This article was first seen on BusinessMirror (https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/07/05/sun-life-phl-liter-of-light-and-national-museum-of-the-philippines-set-new-guinness-world-records/)
Sun Life Philippines, in partnership with Liter of Light and the National Museum of the Philippines, officially set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest display of solar-powered lamps, illuminating a new path for sustainability and social impact.
During the event on July 01, “Circle of Light,” Sun Life Philippines’ flagship program for its 130th anniversary, unveiled a big display of nearly 3,000 hand-built solar lamps. These lamps were meticulously arranged in a sun-like formation, symbolizing unity, hope, and the collective light communities can offer each other.
“The Circle of Light is more than a display of lights, it’s a quiet but a powerful movement,” said Jeremy Barns, National Museums of the Philippines Director General. “Each solar lamp represents not only a practical source of illumination but also a beacon of hope, dignity, and empowerment for communities that has long lived in the shadows.”
The previous GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title belonged to India, which set a display of 2,203 solar-powered lamps in January 2025. However, according to Official Adjudicator of Guinness World Records™ Sonia Ushirogochi, “After examining the evidence from yesterday’s attempt, the number [for Sun Life Philippines’ Circle of Light] is 2,743,” confirming that a new record was made.
A collaborative journey
Illac Diaz, Founder of Liter Light and ME 2001, a globally recognized non-profit organization that empowers communities through solar lighting solutions, emphasized the essence of unity that made the momentous feat possible.
“I didn’t want to be the one to say, ‘Give me your money and then we will make a change.’ I wanted everybody to be able to be a solar engineer,” Diaz mentioned. “So by reaching out to Sun Life, we were able to say, ‘Can we make everybody in the company contribute to making lives better, not just financially but sweat equity?’”
Thus, the solar lamps were assembled by Sun Life employees, advisors, volunteers, and community members through workshops led by Liter of Light. The initiative also featured a collaboration with Odangputik Art Space, a community of potters, who shaped each lamp by hand.
“This achievement is a shining example of what we can accomplish when purpose-driven organizations and passionate individuals come together,” said Benedict Sison, CEO and Country Head of Sun Life Philippines. “As we celebrate our 130th anniversary, we are proud to mark this milestone not just with a record, but with a message that light, in all its forms, has the power to transform lives.”
Helping the underserved communities
Following its public display, the nearly 3,000 solar lamps from the “Circle of Light” will be distributed to underserved communities currently living without electricity, illuminating students with clean energy and allowing them to study at night.
“We wanted to raise awareness around sustainability, clean energy, and of course, giving aid to underserved communities,” Sun Life Philippines Chief Client Experience and Marketing Officer Carla Gonzales-Chong explained.
The National Museum of the Philippines serves as the distinguished host for this impactful display, beautifully highlighting the synergy between preserving national culture and embracing modern innovation. The exhibit will be open for public viewing until July 9, 2025.4
This article was first seen on BusinessMirror (https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/07/05/sun-life-phl-liter-of-light-and-national-museum-of-the-philippines-set-new-guinness-world-records/)
