MARILAO, Bulacan – Bulakenyos vowed to go beyond the annual one hour energy conservation after the 2011 observance of the Earth Hour here on Saturday night.
The annual lights off drew thousands who also participated in a moment of silence for victims of earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
“Starting next school year, we will do a day-long energy conservation every month at school,” said Anne Abacan, directress of the Sophia School based in the nearby Barangay Calvario, Meycauayan City.
Students and teachers of the Sophia School have been joining the annual observance of the Earth Hour at SM City Marilao here since 2009.
Abacan said that the day-long energy conservation at school is designed to teach students and influence parents to do the same at home.
“We have to go beyond the annual one hour energy conservation if we are to save the planet, we have to do it more often,” she said.
In going beyond the hour, Abacan said that they will do it every first Monday of the month starting the next school year which will start in June.
For her part, Architect Dang Estrella, assistant mall manager of the SM City Marilao here, said that the annual lights off continue to draw more Bulakenyo participants every year.
She said that in 2008, they started with a handful of participants that includes mall tenants and some mall goers.
But this year, Estrella said that over a thousand Bulakenyos participated at the SM City Mall here alone.
“We are glad that our mall clients continue to appreciate our advocacies for the Earth Hour,” Estrella said.
During the annual lights off, all lights at the perimeter of the mall were turned off, while 50 percent of those inside were also turned off.
Based on estimates, that mall was able to save electricity equivalent to two hours operation of a fast food chain.
According to Estrella, SM Mall chain has been consistent on its pro-environment advocacies.
These include installation of waste water treatment facilities, waterless urinals, and large glass windows that allows natural light into the mall.
Estrella said that from morning until afternoon, SM City Marilao here only uses 50 percent of electricity requirement for their atrium as it is lighted by natural light through large glass windows.
She also said that they hope to spread commitment to their mall clients.
Participants for the 2011 Earth Hour here lighted candles and joined hands in a moment of prayer for earthquake victims in Japan.
Mark Laurente, mall’s public relations officer, said they also placed donation drop boxes within the mall for Japan earthquake victims.
He said that it is part of their global emergency fund for relief operations in Japan in partnership with World Vision.
Laurente added that all 40 SM mall chain in the country placed similar donation boxes for those who are willing to help victims of earthquake in Japan.
The annual lights off drew thousands who also participated in a moment of silence for victims of earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
“Starting next school year, we will do a day-long energy conservation every month at school,” said Anne Abacan, directress of the Sophia School based in the nearby Barangay Calvario, Meycauayan City.
Students and teachers of the Sophia School have been joining the annual observance of the Earth Hour at SM City Marilao here since 2009.
Abacan said that the day-long energy conservation at school is designed to teach students and influence parents to do the same at home.
“We have to go beyond the annual one hour energy conservation if we are to save the planet, we have to do it more often,” she said.
In going beyond the hour, Abacan said that they will do it every first Monday of the month starting the next school year which will start in June.
For her part, Architect Dang Estrella, assistant mall manager of the SM City Marilao here, said that the annual lights off continue to draw more Bulakenyo participants every year.
She said that in 2008, they started with a handful of participants that includes mall tenants and some mall goers.
But this year, Estrella said that over a thousand Bulakenyos participated at the SM City Mall here alone.
“We are glad that our mall clients continue to appreciate our advocacies for the Earth Hour,” Estrella said.
During the annual lights off, all lights at the perimeter of the mall were turned off, while 50 percent of those inside were also turned off.
Based on estimates, that mall was able to save electricity equivalent to two hours operation of a fast food chain.
According to Estrella, SM Mall chain has been consistent on its pro-environment advocacies.
These include installation of waste water treatment facilities, waterless urinals, and large glass windows that allows natural light into the mall.
Estrella said that from morning until afternoon, SM City Marilao here only uses 50 percent of electricity requirement for their atrium as it is lighted by natural light through large glass windows.
She also said that they hope to spread commitment to their mall clients.
Participants for the 2011 Earth Hour here lighted candles and joined hands in a moment of prayer for earthquake victims in Japan.
Mark Laurente, mall’s public relations officer, said they also placed donation drop boxes within the mall for Japan earthquake victims.
He said that it is part of their global emergency fund for relief operations in Japan in partnership with World Vision.
Laurente added that all 40 SM mall chain in the country placed similar donation boxes for those who are willing to help victims of earthquake in Japan.
