Many parts of Metro Cebu were enveloped in darkness for at least an hour last night as the province joined the worldwide Earth Hour power switch off in a bid to raise awareness for the need to save the environment.
The voluntary switch off saved 1.9 megawatts of power, said Theresa Sedriosa, corporate communications manager of the Visayan Electric Company (Veco).
In last year’s event, Metro Cebu saved at least 11 megawatts of power.
Cebu city government officials led the ceremonial switch off by unplugging a large-scale model electric plug from a socket on stage at SM City’s Northwing.
At 8:30 p.m., the mall shut off 50 percent of its lights.
Children held up neon light sticks as the only illumination in the hall aside from plastic cups with lighted wicks that formed the “60+” symbol of Earth Hour on the floor.
Two fire dancers performed to the beat of drums by the percussion group Lupon Anduyo.
“Earth Hour is a positive step for sustainable development,” said Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgar Labella in his remarks during the program.
“Turning off the lights should not just be symbolic but must go beyond symbolism to understanding how to help in lifting the next generation.”
Councilor Nida Cabrera said she would press on with her draft ordinance which seeks to establish priority bike lanes in Cebu City.
The measure on first reading last week by the city council and will undergo a public hearing in the near future.
In Mandaue City, Mayor Jonas Cortes led the ceremonial switch off at the City Hall grounds after which the city’s estimated 2,000 government employees lighted candles.
SYMBOLISM
In the morning and later in the afternoon, cyclists went around Cebu City to showcase the need for road sharing and biking’s health benefits.
A “freedom wall” was also put up in the SM Northwing where people could write their sentiments on the Earth Hour celebration.
Fifteen new bike racks to be installed in the mall’s parking lot were also displayed outside.
A video was shown of different celebrations of Earth Hour in various countries.
It featured Hollywood personalities like Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Jamie Foxx, stars of this year’s movie “Amazing Spider-Man 2”.
GREEN INITIATIVES
Garfield said “everyone can be a superhero by never underestimating the power of what a person can do.” Spider Man was also named this year’s Earth Hour ambassador.
Cebu City Councilors Gerardo Carillo and Nestor Archival and Miss Cebu 2014 Cheriemel Diane Muego led the switch-off ceremony at SM.
At the Crimson Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City, guests were each given a candle and asked to light torches outside that were lined up to form the “60+” symbol of Earth Hour.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Resident manager Kristofer Quadros said they participated in Earth Hour to heighten awareness among their guests of the importance “of their responsibilities to Mother Earth”.
While the lights were off, fire dancers entertained guests by dancing to the beat of the Kandaya Percussion.