SAN PABLO CITY – The local government of San Pablo City broke the Guinness World Record for most people planting coconut seedlings simultaneously in different venues, a title formerly held by Nagapattinam District in India.
Driven by a desire to reclaim the city’s former title as the country’s top coconut producer and to revive the industry, Mayor Najie Gapangada spearheaded the planting of 11,000 coconut seedlings in 15 minutes in 12 villages.
India’s previous record was not immediately known.
The main planting site was an eight-hectare land owned by Philip Young, special assistant to the Agriculture Secretary.
Thousands of volunteers, including students, civic organizations, and government employees, participated in the synchronized planting.
The seedlings were provided by the City Agriculturist Office and the Philippine Coconut Authority.
In his speech before the planting, Gapangada said the initiative also replaced trees from a 500-hectare site where an industrial zone will rise.
“The event marks the beginning of a massive three-year coconut planting program to restore San Pablo City’s standing as the number one coconut-producing area in the Philippines,” Gapangada said.
“Planting coconuts is not just the responsibility of the government. Community participation is vital. Government and citizens must work together.”
Before the official awarding, a Guinness adjudicator visited the other planting sites to validate the record.
San Pablo City
San Pablo City is a first-class component city in the province of Laguna, Philippines, known as the “City of Seven Lakes” due to the volcanic crater lakes surrounding it. It was officially founded as a city in 1940, though its history dates back to pre-Hispanic times and it became an important colonial town under Spanish rule. The city is a significant cultural and commercial center in the region, celebrated for its natural beauty and heritage.
India
India is a culturally rich and ancient civilization in South Asia, with a history spanning over five millennia, from the Indus Valley Civilization to the Vedic period, the Mughal Empire, and British colonial rule. It is renowned for its incredible diversity, including landmarks like the Taj Mahal, spiritual sites such as Varanasi, and a vast array of languages, religions, and traditions. Today, it stands as the world’s largest democracy and a major global economy, deeply influenced by its historical heritage.
Nagapattinam District
Nagapattinam District, located on the coast of Tamil Nadu, India, has a long history as a major port and trade center dating back to the ancient Chola dynasty. It is renowned for its numerous ancient Hindu temples and for being a significant center for Buddhism, with historical links to maritime trade with Southeast Asia. The district is also home to the important Nagore Dargah, a revered Islamic shrine.
Philippine Coconut Authority
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) is a government agency established in 1973 to develop the country’s coconut industry. It supports millions of farmers by promoting research, production, and marketing of coconut products. The PCA was created to consolidate efforts and maximize the economic potential of one of the Philippines’ most important agricultural sectors.
Guinness World Record
The Guinness World Records is a reference book published annually that lists world records both of human achievements and the extremes of the natural world. It was conceived in 1955 after a debate arose during a shooting party about Europe’s fastest game bird, and the managing director of the Guinness Brewery, Sir Hugh Beaver, realized a definitive book was needed to settle such arguments. It has since become an international authority and a global brand, chronicling a vast array of incredible and often quirky feats.
