The world didn’t know of Junrey Balawing before the blacksmith’s son celebrated his 18th birthday on Sunday.
Born to a poor family belonging to the Subanen tribe, Junrey suddenly acquired celebrity status and may now walk tall in his own right following his proclamation as the world’s shortest man alive.
A representative of the Guinness Book of World Records was in the coastal town of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte, on Sunday to officially confer the title on Junrey, all 59 centimeters (23.2 inches) of him.
Junrey, who wore infant-sized shoes and a white T-shirt emblazoned with the Guinness seal, took over the title from Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal, who is 67 cm (26.4 inches) tall, according to Guinness representative Craig Glenday.
Showered with a feast
The event sparked celebration in Junrey’s far-flung hometown, with his parents, villagers and officials showering the newly famous resident with a feast, a cake, balloons and cash gifts.
Sindangan, 730 kilometers south of Manila, had not had so much attention in years—with dozens of journalists descending on this fishing and farming town of 90,000 people to cover the event.
“Thank you,” Junrey told the crowd through his father Reynaldo who interpreted his son’s words spoken in the local language.
Having his cake
Junrey blew the candles on a cake and clapped heartily each time the crowd applauded. He was later heard saying “kapoy,” or “I’m tired.”
Junrey’s mother Concepcion grew teary-eyed during the ceremony. She said earlier that she was happy with her first-born’s instant fame.
Glenday said he was struck with the lively personality of Junrey, who constantly smiled and appeared not to be hampered by his condition.
Junrey—who is about the size of a toddler and has a child’s demeanor—was photographed propping himself up using empty Coca Cola bottles, which were taller than his waistline.
Cheeky smile
“Although he’s short, he takes that in stride,” Glenday told The Associated Press. “He has this cheeky smile.”
Aside from a Guinness certificate, the crown does not come with any cash prize.
Glenday hopes the international fame will bring in gifts and donations, particularly medical supplies to ensure the health of Junrey, who has to be propped to be able to stand with his weak knees.
Nobody could explain why Junrey stopped growing a few months after birth, his father said.
Bottle-size when born
Sindangan Vice Mayor Bess Jagonio, a doctor, said Junrey “was just the size of a 1-liter (2-pint) soft drink bottle” when he was born and speculated he may have suffered from an endocrine or a birth-related defect.
Junrey’s three other siblings—a brother and two sisters—are all of average size for their ages.
Concepcion said she and her husband tried to send Junrey to school but withdrew him after he distracted other children’s attention.
Local officials got the idea of informing the Guinness records committee about Junrey from journalists, who learned about his condition and the possible fame that awaited him.
“The recognition was a good birthday gift for Junrey,” Mayor Nilo Sy, who also witnessed the confirmation, told the Inquirer on the phone.
“We had fried chicken and spaghetti. He whispered something to me that I almost did not understand. I realized later he meant ‘Where’s the Coke?’” Sy added.
Bubbly, proud
Junrey’s size may be a handicap “but he is not a shy boy,” Sy noted. “He is bubbly and looks really proud. Nagpabida sya ganiha (He could even be a show-off).”
Sy said another party was to be held Sunday night for Junrey at the municipal hall. “We want to make this birthday very special for him,” the mayor said.
Junrey’s father is a blacksmith who could barely make ends meet for the family, while his mother helps out by tending a backyard farm in their upland village of Emilda, 20 km from the town proper.
‘Gift from heaven’
Still, having Junrey was considered by the couple “as a gift from heaven,” according to municipal administrator Alan Selda.
“His parents asked for him. It took the couple more than two years to have him that is why they consider him a gift,” the official recalled.
For Selda, Junrey’s story was definitely more than just another entry in the Guinness book.
“(It shows) there is beauty despite the shortcomings of a person. If we look at him, he really is a happy person. That happiness is genuine, something that can inspire others,” he said. With a report from AP