Women’s rights protesters temporarily block the flow of traffic at the corner of Timog Avenue and Scout Tobias in Quezon City on Thursday to deliver their message for the coming elections. The group scored what they perceive as presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncements against women. (MNS photo)
DAVAO CITY (PNA) – Davao City is all set for the simultaneous singing of national anthem, an attempt to break the Guinness world record currently held by Bangladesh.
From security arrangement, venue preparation, distribution of IDs to the deployment of vehicles to ferry participants to Crocodile Park are all set for the event dubbed: Most People Singing Simultaneously the National Anthem Entry to the Guinness Book of World Record.
The event, which will be held on May 7 at 5 p.m. in Crocodile Park, Maa, Diversion Road, targets to gather 300,000 participants in a single location. The current record held by Bangladesh last year was 264,000.
Aside from breaking world record, the event is also a show of unity. Arnold Garbanzos, one of the organizers said it will mark the end of the political campaign although it is not part of a political exercise.
“We went through a political exercise that divided the people. It is on the last day of the campaign period so we are also taking advantage on that,” he said. “Our (primary) purpose is to unite all Filipinos,” he added.
He said after the singing people can stay and watch via live feed the rallies in Luzon and Cebu and the miting de avance of Davao’s own leader presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in Luneta.
Edison Bimbo Morales for his part said, the simultaneous singing of the national anthem for the Guinness was started by Israel in 2008. In 2009, Iligan vied for world record with 5,248 participants. This was followed by India with 145,000 then Pakistan. India was however disqualified after six months. Morales is one of the organizers of the event.
“I believe the participation of Davao can hit the record because it is the largest city in the world,” Morales said adding that they only need to be careful in the documentation for qualification.
Aside from Davao City, there are also groups joining under the category of multiple locations namely in Tagum, General Santos City, Pilila in Rizal and Luneta in Manila.
There are also satellite areas in the regional centers and urban cities, schools, religious groups, among others.
Morales said the registration will start in the morning of May 7 at the Crocodile Park which has been divided into 6,000 grids with corresponding color coding. He said about 400,00 IDs will be distributed with corresponding barcodes that will be scanned once participants enter the venue.
Morales said it would be better for participants to start going to the venue early to avoid traffic. The singing of the national anthem will only take one minute and 35 seconds.
While inside the venue, Morales said participants are treated to a live entertainment by local artists prior to the singing of national anthem, which takes place only in the afternoon. But participants are advised to “bring your own baon”. Bottles of water will be given for free to participants.
They are also ready with security. Aside from police officers, 50 persons are assigned as marshalls. The security measures applied in big events in Davao will also apply for this Guinness event such as no bringing of backpacks, canisters, among others.
Rocky Balili of the Duterte National Secretariat, said an area where people can leave their baggage will be set up.
He said vehicle will also be available to pick up participants and ferry them back to the pick-up points. Three buses will be stationed from 9 a.m. in Ulas Junction, SM City Ecoland, NCCC Mall, Gaisano Mall, SM Lanang, Panacan, Country Homes in Cabantian, City Hall, Agdao Flyover. (PNA)