Beating Pakistan for largest flaming image Iloilo, Phl set new Guinness record

CEBU, Philippines -  The Philippines, particularly Iloilo, is now the record holder of the world's largest flaming image using candles during the annual "Light of Peace" event Monday evening at the 20-hectare lot of Camella's Savannah City in Oton town of Iloilo.

More than 50,000 participants, who braved the intermittent rains, cheered as Seyda Subasi-Gemici, Guinness Book of World Records representative, announced that the country's bid has broken Pakistan's record of 35,478 candles.

Gemici said 56,680 candles were simultaneously lit, depicting the Philippines' map and the Light of Peace logo, and kept it aflame for at least five seconds.

The number was a far cry from the organizers' initial target of 100,000 candles, but it did not dampen the spirit of the crowd who went on to celebrate the record-breaking feat with participants from other countries.

The event was spearheaded by the Middle Way Meditation Institute (Iloilo) and seven other core organizers - the Thailand-based MMI, the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG), the Archdiocese of Jaro, the province and city governments of Iloilo, the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Education.

Former Senator Manuel Villar, Jr., chairman of the Villar Group of Companies, said our country is surrounded with conflicts, violence, calamities and suffering that brought hunger and world peace seems a distance reality, but now, peace is not possible, its humanity can achieve. "We will continue the spirit of community beyond this event to continue cultivating that peace is possible," he said.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said peace has been the dream of all the nations, war countries should lay down their nuclear weapon and say peace to all to achieve inner peace. "We should not stop dreaming big and very big. Every dream begins within. Let's just watch miracle as lights merge," he said.

MMI chairperson Anat Asavabokhin said no such happiness could ever explain experiencing the joy brought by meditation within. "Seeking happiness can find in the center of body and everlasting peace that we are longing for is already come true," she said.

Senator Cynthia Villar, representing Villar SIPAG, said: "Let us show our genuine will to promote world peace by cultivating in ourselves inner peace. With each of us being a light of peace, amidst our religious differences, we will be able to unite and attain world peace."

During the 1st Light of Peace event on May 24, last year at the University of the Philippines-Visayas in Miagao, Iloilo, the country also set the Guinness Book of World Records with the "most sky lanterns flown simultaneously."

Participants at the time launched 15,185 sky lanterns, breaking the record of 12,470 lanterns set by Romania on June 2012. (FREEMAN)