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 14th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
iphone?! woopeeedooo! now try to get it to work with our local telecom providers… hahaha. seriously, i’m green with envy. are you willing to trade with nokia 5110? will add cash of course..
July 14th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
be happpy na lang people kung nakabili cia ng i phone…some of us kc still ung crab mentality naka program na sa utak nila….remember…that is a sin…go people kung san ka happy…stick to it….basta ba wala kang nasasaktan….ok..mabuhay ka pinoy….
July 14th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
iyan ang hirap sa pinoy…some of us have that crab mentality in their back…pabayaan na lang natin cia kung he bought an i phone…pinaghirapan din nia yan….at least the money he bought for it came a decent job…unlike other people there na galing naman sa illegal means…oh…wag ka na magreact baka ikaw un…peace dude….
July 14th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Should we behave this way? Innate na yata ang inggit sa pinoy. please tell us what institution to donate to.
July 14th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Umiral na naman Pagka-pinoy natin, ang inggit, wala talaga. Wala ngang big deal dyan pero hayaan nyo na lang ang tao kung gusto nya mauna bumili at pumila. Charity? kayo ba na may pera din nagbibigay sa charity instead of buying your cell phones? C’mmon people, don’t be hypocrits and idiots.