Text by Ted Regencia/Photo: Joem Bayawa

Chicago, IL — For the first time in the 39-year history of the Chicago Gay Pride Parade, a contingent of Filipinos joined in the festivities Sunday, June 29, capping their trailblazing participation with a victory in the Best Organization Float category.

An estimated 450,000 people — 25,000 more than last year, according to reports — gave the Filipino and Friends in Chicago (FINC) and other parade participants a wild and frenzied welcome. FINC is an organization of young Filipino professionals in the Windy City.

“We really want to highlight the rich and colorful culture of the Philippines, and make known to the world that as Filipinos, we are proud to be a part of the Chicago community,” Oliver Cutamora, a founding member said.

FINC’s street performance, a fusion of native Filipino dances and modern rhythms, conceptualized by professional choreographers Mike Vallente and Chip Payos, sent the crowd into loud cheers.

[Read the full article at Ted Regencia Reports]

ZanortePride at Chicago’s Gay Pride Parade 2008

Photos from Sunday’s Chicago Pride Parade with Zanortepride members and friends. Neither rain nor sun could stop the huge crowd who came to witness one of the nation’s largest gatherings of its kind.

More at ZanortePride.com

Go here to view the FLICKR photo set by Joem Bayawa

Climate change has never been a more pressing concern than today, and this year, Manila, led by the World Wildlife Fund, joins 23 other cities across the globe in supporting Earth Hour’s statement on global warming by turning off the lights for one hour on March 29, 2008, at 8 p.m.

Began in Sydney, Australia, on March 31, 2007, and participated in by some 2.2 million people and 2,100 Sydney businesses, Earth Hour proved that individual action done by many can help change our planet for the better.

Calculations show that the greenhouse reduction achieved in the Sydney Central Business District during Earth Hour, when sustained for a year, would be equivalent to taking 48,616 cars off the road for the same period. That certainly amounts to a lot, and it got the world to listen, which is why the Earth Hour campaign is going global.

So aside from turning off the lights for an hour on March 29, what else can you do? Earth Hour offers you some tips.

Please tell friends about this campaign by e-mailing this page.

Check out:
Official Earth Hour Website
Earth Hour Manila page

[via our partner site, PinoyCentric]