Empire State Building dons PHL colors for Yolanda victims

In a towering spectacle draped against the New York City night sky, the world renowned Empire State Building donned on Friday night (Saturday morning in Manila) the Philippine flag's blue, white and red, a week after Super Typhoon Yolanda ravaged Visayas and some parts of southern Luzon.

The gesture was done to raise international awareness of the tragedy that claimed thousands of lives, according to the Empire State Building's official Twitter account.

2nite & tmrw night, our lights shine in the color of the #Philippines flag 2 raise awareness of the #Haiyan tragedy. pic.twitter.com/L9FcKtvx9Y

— Empire State Bldg (@EmpireStateBldg) November 16, 2013

Some followers of the Twitter account expressed their appreciation for the gesture.

Lara Juanillo: We appreciate your support of #filipinos #philippines thank you for bringing hope & love #YolandaPH #haiyan "Salamat Po"

Marilyn: @chelywright I love this. Of course, made me cry. Beautiful!

Felix Manuel: Maraming Salamat!I can see the lights ffrom Woodside,Queens!Cant help but shed tears for my countrymen

Lia Andanar Yu: Compassion unites us all! Humanity at its best!

Yolanda struck the Philippines on November 8, pummeling the Visayas regions of the country leaving behind destruction and shattered homes in its wake.

At least 3,631 died with 12,487 injured and 1,179 still missing based on the latest figures of the national disaster council.

There are also an estimated 9 million people affected with at least P9 billion in damages.

Aid from all over the world has flooded in from 43 various governments and organizations amounting to P5.48 billion.

Yolanda is the second super typhoon category to hit the Philippines this year. It is also the world's strongest typhoon of 2013 and is ranked fourth in the world's list of strongest typhoons. — Andrei Medina /LBG, GMA News