RP tops Earth Hour for second straight year

(Updated 8:23 p.m.)The Philippines has once again topped the global participation in Earth Hour, the biggest climate awareness campaign in the world. According to Gregg Yan, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) communications officer, around 1,076 towns and cities in the country switched off their lights for an hour last Saturday, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. “This placed the Philippines as first in the world for the second time in a row," Yan said, citing information from the Department of Energy (DoE). According to the Earth Hour blog, more than 1000 cities, towns and municipalities in the country took part in the annual event. “This amazing show of support for Earth Hour was complimented by some of the countries most iconic landmarks switching off as well, including Manila Cathedral, Fort Bonifacio, Global City, Rizal Monument and El Nido Limestone Cliffs," it said. The three-year-old Earth Hour started in Sydney in 2007, with 2.2 million residents and 2,100 businesses participating. It has since spread around the world.
In support of this year's campaign, several establishments held events celebrating Earth Hour. Bonifacio Global City was host to a street party featuring performances from Up Dharma Down, Cynthia Alexander, Noel Cabangon, Pedicab, Lou Bonnevie and Earthday Jam, and Gorgoro. Mall of Asia had a Switch Off Ceremony with performances by Arnel Pineda, Moymoy Palaboy, Ballet Philippines, and Philippine All Stars. Fans of GMANews.TV on Facebook shared their own plans for Earth Hour, mostly choosing to stay home and spend time with the family. Julius R. Satparam of Legazpi City, Albay, said he would attend the Bicol University Kick-Off Party. This event will incorporate an hour for Mother Earth - a lights-off party where the moon and fireflies would provide the only illumination. Richard Guguyon Gadit shared that Katribu Partylist would celebrate with 60 gong beats for the 60 minutes of Earth Hour. - KBK, GMANews.TV