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MANILA – January 16, 2014 – Majority of Filipinos aged 21 and older expects brands and private companies to play pivotal roles in the country’s recovery from Typhoon Yolanda, which hit the Visayas late last year, killing over 6,000 people and displacing over 4 million.
McCann Worldgroup Philippines’ Post-Yolanda Consumer Sentiment Survey revealed that 96 percent of Filipinos over 21 years old see brands as effective contributors to recovery efforts in the coming years, along with global organizations (97 percent), such as the United Nations, the Red Cross, and the World Health Organization, as well as the international community (97 percent).


Gino Borromeo, Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of McCann Worldgroup Philippines said “Not only are brands seen as symbols of quality products and services; brands are indeed seen as part of the Filipinos’ lives and that in challenging times such as this, as a partner that could help empower and catalyze positive change. The onus therefore is on brands to make themselves visible, relevant, and reliable during these times. Brands should position themselves as partners not just in good times, but also in challenging times.” 

He noted that there is the danger of being seen as opportunistic and solely concerned with selling and achieving business goals; however, Borromeo advised brands “to be true to themselves and to be respectful of the consumers."
"Brands have to be visible and be seen as relevant but should be very cautious such that they are not seen as opportunistic," he said. "Consumers know the stark difference between a heartfelt desire to help and an opportunistic desire to push one’s agenda during these challenging times.”
Brands as sources of inspiration, catalysts for positive change
When asked “Which activities or projects should brands consider doing in view of the effects of the typhoon?”, 75 percent of the Filipinos surveyed said that brands should “inspire others to continue helping”, underscoring the need for brands to be involved not just in short-term relief and recovery efforts but also for continued involvement as the country rebuilds after the ill-effects of Typhoon Yolanda. Brands are also expected by 73 percent of the surveyed Filipinos to “actively cooperate in the Philippines’ recovery.”
Addressing environmental issues was also highlighted by a majority of the surveyed Filipinos as areas where brands should make a difference. Brands should “be more environmentally-friendly”, according to 75 percent of the surveyed respondents, as well as be supportive of climate change initiatives in the Philippines and globally (70 percent).
McCann Worldgroup Philippines chairman and chief creative officer Raul Castro said “Brands are no longer just symbols of quality, of prestige, or of differentiation. They have evolved to become catalysts of and engines for positive change. Filipinos now expect brands to play a more active role in the betterment of the lives, not just of the survivors of the typhoon but of society at large.”
Full recovery expected to be up to five years, but optimism abounds
A majority of the Filipinos (71 percent) surveyed expect that the full recovery from the ill-effects of Typhoon Yolanda to last somewhere between one to five years. Still, Filipino respondents revealed an optimistic outlook.

84 percent expect that the Philippines will be better off in the next six months, with only 8 percent saying that the country will be worse. Nearly half (49 percent) of the survey respondents also said that the Philippines will be better off after it fully recovers from the effects of Typhoon Yolanda.

A return to basics
When asked what changes respondents implemented in their lives as a result of the typhoon, close to two-thirds said that they have become more grateful and appreciative of the things that they now have (66 percent) and more ‘aware of my blessings’ (63 percent). Sixty-four percent (64 percent) also said that they are more positive about life in general, with another 61 percent finding recourse in prayers.
Castro said, “The typhoon – the strongest ever recorded in human history – and its effects are unprecedented. It is during these times that the Filipino spirit rises. We have already seen the indomitable Filipino spirit at work immediately after the typhoon left the country. Grounded on faith, powered by our unconquerable spirit, and motivated by our philosophy of ‘Bayanihan’, the Filipino will thrive. Brands can play a role in building up and inspiring the Filipino to trudge on in spite of the challenges we are facing.”
