MANILA, Philippines – The boy who was pictured in the old P500 bill handing flowers to a soldier is now all grown up.

At the back of the old P500 banknote, you’ll see a familiar image of a woman and a boy handing flowers to soldiers, a scene during the 1986 EDSA revolution. The boy is identified to be Angelo Gutierrez, now a nurse in New York City.

Angelo Gutierrez is the young boy pictured in the old P500 bill
Angelo Gutierrez is the young boy pictured in the old P500 bill | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Angelo Gutierrez/ Gabby Lopez

On Facebook, educator Gabby Lopez revealed that Angelo used to be his student in graduate school at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). Angelo is also an ex-seminarian at Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary.

Lopez wrote, “My graduated former PLM MBA student in NY who met VP Leni, Jell-o Gutierrez is the young boy offering flowers to the soldier in the P500 peso bill.”

Vice President Leni Robredo and Angelo Gutierrez.

Angelo recently shared his excitement when he chanced upon Vice President Leni Robredo strolling in New York. Robredo is in the Big Apple when she attended the graduation of her youngest daughter, Jillian.

Angelo wrote, “Bumped into the Vice President of the Philippines. Thank you for being so approachable and kind! God bless you! Leni Gerona Robredo.”

He shared his excitement with his former educator. Lopez shared another post about Angelo and shared their conversation. He wrote, “He is the boy giving flowers to the peace-loving kawal ng bayan in our P500 bill. Pax et Bonum. He is also a former co-seminarian at Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary. Ave Maria. Salve Regina. Viva VP Leni Gerona Robredo.”

Php 500 bill

Meanwhile, historian Manuel Quezon III confirmed on Twitter that Angelo was the boy in the old banknote. He even shared images of the real photo taken by John Cua that can be seen in Monina Allarey Mercado’s book, “People Power, an Eyewitness History: The Philippine Revolution of 1986.”

The photo’s description on the book stated, “Ten deep in many places, a human wall against a line of seated Marines defines the stalement, far left. As Marines await orders to attack Crame and as civilians block their way, it is the young people who make the first moves—a child offers some stalks of flowers to a soldier and a young girl moves in with a plea, left and above.”

The historian posted a Then and Now photo of Angelo with Robredo saying it was a “Sunday’s history lives moment.”



— Sally, The Summit Express

Recognize this boy in the old P500 bill? He’s now a nurse in NYC
Source: Trend Buzz Pinoy