ABOUT 15 million Filipinos from 647 areas in the country participated in Earth Hour last Saturday, topping the global register in Asia.

From being second last year to Greece, the Philippines made it to first rank when it came to participate this year, said Yeb Sano, a representative of Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Panagbenga 2009 blog

Greece came second this time with 484 areas taking part in the activity.

The initial participation expected from the Philippines was 273 towns, cities, provinces, municipalities -- from Batanes to Tawi-tawi.

"Earth Hour Philippines is an astounding success," Sano said.

In Metro Manila, a concert/switch-off ceremony at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City was graced by Earth Hour ambassadors and local bands. Similar events took place in major cities all over the country.

The ceremony was broadcast live to homes around the country by Studio 23, one of the largest television networks in the Philippines.

Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes is thankful for the participation of over 640 cities, municipalities, and provinces.

Reyes pointed to the Philippines as being the first in Southeast Asia to support the "meaningful program."

Earlier, WWF communications officer Gregg Yan said: "The Philippines participated in Earth Hour because we don't want to lose."

On why the campaign has turned massive, he said: "Earth Hour is an idea that relies heavily on social networking; if we tell it to our friends, it quickly spreads."

Earth Hour is an initiative of WWF, the Department of Energy, Green Army Network, and Switch Movement. (Justine Paredes/Sunnex)