PH aims to make and break Guinness world records

Putting the country on some sort of global map of greatness has always been somewhat of a preoccupation for Filipinos, but History Channel indulges Pinoys in more record-breaking feats beginning April 8, dubbed the World Record Week.

Jacque M. Ruby, the country head of A+E Network Asia that runs History Channel, says they and their partners aim to show how Filipinos can positively impact the world. “It is to show that we Filipinos make history,” he said during a press briefing. “That is what History programs are all about – ordinary people doing extraordinary stuff every day. I represent the channel that brings to viewers stories of people all over the world making history and that is exactly what we want to do through this event.”

FROM LEFT: Shakey’s Chez Manalaysay; The Medical City Corporate Communications Manager Anne Ruth dela Cruz; A+E Networks Asia’s Country Head Jacque M. Ruby; Ropali Motorcycles General Manager Aldous Rex Alingog; OraCare Brand Manager Guia Talag; and Center for Culinary Arts’ Chef Tristan Encarnacion

Recalling breaking another record when he was still with another company, Ruby thought what would be better than to make history for History, so to speak. The question was: How do we top the previous record. He explains, “We decided, why don’t we break five records? So I approached my loyal partners and my new friends to come up with at least five records to break.” He describes them as “big ticket events,” noting that the aim to make and break records reflects the channels tagline: “Leave your mark.”

The records they are going for are:

LARGEST SIDECAR PARADE

To be held in Kawayan, Isabela on April 8, partner Ropali Motorcycles says the parade is essentially for what we locally call tricycles, but any motorcycle with sidecar – with or without ornaments – can join. As per requirements, no two tricycles can be separated in length equivalent to two vehicles, the motorcycles cannot be tied together, and the parade cannot stop.

Aldous Alingog, Ropali’s general manager, says, “Currently, the record stands for the most motorcycle with sidecars at, I think, 317. I’m proud to say that we have 500 registrants now for the tricycle parade. So that one, I’m pretty sure that we will break the record…” Ropali celebrates their 40th anniversary in May, and this is great pre-anniversary publicity.

LARGEST BURNOUT OF MOTORCYCLE TIRES

From merely showing up to actually presenting some skills on two wheels, this event will be held in Tagaytay on April 11. Because it does require technique and could also pose some danger, Alingog says there will be a seminar for participants on how to do the burnout – which is “when you hold on to your front brakes and then you rev your engines while bike is on gear so that you’ll turn and then your wheel at the back turns on the spot and creates like a burnout,” he explains. Both these motorcycle-related world record challenges haven’t been done here before.

LARGEST REUNION OF PEOPLE BORN IN THE SAME HOSPITAL

Celebrating their 48th year in October this year, The Medical City should not have a problem coming up with a master list of more than enough people to help set this record. “The challenge for us is to get people to enlist… although I believe (ang) Filipinos (ay) mahilig sa last minute,” says the hospital’s Corporate Communications Manager Anne Ruth dela Cruz for the event slated on April 12.

“This is also our way of telling our patients that we are not only the hospital in Ortigas. We also have hospitals in Clark, in Iloilo. We’ll be opening a hospital soon in Sta. Rosa. And not many people also know that we also have more or less 30 clinics all over Metro Manila, and one in Iloilo and one in Lipa,” notes dela Cruz.

LARGEST GATHERING OF BALUT DISHES AND RECIPES

Championing a bit of our food and culture, this event also happening on April 12. Chef Tristan Encarnacion, former resident chef on “Unang Hirit,” says that while balut is a delicacy here, foreigners still consider it a “taboo order.” He adds, “So what we’re doing is to make it more palatable to each and everyone not just here but also to the foreigners who are here in the country, and those abroad. We’re promoting Filipino excellence and Filipino cuisine all over the world.”

Backed by the Center of Culinary Arts, which Encarnacion says is the first-ever culinary school in the country, the challenge they foresee is the similarity in some of the recipes, but they are banking on the originality of Pinoys.

FASTEST TIME TO EAT A 22-INCH PIZZA

According to Ruby, the record isn’t just for any kind of pizza. “Based on the guidelines there is a minimum weight, and it should be a 12-inch pizza, and with a topping of either cheese or tomato.” It sounds simple enough, especially for pizza lovers, but there’s a catch. Participants have to eat them with knife and fork, and they are not supposed to leave any piece – however small – on their plates.

Partner Shakey’s, which is celebrating its 40th year, has already been formulating different customized pizzas, adhering to the standards of course, in hopes of besting the 41.31-second record set in Burbank, California. They do have a list of participants, too, that are supposedly already undergoing “training” – lucky them. At the time of this announcement, though, they were still looking to enlist women.

MOST NUMBER OF PEOPLE SIMULTANEOUSLY GARGLING WITH MOUTHWASH

Celerating their 10 year anniversary this month, partner OraCare is vying for their first world record. Brand manager Guia Talad says they need at least 2,500 participants to break the record on April 12, but is confident they will reach the target because, she points out, “Everybody knows we need mouthwash.”

Ruby notes participants are only required to gargle for 15 seconds, but that their partners are trying to set the record for one minute. Talad proudly says their brand has a no-sting formula ideal for people to “gargle for one minute to be able to get rid of the bacteria inside your mouth instead of just gargling for 10 or 15 seconds.” Aside from trumping Filipino excellence, given that their product is manufactured by locally owned Pascual Laboratories, they hope to promote good oral hygiene.

PH aims to make and break Guinness world records

Source: Mb.com.ph (April 03, 2015 at 10:00PM)

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