Danica May Camacho, a baby girl born in Manila, has been chosen by the UN as the Philippines’ symbolic 7 billionth baby. (via The Guardian, photo by Erik De Castro)
A Hard Day’s Night in Manila
July 4, 1966. The Beatles performed for the first and last time in the Rizal Baseball Stadium in Manila for 2 shows. Though the concert numbered 80,000 people in attendance, the highly successful show was highly marred by 2 incidents that made the Beatles never to set foot again in the Philippines. This was due to miscommunication, lack of understanding or just sheer bravado on both sides.
Then First Lady Imelda Marcos invited the group to a courtesy call at 4PM, but the group declined because the first show is to start at 4PM. But with 100 kids in the Malacañang, they were invited for a supposed meet and greet the Beatles at 11AM. The Beatles did not come, because they arrived shortly before that and they say they did not recieve invites. A day after the concert, newspaper’s headlines flash the Beatles “snub” of the President. Upon leaving the country they were manhandled on their way to airport, with all transport and security arrangements removed, and booed by the people on their way to home.
The group tried to apologized to the Filipinos but at the middle of the press conference, the live transmission would turn static (on Marcos’ orders, in consipracy) and the public apology will not be heard (2 decades later, the law of retribution worked, the Inauguration of Marcos on 1986, the live transmission of the inauguration will also be cut off) on National Telly.
The Manila incident will make the Beatles stop tours from then on.
More Readings on the Matter:
Little Ninoy’s rithmetic is outstanding. His riting, on the other hand, needs some improvement.
**Delivered before the Asia Society, New York, August 4th, 1980— one of the few spoken greatness each and every Filipino searching for, teaching, learning, or has forgotten the true price and meaning of freedom, should be acquainted with.
Shamcey we believe!
Click this to vote for Philippines Miss Universe 2011, Shamcey Supsup!
Go Philippines!
Caricature by VinQuilop
Guinness names Filipino as world’s shortest man
A poor Filipino blacksmith’s son who stands less than two feet (60 centimeters) tall was declared the world’s shortest man by Guinness World Records on his 18th birthday last June 12, sparking a celebration in his far-flung hometown.
The title was bestowed on Junrey Balawing in Sindangan in the southern Philippines, with Balawing’s parents, villagers and officials showering the coastal town’s newly famous resident with a feast, a cake, balloons and cash gifts.
Balawing measured 23.5 inches (60 centimeters) during the ceremony attended by about 100 villagers and journalists. Guinness World Records representative Craig Glenday presented Balawing with official recognition of his status as the shortest adult man in the world.
