Bebsie's Chicken together with Lighthouse Marina along with hundreds of millions of concerned individuals around the world showed their support and concern for the environment by switching off our lights for one hour at exactly 8:30pm. The objective was to showcase what can be done through our combined efforts, to encourage leadership through behavioral change and to demonstrate the growing desire around the world to make those changes a reality.
The atmosphere during the Earth Hour was very intimate and relaxed. Everyone cheered as we did the countdown to the switch off. At exactly 8:30pm, all the exterior lights of the hotel were switched off including the 20-meter lighthouse tower. It is noteworthy to mention that the electricity that we were able to save for an hour was enough to power 25 small houses for a day. Lighthouse has always been working on ways to promote awareness for the environment. That evening, the hotel announced its Go Green Program, which included going into alternative, renewable and nonpolluting source of energy that is the sun. In fact, a few seconds after the switch off, Solar Powered lights provided by Banda Solar illuminated the whole event area. Solar power is just one of the many plans that Lighthouse will be implementing this year. Furthermore, the hotel will also dramatically reduce its plastic consumption thus reducing plastic waste. One of the goals of this program is to increase the level of awareness and encourage our guests to take action to save the environment. The hotel guests were treated with a special grill and pasta buffet and some unplugged entertainment such as fire dancers and musicians from Baguio and Manila.
Besides the Earth Hour Celebration, the Lighthouse had several other activities that weekend. There was an art exhibit that shows junks or trash converted to an art, a beach clean up, and a film viewing showing two documentary films about the environment ("The 11th Hour" and "Six Degrees that Could Change the World"). While it is true that our environment is in grave danger, what is more consequential is that the survival of the entire human race is in jeopardy. Our planet has all the time in the world to regenerate, and we don't. The Ecofest weekend was not just about the environment nor the planet. It was meant to encourage people to act now before its too late.
If human beings are the source of the problem, we can also be the foundation of the solution. We believe that our generation is capable of completely changing this world. During this critical period of human history, healing the damage of industrial civilization is the task of our generation. It was awe-inspiring to see a lot of children during the Earth Hour. This event was primarily for the welfare of the future generations. We will need to pass the torch one day, and these kids should continue what we have started. The event was ended by an invitation made by the General Manager of Subic Bay power provider, Subic Enerzone, to light up the sky lanterns as a symbol of our active participation in saving the environment and to fight climate change. Unfortunately it was too windy that night and only a few lanterns were able to fly. Nevertheless, everyone had a great time. Thank you to all who participated. We hope to see you again in the next Earth Hour. Please stay tuned as Lighthouse announces its plans for the upcoming Earth Day!
Thank you to our sponsors: Subic Enerzone, National Geographic Channel, Banda Solar, SBMA Ecology, Volvo, United Auctioneers, Bebsie's Chicken, Grand Pillar International, Tai Chi Massage, Nai Cha, Century 21 and Circuit 9 Car Rental.
Proceeds amounting to Php 10,000 will be donated to WWF.
