Spread the Gratitude on National Thank You Day 2009

**DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL NOVEMBER 10, 5PM.  Hurry submit your entries!

2009 was a lot tougher to other countries than Philippines.  This year, the country has much to be thankful for.  For one, Philippines is a greatly grateful country to former President Cory Aquino for helping restore democracy and for being the nation’s moral compass for so many years.

The country was no exception to the financial tsunami and other natural disasters, not to mention the muddled political landscape.

Despite all the crises and issues the nation has faced, the Filipino has risen above it all – revealing an indomitable spirit fueled by a cheerful, optimistic nature that is truly praiseworthy.  And a popular international Swiss chocolate brand believes that this inherently Pinoy character is an amazing reason to celebrate.

In the previous National Thank You Day spearheaded by Toblerone, Filipinos proved to the world that the country is united in gratefulness – debunking the Reader’s Digest survey which claimed that the Philippines is one of the least courteous nations in the world. 

“We believe that the country counts as one of the most accommodating and hospitable people in the globe,” says Carlo Licuanan, Snacks Category Marketing Manager of Kraft Foods (Philippines), Inc. “And with this successful, well-attended event, Filipinos showed the world that they are not afraid to express their overwhelming appreciation for the good things and people in their lives.”

And the importance of expressing gratefulness resonated so much in different sectors of society, that even the City of Manila acknowledged the need for its citizens to step up and say thank you to the ones that deserve it most.

In a statement by incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, he declared October 20 as the city’s official Thank You Day – making the city the first in the country to have done so. The mayor commented that it was sad that, for a city known for its warmth, its citizens were showing less gratitude.

Yet, Toblerone wants this spirit of thankfulness to extend further to the whole country – with different cities joining in to show support for this noble cause.

“We hope this would become a nationwide effort. We really believe it’s time to show the world that we know how to pay it forward – and that when we do, we do it with truly grateful hearts,” says Licuanan.

Personally, I have a lot of people to thank.  The list would include God, my family, friends, fate, Bubba… 

And from the bottom of my heart, I thank YOU, my dear reader/s, for biting into the things that pique my interest and walking with me through Life.  Your visits/comments/emails inspire me to improve my craft and my personality.

Like me, I’m sure you probably have a long list of Thank You’s.  One way I expressed mine in 2007 was joining Ajay’s Toblerone creative way to say “Thank You” promo.  This year, you can spread the gratitude fever by joining Toblerone’s “Spread the Sweetness of Gratitude Photo” competition on this site. 

Mechanics:

1. Post your photo entry in your own website (blog, Multiply, Friendster, Facebook, etc.) and link the photo entry to the gallery found in www.thankyoudayphilippines.com.

2. Send me the link by posting a comment below.

3. 5 entries will make it to the shortlist as the finalists.

4. All entries will be available for viewing at www.thankyoudayphilippines.com

5. For more information on the terms and conditions, please visit www.thankyoudayphilippines.com.

Some people find it quite easy to say Thank You.  It can roll off the tongue.  Photos can speak volumes without uttering a single word. Make it special and different for 2009!

**Join Toblerone as they celebrate the National Thank You Day Awards on October 20, 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall and see the unveiling of one notable Filipino personality from whom a grateful nation will choose to say a resounding ‘thank you’ to.