MANILA, August 13, 2011?The human cross formed by 13,266 participants from the Thomasian community on March 9, 2011 has been officially certified by the Guinness World Records as the largest in the world.
Guinness has sent confirmation to the University of Sto. Tomas’ Office of Public Affairs (OPA) that the university has indeed won the title for “Largest Human Cross”.
“We are pleased to confirm that you have successfully set the new Guinness World Records title for ‘Largest Human Cross’. Guinness World Records congratulates you on your achievement,” Guinness said in its letter dated August 8, 2011.
An official GWR certificate confirming the title was sent by Guinness to UST on August 10.
“The largest human cross was achieved by 13,266 participants at an event organised by the University of Santo Tomas (Philippines) in Manila, Philippines, on 9 March 2011,” stated the GWR certificate.
Details of the university’s achievement have been entered in the Guinness’ Records Database.
The official announcement is posted at GWR website www.guinnessworldrecords.com. The UST human cross is tagged under “Amazing Feats” and “Mass Participation” categories.
The human cross event was held last Ash Wednesday at the university grandstand to emphasize the penitential significance of the Lenten season.
It was also meant to convey to the world the university’s pro-life stand amidst controversy brought by the reproductive health bill issue.
Dressed in black and white and with crosses on their foreheads, students, faculty members and employees formed a human cross and stood still in prayerful silence for 15 minutes.
The black and white cross is a symbol of the University’s Catholic and Dominican identity.
Norway previously held the record for the world’s largest human cross with 935 participants at the Oslo Opera House in May 2010. (CBCPNews)
