The Beatles’ Trauma in Manila

On July 4, 1966, The Beatles mounted two shows in Manila’s Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. Both shows were sold out, with a combined attendance of 80,000. The audience cheered John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison as they sang their many hits. Everything went well during the two shows, 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

So what went wrong? Why the Trauma in Manila?

On the day of the two shows, The Beatles failed to show up at the Malacañang Palace at a 11-in-the-morning appointment. President Ferdinand Marcos and the First Lady, Imelda Romualdez, and 300 children were waiting for The Beatles. An hour before the Palace party, a delegation came to Manila Hotel to collect The Beatles. But Brian Epstein, The Beatles’ manager, declined the invitation as there was no earlier appointment. The Beatles were still in bed.

As earlier said, the day’s scheduled concerts proceeded without a hitch, although television reported the alleged ‘snub’ showing footage of children crying, disappointed by The Beatles’ ‘snub’ of the President and the First Lady.

Apparently, the local promoter and The Beatles’ entourage had a miscommunication. Epstein, that same day, went on television to apologize, but barely had he started reading the press statement when the transmission blipped.

The following day, July 5, The Beatles’ trauma started. On their way to the airport, vehicle service was not available. The Beatles’ entourage had to take taxis. And at the airport, their security detail was withdrawn, leaving them extremely vulnerable. The Beatles and their party were kicked and jostled and harassed. The escalators were shut down, forcing John, Paul, Ringo and George to take the stairs with their luggage.

When they finally approached the plane, a booing crowd mocked them. And if that was not enough, they were further harassed, made to complete check-in procedures and slapped with a tax amounting to P74,450. Only then were The Beatles and company allowed to leave Manila.

Obviously, airport officials eager to please President and Mrs. Marcos were behind the abuses heaped on The Beatles and their group.

Strangely enough, minutes before The Beatles had left, President Marcos issued a statement which read: ‘There was no intention on the part of The Beatles to slight the First Lady or the government of the Republic of the Philippines.’

It came too late.

The Beatles vowed never to set foot in Manila. — RKC