It has been nearly 5 decades when The Beatles first came to the Philippines. July 4, 1966— a pack of Marlboro cost P1 , the dollar exchange rate was P3.90 to a peso, taxi flagdown rate was .15 centavos while the minimum jeep fare was .10 centavos. Beatles mania was at its peak in Manila and the band was scheduled to do a couple of shows at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. Among the front acts were Pilita Corales, Raycards Duets (?) and D’ Downbeats, Pinoy Rock Icon Pepe Smith banged the skins for this band I think. The gig was sold-out to more than 100,000 young kids and that’s just the number inside the stadium who could afford the P50 and P20 tickets. The next day, some uniformed men came and banged on the group’s door in Manila Hotel. They claimed The Beatles was set to gig at the Malacanang Palace for Marcos and the First Family’s regalement. The whole shenanigan at Malacanang was televised live. But the ba...