Philippines sets new world record in largest art lesson

MANILA, Philippines — More than 16,000 high schools students took part in the largest art lesson in Quezon City yesterday wherein they set a new world record, organizers said.

One of the organizers of the PINASayang Sining, Expressions Stationary Shop Inc. (ESSI), said 16,692 students from 32 high schools trooped to the Quezon Memorial Circle where they drew art works in a 45-minute session.

It surpassed the previous record under the Guinness World Records in India on Nov. 11, 2014 where there were 14,135 participants.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, impressed with the students’ efforts, gave them a one-day break on Monday.

“All of the students who are present here will have no classes this coming Monday,” Bautista said in his speech which elicited cheers from the audience.

ESSI marketing manager Riza Meneses said they were expecting around 25,000 students but some declined as their schools are located in places in Quezon City which were far from the venue.

Representatives from Guinness will conduct a validation before the result is made official. Organizers said the announcement whether they broke the current record by India is scheduled during ESSI’s gala night on April 20 at Manila Marriott Hotel.

Ferdinand Isleta, Arts Section Head of the National Commission for Culture and Arts, lauded ESSI for spearheading the activity which coincided with the National Arts Month.

“We hope to ignite our young artists to develop their artistic skills and promote our cultural heritage in the arts,” said Isleta in the same briefing.

Based on Isleta’s knowledge, it is the first attempt in the country to break the current record set in India.