MANILA, Philippines - A giant photo mosaic, made up of more than 3, 200 photographs, measuring 250 feet by 200 feet (76 metres by 61 metres), of the late President Corazon "Cory" Aquino, made by Photojournalist & Mosaic Artist Revoli S. Cortez, sets the new world record for the Largest Photo Mosaic.
The World's Largest Photo Mosaic, which is said to have cost P2 million to make, covers at least four basketball courts and weighs about 4,000 kilos.
"In the end, I realized two-year supply of pictures was not enough to create and complete the project. So what we [organizers] and Ms. Deedee Sytangco (was the official spokesman of the former president) did was—we opened the competition to the public.
"Anybody who wanted to submit a photo could just e-mail me. This resulted to a great outpour of pictures from the public," Revoli Cortez, award-winning photojournalist and photo mosaic artist, said.
Around 150 students from nearby Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila unveiled the mosaic, signaled by President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.
The mosaic is composed of photos taken during President Cory's term in office. The project was funded and conceptualized by private sectors including the Cory Veterans Group and Aquino relatives.
President Benigno Aquino III led the unfurling of the world's largest photo mosaic of his mother, late President Corazon Aquino today, to commemorate her first death anniversary.
In his speech, Aquino said, "This mosaic of photographs is a symbol of that hope. The real challenge, however, is in making Cory Aquino's example and legacy part of our daily lives. All through her life, she demonstrated love not only for her family, but also for every single Filipino."
Mrs. Aquino's photo mosaic, which the organizers hope to be in the Guinness World Records, was rolled out at the Quirino Grandstand in Roxas Boulevard, Manila and to be displayed there for one week.
"On behalf of the Aquino family, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who participated in this photo mosaic project. I hope we do not disappoint the representatives from the Guinness Book of World Records who are here to witness this tribute by the people to our mother, former President Cory (Corazon) Aquino," Aquino III said.
He also pointed out how one key teaching from his mother helped him decide to run for President. "She said I could not live with myself knowing that I could have done something and I chose not to. That lesson about conviction was critical in my decision to run for the presidency," Aquino said.
The world record for the World's Largest Photo Mosaic was sponsored by: Philippine Long Distance Telecommunication (PLDT)/Smart; TV5; SWATCH; Ruperto Cruz & family; Golden Touch; Mr. Abong Gaw; Mr. Chito Guitierez; Comm. Chris Carreon-Edsa People Power Commission/Spirit of Edsa Foundation; Mr. Fernando Dela Pena; PAGCOR; PCSO; MBRACE.