Cebu City to host Earth Summit this weekend

CEBU, Philippines – Non-government organizations, government agencies, local government units, businesses and universities will gather in Cebu City this weekend for the Cebu Earth Summit.

The Earthdance Cebu 2010 website said it will be the first time, not only in the Philippines, but internationally, that a city held its own Earth Summit, which is slated on Saturday and Sunday at the Family Park in Barangay Talamban.

The summit will form part of the "EarthDance Festival," which is celebrated in more than 300 locations in over 50 cities worldwide. As part of the EarthDance celebra-tions, organizers are also holding a two-day Earth Summit.

"The Cebu Earth Summit will be the largest convergence of environmental, sustainable community development, renewable energy and organic farming NGOs, along with the government agencies, green businesses and universities that Cebu has ever seen," said Geoff Holland, the director of the festival, in a press release posted at the EarthDance Cebu 2010 website.

People who would come to witness the event would be treated to an array of performances, exhibits, seminars, films and workshops. There will be free children's arts workshops as well as children's yoga sessions.

"The concept of a city holding its own annual Earth Summit is sure to catch on internationally. But we will remind the world that it was here in Cebu City that we first showed the way," Holland said.

Early Saturday morning, Mayor Michael Rama will lead the Bicycle Rally from Ayala Mall to the Family Park where he will officially open the program for the Earth Summit activities.

The entry fee to Family Park has been waived so EarthDance Cebu 2010/Cebu Earth Summit has free admission.

For more information on the Cebu Earth Summit, interested parties may visit http://jagatrubio.com/earthdancecebu. -/WAB (FREEMAN)