THE THOMASIAN community formed the “largest cross” on Ash Wednesday in its second attempt to enter the Guinness Book of Records.
An estimated 24,000 Thomasians gathered at the UST field to form the black and white Dominican Cross, symbolizing the Catholic and Dominican identity of the University.
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Regent Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P. said students suggested forming a cross after the largest human rosary in December was not accepted by Guinness as a world record.
“We wanted the event to be spiritual in nature. We are not only celebrating Ash Wednesday, but also the 400 years of the University,” Cabading said.
UST public affairs chief Giovanna Fontanilla said the event was meant to highlight the importance of penance in the season of Lent.
The University topped the attempt of Oslo, Norway to form the largest human cross last year, which had only 900 participants.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Far Eastern University President Dr. Lydia Echauz were present.
Lim congratulated the University for mounting a record-breaking event, and pointed out that the Philippines remains a predominantly Catholic country.
“It broke the record and I want to congratulate [Rector] Fr. Rolando de la Rosa for making this huge event possible,” Lim said. Brylle B. Tabora and Darenn G. Rodriguez
