The School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM) led the celebration of Earth Hour 2019 last March 30, 2019 at the Carabao Park, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

This year, the worldwide advocacy aims to promote awareness to save mother earth such as the ban on single-use plastic. The #EarthHour and #connect2earth trended on social media worldwide to promote awareness of Earth Hour 2019 and generated more than 2 billion shares to show the netizen’s concern for nature.

Dr. Decibel F. Eslava, Dean of SESAM, thanked all the people who gathered to support the event. She also delivered the message sent by Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., which stressed that all of us have a responsibility to our future generations. Further, Dr. Eslava mentioned “Let earth hour be the not the sum, but the start of a great movement towards protecting and serving mother earth”, as she read the Chancellor’s message.

Prior to the switch-off at 8:30 pm, local artists delivered a mini-concert. Dr. Antonio J. Quilloy, Professor, College of Economics and Management (CEM) and the 2019 UPLB Most Outstanding Artist, delivered a mesmerizing saxophone performance. Meanwhile, local folk artist Jong Sumangil and the Zoomangle band sang their original compositions to the delight of the crowd. The band was followed by Mr. Mark Virtudes, a development communication student and a finalist of the 2019 Star in a Carillon singing contest, rendered a couple of light rock songs. Lastly, the UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe capped the night with two traditional Filipino dance numbers just before the countdown of the switch-off lights in the campus.

Different cities in 188 countries worldwide joined Earth Hour 2019 to speak up for nature and inspire urgent action for the environment. Thousands of landmarks switched off their lights in solidarity for the planet. Individuals pledged their support for the planet, challenging world leaders to push the preservation of nature up the global agenda.