#PHThankYou: 3 months after Yolanda, time to make gratitude trend

Gang Badoy-Capati, founder of Rock Ed Philippines, is calling on Filipinos to get on social media on Feb. 8 to thank all those around the world who helped the Philippines recover from Typhoon Yolanda.
 

Feb 8 2014 marks 3months to the day typhoon #HaiyanPH made landfall. It's time to say THANK YOU to all who've helped. http://t.co/mNCPz2WLVc

— Gang Capati (@gangbadoy) January 29, 2014

 

“We are here at the cusp of possibilities, chances to rebuild better. But before we do that – perhaps we should pause and say thank you. A thunderous thank you,” Capati said in an Esquire article.

 

“There is a restlessness, I believe, in many Filipinos. A restlessness, an itching to thank the nations who have helped us – but really, how does one thank the world?” Capati said.

 

The idea was hatched after Capati led small relief teams in Tacloban and other storm-hit areas two months ago, she explained in her article.

 

"I understand that many countries sent in aid in many forms. One of which is by lending us their cargo planes, their C130s."
 

"As we ferried to as many areas as possible, we got to ride the C130s of the Indonesian Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, the Republic of Korea’s Air Force, the Royal Air Force of the British – all soldiers on duty snappily getting us into the vessel, assisting us with our cargo, making sure we are all safe, some supplying us with earplugs to make sure we comfortably withstand the roar of the planes," she narrated.
 

Because we literally flew relief into typhoon-hit areas on the wings of other nations. #PHthankyou pic.twitter.com/SoMgo2w3Iu

— Gang Capati (@gangbadoy) January 29, 2014

 

"They were here at a time we needed them most. When transport was key – especially for an archipelago like the Philippines. I tried to take every chance to thank them every pause I had," she said. 

 

The amount of foreign aid for Yolanda survivors has reportedly reached P3.8 billion. But this “accounts only for cash pledges and in-kind donations to which monetary evaluation had been assigned by the donors,” Foreign Affairs spokesman Raul Hernandez has said.

 

The Department of Tourism through its own Twitter account showed its approval and confirmed their participation.

@gangbadoy @RockEdRadio That sounds like a good idea. Does anyone think so, too? Lets all make February 8 a day of thanks! #PHthankyou

— Dept. of Tourism, PH (@TourismPHL) January 30, 2014

We're joining @gangbadoy & @rockedradio. Let us thank the world on Feb8. Share this photo w/ our friends! #PHthankyou pic.twitter.com/okfgMnp7dc

— Dept. of Tourism, PH (@TourismPHL) January 30, 2014

While #PHThankYou has yet to trend on Twitter, it is starting to gain traction there and on Facebook, where Filipinos are among the most avid users. — JDS/HS, GMA News