Local exec: Guinness crown for Zambo man 'bitter-sweet' prize

PATERNO ESMAQUEL II, GMA News

06/12/2011 | 11:15 AM

Guinness World Records' crowning on Sunday of Junrey Balawing, a 1-foot and 9.7-inch Filipino from Zamboanga del Norte, as the world’s shortest living man was a “bitter-sweet" triumph, a local official said.

Led by Guinness editor-in-chief Craig Glenday, Guinness adjudicators arrived in Sindangan town late last week to measure Balawing in time for his 18th birthday on Sunday. After careful measurement processes, the Filipino was declared the world's shortest man.

The world’s shortest living man, Junrey Balawing, is the eldest in a brood of four. Unlike his siblings, he cannot go to school because he is “barely mobile," said Sindangan municipal administrator Alanixon Selda. Photo courtesy of “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho"

But in a telephone interview with GMA News Online, Sindangan municipal administrator Alanixon Selda called Balawing’s feat “bitter-sweet," saying the young man clinched the record due to an “extreme abnormality." “We don’t want our people to suffer any abnormalities."

Guinness adjudicators had to take Balawing’s height thrice over the course of 24 hours, according to the Guinness website.

Balawing beats the record of Nepalese Khagendra Thapa Magar, who measures 2 feet and 2.41 inches.

'Stunted by poverty'

Selda said poverty prevented Balawing's parents from seeking an expert's help, adding, “Ang root cause niyan [Balawing's condition] ay poverty."

Junrey is the eldest of four siblings of a Subanen indigenous family. His mother is a housewife and his father is a blacksmith.

In March, Sindangan Mayor Nilo Sy told GMA News Online that a world record by Balawing will augur well for his province of 87,720 people, where seven out of 10 are poor. [See story: Guinness Pinoy could be shortest man]

He also expressed hopes the Balawing family would receive financial aid after clinching the record.

In an interview posted on the Guinness website before his record was announced, Balawing was quoted as saying “If I were the smallest man in the world, it would be very cool."

Selda said Balawing “relishes" the attention given him. He added, however, that the new record-holder is an out-of-school youth because his condition makes him “barely mobile."

In a statement, Guinness’ Glenday said, “While we need to maintain a scientific, dispassionate approach to documenting record claimants, it's impossible not to be moved by the plight of these incredible, brave human beings."

“Most of us are fortunate enough to never know the hardship of being unable to fit in – quite literally – to a giant world, to never find clothes to fit, or hold down a regular job or relationship. Add to this the inevitable medical complications associated with short stature, and you have the potential for a difficult, lonely life lived on the fringes of society," the Guinness editor-in-chief added. — LBG, GMA News