Beatles | The Adobo Chronicles

MANILA, Philippines ( The Adobo Chronicles) – ‘Give Peace A Chance.’ That’s the theme of the newest campaign by the Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) to promote tourism to this peace-loving nation of 100 Million people.

The campaign will be officially launched on July 4 this year with a grand ‘reunion’ among former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos and the surviving Beatles Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney. The launch date happens to mark the 49th anniversary of the Beatles’ first and only visit to the Philippines.

Forty-nine years ago, the Beatles arrived in Manila for two sold-our concerts, considered the Liverpool band’s most attended live performance ever.

But the euphoria that met Paul, John, George and Ringo immediately turned sour when the quartet failed to show up at a reception arranged by Marcos at Malacañang, the presidential palace. Marcos complained that she was stood up, but the Beatles have always maintained that no one ever told them about the scheduled visit. The media and the Filipinos rallied behind Marcos, resulting in an ugly send-off for the Beatles who vowed never to return to the country.

The DOT campaign hopes to inspire people around the world to visit the Philippines this year as the Aquino government continues to negotiate with Muslim separatists for peace and unity.

The historic July 4th meeting between Imelda and the surviving Beatles will be held during a musical concert at the Philippine Arena, considered to be the world’s largest indoor arena. It is owned by Iglesia Ni Kristo (Church of Christ), the second largest religious denomination in the Philippines, next to the Catholic Church.

‘Give Peace A Chance’ happens to be a song composed by another Beatle, John Lennon. It has been, and continues to be, a favorite theme song for peace movements all over the world.

Beatles Philippine Concert poster, circa 1966

San Francisco, California (The Adobo Chronicles) – Rewind to 1966. As part of their world tour, the Beatles held concerts in Manila, playing in sold-out performances before thousands and thousands of screaming and crying Filipino fans, many sporting their idols’ mop head hairstyle.

Immediately thereafter, the screams of adoration turned into screams of ‘Go home, Beatles.’ The reason? The Liverpool boys reportedly stood up the Philippine First Lady and her three children, failing to show up for a scheduled visit at the presidential palace.

Imelda Marcos was beloved in her country and the snub was considered an insult not only to the First Family but to the entire country.

There has never been a resolution to this international controversy.

Well, maybe, it’s forthcoming.

On August 14, Paul McCartney will hold a concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Billed ‘Farewell To Candlestick,’ it will be the last concert to be held in this former San Francisco 49er stadium before it is demolished. The 49ers have a new home stadium in Santa Clara.

The Adobo Chronicles learned that McCartney has invited the other surviving Beatle, Ringo Starr for a much talked-about reunion.

There’s more. Imelda Marcos has also been invited to grace the occasion which many are calling a ‘kiss and make up’ event. Marcos will reportedly sing a duet with McCartney – ‘Dahil Sa Iyo,’ (Because of You), an extremely popular Tagalog song and a favorite of Marcos.

All’s well that ends well.