What happens when the word "love" is merged with "lollapalooza" (an English slang which means "something outstanding of its kind")? What happens when thousands and thousands of couples engage in a ten-second-lip lock?
It becomes a "Lovapalooza"!
A brainchild of Unilever's toothpaste brand Close-up, Lovapaloozais now more than a marketing campaign. From claiming that world record for the "most number of people kissing simultaneously," it has become a Valentine tradition for most Filipino couples.
The very first Lovapalooza—held on February 13, 2004, in Baywalk, Roxas Boulevard—had 5,347 kissing couples in attendance, thus breaking Chile's 4,445 in the Guinness World Records book.
The Lovapalooza 2 got bigger in terms of venue—Baywalk in Manila, plus Davao, Cebu, and Angeles City. This time, the event was mounted "not to beat a record, but to build a tradition," according to Unilever's Mia Fuentes. Unfortunately, it was this year that Hungary snatched the record with its 5,700 kissing couples.
In the year that followed—Lovapalooza 3,held on February 11, 2006—was participated by reel and real showbiz couples Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz, Iya Villania and Drew Arellano, Nancy Castiglione and Luis Manzano, Cheska Garcia and cager Doug Kramer, Ornussa Cadness and Borgy Manotoc, among others. The turnout, however, was short by mere hundreds.
Today, February 10, 2007, the country will make another attempt to reclaim the lost glory. With SM Mall of Asia open lot as its new venue, Lovapalooza 4 hopes to gather at least 5,800 couples to beat Hungary.
Pumping up the said event are top Pinoy bands Orange & Lemons, Itchyworms, Sugarfree, Sandwich, Rocksteddy, and Rivermaya. The thousands of couples will also be serenaded by Rachelle Ann Go, Christian Bautista, Sam Milby, Nina, Nyoy Volante, Paolo Santos, and Kitchie Nadal. One of showbiz's hottest love team John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo will also be in attendance.
Once again, thousands and thousands of smacks and kisses will fly!
(With reports from Wells Avante)