STO. TOMAS—Jubilant townsfolk gathered at the municipal hall on May 6 for the unveiling of a marker for the town’s certificate from the Guinness World Records (GWR) for the “Longest Line of Tables” title.

It was the second recognition received by the municipality from the prestigious authority on the world’s outstanding records.

“The longest line of tables measures 6,000.45 m (19,686 ft 6.19 in) and was achieved by Santo Tomas Municipality (Philippines), in Santo Tomas, Pangasinan, Philippines, on 2 April 2017,” the certificate read.

Sto. Tomas Mayor Villar III and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos show the certificate from Guinness World Record. (Punchphoto by Willie Lomibao)

A replica of the table used in the Guinness bid is mounted on a cemented platform with the marker of the certificate below it now standing in front of the municipal hall.

Beside it is the image of a giant corn replica representing the town’s One Town One Product that made the town earn its first Guinness World Record crown for Longest Barbecue.

Mayor Timoteo Villar III said both markers represent the “amazing unity of the residents” that enabled the town to achieve success in all their endeavors.

“We not only did it once but twice already,” said Villar.

“Most notable and laudable about our town is our unparalleled discipline and unity,” he added.

Sto. Tomas is the smallest town in Pangasinan, “yet it has achieved unprecedented success not only locally but globally, proven by its two Guinness records,” he pointed out.

In taking the Longest Line of Tables record, Sto. Tomas broke Alexandria, Egypt’s record of 4.3 kilometers or 4,303 meters.

The town won its first Guinness title on Feb. 11, 2008 for the Longest Barbecue when 3,500 cooks simultaneously grilled 93,540 pieces of corn ears of glutinous corn product on 3,803.96 m (12480 ft. 2 in) interconnected grills during the time of then-Mayor Vivien Villar, the incumbent mayor’s aunt.

Town officials were joined by other leaders from nearby towns, as well as Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Samahan ng Industriyang Agrikultura chairman Rosendo So, Philippine National Police officials led by Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula and Senior Superintendent Ronald Lee, police regional and provincial directors respectively, balikbayans and other guests during the unveiling of the Guinness certificate and marker.

Meanwhile, the longest line of tables that gave the town its second GWR title were used by the people on the same evening of the Guinness bid as they partook of adobong Sto. Tomas con maiz with steamed rice.

The mayor acknowledged the legacy left by the town’s previous leaders led by former Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman Antonio Villar Jr. and his wife Vivien Villar, who both served as mayors for many years here, unifying the people, regardless of status in life, religious beliefs and political leanings.

“They have consistently imbibed to the townsfolk the value of respect and unity that would result in achieving success for the town,” Villar said. (Eva Visperas)

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