PHILIPPINES: MANILA: MICHAEL JACKSON ARRIVES FOR HISTORY CONCERT TOUR

(6 Dec 1996) English/Nat
Hundreds of screaming fans lined the street from the Manila airport to the historic Manila Hotel as pop star Michael Jackson arrived Thursday for the Philippine leg of his "HIStory" concert tour.
Michael Jackson arrived in the Philippines, Thursday, on board a chartered Air New Guinea flight from Perth, Australia.
He was greeted at the airport by President Fidel Ramos' daughter, Jo Ramos-Samartino.
Ramos-Samartino welcomed Jackson to the Philippines with a lei of Sampaguita flowers -- the Philippine national flower.
Jackson was adorned in his signature dark glasses, black hat and jacket.
From the airport to the Manila Hotel the streets were lined with screaming fans.
Occasionally along the route Jackson's motorcade would stop and the pop superstar would step out the shake hands with fans on the road.
At the hotel grounds dancers wearing colorful peacock headgear and dancing to the beat of Jackson's hits entertained the crowds eagerly awaiting Jackson's arrival.
Not all Filipinos however are happy to see Jackson.
Manila's Mayor refused to give Jackson permission to hold the concert in the capital because of allegations of child molestation against Jackson.
In 1993, Jackson was accused of sexually abusing a boy in the United States.
No charges were ever filed.
Jackson settled with the boy for a reported 15 (m) million dollars (US).
When Jackson finally arrived his short walk from the parking area to the hotel lobby was a press of fans.
Many said this free peek was the only chance they would ever have to see the king of pop-music.
SOUNDBITE: (Tagalog)
I just want to see Michael Jackson. We do not have money to see the concert, but this is enough, just a glimpse of him will be enough for me.
SUPER CAPTION: Leoncia Estrellado, Jackson fan
Jackson and his entourage are occupying 82 of the 510 rooms of the Manila Hotel.
The historic hotel was the pre-World War II residence of General Douglas MacArthur, during his tenure as governor.
Once inside the hotel, Michael Jackson waved from the penthouse suite to the delight of his fans.
Jackson is scheduled to hold concerts on December 8th and 10th on reclaimed land along Manila Bay in suburban Paranaque.
Organizers expect more than 45-thousand people will attend each concert.
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