Save-the-environment activities on Independence Day weekend

The Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), through its social responsibility programs, reinforces its commitment to preserve the planet with a series of environment-focused activities for the year.

For 2009, the society is collaborating with strategic CSR programs and stakeholders with environment as a priority area.

CSR initiatives kicked off with the turnover of a donation to the ABS-CBN Foundation for Bantay Kalikasan. The donation will be used to fund the Save the Pasig Program of the Foundation.

In last year’s 15^th National PR Congress, PRSP members pledged to “Heal the Earth.” With the global problem of climate change escalating and adversely affecting the environment, the PRSP encourages its members to become more conscientious PR practitioners by advocating all forms of energy conservation and environment protection at home and at their workplaces.

The PRSP’s CSR Committee spearheads earth-friendly initiatives to help preserve remaining natural resources of the earth and protecting the environment.

“As communications professionals, we are excellent advocates of environment preservation and protection awareness not just within the society but also among our family and friends, workplace peers, suppliers and industrial partners,” Cathy Ileto, CSR Committee Chair said. “We all must learn to do our share, no matter how small, in influencing others to use resources efficiently.”

As a continuing commitment of the PR society to the care of environment, the committee invites PRSP members to to join activities this June.

For the third consecutive year, the Philippine Department of Tourism will host the “Celebrate the Sea Festival” in Manila Ocean Park on June 12 to 14, 2009. PRSP’s CSR Committee partnered with Ocean Geographic Society in support of Proclamation No. 1512 made by the Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who declared in 2008 the month of June as “Celebrate the Sea Month” and every second Saturday of June as “Celebrate the Sea Day”. Celebrate the Sea festival promotes conservation and marine tourism, providing education and entertainment for greater awareness of our ocean environment.

In this year’s celebration, some of the world’s most renowned ocean luminaries, underwater image makers and ocean lovers will meet in Manila Ocean Park on June 11 for the final judging of an international underwater imagery and competition that has received over 5,000 entries from over 39 countries.

National Geographic’s David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes, and BBC’s Blue Planet cinematographer Peter Scoones will lead the official opening of Celebrate the Sea on June 12 highlighted by a Diver’s Party in the evening.

On June 13, the first Underwater Mardi Gras of the ocean’s flora and fauna with participants from the provinces of the Philippines will parade from Roxas Boulevard to Manila Ocean Park at 4 p.m.. “This is the first ever mardi gras-like event of the sea that will be filled with music and dancing on the streets of Roxas Boulevard, to the soul and rhythmic beat of the unique spirit of the Filipino people, that will certainly leave a fun-filled and lasting memory,” assured DOT Undersecretary Cynthia Carrion.

Filipinos will also be given the privilege to watch the special premiere of National Geographic’s “Into the Abyss” which will reveal for the first time deep-sea animals from the Celebes Sea and the book launching of “Philippines–Heart of the Ocean” authored by award-winning photographer Michael Aw.

The main venue for the festival is again, the Manila Ocean Park – the first state-of-the-art Oceanarium with an open water marine habitat, boutiqe mall and restaurants at the Manila Bay. Master pass packages are now available for international visitors and local residents at P1,300 while Day Pass is P650. For more information, please visit www.celebratethesea.com or email cts@oneocean.com.

The Celebrate the Sea Festival is a non-profit event produced by OceanNEnvironment Australia. The co-partners and principal sponsors for 2009 are the Department of Tourism, Philippines and PCSSD with Rolex continuing its unstinting support as a major sponsor since inception hosting of Rolex’s ambassador. Manila Ocean Park is a principal venue sponsor. The Public Relations Society of the Philippines’ CSR Committee and HIM Communications serve as this year’s PR partners.

For media inquiries, please email info@himcommunications.com or call +632.9108030 or +63.917.8918998.