Around Manila Bay.

And just when you thought that you've seen everything in Manila and then it springs more surprises.

An afternoon at the Manila Ocean Park watching the Jellies, eating Southeast Asian food, viewing the National Art Gallery at the National Museum, A stroll around Luneta aka Rizal Park and then having some Halo-halo while catching the sunset by Malate Church just off Roxas Blvd.

35th Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Festival

35th Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Festival, Philippines

"For the 35th year of the Bamboo Organ Festival a large number of musicians from the Philippines and around the world came to perform alongside this amazing instrument from February 18-24, 2010. I had the pleasure of seeing the organ played by internationally acclaimed Swiss organist, Guy Bovet. He started the concert by explaining that since the organ was built by a Spaniard but came from the Philippines, it has a character and a sound which reflects both cultures and proceeded to play both Spanish and Filipino compositions. Bovets knowledge of the Bamboo Organ was reflected in his playing as he created moving and astonishing music while demonstrating the range of the organ. During Bovets version of Pakitong Kitong we were able to hear one of the things that makes the Bamboo Organ even more unique as it can make a sound like chirping birds."

Excerpt from "Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Festival" by Scott Allford - http://tourism-philippines.com/las-pi...

Manila Chinese Cemetery, UST and San Sebastian Church, Manila, Philippines

Around Manila for Black Saturday 2010.

The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines.

Unibersidad ng Santo Tomás) , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the Philippines and in Asia and is one of the world's largest Catholic universities in terms of enrollment found on one campus.

The only Pontifical University in Asia and UST is the only university, Catholic or not, to have been visited by two popes three times: once by Pope Paul VI on Nov. 28, 1970, and twice by Pope John Paul II on Feb. 18, 1981 and January 13, 1995

--------------------------------------


The Manila Chinese Cemetery (華僑義山) is the second oldest cemetery in Manila after La Loma Cemetery and was designated as the resting place for the Chinese citizens who were denied burial in Catholic cemeteries during the Spanish colonial period. The cemetery was witness to many executions during World War II. Among them were Girl Scouts organizer Josefa Llanes Escoda, literary geniuses Rafael Roces and Manuel Arguilla, star athlete-turned-guerrilla spy Virgilio Lobregat, and Chinese Consul General Yang Guangsheng. Apolinario Mabini was also buried in the cemetery before his remains were transferred to Batangas.


---------------------------------------------


The Basilica Minore de San Sebastián, better known as San Sebastián Church, is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Manila, the Philippines. It is the seat of the Parish of San Sebastian and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

Completed in 1891, San Sebastián Church is noted for its architectural features. An example of the revival of Gothic architecture in the Philippines, it is the only all-steel church or basilica in Asia. It has also been implausibly reputed to be the first prefabricated building in the world, and more plausibly claimed as the only prefabricated steel church in the world.

In 2006, San Sebastian Church was included in the Tentative List for possible designation as a World Heritage Site. It was designated as a National Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1973

Manila Transitio 1945

Remembering the Rape of Manila during the closing days of the World War 2.

Manila Transitio 1945

Remembering the Rape of Manila during the closing days of the World War 2.

35th Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Festival, Philippines

Celebrating the music of the one and only bamboo organ in the world.

Philippine International Pyromusical Competition 2010

14 February 2010 at the Mall of Asia, Manila.

Economic Optimism in the Philippines

Clark and Subic Economic Zones: Positioned to compete globally as logistics and transportations hubs

Saturday, 04 July 2009 00:00 Rene Villaroman/AJPress

LOS ANGELES – Dennis L. Wright is the American president of Peregrine Development International. When he talks about the Philippines, he is more knowledgeable about the topic compared to some Filipinos. “The optimism in the Philippines is based on what you can see, and you only have to drive around Metro Manila to know this,” he told Asian Journal last week during a forum on Clark and Subic Bay Freeports at a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport.

Wright had lived in the Philippines for about thirty years, and had been married to a Filipina for twenty-five years. “I have watched the Philippines up close and personal. I can tell you right now that the Philippines is the darling of the investment community,” Wright said. “Three years ago, you would not see a single sky crane anywhere in Metro Manila,” Wright offered. “Today, you look out and see them all over. If you go to Subic (Bay) there is no lay of land that you could do a project on. If you look at the number of hotels feeding the tourist industry, and the signs of medical tourism, it is happening. The container ports are there. No matter where you go, you are seeing a building boom,” Wright asserted. “It is really happening now; it is materializing.”

This was Wright’s  response to a question from one of the journalists  who asked why progress has not trickled down to the impoverished and middle-class Filipinos despite the ongoing construction boom and economic activities.

To buttress his assertions, Wright drew compared the movie, The Perfect Storm to the current economic environment in the Philippines. “In the movie, several everyday occurrences and events came together at precisely the right time and in an unprecedented manner to create “the perfect storm on the open sea,” he explained. “The same phenomenon is now occurring in the Philippine economy – except in this case, it is the forces of the market and business communities acting in unison.”

“The first force is the effect of the Chinese economy, which is the world’s third largest and is poised to outpace the US, along with the Philippines’ strategic position on the doorstep of China,” Wright explained. “The second influence impacting Philippine growth is the country’s geographic position in the center of Southeast Asia and at the crossroads of the Pacific,” Wright said.

His company, Dubai-based Peregrine Development International, has made a $2.5 Billion investment at Clark called Global Gateway Logistics City – a 177-hectare master planned aviation-oriented logistics and business center aimed at serving aviation and logistics-related businesses, including warehousing, distribution, and transportation.

Confronted with the devastating financial crisis in the West, many Middle Eastern investors, including Peregrine, are looking to diversify to minimize their risk. Many Arabs have looked to other markets such as Southeast Asia and the Philippines.

“This optimism is not something in the future,” Dwight said. “I went to a Pussycat Dolls concert (in Manila) about two weeks ago,” he revealed. “30,000 Filipinos went and the most expensive seat was PhP6,650; the next was PhP5,000. Why? Filipinos have money that they are spending. It’s trickle-down economics.”

Wright said that the despite the global recession the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) remittances are on track of what it was last year: $15 Billion again this year. “Why? The mix of overseas Filipinos that are going is higher. You have more professionals, nurses, train operators, engineers. A lot of Filipinos are in recession-proof jobs, and the Saudis depend on the OFW workforce, and they are not going to let them go,” Wright explained.

The Philippine government has converted Clark and Subic into viable economic zones since they were taken over from the United States in 1991. Initially, after the bases’ conversion into economic zones, the bases operated independently from each other. Today, these zones, although being run by two different government agencies, are working with each other to achieve the same goals, positioning themselves as globally competitive air, ship and logistics hubs in the Southeast Asian-Pacific region.

“We are now not only talking business but also doing business,” declared Secretary and Internal Affairs Adviser Edgardo Pamintuan. “This is now walking the talk,” he quipped. “Of course all these would not have been possible were it not for the genius and foresight of President Gloria Arroyo, to transform these bases into bastions of economic activity,” Pamintuan commented.

He said that Clark is now the home of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, which is being managed by the Clark International Airport Corporation. The DMIA complex is comprised of a 2,367-hectare area within the Clark Freeport Zone. The airport is now designated as a new international gateway. “Last year, DMIA had an international traffic of 500,000 passengers,” Pamintuan announced. “This year, we will have no less than 20 per cent of growth.” Pamintuan said that the DMIA has become the favorite airport of low-fair airlines.

The DMIA is now handling international flights to Korea, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau and Kota Kinabalu. There are now 11 domestic flights to Cebu and to Boracay.

Since the construction of the 100-kilometer highway connecting Subic Bay with Clark -- the umbilical cord between the two zones -- standards and processes have been laid down between the two free ports.

Pamintuan also announced that a North Rail system connecting Clark to Manila is in the pipeline. At Subic, two new terminals have been added that are capable of handling up to 600,000 containers. “We can do more during the last 10 months of this administration,” Pamintuan said, at the same acknowledging that poverty is still rampant. “There are still lots of people who are living in quagmire and poverty,” he said. “You cannot do it overnight.”

He said that the country has achieved the highest gross domestic product (GDP) of 7.2 per cent in 2007, at the time that the global economy was creeping in. Last year, despite the recession, the country still managed a 4.6 per cent growth in GDP, and this year, still managed to grow by 1 per cent. “We have been paying off our debts ahead of schedule,” Pamintuan revealed.

“But the opposition does not want to look at the doughnut,” Pamintuan observed. “They like to look at the hole of the doughnut. They do not want our projects to be success

http://www.asianjournal.com/dateline-usa/15-dateline-usa/2245-clark-and-subic-economic-zones-positioned-to-compete-globally-as-logistics-and-transportations-hubs.html

Livin' La Vida Imelda Tour + Around Manila

Start:	Jun 27, '09 09:00a
Location:	Manila, Philippines

Livin' La Vida Imelda tour @ CCP Grounds with Carlos Celdran, San Sebastian Church, Manila Chinese Cemetery, American Cemetery and Singing Cooks and Waiters

Vote for Manila as the host of the New 7 Wonders of Nature Host City!

http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/cloud/suggest/25/
Also don't forget to vote for Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, it slipped in its rankings!

http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/nominees/asia/c/PuertoPrincesa/

Manila Bay via Manila Yacht Club Breakwater

At the Manila Yacht Club today taken 2:30PM ... still waters after the days of bad weather, a bit cloudy with a bit of sunshine. Thanks to Commodore Tronqued and the MYC staff!

http://tourism-philippines.com

Philippines' Brillante Mendoza Wins in Cannes 2009.

After getting violent reactions from his last year's film in Cannes, Serbis, Brillante Mendoza bested the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Pedro Almodovar in this year's competition at the most prestigious film festival in the world. 3 other Filipino films were invited and screened in Cannes - proof that the Independent Cinema in the Philippines is one of the most vibrant if not the hottest in Asia and a force to be reckoned with in the world.



Mendoza wins best director award at Cannes


Agence France-Presse
First Posted 03:24:00 05/25/2009

   

CANNES -- Brillante Mendoza of the Philippines on Sunday picked up the best director prize at the Cannes film festival for his dark movie "Kinatay".

"Kinatay" (meaning "massacre") notably features corrupt cops hacking a prostitute to pieces with blunt kitchen knives.

Mendoza, at Cannes for the second year running, again split the critics, drawing both hisses and applause for "Kinatay".

Last year's "Serbis" was set in a Manila porn-theatre with long close-ups of festering boils and overflowing toilets, as well as the poverty and distress on the streets.

Still determined to portray the social reality around him, Mendoza in "Kinatay" traces 24 hours in the day of a trainee policeman, happily beginning with his wedding in the morning to close with the young man's first outing at night with a band of corrupt colleagues.

To his surprise, fear and anguish, they pick up a prostitute accused of betrayal and wind up torturing, raping, killing and hacking her before disposing of the body parts across Manila.

"This is not just entertainment, these kinds of stories are real," Mendoza said at Cannes.

Last year was the first time since 1984 the Philippines had a film competing for the top prize at Cannes, the Palme d'Or.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20090525-206946/Mendoza-wins-best-director-award-at-Cannes



The Cannes 2009 Winners

CANNES, France -- Awards presented Sunday at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival, chosen by a jury headed by French Actress Isabelle Huppert:

• Palme d'Or (Golden Palm): "The White Ribbon," by Michael Haneke (Austria)

• Grand Prize: "A Prophet," by Jacques Audiard (France)

• Jury Prize: "Fish Tank," by Andrea Arnold (Britain) and "Thirst," By Park Chan-wook (South Korea)

• Special Prize: Alain Resnais

• Best Director: Brillante Mendoza, "Kinatay" (Philippines)

• Best Actor: Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds" (United States)

• Best Actress: Charlotte Gainsbourg, "Antichrist" (Denmark)

• Best Screenplay: Feng Mei, "Spring Fever" (China)

• Camera d'Or (first-time director): "Samson and Delilah," by Warwick Thornton (Australia)

• Best short film: "Arena," by Joao Salaviza (Portugal)

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20090525-206956/Cannes-Film-Festival-prize-winners

A walk through the Salcedo Weekend Market

Fresh organic produce and products from the different regions of the Philippines as well as international cuisine represented by Portugal, Italy, Japan, China, Spain, USA, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, France , Germany and many others are available at the Salcedo Weekend Market, Salcedo Carpark, Salcedo Village, Makati City, Philippines every Saturday morning up until 2-3PM. A similar bustling weekend market of haute and organic products are also available at the Legazpi Weekend Market every Sunday around the same times.


http://www.time.com/time/travel/article/0,31542,1883233,00.html


A Taste of the World in Manila
By Lara Day Thursday, Mar. 05, 2009

If you're in Manila and looking for a culinary experience with a community feel, Salcedo Market is hard to beat. This lively event takes place on Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m., and features food from the city's best kitchens, all in one neat, bustling, deliciously tasty location.

Established in 2004 with just 11 stalls, the market, located in the leafy Jaime C. Velasquez Park in the heart of the upscale Bel-Air district, has since developed into a vibrant gourmet gathering of over 140 vendors, all carefully vetted for quality and variety of product. With the exception of cooked-food vendors, everyone is required to offer something unique: for instance, there can only be one wine stall, one florist and one frozen-yoghurt stand.

The fare reflects Manila's cosmopolitan tastes. Authentic renditions of foreign staples include French crepes, German sausages, Malaysian laksa and Indonesian rendang, and people travel from across the metropolis to enjoy them. But they also visit to try Philippine flavors usually found locked inside the country's homes or tucked away in far-flung provinces. Look out for crispy-skinned lechon, or roast suckling pig, from Cebu (Filipinos make an art out of roasting whole animals on spits). Try the rich, fiery-hot Bicol Express from southern Luzon (a pork and vegetable dish with coconut and chili). And don't miss the Filipino-fusion creations, such as pasta sauces in flavors such as mussel adobo and creamy shiitake pesto. If you can manage it, wash it all down with thick, creamy tsokolate, a Spanish-style hot chocolate blended with peanuts and whipped to a heady froth. But be prepared to swap those afternoon sightseeing plans for another great Spanish import: a siesta.

Expat Magazine

http://server4b.pressmart.net/Expat/index.aspx?page=12&issue=issue09
My article on Expat Magazine - Re: Aliwan Fiesta 2009. :)

Aliwan 2009 - Philippine Festivals

A mashup of some of the participants of the Aliwan Fiesta 2009 - a collection of Philippine Festivals from all the regions of the country- a proud testament to the multicultural heritage of the Philippines as well as proof that Filipinos do know how to throw the best party in the whole of Asia!

Philippines is Asia's Top Destination

From the Department of Tourism Website Press Release: :)

RP is Asia’s Most Popular Destination, Makes mark in World Travel Fair 2009

Friday, April 17, 2009

SHANGHAI, CHINA -- The Philippines was named the ‘Most Popular Destination in Asia’, after a public vote and a strict evaluation process undertaken by professional jurors from the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration and VNU Exhibitions Europe, at the recent World Travel Fair (WTF) 2009.

“Our country receiving the highest laurel in Asia’s leading source fair in China is a notable milestone in the industry’s optimism in sustaining the momentum generated from efforts to reach this important market segment,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism.


The tourism chief added, “The Philippines is one of the fastest growing destinations in China’s outbound travel industry, recording a 74% month-on-month growth rate in visa issuances for February of this year. We are also the nearest tropical beach country for the Chinese, as Manila is only 2 hours away from Guangzhou, while Cebu is only 3 hours away from Shanghai.”


Durano likewise attributed the win to the country’s competitive tour pricing, the remarkable progress of the transportation sector and the Filipino’s friendliness and hospitality.


Dubbed as the ‘Outbound Travel Industry's Leading Source Fair in Asia, the WTF receives thousands of travel buyers from China, Asia and the rest of the world, who come to hold exchanges with more than 500 exhibitors from 62 countries, held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.


“The Chinese travellers rank our country’s beaches and heritage sites high, as proven by the various recognitions they have awarded to our tourist spots,” Durano said further.


Beach holidays rank 79% among the top leisure activities undertaken by the Chinese, according to an outbound travel study in China, while the International Visitor Survey conducted by the DOT reported that foreign visitors rank the country highest for visitor satisfaction in terms of Filipino hospitality.

Due to its strong partnership with a consortium of travel agents, the DOT has urged the transportation sector to open direct chartered flights and daily regular flights to Cebu and Manila. These developments have reflected a 61% increase in number of chartered flights operated in 2008 compared to last year.


Undersecretary for Tourism Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr. was enthusiastic to point out that the country has always garnered positive feedback from Asian tourists, “The Philippines has managed to secure, among others, the Best Leisure Destination in the last year’s WTF, for Boracay; the Top 10 Island Getaways for Chinese Summer Travel, for Bohol; the only Asian entry in the list of premier destinations in the acclaimed World Traveller Magazine; and Top 10 Most Searched Destination among Shanghai online users.”

Jarque was referring to Baidu, the biggest search engine in China capturing 68% of the Chinese online market (Google a distant second with 20% market share), which listed the Philippines in the Top 10 most searched travel destination among Shanghai online users from its latest report.


Meanwhile, Arlene Alipio, head of DOT Team China, noted that the flourishing outbound travel of China has been propitious to the Philippines as well, “Recent statistics from the China National Tourism Administration show that the number of Chinese travellers reached 34.4 million in the first nine months of this year, up by 14.8 percent year-on-year. In September alone, about 3.7 million Chinese people travelled overseas, an increase of 9 percent year-on-year. “


Shanghai-based Philippine Tourism Attaché to China, Gerry Panga, shared, “The country’s continued and consolidated efforts in promoting a wide array of travel opportunities to its Asian neighbours have indeed resulted to our strong market performance despite the global crunch.


RP posted a growth rate of 58.5% in 2008 in terms of visa issuances for travel to the Philippines from Eastern China plus Sichuan and Chongqing. Current growth rate stands at 20% from January to March 2009, making the Philippines one of the fastest growing outbound destinations for Chinese tourists.

Aliwan Fiesta - Philippine Festivals 2009

A mashup of some of the participants of the Aliwan Fiesta 2009 - a collection of Philippine Festivals from all the regions of the country- a proud testament to the multicultural heritage of the Philippines as well as proof that Filipinos do know how to throw the best party in the whole of Asia!

Manila's Aliwan Festival 2009 - Festivals of the Philippines

Start:	Apr 24, '09 08:00a
End:	Apr 25, '09
Location:	Aliwan Theatre, Pasay City to Quirino Grandstand, Manila

The biggest festival in Manila is set as the 7th edition of the Aliwan Festival 2009 is around the corner and will be celebrated this coming April 23 to 25, 2009 with lots of fun and excitement. The Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) is now on high gear as they prepare the 7th edition of the Aliwan Fiesta 2009. There are lots of activities that are lined up in this year Aliwan Festival 2009. It will feature street dance competitions, float design and the Festival Queen (Reyna ng Aliwan) where these events are the highlights of the celebration.

The three day celebration of the Aliwan Festival 2009 will attract local and foreign visitors because they will see Filipino craftsmanship and ingenuity. Aliwan Festival is a festival that merge all the popular festivals in the Philippines in one single event. Different Regions and Provinces around the country will display products, craftsmanship, culture and show their most innovative ideas.

In the 7th Edition of the Aliwan Festival 2009, there are more than 3,000 dancers, musicians, craftsmen, and even acrobats that will compete in this celebration for streetdancing, float design, and the search for Reyna ng Aliwan in their colorful costume and beautiful smile.

Here are the list of contingents in the Aliwan Festival 2009. This list is still unofficial.

1. Lakbayaw of Tondo, Manila
2. Pakalog Festival of Santolan, Pasig
3. Panagbenga Festival, Baguio City
4. Pamulenawen - Laoag City
5. Ibon Ebon of Candaba, Pampanga
6. Disposorio Festival of Hagonoy, Bulacan
7. Luyang Dilaw of Marilao Bulacan
8. Boling boling Festival - Catanuan, Quezon
9. Fiesta de Toros of Nasugbu, Batangas
10. Lapay Bantigue Festival of Masbate city
11. Pulang Angui of Polangue Albay
12. Sinulog Festival of Cebu City
13. Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City
14. Kasag Festival of Banate, Iloilo
15. Karatong Festival of Dulag, Leyte
16. Buyugan Festival of Abuyog Leyte
17. Kadayawan Festival - Davao city
18. Tuna Festival of General Santos City
19. Halad Festival of Midsayap, Cotabato
20. Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City
21. Buklod Festival - Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan
22. Kalilintad Festival of Mamasapano
23. Samba de Regatta

The Aliwan Festival 2009 schedule of activities:

Streetdance Forum (CCP Silangan Hall)

* One Town, One Product Shoppers Bazaar
* Band Concert and Pasakalye (Aliw Theater outdoor stage - 7:00 p.m.)

April 24

* One Town, One Product Shoppers Bazaar
* Aliwan Festival Queen Talent Competition (Star Theater, 1:30 p.m.)
* Aliwan Festival Queen Pageant Night (Aliw Theater outdoor stage - 7:00 p.m.)

April 25

* One Town, One Product Shoppers Bazaar
* Grand Parade (Aliw Theater Complex to Quirino Grandstand - 4:00 p.m.)
* Awarding Ceremonies (Quirino Grandstand - 9:00 p.m.)

After Chip Tsao slur - Kiwi Bitch Bridget Saunders attacks Filpinos

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/entertainment/blog-about-town/1882606/What-What-Can-you-repeat-that-PLEASE
Kiwi-Pinoys in NZ should lodge a complaint at the Human Rights Commission. Slap this ugly whore!



What? What? Can you repeat that PLEASE!!


I read with a sinking stomach that Telecom, in their infinite wisdom, are moving 250 call centre jobs to Manila which will bring their number of call centre people there to 700.

Must be a money saver...why pay Kiwis a half decent wage when you can get the job done more cheaply elsewhere?

hisssssssssss..............

I've had a lot of problems with email, am on the phone to xtra at least once a week - and it drives me nuts.

It's bad enough that Telecom/xtra can fail in their service to us full stop, and it's even worse if that failure is not reflected in a reduced phone bill, but what's really infuriating is not being able to understand the person on the other end of the line who is supposed to be helping.

Filipinos learn American English and their accents are diabolically hard to understand. They are so heavy!

When I have to call them for help I am always stressed out (because my job is communication and I can't afford to be offline and incommunicado - that would mean blank pages in About Town!) so getting someone with a voice that a) is almost unintelligible and b) grates, really fires me up. It shouldn't I know. But it does. Their voices are not just impossible to understand, they are really annoying as well. You know how some accents can be totally charming? Well, these are anything but! They must be the least attractive accents in the world!

And because these people are as close as we get to the actual corporation I allow myself to fully vent my anger...

E.g. after getting someone to repeat something 6 times I will yell in frustration.

I am better with Indian call centres since I saw Slumdog Millionaire, and I can cope with Cairo, but Manila? I lose it!

Wouldn't it be nice if Kiwis could do these jobs instead of adding to the unemployment.

It's mental. It doesn't make sense and it makes me really really mad!!!!

REVERSE CHRISTMAS - Earth Hour Philippines 2009 Official Video

Update:

Makati was chosen amongst the global flagship cities of Earth Hour 2009

Earth Hour is supported by the Philippine Government with Malacañang Palace (Presidential Palace) switched off its lights last year. Earth Hour is also supported by the Church, Businessmen and all the major media networks.

Last year, 1M Filipinos switched off their lights in support, this year is slated to be bigger.

Switch Off to Support Earth!

====================================

From WWF Philippines:

Earth Hour Approaches
Filipinos Urged to Spread the Word

With days to go before the world switches off for Earth Hour 2009, WWF-Philippines calls on the social networking community to spread the Earth Hour message through e-groups, blogs, web videos and texts.

“The commitments of support grow with each day. We urge everyone to spread the word and join millions throughout the world by switching-off lights from 8:30 to 9:30pm on Saturday night, 28 March. This is our chance to show the world what our Bayanihan spirit can do, for only when we act as one will Earth Hour be successful,” says Earth Hour National Director Yeb Saño.

Earth Hour is a massive social movement aimed to mobilize action against climate change through the simple act of turning off lights.

Launched in Australia on 31 March 2007, Earth Hour moved over two million people and 2100 businesses in Sydney to turn off their lights for 60 minutes – hence the movement’s logo. This captured the hearts and minds of people all over the world, giving rise to Earth Hour 2008 – where 50 million people in 370 cities followed suit. New York’s Times Square, Rome’s Coliseum and even the remote Casey Station in Antarctica plunged into darkness.

The Philippines was the first Southeast Asian nation to pledge support. Its flagship cities of Pasay, Manila, Parañaque and Makati observed a switch-off ceremony and enveloped the entire Roxas Boulevard seaside strip in symbolic darkness. Popular landmarks such as the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Mall of Asia were blanketed in darkness. Lights-out activities were instigated by a million Filipinos in over 50 major towns and cities across the nation.

“Earth Hour 2008 remains the country’s largest environmental action. Last year, total power savings amounted to 80MWh. 56MWh was saved in Luzon alone – equivalent to shutting down a coal-fired power plant for one hour. More important than the power we saved was the awareness and positive action generated. This year, Earth Hour 2009 hopes to inspire at least 10 million Filipinos to unite and act for the environment,” explains Saño.

Earth Hour is an initiative of WWF, the Department of Energy, Green Army Network and SWITCH movement. Over a hundred corporations, schools, public and private organizations have now pledged support. The roster of supporters grows by the hour.

Numerous institutional partners such as the Archdiocese of Manila Ministry, Boy and Girl Scouts, CBCP, Department of Education, Earth Day Network, Gawad Kalinga, Habitat for Humanity, League of Corporate Foundations, National Electrification Administration, National Historical Institute, Outdoor Advertiser’s Association of the Philippines, Philippine Jaycees, Renewable Energy Coalition, Rotary Club and World Youth Alliance have also pledged support.

The Department of Energy has given its full backing for the movement. "This is a cause that should unite us as Filipinos and as citizens of the world," declares DOE Secretary Angelo Reyes. Adds WWF-Vice Chairman and CEO Lory Tan, “Will Earth Hour alone stop climate change? No. But it is a statement that we will not go down without a fight.”

The global aim of Earth Hour is to secure the participation of one billion people in 1000 cities globally. Already over 1500 cities in 80 countries including the United States, China, Russia and India have signed on.

“It is hoped that this global gesture will send a clear message for world leaders to take strong and decisive action against climate change,” explains Saño. Top leaders will meet in Copenhagen this coming December to craft a post-Kyoto policy for tackling the world’s mounting problems on climate change. “The strength of our message ultimately depends on how many Filipinos will join in.”