MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – First, the news media were scrambling to interview the 20-year-old Filipino student who said he was accepted and offered scholarships to 30 U.S. and UK schools. Then the news and social media began bullying the kid for what they thought were lies.

Now, the news media are saying “mea culpa” because apparently, some of the schools mentioned by the student confirmed that they, indeed, have accepted him, with some offering scholarships.

So, it now appears that Julian Martir outsmarted the smart news media.

And how about the leading fact checkers Rappler and Vera Files? Nada. Quiet. (Were they afraid their fact-checking would be proven wrong?)

Moral of the story:

1. 1. If it’s too good to be true, it could be true!
2. 2. Fact-check, fact-check, fact- check
3. 3. Think before you click
4. 4. Leave the boy alone