Silang Kazuyoshi Kirimura, an official adjudicator of the Guinness World Records, awarded the certificate to Mayor Kevin Anarna, cementing Silang’s recorded 621 candles and surpassing India’s record of 366 ‘longest’ candle-lit relay held on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023. Photos by Dennis Abrina

Silang breaks Guinness record for ‘longest’ candlelight relay

January 25, 2023 Dennis Abrina 379 views

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SILANG, Cavite – The local government here and the Catholic church here successfully broke the Guinness World Records of longest candle-lit relay record of India of 366, Sunday night, January 22, 2023.

Silang reached and obtained in the third attempt, which started at 7:30 p.m. and crossed the candle bearer no. 367 at 10:10 p.m.

The town participants successfully exceeded India’s 366, hitting 621 (candles) before the fire died, as seen by Kazuyoshi Kirimura, official adjudicator of Guinness World Records.

Mayor Kevin Anarna led the start of the candle lighting lit relay by lighting the candle at the image of Nuestra Señora De Candelaria right in front of the church door in Barangay Poblacion 2 here, followed by Vice Mayor Ted Carranza.

At the end of the program, Silang was awarded by the Guinness World Records after successfully achieving its goal of the “longest” candle-lit relay record with a certificate presented by Kirimura.

“Una pinanghihinaan na ako ng loob, kasi 366 to beat, tapos kailangan natin ng 367, on first attempt, 32 pa lang namatay na, then sa 2nd attempt, 121 nag-stop ulit. Sa isip-isp ko mukhang mahihirap tayo maitawid yung hanggang 367, pero optimistic ako na yung nag-register na 700 nating mga kababayan, eh makukuha natin, kaya noong nalampasan na po namin yung 367, masayang-masaya na po ako, alam kong malakas ang hangin sa harap ng simbahan, sa tulong ng mga dasal ng mga kababayan natin, nagtagumpay po tayo at nakuha ang record na 621,” Anarna said in an interview.

“Ang nagpanalo po ay ang dedication ng mga tao at kagustuhan na maitala ang pangalan ng Silang sa buong mundo na inaalay sa aming mahal na patron na Nuestra Señora de Candelaria or Our Lady of Candles,” the Silang mayor added.

“Sinadya po namin talaga na gawin ang first attempt ng Guinness World Records ay tungkol sa kandila dahil sa aming mahal na patron, upang makilala ang Bayan g Silang at madagdagan ang turismo sa aming bayan,” Anarna explained.

The said attempt of Silang was part of the celebration of the Feast Day of Nuestra Senora de Candelaria on February 1 to 3, 2023.

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