A FEW days ago, I blogged about the iPhone launch in the US and included an Agence France-Presse photo of Jonathan (not John, as he was identified in the AFP caption) Mariano, who was first in line at the Apple Store at The Grove shopping center in Los Angeles, California.
In that blog entry, I wondered aloud if Mariano was a Filipino, and guess what? He is! He posted a comment on that blog entry simply saying, “Pinoy ako (I am a Filipino)!” and included a link to his blog that documents the iPhone launch in LA and his unexpected brush with fame when he turned out to be the first in line.
How cool is that?
Here’s a YouTube video of Jonathan being interviewed by Macy Gray.
And here’s an excerpt from his entry on the questions he gets asked by interviewers:
Popular Questions
What time did you get in line?
4AM although the line didn’t officially start until 7AM. I scoped the place out since 7PM the night before.What is the big deal about the iPhone?
Many “phones” have a phone, music player, and browser, but none do it as elegantly as the iPhone. It has a simple touch interface, and the “real” internet. Not the scaled down mini mobile version.How many are you buying?
Two 8GB. One for me, one for my girlfriend.;)
Congratulations, Jonathan, and thanks for visiting @play 
July 15th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
maganda ang mga comments ninyo mga kapatid…may punto kayo lahat…yaan nyo , pag tumama ako sa lotto, bibigyan ko kayo lahat ng tig isang iphone…para mawala lahat ang inis ninyo..har har har…!!!!…
July 15th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
RLJ, you are great! you are so charitable, can you donate an iphone for me please..
July 15th, 2007 at 10:41 am
DYAN TAYO MAGALING BASTA MAY BAGO ..BUY..GO …RUB IT..HEHEHHEHEH,THATS D PINOY. NO MATTER HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS. WE DO SOMETHING TO OWN IT ..HAHAHAHHA. IM PROUD TO B PINOY.. GO JO, IM WITH YOU.
July 15th, 2007 at 5:29 am
Guys - you read too much from this event - this is just a very simple news -first Filipino guy to buy iphone - it is that simple - no need to politicize about it, interpret the Filipino psyche from it or do a dissertation about the future of the Philippine Republic through it -
July 15th, 2007 at 3:22 am
So What???Whats the big deal about having an I-phone??? doesnt change anything!!mga pinoy, kulang sa pansin!! kulang sa recognition!! I pity you!!So embarassing!!! Lets change our attitude!