SM Hosts Liter of Light’s Largest Solar Tribute to Sto. Niño De Cebu

HAND-BUILT solar lights illuminated the sky as “Liter of Light,” a Filipino-born global grassroots solar lighting movement, unveiled the largest solar tribute to Sto. Niño de Cebu to commemorate 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines at SM Seaside City Cebu.

“SM Seaside City Cebu is honored to be a partner of the Liter of Light organization in its effort to build the largest solar tribute to the Sto. Niño de Cebu to commemorate the 500 Years of Christianity (500 YOC). The theme of the 500 YOC is ‘Gifted to Give’ and it is but truly appropriate that the Liter of Light has gifted and given more than 350,000 lights in 15 countries all over the world. This monumental collaboration has truly given more significance as SM Seaside City Cebu and the Liter of Light organization join the Filipino nation in celebrating 500 Years of Christianity,” said Marissa Fernan, vice president, SM Prime Holdings Inc.

The first of its kind in the province, the solar lights installation which is a tribute to Sto. Niño de Cebu was built by thousands of participants who joined Liter of Light’s “Light it Forward” Challenge. The movement seeks to connect people and encourage them to build solar lights for communities without electricity.

“This would not be possible without SM Seaside City Cebu who has given us a wonderful area to be able to build this largest Sto. Niño. The largest mall in Visayas and Mindanao is one with the largest image of the Sto. Niño, which is the most sacred image in Cebu,” says Illac Diaz, Liter of Light’s founder and executive director.

The participative solar artwork is the latest in a series of large-scale solar installations that the Liter of Light has built since November 2020. The lighted image of Sto. Niño is displayed at SM Seaside City Cebu on April 26 and 27, to be followed by a lighted image of Lapu-Lapu on April 29.

The installation is being done in partnership with the Local Government of Cebu City, Philippines Air Asia, Rotary Club of Makati Business District, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM Cares, Dexcom Philippines Inc. and Lalamove. Collaborating institutions include Rotary Club District 3860, JCI Cebu Sinulog and Bigseed PR and Events.

For more updates, one can visit www.smsupermalls.com and follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms. One can also check out www.literoflight.org for more information.