Energy Renewed Far Beyond Earth Hour

I experienced Earth Hour this year through Greenpeace Philippines along with the Great Work Movement and Care for the Earth Ministry of Malate Catholic Church. We celebrated at the fronting grounds of the Remedios Jubilee Mission Center, Our Lady of Remedies Parish Malate Church. At 8:30PM this Saturday 26th March 2011, we switched off the lights with the rest of the world for Earth Hour while committing to actions that go beyond the hour.

Why do I get involved? Earth Hour has done and continues to do a lot to raise awareness of sustainability issues. But there’s more to it than switching off lights for one hour once a year. It is a celebration about giving people a voice and working together to create a better future for our planet

I'd like to share with you some memorable scenes from the event through a quick recap and a gallery of the photos I took. I'm not a professional photographer, mind you. I'm not even a good casual photographer, so please bear with me on the lack of nice quality on some of the photos.

Being that we were at church, it was only fitting to kick off the event with a prayer. And this, perhaps, was one of the moments that fascinated me the most. To find a shared experience with various religious faiths on Catholic parish grounds was truly heart warming. We solemnly encountered Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh through each faith's prayer. There was also a prayer using a conch horn that made me feel like even Mother Nature was being called upon to bless the gathering.

While we were being enchanted by our mantras and as 8:30PM drew near, the ringing of the Church Bell commenced. Lights were starting to be switched off in and around the area. A few minutes later and Greenpeace gave an update on the global Climate situation, then leading to the lighting of various Solar powered LEDs with the main banner board lighted by Ms Angel Aquino.

Of course, this part of the celebration coincides with the Energy [R}evolution Roadmap by Greenpeace. It is further signified by the various Sky Lanterns that have been prepared strewn across with short messages calling on the use of renewable energy sources. This as opposed to using dirty and dangerous Coal and Nuclear power plants. I must say, it was quite creative and pleasing especially since the kids and the teens got involved.

As the night grew deep, presentations from the OLRP Parish Youth Council and Sanghabi added an even more festive and participative mood around the gathering. In fact, we were all having so much fun that we didn't even notice we had gone beyond the hour. We were caught up playing with our musical instruments and actively gyrating Cordillera inspired dances provided and taught by Sanghabi. Everyone were so in it even the priests!

To cap the event, Ms Angel Aquino headed the Earth Hour 2011 oath taking as the participants gathered around her. If you haven't known yet, she has been affiliated with Greenpeace and has been a stern advocate of Environmental and Climate Actions for quite a time now. I am certain it can be said that her captivating beauty both inside and out enthralled the people. It surely left an impression that celebrities such as her are just as mindful about our contributions toward climate change and the consequences of our actions toward the environment. Please take the time to read through the Earth Hour 2011 Oath below and may you find a renewed commitment on caring for Mother Nature.

On photo: I was able to take a picture of Ms Angel Aquino being interviewed by the media while the children look at her in awe.

Panata para sa Earth Hour 2011

Ako ay buhay na saksi / sa mga hamon ng pagbabago ng klima / sa ating mga pamayanan,//

Nakaukit sa aking isip / ang mga larawan ng pinsala / ng mga nagdaang trahedyang pangkalikasan / bunsod ng global warming,//

Tulad ninyo / ako ay lubos na nababahala / sa nakaambang panganib ng "climate change"/ sa ating kabuhayan at kapaligiran.//

Kasama ninyo / aking isasapuso / ang pangako ng ating henerasyon sa susunod na salinlahi.//

Gagawin ko ang lahat / sa abot ng aking makakaya / aalagaan ang kalikasan (ulitin 2x) // at maninindigan (ulitin (2x) // laban sa pamiminsala ng kapaligiran.//

Harapan akong nanunumpa sa inyo, mga kapatid / na ako'y magiging mas maingat / sa paggamit ng kuryente / dahil alam ko, / na sa kasalukuyan, / ang bawa't kilowatt ng kuryente / ay dagdag na asoge o "carbon dioxide" / sa kalawakan.//

Kung kaya't / aking isasara / at bubunutin / ang mga gamit na de-kuryente / kung hindi kailangan.//

Ako ay kikilos / laban sa mapanganib / at nakalalasong teknolohiya / sa paglikha ng kuryente./

Ako ay makikiisa / sa kilusan para sa ligtas / malinis / at makakalikasang paraan / ng paglikha ng kuryente /

Inuulit ko ang panatang ito / ngayong Earth Hour 2011 / at isasabuhay sa araw-araw.// Amen.

I left the event with a renewed spirit and a renewed hope. I have faith that our future will be brighter for even the next generation were encouraged and motivated. I believe this is what is needed to be done. We need to involve everyone and teach them the importance of caring for our environment. Through such activities as Earth Hour, we will find the children to help us across the environmental issues we now face. Then, definitely, there will be something better to look forward to far beyond the hour.