The historical-biographical film “Felix Manalo” set two new Guinness World Records titles during its debut showing in the Philippines at the weekend.
The film, which dramatizes the life of the first Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ), was shown to a record-breaking 43,624 people at The Philippine Arena in Cuidad de Victoria.
Once the movie had finished, official Guinness World Records adjudicators Marco Frigatti and Vicky Tweedy presented two certificates and confirmed that the screening had set new records for Largest audience at a film premiere and Largest attendance at a film screening.
Marco Frigatti said: "The greatest merit in this record is the logistical capacity and the capacity to attract so many people to come to a film premiere".
Previously, the largest attendance at a film screening was 28,442, achieved by Stars and Stripes Honor Flight (USA) for their world premiere documentary film “Honor Flights” (2012).
The opening of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” in June 2008 had previously held the Largest audience at a film premiere title with 10,000 people, but the first showing of “Felix Manalo” was seen by more than four times this number.
The Philippine Arena was the perfect venue for such a record attempt as it is the Largest mixed-use indoor theatre, with a seating capacity of 51,929 people.
The 36,715-m² (395,197-ft²), fully air-conditioned venue is a one-sided, bowl-shaped arena featuring a theatre-style stage at one end and operates as a multi-use church, sports and concert venue. It was commissioned by Iglesia Ni Cristo (the Church of Christ) for New Era University (Philippines) and inaugurated in July last year.
