SAN RAFAEL, Bulacan (Philippines)—Two thousand residents dressed as angels bagged for the town the Guinness World Book of Records with the “Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Angels” in a successful attempt on Saturday held at Ricardo Silverio Sr. Gymnasium.
Local folks, ages 17-68 dressed in angels with improvised wings, halo and holding candles created a heavenly feel and atmosphere inside the gymnasium after Kazuyoshi Kirimura, Guinness World Book of Records Adjudicator announced that that they have beaten the 1,275 record with Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Angels of Manitoba, Canada in 2015.
“San Rafael, Bulacan is now Guinness World Book of Records title holder with Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Angels,” the result the officials and residents of the town have been longing to hear during the day.
The participants in a group of 50’s manned and assisted by respective stewards started to line up at 1:00 p.m. for the 4:00 p.m. start of the program where the official count began as they were held inside the gymnasium.
As they were all seated at the front and both sides of the gymnasium, all the 2,000 “angels” put themselves in a steady position for 1 minute, where they were not allowed to move or make any gesture and in no less than an hour, the most awaited announcement was made by Guinness.
The patron saint of the town, San Rafael is one of the seven archangels who stand before the throne of God and is also known as the patron for healing, the travelers, the blind and medical workers.
A statue of San Rafael holding a fish that he used in healing sick people based on a story in the bible is also displayed in the stage before the 2,000 local angels.
Lawyer and former Board Member of the third district of Bulacan Emily Isidro-Viceo began the Angel Festival in 2000 during the term of her husband, former San Rafael Mayor Jaime “Boy” Viceo to bring a distinct identity to their town.
Since then, the annual Angel Festival is being held every September 29 feast of San Rafael where an interpretative street dancing is being held to promote San Rafael.
Mayor Cholo Violago spent his own personal money to dress up the 2000 “local angels” including their afternoon and evening meals.
“Annually, we hold the Angel Festival to promote our very dear municipality. This is the time we all have been waiting for, for our town to be known worldwide. These are all the efforts of the people of San Rafael. We are now in the world record,” the mayor said.
San Rafael is a premier agricultural town being a major rice producer and livestock raiser and which also produces “balut” (incubated duck egg). Situated along the Angat River, it is now also a booming tourism municipality with 65 resorts.
Aiza Mapoy, municipal administrator of San Rafael said the preparation for the title took them five months but everything was worth it because their town is now a Guinness Record holder.
San Rafael celebrates a whole month of December Christmas season and spirit, festivity and mood through daily food and merchandise stalls at the government center just outside the Ricardo Gymnasium with glittering lights and daily fireworks show.
