Cagayan de Oro City Officials and Leaders Call for Environment Superheroes

Posted by Primavera Residences on

Earth Hour 2014 at SM City CDO-4

It was lights off in the city of Cagayan de Oro as local officials and energy leaders encouraged Kagay-Anons to use their inner powers to help save the planet during the celebrations of Earth Hour 2014.

Earth Hour is an international organization spearheaded by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) that aims to raise awareness and encourage people to take action against climate change. It encourages households and businesses to switch off unnecessary lights for one hour every last Saturday of March. The Philippines has been an avid supporter of Earth Hour since 2009.

Kagay-Anons showed their support for the environment when Cagayan de Oro city Mayor Oscar S. Moreno led the ceremonial switch off at SM City CdO last March 29. Lights were switched off from 8:30 to 9:30 PM across the city. The Earth Hour 2014 celebrations were also supported by Cagayan Electric Power & Light Company, Inc. (CEPALCO) Senior Vice President Ralph Paguio; renewable energy expert from Italy, Gabriele Boccia; and Primavera Residences developer, ItalPinas Euroasian Design and Eco-Development Corp. (ITPI) CEO Arch. Romolo V. Nati.

From left: SM City CdO Mall Manager Clara Elizaga, ITPI CEO Arch. Romolo V. Nati, renewable energy expert Gabriele Boccia
From left: SM City CdO Mall Manager Clara Elizaga, ITPI CEO Arch. Romolo V. Nati, renewable energy expert Gabriele Boccia, SM City CdO Assistant Mall Manager Constantine Arce, and SM City CdO PR Manager Ivy Guantero

Moreno noted that “saving the earth and preserving the environment is not just a one man’s job and not a simple thing to do. All of us can help, and I am sure we can in some measure.”

Paguio lauded some of the residences and commercial establishments in the city for their energy conservation efforts and called them “silent heroes.” According to him, there’s no need for the city to implement rotating brownouts despite the rest of Mindanao’s recent experience in power interruptions.

Earth Hour 2014 at SM City CDO-7
CEPALCO Senior Vice President Ralph Paguio

SM City CdO Mall Manager Clara Elizaga also urged the residents to be a superhero and use their power for the planet. About 48 branches of SM across the country also participated in Earth Hour, according to Elizaga.

“It’s very important to think about the environment not only for one hour but every single day,” shared Architect Nati, who lauded the city’s support for renewable energy. “When people ask me why I decided to develop green buildings in Cagayan de Oro, I tell them it is because CdO is one of the most progressive cities in the Philippines. You have a fantastic mayor and a company like CEPALCO that developed photovoltaic power plants more than ten years ago–which is really incredible, because at that time, people were not yet talking about solar power even in Europe,” he added.

Nati is the developer of Primavera Residences and an avid supporter of green architecture and sustainability. Primavera Residences is the first eco-friendly mixed-use property in Cagayan de Oro equipped with energy-saving and energy-producing features.

The Earth Hour 2014 celebrations at SM City CdO saw the many local talents that the city has to offer. Participants were treated to musical and cultural performances and fun activities including face painting. They were also encouraged to write their pledges to save the environment on an open billboard and draw a tree on a board to show their commitment to plant trees.

Gabriele Boccia, renewable energy expert from Italy, draws a tree on the board
Gabriele Boccia, renewable energy expert from Italy, draws a tree on the board

Primavera Residences Invites you to Join Earth Hour 2014

Posted by Jane on

On the last Saturday of March every year, 7,000 cities and 152 countries switch off their lights for one hour in the biggest movement for the planet in the entire history of mankind.

We call this Earth Hour and it closely coincides with the equinox to make sure that the earth is blanketed in total darkness. More than just a symbolic action of turning off the lights for one full hour, Earth Hour is a movement that aims to inspire individuals and organizations to take action in helping create a better future for the planet.

Earth Hour started seven years ago and the Philippines has been participating since 2008. In Cagayan de Oro, the first city-wide Earth Hour event was observed in 2009 with spectacular performances followed by the symbolic switching off of lights at Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City.

 

How can you participate this year? 

There are different ways to participate, but first and foremost is to switch off the lights in your home and office from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on Saturday, March 29.

Here are other ways to support Earth Hour.

  1. Spread the word and be an Earth Hour advocate. Tell your friends, family, colleagues, and everyone you know to switch off. You can do this through your social media accounts. In Facebook, there is an app called City Switch Off that you can use to invite your friends.
  2. Join the Earth Hour celebration at SM City CDO. Fanfare, performances, and loads of fun and entertainment await you at SM City Cagayan de Oro. Bring your friends and family and join the countdown to 8:30 PM!

 

In uptown Cagayan de Oro, Primavera Residences, the multi-awarded green property in Mindanao will take part in Earth Hour 2014. You too can do your share and be a superhero for the planet, just like this year’s Earth Hour ambassador Spider-Man. But remember to do your part and make a difference not only for that one hour, but beyond Earth Hour as well.

 

Learn more about the first green condominium in Cagayan de Oro by clicking here.