FEB 2, 2016

NR # 4098B

WORLDS LARGEST HUMAN ANCHOR FORMED

IN HONOR OF ALL FILIPINO SEAFARERS

Sibalom, in Antique province, was the site of a gathering of 6,000 people driven to
make history.
The human anchor, considered the largest in the world, was formed on 19 January
2016 at the school grounds of the University of Antique (UA), located in the municipality
of Sibalom, Antique, in celebration of the institutions 62nd foundation day.
The assembly consisted of students from the different colleges, and faculty
members of UA, among others.
Dr. Jelyn O. Alentajan, Dean of UAs College of Teacher Education, stressed that
the institution, established in 1954, has always been anchored on quality assurance, is
committed to continuously produce excellent students that will serve as catalysts for
positive changes, not only in the region, but also in the world.
UA has a big population of maritime students, with a quarter or 1,500 of them
participating in the formation of the human anchor. UA partnered with ANGKLA Partylist in achieving this feat of creating the biggest human anchor in the history ever to be
recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Guinness is yet to issue a certificate that will indeed show that the Philippines has
now beaten the low number of 230 people forming the shape of an anchor that it has

previously recorded in its books.

We are really pleased to have completed these objectives with ANGKLA. We
share in their strong advocacies to further develop maritime education in the country, Dr.
Alentajan said.
In response, ANGKLA, the maritime party of the Philippines, represented by Rep.
Jesulito A. Manalo thanked UA and its officials, re-affirming that with the enactment of
the Single Maritime Administration or Republic Act 10635 in place, ANGKLA stands
resolute in its commitment to ensure that all Filipino seafarers are always compliant with
global standards of education, and of training, certification, and watchkeeping or the
STCW Convention.
Apart from making a new world record, the formation of the largest human anchor
is likewise a symbolic gesture of honoring the Filipino seafarers and all the men and
women behind the Philippine maritime industry.
Over the years, our seafarers working on board international fleets have increased
in quantity, with 25% of this valuable human component of shipping being Filipinos.
Presently, Filipinos are regarded the worlds premier seafarer of choice. Thus, they are
among the major contributors to our nations socio-economic progress, as their annual
billions of dollars in remittances continually grow. They equally provide our country a
sense of pride since our maritime professionals play pivotal roles in shipping, which still
remains an indispensable mode of connecting the world, Rep. Manalo stated.
ANGKLA highlighted the immensity of the maritime industry it represents,
showing statistics of close to 400,000 seafarers deployed by the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration each year, and the country currently ranking 4th among the
largest shipbuilders in the world. This sector also brings forth a variety of employment
opportunities providing allied and support services including manning or crewing, port,
insurance, and maritime education and training.
Given the renowned importance and indisputable contribution of our Filipino
seafarers, and the other stakeholders of the Philippine maritime industry, they are befitting
to be recognized as our ANGKLA, providing strength and stability to this beloved
nation, Manalo concluded. (30) dpt