DAVAO CITY -- While Davaoenos rejoiced when New Year was ushered in by 7,568 party horn blowers, the official result of whether the city did break the Guinness World Records for most number of horn blowers in one venue will be known in three month’s time.
In a text message, Arnold Dellosa, Smart Communications sales manager for South Mindanao, said that a third party agency, Promo Xchange Inc. (PXI), is gathering all the evidences, which they will submit to Guinness World Records in London. But, it will take three months before a new title holder can be proclaimed.
Even this early, Dellosa is very optimistic about the results.
"I am crossing my fingers till we get the final results from Guinness. But whether we get it or not, I can say that the first Davao Torotot Festival was successful because of the influx of people, and the festive and joyous mood of everyone blowing the torotots is unbelievable," he said.
"If ever we don't get it, we will try it again this year! This is always our challenge," Dellosa added.
A total of 7,568 party blowers showed up in the first-ever "Torotot Festival" celebration on New Year's Eve along Roxas Avenue, Davao City.
Organizers of the event said earlier that they are making the "Torotot Festival an annual event.
"We believe in the advocacy of no firecrackers and zero casualty," Dellosa said.
Some 30,000 party horns were made available for free during the celebration.
The celebration was graced by City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and Department of Tourism (DOT) Assistant Secretary Arturo Boncato Jr. who led the first attempt of setting the new world record.
Duterte said the holding of "Torotot Festival" was a manifestation of the 12-year-old strict implementation of Ordinance 060-02, which bans the use firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices in the city.
"Ang mga tao gusto man gyud og kasadya, gamit nalang og torotot. Maayo na ang inyong ma-exercise ana kay inyong baga. Wala moy gasto. Maayo na malipay ko ana (The people want merriment, just use the party horns instead. That's good because you exercise your lungs and you don't have to spend for it. That'll make me happy)," he said.
Duterte encouraged more revelers to participate in the celebration.
"As time goes by, I hope that people will come and join the practice and maybe someday be thankful that we have the biggest number of party blowers. I encourage you to blow your horns, make noise. I'll be very happy to see you happy also," he said. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)