UST attempts to break world record on ‘largest human sentence’

University of Santo Tomas (UST) logo (Wikimedia Commons, Fair Use)

MANILA — Close to 17,000 teachers, non-teaching personnel and students of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Friday morning honored teachers – and attempted to enter the Guinness World Records — by forming the “Largest Human Sentence”.

As a tribute to teachers all over the world, 16,729 Thomasians formed the sentence “My Teacher is My Hero” at the UST Athletic Field and open spaces in its campus in Manila.

“Ito ang aming contribution sa pambansang pagkilala ng guro sa Pilipinas (This is our contribution to the recognition of Filipino teachers) as we celebrate National Teachers’ Month,” said Dean Allan de Guzman of the UST College of Education, which spearheaded the attempt to break the record.

“Ito din ay alinsunod sa World Teacher’s Day celebration ng UNESCO and RA (Republic Act No.) 10743 kung saan ang mga guro ay binibigyan ng papuri at kinikilala ang kanilang tungkulin sa pagbuo ng ating pamayanan (This is in line with the World Teacher’s Day celebration of UNESCO and RA 10743 where teachers are honored and their role in nation building is recognized),” de Guzman said.

The university’s “My Teacher is My Hero” human formation is looking to break India’s record for the Largest Human Sentence in 2016 where 16,550 participants from the Rotary International District 3000, Rotary Club of Peramballur New Gen, and Roever Group of Educational Institutions Peramballur in India formed the sentence, “You can you will”, during the celebration of International Youth Day.

This year’s National Teachers’ Month, themed “Gurong Pilipino: Kaakbay sa Progreso”, is celebrated from Sept. 5 to Oct. 5, in compliance with Presidential Proclamation No. 242, as well as RA 10743, which declares Oct. 5 as National Teacher’s Day.

Guinness had recognized UST’s entry in 2011 where 13,266 participants formed the world’s largest human cross, specifically, the Dominican cross, as part of the university’s quadricentennial celebration.

Established in 1955, the Guinness World of Records is the primary authority for verifying and authenticating attempts at world records.