Written by Gione Pagdanganan
Photos by Jules Gapuz
The Earth Hour 2017 was held last Saturday, March 25 at the SM by the Bay, SM Mall of Asia. The 10th year anniversary of Earth Hour was participated by 184 countries including the Philippines and for this year, Earth Hour focused on giving priority and engagement to the youth to be climate leaders.
Before the main switch-off event, members of the WWF-Philippines National Youth Council spearheaded the First Earth Hour Camp by having interactive climate booths about native tree planting, disaster preparedness, and renewable energy technologies.
WWF-Philippines Ambassadors Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez, Iza Calzado, Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworksi plus the new WWF-Philippines National Youth Ambassadors, Janine Gutierrez and Andre Paras were all present in the event and show their support towards the cause.
Just before the official countdown, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Operations, Steven M. Tan gave an inspiring message to the audience: “Let Earth Hour remind us that our actions today have the power to transform what the world will look like for generations to come. Earth Hour continues to become a prime example of the success we, as a united Filipino people, can achieve together.”
The WWF-Philippines anthem, titled Together We Thrive sung by WWF Ambassador Piolo Pascual also made its debut to the public.
For this year, Earth Hour is encouraging everyone to go Beyond the Hour by doing simple acts of conservation every day that can positively affect the environment.
During the one-hour switch-off, WWF Ambassadors, Supporters, and various cyclists pedaled stationary Bambikes—or bicycles made from bamboo—to light up the Earth Hour globe. Neon bracelets illuminated the place with song and dance performances as the program concluded.
Some Miss Earth beauties and officials from the government graced the event as well.
SM Supermalls President Annie S. Garcia said that Earth Hour is a great chance to spread awareness against climate change: “It is a good opportunity to share this message of global warming, and this event is our way of helping to pass on the message.”
Meanwhile, Liza B. Silerio, Head of the SM Cares Committee on Environment and Sustainability mentioned the daily contributions of SM Supermalls against climate change: “Earth Hour is celebrated in all SM Supermalls in the country. We want to be part of the solution, heed the call for climate action. Our operational procedures are in place in caring for Environment and Sustainability.”
Earth Hour 2017 Philippines was made possible with the support of SM Supermalls, SM Cares, SM by the Bay, Philips Electronics and Lighting, Inc., Pure Energy Holdings Corporation, Bambike Ecotours, Summit Natural Drinking Water, Energy Development Corporation, BINHI, Pivot Edutainment, McDonald’s Philippines, Bayani Brew with media partners Business Mirror, Business World, Globaltronics, inc., Manila Times, WhenInManila.com, DZRH, and ComCo Southeast Asia.
Know more about what you can do to shine a light on climate action by visiting the World Wide Fund For Nature-Philippines (WWF) website at www.wwf.org.ph.
