MANILA, Philippines - What a difference an hour makes! Earth Hour came and went but the enormous positive impact on our stressed global conditions was astounding.

Even more important than the energy savings from the one-hour timeout was the lasting, long-term influence on millions of Filipinos and other world citizens.

Indeed, the first step to fight global warming is to create global awareness. Earth Hour proved that people could become aware and, more importantly, be moved to action to combat climate change.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Philippines organized an Earth Hour Party encompassing the entire stretch of Roxas Boulevard, spanning three cities.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines? fountain area was the backdrop for the symbolic ?switch off? ceremony of the Philippine Earth Hour Ambassadors.

An amazing video on YouTube captures the de-energizing of the world?s third largest mall, the SM Mall of Asia, with its gigantic globe sculpture and entire streetscape turning dark. All of the SM Supermalls nationwide also participated in Earth Hour.

Check out www.earthhour.org and see the great videos from all over the world.

Makati City did its share of awareness and shut down its lights in the Central Business District and all barangays. All Ayala malls and Ayala-owned-and-maintained buildings dutifully participated as well.

Not to be outdone, my most frequented mall, Power Plant at Rockwell, was dark for an hour, too.

Good thing there are a lot of hours in a day to go shopping! My cook?s-day-off, alternative kitchen, Milky Way, was romantically lit by candlelight for an hour.

Over the summer months, Rockwell will stage themed bazaars offering unique finds and the hottest trends for the season.
Unique finds

Recently concluded was TV mom and kids? book author Tintin Bersola?s week long bazaar. Next weekend, April 18-20, the first Urban Bazaar will be held at the Rockwell Tent.

Gearing up for the summer holidays has never been so much fun. The metro?s most promising and creative, burgeoning designers and entrepreneurs have lined up their fantastic merchandise.

Check out one of my current favorites, young and talented fashion designer Mich Araullo, who creates fun and stylish dresses.

Another designer to visit is Isabel H. Lopez for her ?Isabel? creations in timeless styles, quality and unique fabrics at reasonable prices. With an impressive background in fashion and merchandising, Isabel
understands the feminine silhouette and how best to accentuate curves.

Her second collection this summer, ?La vie Boheme,? is made of soft, flowing fabrics of chiffon, cotton and silk, all perfect for day-to-evening looks.

The best part about shopping in Rockwell is that credit cards are accepted. For those looking for that ideal credit card, HSBC has a promo that will entice you to avail of one of the bank?s credit cards, all loaded with perks.

Until the end of May, apply for a new HSBC credit card and with a minimum spend of P3,000, every approved applicant receives a Kenneth Cole Reaction wallet and a key fob gift set.

At the HSBC promo launch, models paraded down the runway sporting Kenneth Cole leather handbags and shoes in rich earth tones like tobacco, mustard and cream, set off by cool bangles and jewelry.
The youthful and distinctively fashion-forward designs of Kenneth Cole are great items to have for summer.

Newly posted HSBC SVP Christopher Rourke noted that this perfect promo offers convenience, ease and style, making life easier and more enjoyable for the people who have them.

With the wide selection of HSBC credit cards, like the Mabuhay Miles Visa or HSBC Red MasterCard, all HSBC cardholders get the best value for their money with countless perks, rewards and goodies.

Call 85800, visit www.hsbc.com.ph or visit your nearest HSBC branch.

I use an HSBC Red card for shopping and to rack up rewards points. My most recent swipes were in Gift Gate and Swatch.
The fairy godmother of Hello Kitty-land, Virgie Ramos, introduced me to the son of Sanrio founder Kunihiko Tsuji at her Swatch Leap Party and I was so thrilled to meet him. He handed me cute Sanrio trinkets, knowing I would love them.

Marathon training

What a difference a minute makes! As I continue my marathon training with triathlon champion Ani de Leon, I seem to be shaving minutes from my running times.

At the recently completed Mizuno race, I ran my personal best for 15K on a really hilly route. It didn?t help that it was the hottest day of summer, and it sure felt that way because of the lack of water at the drinking stations.

No matter. What is important is the continuous challenge to keep fit and healthy. Speaking of which, I am so happy that my flamenco classes with sultry Ginajane Grey have started again.
Ginajane has had a minor health hiccup, but we are all with her in battling the problem, with prayers and positive energies.

Health is so critical for us all. Recently, GlaxoSmithKline introduced me to their cervical-cancer vaccine. I did some research and discovered that GSK?s vaccine is made for females 10 years old and up and that it?s the only cervical cancer vaccine approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs for women older than 26 years. Ask your doctor about it.

I consulted my OB-gyn, Dr. Annabelle Aherrera, and she told me the special, three-part dosage protects women from two of the most common cancer-causing strains of the human palillomavirus. With that, I started on the vaccine and have just completed my last dose.

As a woman, I am glad that there is now a preventive step in the fight against the number-two cancer afflicting Filipino women.

Other celebrities who came to express support for GSK?s vaccination advocacy included model Abbygale Arenas-de Leon, TV host Ruby Rodriguez, beauty queen Miriam Quiambao and dermatologist Vicki Belo.

In the case of this vaccine, well, what a difference a dose makes!

E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph.