MANILA, Philippines - SM Supermalls, in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union of the Philippines, Embassy of France, Goethe-Institut and ABS-CBN Foundation, recently unreeled the Second Science Film Festival at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA), premiering Of Forests and Men, a short film by Yann Artus-Bertrand.
With the theme Nurturing the Home of Our People, the festival celebrated UNESCO’s declaration of 2011 as the International Year of the Forest, highlighting the significance of forests in relation to science, technology, development and most importantly, humanity.
A joint project with the Department of Education and the Department of Science and Technology, the festival also aimed to raise the curiosity of children and reverse their declining interest in science over recent years. A science fair was also held on the same day in cooperation with the National Library of the Philippines, Museo Pambata, Quezon City Interactive Science Center/FELTA Multi-Media Center, Philippine Science Centrum and ASEAN Center for Biodiversity.
Because the festival also coincided with the Clean Air Month, a bike tour from Marikina City Hall to SM Marikina was held to promote non-motorized forms of transportation. More than 400 bikers joined in the bike run sponsored by Firefly Brigade.