I was recently quite surprised to find out that contrary to what we might think in the Philippines, Filipinos are not known throughout the world as the most hospitable people. I read an article about a small census by Readers Digest in Canada which ranked major cities of the world according to how they displayed gratitude, an essential part of hospitality. The top spots weren’t held by Manila and Cebu City as I expected, but instead belonged to New York and Toronto. Admittedly great cities, but come on, the people of Manila are way more grateful than New Yorkers!

Now there is a great opportunity to change all of that. Toblerone and the city of Manila worked together to create National Thank You Day a few years back and from that humble beginning on October 20th, 2007 it has grown to become one of the most beloved holidays of Filipinos everywhere.

Last year in 2009, the event was expanded to included awards to those who the Philippines should be most thankful to. The awards were given by the President herself!

This year the Las Pinas City Representative, Cynthia Villar and her husband Senator Manny Villar trying to get the October 20th designated as a national holiday!

From humble beginnings come great things! In the respective bills in the house and senate, the Villars state that a national holiday on this day would be “celebration of the Filipino bayanihan spirit of according respect for the elders, warm hospitality and distinctive courtesy, and a commitment that the Philippines takes pride in its age-old respectful values.”

Some have asked, “Why should we be grateful?” The answer is as close as the next Filipino or the great food for which our country is famous. Did someone smile at you today? Did someone say a kind word? Was the food you had for lunch delicious? Was the piece of fruit you snacked on later both fresh and cheap?

Toblerone is once again working with gratitude too. By creating the 365 days of gratitude campaign, it is the hope of Toblerone that it will help to promote the national holiday and to show some gratitude and the power of saying thank you to the many Filipinos who have forgotten the power of the words. By saying thank you, the world becomes a better place. This is the reason why the company known for incredible and delicious Swiss chocolate wants to support the initiatives to make National Thank You Day a reality. And, in the process, to make every day a holiday just by saying thank you.

By the way, in case you were wondering, a Toblerone Chocolate Bar is a great way to say thank you too.