Dark city park welcome

"Earth Hour" advocates

TAGBILARAN CITY, April 6 (PIA)--Boholano bike enthusiasts pedaled around the city and regrouped at the dimly lit Tagbilaran City Friendship Park, the Earth Hour here earns support from the city government by it shutting off the lights in its newest tourism showcase park.

Recently opened just as the city government publicly opened the access to the park's amphitheater, many expect the park to be brightly lit, but not during the Earth Hour.  

Earth Hour 2018 Tagbilaran City organizer Jude Ybas said they did not expect the park to be dim, in fact the bikers regroup was supposed to be there for an opportunity to capture the bikers on digital image only to find the park open but dark.

And instead of sulking, the bikers were elated that the city government has joined them in the Earth Hour, switching off its park lights and joining the lights off ceremonies in iconic monuments across the globe to give Mother Earth at least an hour of reprieve.   

Over a hundred bike enthusiasts on mountain bikes, BMX, folding bikes, road bikes and tri-bikes snapped in their blinkers, geared up and took to the city streets to lead a way for giving the earth at least an hour of rest from the use of energy and fossil fuels.

Started in Australia in as a symbolic lights off event in 2007, the movement spread across the globe and is now considered the biggest social mobilization for the environment inspiring millions upon millions of people in all races for the planet and nature.

With the world's biodiversity declining by the minute, the worldwide action of the Earth Hour crept from simple light off events to advocating for environment friendly laws, and slowing the effects of climate change.

In Bohol, Earth Hour rides started in 2012, according to Bohol organizers Bike ta Bai, a local bike group who spearheaded the local campaign for more participation in the pro earth activity to give a premium for nature and the environment.

Set during a night closest to the equinox when the earth's nights would be in its darkest, the lights off event finally came to Tagbilaran's Park March 24.

Asked for his insights, City Mayor John Geesnel Yap II said Earth Hour is an avenue [for us] to show concern for nature and environment through saving electricity.

He added that the worldwide movement should be the mindset of every individual so we can help save the earth for our future generations.   

At the bike ride for the Earth Hour, Bike Ta Bai said kids as young and oldies united in one common campaign, and that is to switch off their house lights and use blinkers instead to get to the streets and further convince people to make every Saturday closest to the equinox as a bike ride hour and more.

With the 2018 campaign, Ybas of Bike ta Bai urged everyone to connect2Earth this year and adopt the campaign as their own. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Part of the bike enthusiasts who took part in bringing out their support for the environment and give mother earth at least an hour of rest for the Bohol Earth Hour 2018. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol/ Photo by Bol-anon Cyclist)