MANILA, Philippines - The Bistro Group of Restaurants turned off its lights and encouraged guests to dine by candlelight for one hour to show what “burning love” is all about — love for Mother Nature.
Bistro launched last May “Lights Off for a New Glow,” an environment-friendly campaign in support of Earth Hour. Non-essential lights were simultaneously turned off for one hour in all branches of T.G.I. Friday’s, Italianni’s, Fish & Co., Flapjacks, Billy Rock, Pig Out, The Stock Market, and Krazy Garlik. Tables then went aglow with tea-light candles, lending a cozy and romantic ambience while espousing a good cause.
Even with the big switch-off, guests still savored their favorite salads, appetizers, entrees, pastas, pizzas, desserts and beverages with gusto. A guest who was celebrating his birthday at Italianni’s felt special when the wait staff (who wore glow-in-the-dark accessories) sang to him a birthday song amid the glow of tea lights. “I have long wanted to do my part in saving the earth, so it was really nice that the campaign’s launch coincided with my birthday. This was a reminder for me to celebrate my connection with Mother Nature,” he said.
“The aim of the campaign is to create public awareness on pressing environmental concerns. We believe that this one small act can create a ripple effect,” said Lisa Ronquillo, Bistro Group assistant vice president for marketing. The company’s “Lights Off for a New Glow” campaign is being implemented every second and fourth Saturday of the month until the end of the year. On these days, non-essential light across all Bistro restaurants will be turned off from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
At Bistro restaurants, dine in the dark for an hour and help save Mother Earth.
Earth Hour is organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It encourages households, businesses, and communities to turn off lights and other appliances for one hour as their contribution to help protect our planet from the adverse effects of climate change.