Sto. Tomas confident of landing in Guinness

By February 17, 2008Headlines, News

STO. TOMAS–Local folks here gave high fives, thumbs-up signs, wide smiles and cheers to each other following the successful staging of their 4,938-meter corn grill on February 10 in celebration of the town’s Corn Festival and centennial anniversary.

Officials and residents expressed optimism that their corn grill will make set a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest corn barbeque.

Mayor Vivien Villar said visitors, including the media, were impressed with the show of unity and discipline of the residents of this smallest town in eastern Pangasinan.

“Except for a few minor   blunders, everything else was perfectly done,” Villar said in an interview with The PUNCH.

For his part, Vice Mayor Timoteo “Dick” Villar III, chairman of the Corn Festival said, “All our countless sleepless nights which started many months back preparing for this event paid off.”

He said they are now finalizing the documentation materials, including aerial photographs, for submission and validation by Guinness.

The grills spanned the town’s 10 barangays from the boundary of Rosales to Alcala.

The current record holder of the longest barbecue is Hermosillo, Mexico with its almost 1,300 meter-long barbeque.

The mayor said the documentation team claimed the 4,000-meter long grill can be considered “perfectly done”, which is more than enough to surpass the present record.

A TASTE

Balikbayans from this town as well as nearby areas said they came home to have a taste, literally, of this historic event.

Jovy Bilyk and husband Allen Bilyk, from Canada and Villasis town told The PUNCH that they came to taste this town’s delicious corn, the white glutinous variety planted through organic farming.

“We planned our vacation for this event,” the couple said.

Luz Kurasawa and her husband Hidiyuka Kurasawa from Japan, who have a house in this town, also had their homecoming as Luz was crowned Mrs. Sto. Tomas Centennial.

“Oishi!,” a Japanese term meaning delicious, was how the couple described the corn.

Danny Ildefonso, a multi-awarded basket ballplayer from Urdaneta City, said he is proud that Pangasinenses are making waves not only in the country but in the world.

“Siyempre, basta Pangasinan okay, siguradong kuha ang world record,” said Ildefonso.

Isidra dela Cruz, 80, from this town, was spotted by The PUNCH enjoying a cob unmindful of her missing front teeth.

Fifth District Rep. Mark Cojuangco and Board Members Charizzma Salud “Chu” Carancho and Amadeo Espino led the ceremonial lighting of the 2,019 continuous and interconnected grills.

Calasiao Mayor Roy Macanlalay together with Engr. Fidel Ginez, Department of Public Works and Highways regional director, also joined the celebration.#

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