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ON THIS DAY Michael Jackson made HIStory in Manila

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Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>On this day, 29 years ago, Michael Jackson gathered more than 100,000 Filipino fans in an electrifying night for his <em>HIStory World Tour</em> at the Asia World City Concert Grounds in Parañaque.</p><p>The show marked the first night of his two-concert Manila stop — his only major solo concert in the Philippines and one of the most unforgettable global pop spectacles staged in the country.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765205205031OTD-Dec_8-MJManila (1).png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>A Frenzy Even Before the First Show</strong></div><p>The build-up to the concert was intense. The UPI Archive described Manila as being “in a frenzy,” with tickets selling fast and premium seats — priced at ₱5,000 (around $190 at the time) — were already sold out.<strong></strong></p><div><a href="https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/12/07/Manila-in-frenzy-over-Jackson-concert/4556849934800/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Manila in frenzy over Jackson concert</strong></a><strong></strong><br/></div><p>Jackson flew into the country two days before his first performance, onboard a chartered Air New Guinea flight from Perth, Australia. According to AP Archive, he was greeted by screaming fans upon arrival.</p><div> </div><div><strong>A Manila Welcome Fit for a Pop King</strong></div><p>The arrival scene became a newsmaker itself. Then-President Fidel Ramos’ daughter, Jo Ramos-Samartino, welcomed Michael at the airport with a lei of sampaguita flowers.</p><p> Michael, sporting his signature dark glasses, black hat, and military-style jacket, proceeded to check in at the historic Manila Hotel, where several Filipino celebrities would later share their personal encounters with the global superstar.</p><div><iframe width="1690" height="603" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G41e1kuzUBg" title="PHILIPPINES: MANILA: MICHAEL JACKSON ARRIVES FOR HISTORY CONCERT TOUR" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Singer Carol Banawa recalled her chance encounter when she and then-child star Vandolph Quizon were performing at a Christmas event for orphans at the hotel.</p><p> “Vandolf and I were at The Manila Hotel doing a Christmas show for orphans. MJ and his whole team were checked in at the same hotel. While I was singing, I saw him and his crew walking towards our event 😳 Apparently, MJ heard about the event for orphans and wanted to check it out ❤️ It was so surreal but such a blessing to meet him and shake his hand. He even stayed for autographs. He signed that shirt that I was wearing but I don’t know where that is anymore 😩,” she said.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-24" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCL6RaPh_-L/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A24%2C%22os%22%3A10995288.5%2C%22ls%22%3A115047.40000009537%2C%22le%22%3A115431.70000004768%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="747" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-24" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div> </div><p>Former ABS-CBN journalist and now public servant Loren Legarda also recounted meeting Jackson during his stay in the hotel. She remembered him as “very kind and gentle,” even allowing her to interview him despite not having an official appointment.</p><p>Loren said that she seeked help from actress Alma Moreno, who was then Paranaque mayor Joey Marquez’ wife at that time.</p><p>“I told Alma to introduce me as her relative. So I passed the security cordon because local media people were not allowed to cover him. There was no air (of superstardom). He asked me to look out the window with him so he could wave at the people wanting to see him,” Loren said in an interview with PhilStar Global.</p><div><a href="https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2009/06/28/481443/loren-recalls-meeting-jackson-manila-1996" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Loren recalls meeting with Jackson in Manila in 1996</strong></a><strong></strong><br/></div><p><strong> </strong>She noted that the singer was very humble and down-to-earth, and told her he really wanted to help sick Filipino children.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2FTuklasFilipinas%2Fposts%2Fpfbid031qcwVam8pc7thyxkpUdd7MgVWLuxo1V8nUGjGU1eJWuUmF3c2699gukPR83z3ZuDl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Furthermore, AP Archive also reported that Michael occasionally stopped his motorcade to the hotel just to step out and shake hands with fans waiting for him at the road.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-25" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDN01MiSlmH/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A25%2C%22os%22%3A10995312.5%2C%22ls%22%3A115047.40000009537%2C%22le%22%3A115431.70000004768%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-25" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>A Historical Spectacle </strong></div><p>During the December 8 show, Jackson performed an 18-song setlist featuring some of his most defining hits. Concert accounts described the stage production as massive, complete with intricate choreography, pyrotechnic sequences, and multi-screen visuals. </p><p>Highlights included a medley of “Scream,” “They Don’t Care About Us,” and “In the Closet,” as well as high-energy numbers like “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Beat It,” “Thriller,” and “Billie Jean.”</p><div><iframe width="1690" height="603" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2XQyFZBmIpE" title="Michael Jackson - HIStory World Tour 1996 - Manila, Phillippines" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>He also performed emotional showpieces including “You Are Not Alone,” “Earth Song,” and “Heal the World,” and delighted long-time fans with his Jackson Five medley featuring “I’ll Be There,” “I Want You Back,” and “The Love You Save.”</p><div><iframe width="1690" height="603" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l9KJpT8pigM" title="Michael Jackson - HIStory Tour Live in Manila (December 8, 1996)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>A Stop Shadowed by Controversy</strong></div><p>Prior to the concert, then-Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim issued a ban against Jackson’s performance in the city proper due to unconfirmed allegations of child molestation. The ban prompted promoters to shift the venue to Parañaque.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=411&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fvideos%2F741658531049134%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="411" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/11/11/Manila-defends-ban-on-Jackson/3287847688400" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Manila defends ban on Jackson</strong></a><strong></strong><br/></div><p> Former First Lady Amelita Ramos (wife of Fidel Ramos) also reportedly refused to receive Jackson at Malacañang, citing the pop star’s international reputation at the time. Jackson had previously faced allegations in the U.S., which were later settled out of court in 1993. </p><div> </div><div><strong>A Night That Became Filipino Pop Culture History</strong></div><p>Despite this, Manila welcomed Jackson not just as a global superstar, but as a symbol of world-class entertainment finally reaching Filipino audiences on a grand scale.</p><p>Michael Jackson’s Manila stop remains one of the most talked-about concerts in Philippine pop culture history. His spectacular performance, massive production, and record-breaking attendance helped pave the way for future international acts to consider the Philippines a major tour destination, setting an example for a concert scene that continues to flourish today.<strong></strong></p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-26" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDN01MiSlmH/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A26%2C%22os%22%3A10995329.700000048%2C%22ls%22%3A115047.40000009537%2C%22le%22%3A115431.70000004768%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-26" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong> </strong></div><p>Twenty-nine years later, fans still remember December 8, 1996, as the night the King of Pop lit up Manila and became an unforgettable piece of history in the Philippines.</p>

<p><b>Michael Jackson captivated Filipino fans on his ‘HIStory Tour: Live in Manila’ 29 years ago.</b></p>

Michael Jackson captivated Filipino fans on his ‘HIStory Tour: Live in Manila’ 29 years ago.

ON THIS DAY: Michael Jackson made HIStory in Manila

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ON THIS DAY: Michael Jackson made HIStory in Manila

Nikka Sabio,

Push Team

Published Dec 08, 2025 10:46 PM PHT

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Updated Dec 08, 2025 11:02 PM PHT

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