Light of Peace in The Philippines 2013 [EVENT]

Описание: 15,000 lanterns, each one a wish for peace, light up Iloilo's night sky

May 24th, 2013, MMI makes its official debut onto the world stage by breaking the Guinness World Record in Iloilo, Philippines for releasing the most flaming lanterns to bring awareness to world peace. The official count:15,185 lanterns in total. The “Light of Peace” event quickly garners global media attention and becomes an overnight sensation.

It was a sight to remember—more than 15,000 paper lanterns set aloft into the night sky last Friday.

There was a reason for the number—the participants succeeded in setting a new world record for the most sky lanterns flown simultaneously, breaking Romania's record of more than 12,000.

Officials from the Guinness World Records were even present to witness the Light of Peace event at the University of the Philippines Visayas in Miag-ao in Iloilo, according to GMA News' Tricia Zafra's report on 24 Oras.

"I'm happy to announce your Guiness World Record," Guinness Book of World Records adjudicator Sienna Sobastikeynije announced amid the loud cheering of the participants. "The Philippines has broken this record with all of you together, with the help of everybody here," she added.

Lights for peace

But world record or not, the sentiment behind the event was sincere.

More than 10,000 people gathered at the UP Visayas football field to promote world peace through inner peace.

According to photographer Bryan Bautista, the sky was dark and "it looked like it was about to rain," but that did not stop the thousands of Filipinos from participating in the event.

"As we entered the U.P. Visayas Football Field, we were overwhelmed with the number of people who actually showed up and took part in the event as most of the people were students who wore white to promote peace," Bautista told GMA News Online.

'Overwhelming experience'

Before releasing the sky lanterns, members of the Thai Buddhist Community headed a meditation for the participants.

"The Buddhist monks explained that in order to attain World Peace, we have to start with ourselves and obtain inner peace, because without peace with oneself, one cannot bring peace to others," Bautista said.

And then it was time for the lanterns to be released.

"Majority of the participants maintained the solemnity of the meditation," Bautista recalled.

"As we were all counting down to simultaneously release the sky lanterns, I couldn’t help but feel excited that something amazing was about to happen," he said. "The moment all the sky lanterns hit the night sky for the first time, nothing but amazement and wonder filled my mind."

"Watching a sea of more than 15,000 sky lanterns light up the sky was truly an overwhelming experience," he added.

"With thousands of wishes offered to the heavens by participants from all around the world, you can’t help but feel at peace, staring at a free-flowing galaxy of lights." — BM, GMA News