PHL cities go dark for Earth Hour

At 8:30 p.m. Saturday, lights went out in many areas in the Philippines as households and businesses alike participated in this year’s Earth Hour, an annual action against climate change.   In the Makati City Central Business District, candles illuminated the ceremonial switch-off ceremony led by the World Wide Fund Philippines. It was just one of three simultaneous events in the country for the hour.

  The Makati ceremonies began with a parade from the Makati Fire Station to the Ayala Triangle Gardens. Glow-in-the-dark dance troupe Bailes de Luces and the Caracol dancers led the parade toward the gardens, where El Gamma Penumbra, Brigada and other groups performed.   Participants were brimming with suggestions, like tree-planting, recycling, switching off appliances and other energy-saving measures, GMA News’ Julius Segovia reported on  Balitanghali on Sunday, April 1.   At the same time, switch-off ceremonies were held in Visayas (at Cebu City’s Plaza Independencia) and in Mindanao (at SM Davao), where inclement weather failed to stop the celebrations, with colorful lanterns lighting up the sky. Hero country   Earth Hour began in Sydney, Australia in 2007, but the Philippines holds the title of 'Hero Country,' leading the initiative for three years with the most number of participants. In 2009, approximately 10 million Filipinos participated in Earth Hour, saving over 600 megawatt hours of electricity in the 60-minute switch-off. In 2011, 18 million Filipinos joined Earth Hour.   "The advocacy and message has really resonated because we've had over 1,500 towns, cities and municipalities who participated by switching off and informing their constituents or also organizing themselves events without us having to go to their respective municipalities.  This year we're hoping to continue to be number one," said Earth Hour Philippines National Director Atty. Gia Ibay at a press briefing last March 21. "Go beyond the hour"   At the switch-off ceremony in Makati, WWF Vice Chairman and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan reminded everyone that the idea is to sustain concern for the environment, even when the lights are switched back on.   "Hindi lang naman isang oras. Hindi lang naman isang araw, ‘di ba? Ang tinitingnan natin yung kinabukasan nating lahat. So kailangan, hangga't puwede, manghugot ka ng isa, para magdoble ‘yung mga sumusuporta," said Tan.   To encourage the public to "go beyond the hour," WWF urged people to make a promise and a challenge to take care of the environment.   A few people gave suggestions like riding a bike, properly disposing of plastic, as well as showering without a heater.    Even President Benigno Aquino III said that people can help save energy in simple ways, such as carpooling.   In Tagbilaran City, more than 60 bikers participated in Earth Hour, with a film screening and games to emphasize the importance of taking care of Mother Earth. A YouScoop video shows the Bohol bikers supporting Earth Hour with a 28.5-kilometer ride.   Meanwhile, in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, residents said Earth Hour is nothing new to them, as they experience frequent brownouts in the area. - Carmela G. Lapeña/KBK, GMA News