PHDAILY POSTS
Fanatic
"Trolling The Beatles"
In July 1966, The Beatles came to Manila. One story says that the concert promoter promised the First Family that The Beatles would attend a luncheon, but manager Brian Epstein was not told of the arrangement, so the four went boating in the Manila Bay instead.
Another source says that Epstein received the invitation but politely declined. Either way, the Marcos family took it as a huge insult. Despite the huge stardom of The Beatles, the Marcoses took it upon themselves to make their remaining hours in the Philippines as miserable as possible.
Radio and TV stations broadcast the snub like a crime committed against society. Their security ****** was removed, and the hotel porters and drivers suddenly disappeared—they had to take cabs.
When they reached the airport, the escalators were turned off, and they were forced to carry their heavy equipment up flights of stairs. Their flight was purposefully delayed, and customs officials harassed them. When they made it near the plane, they had to go through protesters who kicked, punched, and spat at their entourage.
Brian Epstein was kicked in the groin; roadies were kicked in the ribs until they bled. Bodyguards shielded the performers' backs to protect them in case anyone opened fire. The Manila Times crafted an exaggerated story of how events unfolded:
"Ringo Starr was floored by an uppercut, crawling away as a mob viciously kicked him. George Harrison and John Lennon received kicks and blows as they ran to the customs area. Paul McCartney, however, was relatively unhurt."
