Pubdate: Sun, 22 Mar 2009
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (Philippines)
Copyright: 2009 Philippine Daily Inquirer
Contact:  http://www.inquirer.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1073
Author: Erika Sauler

600,000 PARTICIPATE IN MARCH

Anti-Drug Rally Sets Guiness Record

MANILA, Philippines - Some 600,000 people in red shirts swarmed a 
stretch of Roxas Boulevard in Manila Saturday in a bid to set a 
record as the world's first and biggest anti-drug rally.

The number landed the Grand Bida March in the Guinness Book of 
Records as the largest march against illegal drugs as certified by 
adjudicators from London-Lucia Sinigagliesi and Denice Anlander.

The event was led by the Batang Iwas Droga (Bida) Foundation Inc. and 
the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) as part of its 
massive campaign to educate grade school students against the dangers 
of illegal drugs.

Anlander told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of 
INQUIRER.net, that they didn't have the exact figure yet but it was 
enough that the crowd seemed to have passed the minimum requirement 
of 100,000. She said they would verify the exact figure within the week.

Bida has so far recruited 700,000 student-members, together with 
their parents, teachers, representatives from government agencies, 
non-government organizations, and employees of the Philippine 
Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor). Their number was expected to 
reach from 500,000 to one million marchers.

Bida corporate secretary Josephine Evangelista said they were happy 
with the huge turnout but the more important message was their 
campaign for preventive education against illegal drugs.

Pagcor corporate communications officers said some 600,000 registered 
on the Cultural Center of the Philippines grounds. They assembled at 
1 p.m. and were counted by a machine that read bar-coded cards that 
were given beforehand at the Rajah Sulayman Park.

Bida mascots, street dancers, and television artists provided 
entertainment as the marchers braved the scorching summer heat.

They converged on the Quirino Grandstand where Pagcor Chair Efraim 
Genuino, Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman Vicente Sotto, Manila Mayor 
Alfredo Lim, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, and undersecretary 
Vilma Labrador joined the program.

The anti-drug czar, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was a no-show 
although she was invited.

Lim, a staunch anti-drug campaigner, cited the Philippine Drug 
Enforcement Agency and the Manila Police's recent raid of a shabu 
(methamphetamine hydrochloride) laboratory Saturday and advised 
students not to be tempted to use illegal drugs. He said it could 
only lead to three destinations - the mental hospital, prison or a cemetery.

Genuino said children were his allies in the fight against illegal 
drugs and the heroes of the nation, while Sotto lauded them for 
participating in the event which was a big help in the country's 
campaign for a drug-free nation.

DDB spokesperson Roxanne Barcelo, Marian Rivera, Nadine Samonte, 
Isabel Oli, Yasmien Kurdi, and Rainier Castillo were some of the 
actors who graced the event.

Binibining Pilipinas 1st runner-up Miriam Quiambao and Miss Earth 
title holders also made their appearance while the Manila Police 
District Band, Andrew E., Shamrock, Cueshe, and Hale entertained participants.

Chris Tiu, host of television show "Pinoy Records," also awarded a 
citation to the Grand Bida March. And the crowd chanted, "Bida ako, 
pasok sa Pinoy records!"
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart