Proudly Filipino 
Earth Hour 2012 is bigger and bolder as ever.
Last year, I and my wife Ayen, were part of the supportive crowd in the busy corridors of Ayala Center Cebu, in candle light.
This year, the simultaneous switch-off ceremonies will be observed in Manila, Davao and Cebu on March 31, 2012 (yes, a Saturday) from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.
This year, the organizers is not leaving its annual “lights out” concept. However, this years event offers a more proactive approach by ensuring that communities involve in the campaign is also actual stakeholders in promoting environmental solutuions.
Earth Hour Background
Earth hour began in 2007 in a city. And as of last year it has involved 5251 cities reaching 1.8 billion people from 135 countries in seven continents. A very focused an impressive movement that captured the attention of the world.
It was in 2008 that the movement started in the Philippines. I can recall that we have implemented the same Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort during my stint as its PR and Marketing Officer.
In 2010 and 2012, we broke international records in terms of city participation when 1076 and 1661 cities, respectively, participated in the event.
This year’s Earth Hour theme: ‘I Will If You Will’ (IWIYW) campaign, aims to empowers individuals, groups, businesses, institutions and organizations to share a dare or challenge with the world by asking everyone “What are you willing to do to save the planet?”.
This is what the official Earth Hour Philippines Website explains:
The campaign centralizes in forming a ‘social contract’ between two parties where one party is connected to a ‘promise’ and the other party to a ‘challenge.’ Promises can range from simple ones such as gong paperless, using less plastic and using more energy-saving appliances to very daring ones. Participants are encouraged to share their dares through social media. It encourages the spread of the spirit of environmental awareness and protection by uniting people to a common goal of saving the planet in a positive and interactive way.
Event Organizer and Supporters
The Earth Hour 2012 celebration in Cebu is co organized by the City of Cebu, Aboitiz, Climate Change Commission.
Other sponsors that deserves a warms applause (clap! clap! clap!) Aboitiz Power, Aboitiz Foundation, Mactan EnerZone, Balamban EnerZone, City Savings Bank.
Abotiz Land, Cebu Industrial Park Developers, pilMico, Unionbank, MetaPhil, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Globe, McDonalds.
Media Partners: Sunstar Cebu, The Freeman, Cebu Daily News, Killer Bee, and WRock.
You can support Earth Hour by:
- visiting the website wwf.org.ph/earthhour
- liking their facebook page: www.facebook.com/WWF.Philippines
- twitter.com/WWWF_Philippines
If you have any idea on how you can possibly support Earth our 2012, don’t hesitate to post it below.
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