GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
PHL welcomes symbolic 7 billionth baby
The Philippines welcomed shortly after midnight Sunday what could be the world’s seven billionth person: a healthy 5.5-pound girl born in a government hospital in Manila. Health officials and a representative from the United Nations went to the Jose Fabella Memorial Medical Center in Manila after learning of the birth of Danica Camacho. Danica was born to live-in partners Camille and Florante Camacho of Antipolo City at about 11:55 p.m. Sunday, according to a report by radio dzBB’s Rodil Vegas. "She looks so lovely," the mother, Camille Dalura, whispered softly as she cradled her tiny baby. "I can't believe she is the world's seventh billion," Camille was quoted as saying in an Agence France-Presse report. But Health Secretary Enrique Ona said they will still submit the baby’s name and time of birth to the World Health Organization to see if Danica is indeed the world’s seventh billionth baby. For now, Danica is considered as one of several symbolic seven billionth humans worldwide. With Ona at the hospital was Population Commission head Tomas Osias and a UN representative. The report quoted Ona as saying that Danica’s birth will raise awareness on the population issue. Second child The baby is the second child for Dalura and her partner, Florante Camacho, who quietly stood in a corner wearing a white hospital gown as television crews and photographers crowded to get a shot of his daughter. The parents and the baby were met by top United Nations officials in the Philippines, who presented the child with a small cake. There were also gifts from local benefactors including a scholarship grant for the child's study, and a livelihood package to enable the parents to start a general store. Also on hand to witness the landmark event was 12-year-old Lorrize Mae Guevarra, who was declared the world's symbolic six billionth baby in 1999 and is now in the sixth grade. "I am very happy to see this cute baby. I hope like me she will grow up to become healthy and well loved by everyone," Guevarra said. The child is one of several in countries around the world being declared a symbolic seven billionth human. It was hoped she would arrive at exactly midnight, but she was delivered two minutes early. 12th most populous country According to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) State of the World Population Report, the Philippines is the 12th most populous country in the world with 94.9 million people. China continues to have the biggest share of the population at 1.35 billion, followed by India at 1.24 billion. The report noted that in many parts of the developing world, where population growth outpaces economic growth, reproductive health care remains a crucial issue. UNFPA representative Ugochi Daniels said that while the Philippine population remains young, with people under 25 making up 54 percent of the total, they needed to be taught proper "life skills" and about sexual issues. She said that while women were having fewer children globally, the overall population continued to go up.
