This hotel breaks world records for its masterful and massive origamis.

Words Patricia Lanzagarita
Photos courtesy of lyf
September 17, 2024

Beyond its mission to provide co-living spaces for creatives and self-starters, Lyf Hotel continues to amplify its advocacy to "live your freedom" in a dynamic environment.

To celebrate its first anniversary of offering safe spaces and one-of-a-kind experiences to the public, the hotel showcased a spectacular performance and record-breaking achievements in origami!

Largest Display of Origami Sharks

Kicking off the celebration in the Queen City of the South, Cebu City, Lyf created a massive mural featuring the majestic Thresher Shark, an iconic symbol of the island. This breathtaking mural was composed of 12,479 intricately folded origami pieces, which adorned the corners of Lyf Cebu.

The mural's immense size and stunning beauty earned it a Guinness World Record title for the “Largest Display of Origami Sharks.” In collaboration with its conservation partner, Save Philippine Seas, Lyf aimed to raise awareness about the Pelagic Thresher Shark (Alopias pelagicus), native to the waters of Cebu, and to highlight the importance of preserving their natural habitat.

Largest Display of Origami Stars

Meanwhile, at Lyf Malate in Manila, the hotel celebrated its anniversary with an equally impressive masterpiece: a display of origami stars. A total of 100,000 origami stars were carefully folded and arranged to create a spectacular display, securing another Guinness World Record for the “Largest Display of Origami Stars.”

The design, rich in historical symbolism, featured traditional wooden balangays and galleons, which were guided by the stars during ancestral times, further grounding the artwork in Filipino heritage.

An Upcycled Take on Origami

Lyf Hotel isn't stopping with these two world records. In partnership with eco-artist Willie Garcia of Junknot, Lyf Malate will upcycle the origami displays of both the sharks and stars into new installations for the public to enjoy.

With its first anniversary, Lyf is proving it offers more than just accommodation. It’s creating spaces that inspire, celebrating freedom, creativity, and sustainability, all while encouraging its guests to truly live their freedom—because to be free is to live.