WWF-Philippines Urges Filipinos to #SpeakUpForNature for Earth Hour Philippines 2021

Wazzup Pilipinas!

A woman holds up a candle, lit in solidarity with Earth Hour 2021. Millions of people across the globe came together on the 27th of March for Earth Hour 2021, to speak up for nature and to stand for the protection of the planet. Photograph © Alo Lantin / WWF-Philippines

Earth Hour united individuals, businesses and leaders from all over the world to shine a spotlight on the health of the planet, raising awareness on the importance of nature and inspiring action for a brighter future for nature and people. With COVID-19 safety regulations continuing in several parts of the world, many countries celebrated Earth Hour online, mobilising millions of people from across the globe to speak up for nature.

As lights dimmed in homes and cities, Earth Hour brought people together to put a virtual spotlight on our planet and the role people can play in global efforts for nature.

With mounting evidence establishing a close link between nature's destruction and rising incidences of infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19, Earth Hour served as an unmissable opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of nature, in a year when leaders will take key decisions on nature, climate change and sustainable development.

''Whether it is a decline in pollinators, fewer fish in the ocean and rivers, disappearing forests or the wider loss of biodiversity, the evidence is mounting that nature is in free fall. And this is because of the way we live our lives and run our economies. Protecting nature is our moral responsibility but losing it also increases our vulnerability to pandemics, accelerates climate change, and threatens our food security,” said Marco Lambertini, Director General, WWF International.

“We must stop taking nature for granted, respect its intrinsic value, and - importantly - value the crucial services it provides to our health, wellbeing and economy. We need to unite and take urgent action now to set nature on the path to recovery and secure a nature-positive world while supporting climate action. By acting for nature, we can all create a healthier, fairer and more sustainable world.”

Renowned public figures, celebrities, youth organisations and businesses from across the globe supported Earth Hour to draw attention to the nature and climate crises. In recognition of the critical role young people will play in creating a more sustainable world, many global youth groups including Fridays For Future, AIESEC, United Nations Global Youth Biodiversity Network, Global Scouts, YMCA, and Global Youth Action Team participated in Earth Hour calling for a safer, healthier future for all.


Earth Hour Highlights

Earth Hour Philippines generated a total of 3,917,073 social media impressions locally prior to March 27, with Facebook alone reaching 3,472,323 individuals. A further 97,177 individuals were reached on the night itself during the screening of WWF-Philippines’ Earth Hour celebrations.

A number of establishments across the country also participated in this years’ Earth Hour with their own lights-off events. The lights of the Rizal Monument at Luneta Park were switched off, as well as those of Araneta Coliseum, the headquarters of GMA, Ayala Malls, Filinvest, and CityMall properties, and other locations across the country. Multiple cities and LGUs across the Philippines also participated in the iconic switch-off event.

Various businesses and government agencies offered pledges of support to the movement, including a message from the Republic of the Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. “I join everyone in the annual observance of this symbolic switching-off of non-essential lights for an hour, which is an important call for climate action in this crucial time of history. The previous year has truly been a challenging period for us all, and the environmental adversities we faced have shown us the urgency to unite in addressing pressing issues that directly affect our planet,” said President Duterte.

“It is clear that we are active agents that can change the fate of all living things, even those that come into being beyond our lifetimes. Our responsibility, then, becomes clear - because our actions as human beings have grown in scale, power, and scope, it is incumbent upon us to fashion systems, policies and practices that are sustainable. This is why movements like Earth Hour and the greater environmental cause will always be relevant. The protection of our environment is not just an advocacy - it carries the foundation of our way of life and the world,” said Vice-President Leni Robredo.



EH PHlix, a Web Series for a Sustainable Tomorrow

In celebration of Earth Hour Philippines 2021, WWF-Philippines held EH PHlix, a web series put together with the help of the organizations’ many ambassadors and official partners. PHlix gathered experts in environmental education, sustainable dining, and plastic waste management, to discuss measures that ordinary Filipinos could take to lead more sustainable lifestyles.

EH PHlix opened with Wildlife Conservation for Kids, hosted by WWF-Philippines Ambassadors Mikee Cojuangco-Jowarski and Xia Vigor, together with the WWF-Philippines Education for Sustainable Development team. Afterwards was Feed the Future: Sustainable Dining 101 with WWF-Philippines Ambassadors Pia Wurtzbach and KC Concepcion as well as Chef Robby Goco of Cyma, Souv! and Green Pastures, Rina Papio of SoilMate and Green Space, and the WWF-Philippines Sustainable Diner team. This was followed by Tackling the Plastic Problem, which was hosted by WWF-Philippines National Ambassador Iza Calzado and KALIPI President Wilma Arevalo alongside the WWF-Philippines Plastic Program.

EH PHlix concluded with the Countdown to Earth Hour, hosted by WWF-Philippines National Ambassadors Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez. Messages on the significance of climate change and appeals for climate action and conservation were delivered by Secretary Emmanuel M. de Guzman of the Climate Change Commission, WWF-Philippines Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director Atty. Angela Ibay and WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio. A message to the youth of today from the members of the WWF-Philippines National Youth Council was also delivered. This was followed by a short panel discussion wherein Climate Change Commissioner Atty. Rachel Anne Herrera joined Atty. Ibay, Ms. Custodio, and WWF-Philippines Ambassador Karen Ibasco in discussing the need for a green recovery post-pandemic. This, in turn, was followed by the final countdown to Earth Hour. Videos from WWF International, as well as from partners and ambassadors of WWF-Philippines, were played throughout the hour.

“Earth Hour, for one, is a thank you to everyone who has been joining us over the years and for joining us again this year. It is also a call to action - even as we celebrate Earth Hour, we know that there are a lot of things we still need to do. We still need to push our government to submit the country’s NDC, we still need to be able to do a lot of things for the environment not just in the Philippines but all over the world, but I know that with everyone’s help and with this movement of Earth Hour, we’ll be able to get to a sustainable future,” said Atty. Angela Ibay, Earth Hour Pilipinas National Director and Head of the Climate Change and Energy Programme of WWF-Philippines.

#SpeakUpForNature

Earth Hour Philippines 2021 also encouraged Filipinos from all across the country to push for stronger climate action and to protect and speak out for the environment in their individual lives. Filipinos were invited to share their hopes and dreams for a sustainable future through the hashtag #SpeakUpForNature, and to stand in solidarity with individuals from across the globe.

“While we exercise safety and stem the effects of the pandemic, we must also address the root causes, which is the degradation of nature compounded by climate change. Meanwhile, millions of low-income Filipinos suffer disproportionately from the impacts of climate change and loss of nature. In the midst of this dire situation, we do need to stay focused and solutions-oriented, and say that we can work with nature and not against it, and that nature should benefit all… How can we speak up for nature? The best way, really, is to let our actions do the talking,” said WWF-Philippines Executive Director Katherine Custodio.

Earth Hour Philippines 2021 is co-presented by CityMall. 

Dusit Thani Maldives welcomes professional tennis coach Jerome Becker

Wazzup Pilipinas?!

The ATP-ranked former champion delivers game-changing instruction in two tropical tennis camps

Where better to master the perfect serve than on a pristine Indian Ocean island? From 22 March to 10 April 2021, professional coach Jerome Becker will lead two 10-day camps combining targeted tennis instruction with a host of island activities, for an unforgettable retreat at the five-star Maldives resort.

With countless tournament successes in his native Germany and beyond, coach Jerome holds the highest A-license to train ATP players. He leverages his lifetime of tennis expertise to provide personalised and effective training to tennis enthusiasts, whether children, adults, beginners or advanced.

Dusit Thani Maldives welcomes the seasoned pro to the luxurious resort, where he will share his considerable skills with a maximum of eight participants in two exclusive tennis camps over the spring season. As well as the chance to improve forehand, backhand and everything in between with focused guidance from Jerome, camp attendees will enjoy a schedule of diverse activities.

Each camp opens with a chance to mingle at a twilight cocktail party. Sunrise yoga, beach fitness and functional stretching workshops support daily tennis practice, while sound bath and breathwork sessions provide opportunities to relax. Guided snorkelling excursions are a chance to explore the natural beauty that surrounds the resort and encounter exotic inhabitants including dolphins and manta rays. Regular camp dinners culminate in a beach party and prize-giving on the final day. Participants enjoy an action-packed ten days in paradise as well as gracious Dusit hospitality in world-class accommodation.

Jerome Becker’s tropical tennis camps take place from 22 to 31 March 2021 and from 1 to 10 April 2021. Spaces are strictly limited and early reservation is highly recommended. For more information, please contact resmaldives@dusit.com

One more The Apprentice candidate has a Pinoy connection: A Filipina Wife

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Roman Wilson may be born in Oklahoma, but he was bred by his experiences all across Asia.

Having that background is something the former American football stud is banking on as he seeks to make his dent as one of the 16 candidates in The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.

"I have worked in many different countries with many different people," he said. "So I think the ability, in The Apprentice setting, to be able to work and get along with people from other countries, is crucial."

Wilson could be considered as a globe-trotter, leaving the United States to go to Japan as he advanced in his athletic career after his days for Princeton.

But his daring persona, one who's willing to go out of his comfort zone, was greatly helped by the presence of his Filipina wife Carmina Mancenon-Wilson.

"I like to be in a place I don’t quite understand, where people are speaking a language I do not know, and everything’s operating a bit differently," he said.

Carmina, of course, was with Roman's side all the way.

It was she who exposed Wilson to the Filipino's way of life starting from the time Roman was still wooing her.

"The first week we met, she was visiting her parents in Japan when I was living there. We only had about a week of time to get to know each other before she had to fly back to graduate school in the US. She was only there for a week, but a week was enough time for me to know that I wanted to be with her. That's when we started to discuss if we want to start dating and pursue our relationship," Roman shared.

As relentless as Wilson was in the gridiron, he's just as intense in his pursuit of Carmina.

It didn't matter that they're miles apart from each other. Roman still found a way to Carmina's heart -- one he found through her parents who are living in Japan.

"After she went back to the US, I started the ligaw process with her parents," he said.

"I spent every weekend at her parents’ house in Japan, having lunch and dinner with them, talking to them, going to church with them, just actually spending time with her parents. It was a chance for me to understand her from the perspective of the people who have essentially formed who she is, who Carmina is today. And I sang Tagalog songs in front of the entire family and ate balut."

Once Wilson's playing career was over, he went back home and worked in the banking industry in New York City. It was in the Big Apple where he continued his courtship of Carmina and where the couple eventually got married.

Being the brazen warrior that Roman is, it was only a matter of time before the newly-weds sought another challenge: on to where they decide to head next. "We were deciding where we wanted to live, in New York or Asia? But we decided that we want to live and work in the Philippines since my wife and I are very passionate about the development in the country."

Soon, the Wilsons went to Carmina's home country and lived there for a few years, knowing more about each other while understanding the Philippine way of life.

"For me, the idea of moving to the Philippines was exciting because I got to know Carmina’s family, spend time with them, and visit destinations in the Philippines," Roman said.

In Manila, he worked in the healthcare industry and Roman had a first-hand look at the Filipinos' way of comradeship -- one that was in stark contrast to what he saw back in New York.

"I was familiar with Filipino social culture which is so jovial, friendly, upbeat, positive with so many jokes and so much laughing. And then you get into the work culture and much of that social culture translates over to the work culture," said Roman, who fell in love with lechon, the roasted suckling pig, back in his time in the Philippines.

"Before when I was working in New York, everything was direct, cutthroat, and fast-paced. But when I was working in Manila, things operates more slowly and you have to be more patient, I learned a lot about that. I learned how to socialize at work. There's less of a balance between social life and work life and that was quite a big adjustment for me."

The Wilsons soon left Manila for Singapore, but Roman could say that the lessons he got in his stay in the Philippines left a huge imprint in him -- one he finds beneficial in his quest at The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.

Of course, a big chunk of that comes from Carmina herself.

"She works in private equity, which is very demanding and an intellectually stimulating job," Roman said. "She’s able to give me insight on business, how to think about businesses and business problems, so from a technical standpoint, she gives me so much advice and help. And the biggest thing she provides is emotional support, encouraging me, and giving me the words of encouragement that I need."

That's why Wilson is counting on that adaptability in this high-stakes game of business competitions and physical challenges -- all for the prize of a US$250,000 job offer to work as ONE chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong's protégé at the ONE Championship Global Headquarters in Singapore for a year.

"I think my biggest edge is that I have a unique combination of work experience, fast-paced work experience doing banking and finance, coupled with my athletic experience, playing college and professional football, on top of my international experience," he said.

The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition is showing across Asia on AXN, the show’s official Asian broadcast partner, with markets to include Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.



The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition is also be available on other platforms and TV networks across Asia, including MediaCorp (Singapore), Abema (Japan), KompasTV (Indonesia), Amarin TV (Thailand), LINE TV (Thailand), One Sports (Philippines)