Cebuanos pledge to protect the planet through Earth Hour 2019

A black board serves as a pledge wall for the public to leave their neon handprints at SM City Cebu’s Earth Hour celebration on March 30, 2019. CDND Photo / Immae Lachica

CEBU CITY — The electric lights were turned off at 8:30 p.m. as the beat of the drums, decorated with LED lights, ushered in SM City Cebu’s observance of Earth Hour on Saturday night, March 30, 2019.

At the canopy area by the mall’s Entrance 7, a crowd of over 500 individuals of different ages and professions gathered to join the global movement of making a pledge to protect the planet.

Participants took out their phones as dancers wearing black suits with programmable LED lights emerged from the crowd showcasing a futuristic number.

A tribal-inspired music dominated the night as poi dancers joined the festivity. But instead of using fire to entertain the crowd, the dancers used LED lights.

Those who pledged to take action in conserving nature left their neon handpaints on a black freedom wall that was placed near the stage.

In Barangay Kalunasan, outdoor enthusiasts, who attended a Responsible Mountaineering Course, turned off their lights at 8:30 p.m. to observe Earth Hour.

Trainer/facilitator Leo Glenn Lao of Upward Trail Adventure continued his lecture wearing a head lamp as the rest of the participants listened.

The course, which was held at Camp Scout Hills that is owned by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, aims to equip interested hikers, climber and trekkers to be good stewards of nature especially when they conquer mountains during outdoor adventures.

Leo Glenn Lao of Upward Trail Adventure, continues discussion using a head lamp during the Responsible Mountaineering Course held at Camp Scout Hills in Barammngay Kalunasan, Cebu City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO / Carlos Rodriguez

At the Sugbo Mercado located within Cebu I.T. Park, costumers shared a  candlelit dinner as the lights were switched off for an hour.

Even the proclamation rally of Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s camp, Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) at the Cebu City Sports Center wrapped up before 8 p.m. to respect the observance of Earth Hour.

Sugbo Mercado customers experience a candlelit dinner during the hour-long observance of Earth Hour 2019. CDND Photo / Gresheen Gift Libby

At the Plaza Independencia, Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) Head Nida Cabrera led a program, which included song and dance performances from different groups.

The organizers also lit bamboo tubes with candles that were used to form “Cebu City,” “60+” and “2019.”

60+ stands for 60 minutes or one hour when the lights are switched off.

Cabrera, who advocates for a change in lifestyle as a way of expanding the impact of Earth Hour, encouraged Cebuanos to ride bikes, instead of cars, to lessen carbon footprint.

The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office leads the observance of Earth Hour 2019 at Plaza Independencia. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO / Nida Cabrera Facebook Account

Witnessing the events at SM City Cebu and the rest of Cebu’s Earth Hour observance was an overwhelming experience, according to Jay-r Busalla, training and development officer of World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines.

Busalla said he was overwhelmed by the volume of people who attended the Earth Hour programs in Cebu.

“This is my first time to celebrate Earth Hour in Cebu. I am amazed! I did not expect that there are a lot of people here celebrate Earth Hour,” said Busalla.

Demand drop

The demand drop recorded by the Visayan Electric Company (Veco) shows that more households and business establishments participated in this year’s Earth Hour observance.

Veco recorded a total demand drop of 3.6 megawatts (MW) in Cebu on Earth Hour 2019.

This is almost one MW higher than the 2.695 MW demand drop in 2018.

This means that more households and business establishments participated in this year’s Earth Hour.

Quennie Sanchez-Bronce, Veco reputation enhancement manager, said they recorded the  total demand drop for the entire duration of Earth Hour in the past five years.

These are: 2.695 MW in 2018; 3.102 MW in 2017; 2.839 MW in 2016; 4.631 MW in 2015; and 3.025 MW in 2014.

Connection

Busalla of WWF Philippines said they use the hashtag #Connect2Earth in celebrating Earth Hour.

More than 500 people join the observance of Earth Hour at the SM City Cebu. The program started at 8 p.m. with song number from GMA Kapuso star. CDND Photo / Immae Lachica

He said they integrated Earth Hour observance with the campaign to raise to raise awareness about the growing plastic pollution in the Philippines.

Busalla said the Philippines is the third largest plastic polluter in the world.

Lisa Paguntalan, executive director of Philippines Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc., said Earth Hour is an example of a globl event that has made its way to respective local cities and towns all over the world.

“Earth Hour is that time of the year when everyone is reminded that we are all connected as one,” she said.

Dancers wearing black suits with LED lights perform during SM City Cebu’s observance of Earth Hour 2019. CDND Photo / Immae Lachica

Tony Galon, founder of Basura Run Cebu and 5pcs Daily Habit, said there is a need for people to transcend their actions beyond switching off lights for one hour.

“In my observation, it has become a regular annual event. But it did not really change the actions of people,” he said.

Galon said there is a need to connect awareness and action so the impact in terms of environment conservation and protection is sustainable. / with Gresheen Gift Libby