The Philippines has clinched a remarkable achievement on Saturday by establishing the Guinness World Record for the largest human lung formation, surpassing the previous record held by India. At the Quirino Grandstand, 5,596 enthusiastic participants came together, surpassing India’s previous record of 5,007 set in 2017, marking a historic moment on the occasion of World Tuberculosis (TB) Day this year.
Chong Wai Yip, a Guinness World Records adjudicator, highlighted the meticulous criteria required for setting the new record, including the number of participants, the accurate formation of the human lung, and maintaining cohesion without any gaps during the official recording. Despite three attempts permitted by Guinness, the Philippines successfully secured the record after the second try.
Oswald Macapagal, one of the participants, expressed his excitement for joining the event, demonstrating his commitment to the cause of raising awareness about tuberculosis. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa commended the collaborative effort of his agency and the Filipino populace, emphasizing the significance of early TB detection and treatment. Herbosa underscored the global impact of TB, urging timely medical intervention to combat the disease effectively.
Health statistics revealed a surge in TB cases in the Philippines in 2023, with 612,000 reported cases, reflecting an alarming increase compared to the previous year. Herbosa emphasized the critical importance of seeking prompt medical attention, advocating for early diagnosis and treatment to mitigate the spread of tuberculosis.