this groundswell of gratitude is captured in a Thank You campaign created by Filipinos from all over the world. Depicting different ways of expressing their heartfelt appreciation, various messages and images in social media showed the world that foreign support and encouragement has made, and continues to make, all the difference in the country’s ongoing rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts.
Hoping to ensure gratitude is received by everyone, the Philippine Department of Tourism has crafted a thank you message displayed through print ads and billboards in iconic places across the world, specifically:
– Times Square, New York, U.S.
– Piccadilly Circus, London, U.K.
– Potsdamer Platz cor. Leipziger Platz, Berlin, Germany
– Lafayette Mogador, Paris, France
– Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo, Japan
– ION Orchard, Singapore
– Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto, Canada
– Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia
– Paiknam Building, Jung-gu, Seoul, KoreaAll the people across the globe who have expressed sympathies and who have extended support, financial or otherwise, are invited to witness this message of appreciation from the Philippines and help share the country’s profound gratitude to the rest of the world. Using the hashtag #PHthankyou, people around the world can continue to share their support and appreciation.
