FOR  60 minutes on Saturday night, lights went out at 48 SM Supermalls all over the country and six in China in observance of Earth Hour, a movement that spearheads a yearly event that to raise consciousness on climate change and its adverse effects on the planet.

60 minutes. It takes only an hour or 60 minutes of darkness to mark Earth Hour, a global campaign for the environment with officials, corporate executives and citizens taking part in the switch-off in the cities of  Makati, Quezon and elsewhere in the Philippines. Among the participants in Eastwood-Libis are Megaworld executives (left panel)  and officials of Makati municipal officials.  TEDDY PELAEZ and  EY ACASIO

Several mall goers in Spiderman costume trooped to the SM Mall of Asia to take part in the ceremonial switch off at exactly 8:30 p.m.

Performers entertained the audience, many of whom had glow sticks, with energy saving presentations such as the use of led lights, fire, lanterns and percussion numbers, among others.

Performers included Talahid band, LED man, fire dancers and the Marching Band of SM MOA in light suits.

Ms. Earth winners and candidates also joined  the celebration with this year’s theme “Use Your Power”. Earth Hour featured its first ever superhero ambassador – Spiderman.

Lawyer Gia Ibay, Earth Hour National Director and WWF Philippines Climate and Energy Program Head told the crowd  the decision to make Spiderman the Earth Hour superhero ambassador comes at the best time because in the midst of the very evident effects of climate change, it tells  all of us that we can be superheroes in every bit of way, not matter how small it is.

Earth Hour, which uses the simple action of turning off lights for 60 minutes to highlight the need for decisive climate change solutions, has grown into a worldwide movement since it started in Australia in 2007.

Recognized as the world’s largest voluntary action for the environment, Earth Hour has reached 154 countries as of 2013, including 7000 towns and cities all over the world.

Model and TV Host Rovilson Fernandez, WWF National Ambassador hosted the program which ended at 9:30 p.m. when the lights were turned on once again.

The Philippines has been an active participant of Earth Hour since 2008.  It has earned the status of “Earth Hero Country,” having consistently registered the most number of towns taking part in the event.

Perkin Bentley So, SM’s Assistant Vice President for Operations, said SM, through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, is fully committed to Earth Hour that a total of 48 SM malls in the Philippines and six in China have participated in the hour-long switch off.