In celebration of the Earth Hour Switch-Off, sustainability took center stage at SustainaBILITY: A POP QC Eco Fair, which showcased local businesses championing eco-friendly products and responsible consumption.
Among those entrepreneurs who showcased their locally-made products was Virginia Tibina, who sells placemats, pot holders, and keychains made from recycled scrap fabric.
Tibina shared that her daughter personally makes the items as a side hustle while she is studying.
"She makes this during her free time," she told the DAILY TRIBUNE.
Tibina emphasized that the A POP QC Eco Fair is important because it helps micro, small, and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs) market their products.
Also among the featured products were Elior Smokeless Candles, made with vegetable-based non-toxic wax, and Yeskah's Eco-Friendly Shop which sells paper-based seed bomb.
For Araneta City, Earth Hour is more than a symbolic switch-off, according to its Vice President for Marketing Marjorie Go.
"It's a call to action—a reminder that every small choice we make can add up to real change. Beyond simply turning off the lights in Araneta City, we are encouraging everyone to turn on their sense of responsibility," Go continued.
"The power to create a brighter future belongs to each of us. So for this year's Earth Hour, we are not just observing. We are moving for the future, and we invite everyone to move with us," she added.
The fair, initiated by Araneta City, also hosted eco talks discussing resource efficiency and plastic-free solutions. It will run until Sunday, 23 March.
The event is part of the local government of Quezon City's initiative to support MSMEs while promoting sustainable practices within the city.