GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS. Sorsogon Governor Francis Chiz Escudero receives the plaque of recognition as they bag the largest numbers of Filipino folk dancing called Pantomina sa tinampo (dance of love and courtship in the street) from Guinness Book of World Records adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar (left) together with the governor's wife, actress Heart Evangelista. "Pantomina" is a well known Bicolano "dance of love and courtship." (Photo by Jorge Hallare)
SORSOGON CITY---- Sorsogon has bagged the Guinness Book of World Records as at least 7,127 Sorsoganons have participated in the largest number of dancers to perform the Pantomina sa Tinampo (dance of love and courtship in the street).
"Pantomina" is a well known Bicolano "dance of love and courtship."
The "Pantomina sa Tinampo" on Thursday afternoon as part of the month-long celebration of "Kasanggayahan (bountiful) festival began which began around 5 p.m. with Gov.Francis "Chiz" Escudero, his wife Heart Evangelista, and other local officials and employees led the dancing that lasted for about 30 minutes in all major streets in this city.
The dancing was participated in by mostly residents of various towns, teachers, students, private and government employees clad in "camisa de chino" for all the male participants and colorful Filipiniana dress for the female participants.
Airyn Flestado, an elementary school teacher of Prieto Diaz town, said they were there in the venue as early as 1 p.m. for the tagging by representatives of Guinness Book of World Records led by adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar.
Flestado said they were very happy and proud after the announcement that they got the Guinness world record.
"Sulit lahat ng pagod namin sa ilang linggo na pagsasanay sa sayaw at sa halos apat na oras na pagtayo sa kalye bago simulan ang pantomina (Our hard work for several weeks of practicing the dance and almost more than four hours of standing on the street to wait for the pantomina to begin have paid off)," she added.
During the announcement, Dangarikar said while the dancing is on-going he roamed around the streets to personally watch and observe if the rules and guidelines set were met to break the record.
"It's not about the number, I've seen all the evidence, I have check all venues are performing. I am very happy to say that with 7,127 people, you have broken the record. This is a new record to break!" Dangarikar said.
Escudero, meanwhile, lauded the participation of his constituents in attaining the goal through the unity of the community.
Escudero said aside from the record, what he saw a couple of months ago was the cooperation of everyone.
"Lahat nagkakaisa sa isang hangarin at pangarap para sa ating lalawigan. Nasungkit man natin o hindi ang rekord, sa tutuo lang,panalo na ang lalawigan sa ginawa at pakikilahok ng bawat isa sa inyo. Kaya naman pala ng mga Sorsoganons na kumilos ng sabay sabay sa iisang direksyon.Hinihingi ko lang sa lahat, maliban sa pagsasayaw sa daan,gawin din natin ito sa lahat ng bagay para sa ikaka unlad ng ating bayan," Escudero added.
(All has cooperated to attain one objective and dream of our province. We may or may not get the record, but the truth is, the province is already a winner here with the participation of everyone. Sorsoganons can indeed move in unison, in one direction. My only appeal to all of you is that we do this not only in street dancing but also in our daily tasks for the progress of our country). (PNA)
