Laguna shower fest eyes record

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna, Philippines – This town will try to break today two world records – the most number of people simultaneously taking a shower in a public place and the largest shower area.

The “World Record Shower Fest” will be held at the Paciano Rizal Park beside the old Los Baños municipal hall at the southwestern rim of Laguna de Bay.

Organized by the municipal government under Mayor Caesar Perez, the activity is part of events that the local government has lined up during the week-long commemoration of the town’s 400th anniversary.

The biggest number of people taking a shower at the same time at the same place – 331 – was notched last June 27 in the US state of Indiana.

It beat Thailand’s record – 300 – reported on May 3, 2014.

The largest shower area, 370 square meters, was also recorded in the US (Illinois) in 2009.

The facilities for the shower fest will be provided by the Laguna Water District.

The fest is in line with the historical character of Los Baños, Spanish for “the baths,” Roberto Sereno, director of the Los Baños Bañamos Festival 2015, told The STAR.

Originally, Los Baños was called Mainit (hot), an allusion to the hot springs nurtured by the community.

It was a visita (chapel) of Bay, Laguna’s provincial capital, until 1688.