Illustration by: Virgilio Biagtan
San Rafael, a municipality in Bulacan, Philippines, has set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as angels. On December 14, 2024, over 2,000 participants convened at the Victory Coliseum, surpassing the previous record of 1,275 set in Winnipeg, Canada, in 2015. 
This accomplishment reflects the strong sense of community and cultural pride among San Rafael’s residents. Mayor Mark Cholo Violago expressed gratitude to the participants, stating, “My happiness is overflowing and I thank the more than 2,000 San Rafael angels and everyone else who participated in our first ‘Guinness World Records Attempt’ for this category.” 
The event was witnessed by Senator Imee Marcos and officially recognized by Guinness World Records adjudicator Kazuyoshi Kirimura, who presented the certificate to Mayor Violago. This achievement not only brings international recognition to San Rafael but also serves as an inspiration for other communities to come together in pursuit of shared goals.