SUMMARY
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DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Hordes of City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte supporters flocked to the Crocodile Park in Davao City on Saturday, May 7, in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Simultaneous Singing of the National Anthem.
This Guinness World Record is currently held by Bangladesh with 254,537 in attendance on March 26, 2014. Organizers expected to have 300,000 in Davao City’s attempt.
Buses were used to ferry people to Crocodile Park, free of charge. The presence of many vehicles, however, caused heavy traffic, causing many supporters to walk to the venue on foot.
The mood was very festive, with people waving Philippine flags while waiting for the countdown to the actual singing. Participants were organized in groups of 50, based on the color of shirts worn. As the people settled into their places, the rehearsal commenced.
A marching band played, followed by 4 police officers who raised the Philippine flag on a pole. A deep, reverberating sound followed as an estimated 270,000 voices serenaded the air.
‘Love for their mayor’
The hunger of the crowd for their mayor to win Malacañang was seen and felt.
Edison Bimbo Morales, one of the event organizers said, “Dalawang araw na lang at magtatapos na ang maliligayang araw nila.” (Two more days and their happy days will end.)
Crowds in Luneta, Rizal Park, Cebu City, General Santos City and Tagum City also participated to help break the record. The event was even livestreamed in Dubai and Japan.
The crowd turned even more festive as Inday Sara Duterte, the mayor’s daughter, with some other family members appeared.
Inday Sara asked the crowd to sing the National Anthem again because they missed the attempt due to heavy traffic.
Her request resulted into an even louder encore of singing.
“Mutrabaho mi para sa atong nasod, daghan kaayong salamat ninyong tanan,” she concluded. (We will work hard for our nation. Thank you very much to all of you.)
According to organizers, around 1.3 million strong showed up in the nationwide attempt to break the world record. They also claimed it was the highest number of people in attendance in a political gathering.
While Davaoeños have raised their fists for their mayor, only their thumbmarks will determine the outcome of the elections come May 9. – Rappler.com
Geriann Czarina S. Montinola is a Rappler Mover in Davao City.
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