Filipino, 18, crowned the world’s shortest man

A POOR Filipino blacksmith’s son who stands less than 2 feet (60 centimetres) tall was declared the world’s shortest man by Guinness World Records on his 18th birthday, sparking a celebration in his hometown.

The title was bestowed on Junrey Balawing in Sindangan in the southern Philippines, with his parents, villagers and officials showering the coastal town’s newly famous resident with a feast of roasted pigs and seafood, cake, balloons and cash gifts.

Balawing measured 23.5 inches during the ceremony attended by about 100 villagers and journalists at the town hall. Guinness World Records representative Craig Glenday presented Balawing with official recognition of his status as the shortest adult man in the world, with the framed certificate nearly reaching the ears of the standing recipient.

Balawing, who wore a white shirt emblazoned with the Guinness seal, took over the title from Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal, who is 26.4 inches tall, Glenday said.

Dozens of journalists descended on Sindangan, a fishing and farming town of 90,000 located 730km south of Manila, to cover the event.

“Thank you,” Balawing told the crowd in a local dialect which was translated by his father, Reynaldo.

Balawing tried repeatedly before managing to blow out the candles on the cake and clapped heartily each time the crowd applauded. He was later heard saying “Kapoy,” or “I’m tired.”

Balawing — who is about the size of a toddler and has a child’s demeanour — needs to hold onto something to stand because of weak knees. He was photographed propping himself up with empty Coca-Cola bottles, which were taller than his waistline.

Balawing’s mother grew teary-eyed during the ceremony, saying she was happy with her son’s instant fame.

Nobody could explain why Balawing stopped growing two months after his birth, his father said.