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 11th, 2007 at 9:42 pm
i got an iphone first day and i worked hard for it. We Filipinos in the US deserve a break. Most of us are hardworking so we should reward ourselves for it. We don’t have to think of the family back home all the time… and the plight of the country.
Kudos to those Filipinos who have iphone. it shows we have good taste!!!!
July 11th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Every person has their own goals.. no matter how shallow or how serious it is… let them be
July 11th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
For those who says it is better to donate it to the Philippine charitable organization should first donate any amount before they can say what other should do
July 11th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
OMG! Over the top ang mga comments dito.
Why can’t we just be happy that a fellow Noypi got his few seconds of fame for even something so trivial. Ok, it proves na maski kababayan kaya makabili ng iPhone na pakamahal. Can we not turn into a guilt trip? What’s next, donate the money he earned into that oh-wow-how-it-takes-advantage-of-balikbayans-and-poor-people show? Kaya prevalent ang idea na mga Pinoy sa US eh imbes na magtulungan eh nagsisiraan. (yung mga latino nga nagtutulungan, maski ilegal nagtutulungan). LET’S JUST BE HAPPY FOR A KABABAYAN!
July 11th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
mariano can u buy for me an iphone also,nasira na kasi cellphone ko eh!!! thank you and God Bless!