CamSur breaks 3rd Guinness world record with largest Zumba dancers

By Juan Escandor Jr. PILI, Camarines Sur---For the third time, the provincial government of Camarines Sur broke a Guinness World Record on Saturday afternoon (May 19) when some 13,350 participants danced Zumba on the Capitol grounds here during the opening of the weeklong celebration of the 439th foundation of the province. After 30 minutes of non-stop synchronized Zumba dancing, Guinness adjudicator Peter James Fairbairn declared Camarines Sur to have broken the world record of largest Zumba class achieved by Mandaluyong in 2015 with 12,975 participants. Camarines Sur has set Guinness World Records for the most number of trees planted in 15 minutes in 2011 and 1 million mangroves planted in one hour in 2012. Camarines Sur Gov. Miguel Luis Villafuerte said the event dubbed “Grand Zumba Kontra Droga” was participated in by 35 municipalities in Camarines Sur. “I am so happy to be able to make a stand and statement against illegal drugs while making a mark by setting a world record. Kaogma (Happy) Festival (the weeklong festival held culminating on foundation anniversary of Camarines Sur on May 27) has now evolved to be a festival with a greater purpose and lasting advocacy,” Villafuerte enthused. He said the breaking of the world record for largest Zumba class is a milestone for Camarines Sur in the celebration of its 439th year as a province. According to Prof. Danilo Gerona, Bicol historian who was commissioned to do research on the exact date Camarines Sur was founded, then Governor General Sande decreed on May 27, 1579 the establishment of Camarines where Spanish subjects were encouraged to settle. The Kaogma Festival this year, from May 19-27, celebrates the foundation anniversary of Camarines Sur with grassroots triathlon, cultural street dance competition, dance revolution competition, Ms. Kaogma beauty pageant among others. The opening of Kaogma Festival was attended by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Camarines Sur second district Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, former congressman Luis R. Villafuerte and several television personalities.