Young Michael Jackson’s kilig moments with Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos .
Before he was the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson was a 17-year-old sensation in a transition phase. In February 1976, The Jackson 5 landed in Manila for their “Love Jive” tour when they were scheduled to perform three nights at the Folk Arts Theater and three nights at the Araneta Coliseum.
This Manila trip was bittersweet. It was the group’s final tour under the Motown contract. Because of the impending move to Epic Records, Jermaine Jackson was absent, and the youngest brother, Randy, officially joined the lineup right here in the Philippines. This was the literal birthplace of “The Jacksons.”
Thanks to social media, we are reminded of that trip when photos of their appearance on the noontime show Student Canteen where the Michael and The Jacksons were welcomed by legendary TV hosts Coney Reyes, Eddie Ilarde, and Bobby Ledesma. Michael famously performed a solo rendition of “Ben“ and “One Day in Your Life.“
Meeting the rival queens
Interestingly, Michael also met the two rival “Queens” of Philippine cinema—Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos.
In the photo taken for Kislap Magazine at the Manila Hilton, Nora, the Superstar, is seen wearing her signature Ate Guy style—a denim-like top with studded detailing and her famous newsboy cap. Michael is sporting his iconic late-70s Afro and a patterned white button-down shirt that was the height of disco-era fashion.
On the other hand, Vilma’s and Michael’s photo is much more relaxed as they sit on towel-covered ground in the poolside area. Michael sits behind Vilma, who looks every bit the “Sweetheart of Philippine Movies” in her light blue button-down with a striped scarf tie and flared denim jeans. MJ is wearing a wide-brimmed red baker boy hat and black leather shoes—very Jackson 5 style.
In 1976, the Philippines was under martial law rule. International acts of this magnitude were rare, providing a massive morale boost to the local youth. For Filipino fans, this was the first of only two times Michael would visit the country (the second being his solo HIStory World Tour in 1996, twenty years later).
It’s rare to find a single moment in time where the “King of Pop” and the “Queens of Philippine Cinema” occupied the same room. It truly was the ultimate crossover event of the 70s!
Before he was the King of Pop, he was a 17-year-old in an afro meeting with Ate Guy. Revisit MJ’s 1976 Manila tour, his iconic Student Canteen appearance, and those rare, high-fashion photos with Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos.
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