In March 2009, thousands of Filipinos successfully staged the world’s biggest march against drug abuse. A few weeks after, a Filipino started his journey to become the first to person to go around the world on a kayak. Just last month, thousands of Cebuanos attempted to set a new world record for the most participants in a dance exercise.

Every week, someone (or a group of people) somewhere in the world attempts to break an existing world record or to set a new one. The above are just some proof that Filipinos share this worldwide obsession.

Setting a world record, especially as an individual and not part of a group, may be too high a goal for you right now. However, you could still set records in your own way.

You may have even done things that could qualify you to have your name included in some sort of book of records!

Your Book of Records

How could you have your name listed in a book of records? Simple. Launch your own school-based book of records.

Primarily, your book of records should contain information about noteworthy achievements. It should contain entries for those who have the most of something, produced the longest this or that, done something in the fastest time, and so on.

Getting Down to Details

There are a number of things you have to consider when you decide to come up with your book of records.

First, identify its scope. Is it your section, your grade level, or your whole school? You could start with your section and encourage other sections to do the same. Soon, you could have a book of records that covers your whole school.

Second, identify the categories to be included. Among the fields you could focus on are academics, sports, or co-curricular activities. For example, who has the highest number of perfect scores garnered in quizzes and tests for a month? What is the fastest time anybody has run the 100-meter dash?

Remember to include only the categories that are relevant to you and other students. More importantly, include those that promote excellence. Including a category like “most number of pencils stolen from classmates” will surely get you in trouble with school authorities.

Third, identify who will be responsible for documenting, verifying, and certifying feats. Documenting attempts or feats is the only way of proving that a certain feat was, indeed, completed. You cannot include somebody in the list just because someone else said that he or she was able to do this or that. Someone from those managing the book must be there to witness and document the feat. If this is not possible, some proof like a video recording would do.

Lastly, the recognition and support of your teacher and other school officials will definitely be a big help. They will be able to guide you in your endeavor.

Something to Bear in Mind

Those included in books of records are often treated as celebrities. While those who will end up in yours will probably be treated as school celebrities also, producing celebrities should not be your ultimate goal. Instead, it should be to highlight the worthy achievements of your fellow students who could serve as inspiration for others.

So do you want to launch your own book of records? Think about it. Your section could be the first in the Philippines to have its own official book of records!