Bunye: A new Guinness record for longest line of coins

Sunday, December 4, 2011

THERE is a line from an old poem that goes: “Little drops of water...make the mighty ocean.”

This particularly resonates with those of our countrymen who participated in last week’s bid to break the Guinness world record for the longest line of coins.

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Happily, the bid was successful.

While we have yet to receive a final and official nod from the Guinness World Records, the fact that we were able to complete 73.02 kilometers of 25-centavo coins in less than two days is an achievement in itself.

More than successfully beating the current United States record of 64.8 kilometers, we were able to prove that the spirit of bayanihan among Filipinos is alive and well.

The event, called “Barya ng mga Bayani: The Power of Small Change,” was held for two days in front of the Quirino Grandstand (near Rizal Park or Luneta) in Manila starting November 30 -- a special holiday commemorating the birth of Filipino hero Andres Bonifacio.

It was Dr. Greg Suarez, President of the BSP Officers Club, who first conceived of the project, according to BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., Dr. Suarez’ vision was shared by the BSP Employees Association under the able leadership of Atty. Raul Montero. Kabayanihan Foundation, led by Robert So and Alex Lacson, also joined and immediately mobilized their young people’s brigade in a concerted effort to collect 25 centavo coins from the public. (Coins of other denominations were also accepted although they were not included in the record-breaking feat.)

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said that on Day 1 a lot of ordinary people -- including families and schoolchildren -- came and gave the movement handfuls of 25 centavo coins.

The Kabayanihan brigade and BSP officers and employees attached the coins to plastic tapes to ensure the straightness of the coin chain.

Contingents from the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police and the Philippine Navy provided the organizers and participants with perimeter and overall security, even helping them straighten the coins and measure the distance between lines to ensure maximum distance.

The Kabayanihan youth provided musical numbers to sustain public interest during the event, Guinigundo said.

On Day 2, the organizers made a last and final appeal for more coins and volunteers to firm up our country’s claim for a new record. The response to the call was overwhelming.

“Many more Filipinos came with coins and the readiness to string the coins in straight lines. Grandparents, parents and their children came, some with their piggy banks; friends and neighbors arrived together,” Tetangco said.

Local government officials from near and far (Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim was one of them), students (from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, St. Paul’s Pasig, Far Eastern University, Assumption Antipolo, Philippine
Science High School, La Salle, Eulogio Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, Ateneo), workers, professionals (including BPI’s Gigi Montinola), celebrities pitched in.

One volunteer even took the LRT with a heavy bag of coins in tow, while a councilor from San Pedro braved three hours of traffic to bring his coins to Luneta.

Last week’s event was an unprecedented success in breaking a Guiness world record, in educating the public on the importance of circulating coins instead of keeping them idle, and in raising enough funds to build at least three new classrooms for selected public elementary schools.

But more than all that, the event exhibited the selflessness, generosity and unity of participating Filipinos. It also made the birthday of one of the greatest Filipino heroes all the more special and meaningful.

Note: You may email us at totingbunye2000@gmail.com. Past articles may be viewed at http://speakingout.ph/speakingout.php.