#PHThankyou - Sydney Billboard

At 7.40am AEDT on Saturday February 8 (4.40am Manila time), precisely three months after Typhoon Haiyan devastated The Philippines, an initiative by the Philippines Department of Tourism was been launched to express gratitude for the overwhelming global support received.

The global ‘Thank You’ campaign includes Sydney and eight other international cities and involve billboards and print ads. The Sydney billboard was unveiled at 7.40am on Saturday, 8 February on the corner of William Street and Darlinghurst Road, Sydney.

Here is that moment!

Members of the Filipino community on February 8, Sydney

The cities involved in the campaign are:

-       Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia

-       Times Square, New York, US

-       Piccadilly Circus, London, UK

-       Potsdammer Platz cor. Leipziger Platz, Berlin, Germany

-       Lafayette Mogador, Paris, France

-       Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo, Japan

-       ION Orchard, Singapore

-       Yonge-Dungas Square, Toronto, Canada

-       Paiknam Building, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea

The campaign, which started as a grass roots social media effort by the citizens of the Philippines, is now being internationally supported by the hash tag #PHthankyou. Already trending in the Philippines, #PHThankyou, is being used to extend the community’s heartfelt appreciation via messages and images in social media and express to the world the enormous difference the foreign support and encouragement has made, and continues to make, to this country’s ongoing rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts.

Australia, to date has pledged $U38,688,313 across a range of channels, including government and charities such as UNICEF and The Red Cross. Donations by the general public have reached just over $AU13 million.

Australians, along with all people across the globe who have expressed sympathies and 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 all nations of the world. 

So, support the campaign by sharing this blog post and using the hashtag:

#PHTHANKYOU