Now in its fourth year in the Philippines, Earth Hour again aims to engulf the entire country – from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi – in darkness. The hour-long event, which was birthed in Australia in 2007 and embraced by the Philippines in 2008, was created to empower people to address climate change via a 60-minute switch-off. Earth Hour 2011 differs from all previous observances by focusing on what citizens can do beyond the switch-off.

“Earth Hour is a simple act that emphasizes both the ease and importance of adopting energy-efficient practices and lifestyles,” says Earth Hour National Director Atty. Gia Ibay, who also leads the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) Climate Unit. “Given ever-increasing energy demands, we must be mindful of the need to control human-induced global warming by adopting smarter and more responsible energy practices.”

The Philippines topped global Earth Hour participation levels for both 2009 and 2010. Ten million Filipinos in 647 towns, cities and municipalities switched off in 2009, while 15 million Filipinos in 1076 towns and cities joined the 2010 switch-off. Over a billion people from 128 countries participated in Earth Hour 2010 – marking it as the largest environmental event in known human history. Read the rest of this entry »

The time to defy your limits is now. Run amidst the clouds at 6,000++ feet above sea level as Columbia Sportswear, an earth-friendly multi-sports brand that caters to a wide range of outdoor activities, hosts its first Eco Trail Race on March 20, 2011.

A number of endurance runners have already signed up for the first in a series of Eco Trail Runs organized by the premier outdoor brand. A beauty and beast of a course, the race happens in Baguio City—which boasts of being the perfect venue for a thrilling trail race, with its picturesque mountains and challenging terrain.

The race, held at the Camp John Hay and begins at precisely 5:30 a.m., has two trail length options for both elite and fun runners—10K and 6K, all on beautiful dynamic trails with some gravel road sections. Come see and run around the camp area and its surroundings, a challenging route that will be a real test of endurance for elite athletes and aspiring individuals.

Registration fee is P350, inclusive of the race jersey, bib, and clay medals for finishers. For a copy of the map, log on to www.facebook.com/columbiasportswear_ph.

Over P50,000.00 worth of cash and Gift Certificate prizes await runners. Interested participants may register at Columbia Sportswear Stores and R.O.X. (Recreational Outdoor eXchange).

This event is also supported by R.O.X., Res/Toe/Run, Holiday Park Hotel, Camp John Hay, UP Baguio Mountaineers, 100 Plus, Summit Natural Drinking Water, Hero Sausages, Business Mirror, Total Fitness, Front Runner, Dispatch magazine,  and One Sport magazine.

In addition to Columbia Sportswear’s roster of stores, it has opened its new door in SM Baguio and is ready to blaze a trail.

Columbia Sportswear is exclusively distributed by the Primer Group of Companies.

Salomon XR Crossmax Neutral

Salomon, the global leader in trail running, introduces XR Crossmax Neutral trail running shoes. Designed to provide unmatched fit, grip and response for athletes who incorporate all surfaces into their training regimen, the XR Crossmax Neutral benefits from the best of Salomon’s technical expertise.

Developed in collaboration with Jonathan Wyatt, 6 time World Champion in mountain running and 2 time Olympian in Marathon, XR Crossmax Neutral provides a combination of comfort and durability, grip, and ride that performs well both on fast, firm paths and more technical trails. Salomon breaks the technical advantages of XR down to three essential components. Read the rest of this entry »