World’s shortest man is Filipino

A poor Filipino blacksmith’s son who is fractionally less than 60 centimetres (two feet) tall was declared the world’s shortest man by Guinness World Records on his 18th birthday yesterday, 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.

Mr. Balawing was measured at 23.59 inches, or 59.93 centimeters tall during the ceremony attended by about 100 villagers and journalists at the town hall.

The Guinness World Records representative, Craig Glenday, presented Mr. 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 recipient.

Mr. Balawing, who wore a white shirt emblazoned with the Guinness seal, took over the title from Khagendra Thapa Magar of Nepal, who is 67 centimeters tall, Mr Glenday said.

OMG he is so cute!