Quezon City, PHILIPPINES – (12 October 2015) The Ang Dating Daan Chorale from the Members Church of God International (MCGI) bagged a Guinness World Record title, “Largest Gospel Choir,” on Monday night (October 12) at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City.
During the same event, Ang Dating Daan celebrated its 35th Anniversary highlighting the giving away of cash donations, wheelchairs and raffle prizes to 12 foundations for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and 1,700 PWDs in attendance, respectively.
Ang Dating Daan or “The Old Path” in English is the longest running radio-television program of its kind. The show is hosted by Bro. Eli Soriano and Kuya Daniel Razon.
New Guinness World Record Title Holder
Guinness World Records adjudicator Fortuna Burke Melhem confirmed the success of MCGI’s official attempt the same day, indicating a record 8,688 choir members in attendance based on the Guinness-approved counting method, Turnstile counters. Validating the record number of choir members in attendance was the external auditing firm, Punongbayan & Araullo. Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas, Jr. served as the event’s official witness. The number of the participating choristers were counted via turnstile counting and barcoded ticketing method. “Welcome to the Guinness World Records family!” said Melhem before a jam-packed audience at the Big Dome. Ang Dating Daan Chorale sang the numbers “Stand Up,” “Praise the Name,” “Hallelujah, Amen,” and “Enrich the Spirit” in their performance.
During the anniversary program proper, the choir members sang a total of 15 numbers in at least five languages. Others from 1,360 Ang Dating Daan monitoring centers across the globe joined them.
“Like what we always say, if we are able to do something, and if there is any glory attained, it is always for God; to God be the glory!” said Bro. Eli Soriano, the host of Ang Dating Daan program and the Overall Servant of MCGI.
“Singing for the glory of our Lord is our pride,” said Bro. Eli. He also stressed during the awarding that, “second to the Bible, I love the Guinness Book of World Records.”
MCGI was gunning to beat the latest world record for the largest gospel choir with only 4,745 participants.