THE Quezon City government urged businesses and residents to observe the celebration of Earth Hour 2025 by switching off non-essential lights for one hour today (Saturday, March 22) from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

A ceremonial switch-off will be at the Robinsons Magnolia to mark the occasion bringing the community together in support of sustainability and climate action.

QC mayor Joy Belmonte cited the importance of the event especially in the country’s economic concerns.

“When we switch off our lights, we do more than conserve energy—we are taking a stand against the rising greenhouse gas emissions fueling climate change. It’s a simple act that reminds us of our impact on the planet and the need for urgent action,” said Belmonte, a UN Environment Program Champion of the Earth awardee.

According to the QC public information office, the event which will start at 4 p.m., will also feature interactive exhibits, sustainability talks, and a special screening of A Thousand Forests, a 2024 Philippine coming-of-age musical film written by Jeff Ocampo and directed by Hanz Florentino.

The highlight of the evening, the official lights-off ceremony will be led by Mayor Joy Belmonte, alongside Robinsons Magnolia representatives and other local government officials.

Joel Lumanlan, Robinson’s Malls vice president and head of operations and marketing, said that the event reflects the management’s strong commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Mayor Belmonte said that coming together for Earth Hour is a step towards a cleaner, more resilient, and more sustainable QC.

Earth Hour is one of the world’s largest grassroots environmental movements, engaging millions of people across more than 190 countries in a unified call for climate action.

As the world faces the growing impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss, events like Earth Hour highlight the urgent need for sustainable solutions at both local and global levels.

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Joel dela Torre