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 12th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Under the Civil Code of the Philippines that could be branded as an ostentatious display of wealth in times of distress. Unfortunately the damn thing doesn’t work in RP yet. I could just see some people flashing their spanking brand new iphones in their cars while shoeless street kids are knocking on their windows. Hey if you have to have it, buy all means. As Clint Eastwood said, “Eat it!”
July 12th, 2007 at 11:31 am
Or he could be the son of an AFP general or a Philippine politician who just bought the iphone using the people’s money! Think people!
July 12th, 2007 at 11:29 am
I do donate to charities. I am a professional and I live a very comfortable life here in the U.S. and yes I am surviving without a stupid iphone which I bet will become obsolete after 1 year. I am speaking about VALUES. Apparently, all the persons who criticized my comment doesn’t know the meaning of the word.
July 12th, 2007 at 9:51 am
CRAB MENTALITY TALAGA RLJ! DI NA MAGANDA YAN! MAGING MASAYA KA NA LANG FOR OTHERS AND MIND UR OWN BEESWAX.
July 12th, 2007 at 9:21 am
para iPhone lang eh….
Let me give you something to cheer about. One of the designers of the iPhone is a Pinoy - Henry H. Herrera - known to his colleagues as Triple H. He has been with Apple since 1992.
Ayan! Now, start cheering for this guy! Without his contributions, walang pipilahan ang mga tao sa America last June 29.