The World Welcomes Two 7th Billionth Babies.Danica And Nargis

Baby Danica

Baby Nagris

THE Philippines has welcomed one of the world's symbolic ''7 billionth'' babies, after she arrived to a celebratory cheer at a packed government-run hospital.

Weighing 2.5 kilograms, Danica May Camacho was delivered just before midnight on Sunday amid an explosion of media flash bulbs in the delivery room at Manila's Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital.

''She looks so lovely,'' her mother, Camille Dalura, whispered softly as she cradled her tiny baby. ''I can't believe she is the world's 7 billionth.''

The baby is the second child for Ms Dalura and her partner, Florante Camacho, who quietly stood in a corner wearing a hospital gown as television crews and photographers crowded to get a shot of his daughter.

The parents and the baby were met by top United Nations officials in the Philippines, who presented the child with a cake.

There were also gifts from local benefactors including a scholarship grant for the child's study, and a livelihood package to enable the parents to start a general store.

Also on hand to witness the landmark event was 12-year-old Lorrize Mae Guevarra, who was declared the world's symbolic 6 billionth baby in 1999 and is now in the sixth grade.

''I am very happy to see this cute baby. I hope, like me, she will grow up to become healthy and well loved by everyone,'' Lorrize said.

The baby is one of several in countries around the world being declared a symbolic 7 billionth human. It was hoped she would arrive at exactly midnight but she was delivered two minutes early.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said the arrival of the world's 7 billionth baby also presented the Philippines with an opportunity to assess population-related issues.


Also ,somewhere in India,Nargis was born in the populous state of Uttar Pradesh, one of the poorest regions in India, a country that could soon overtake China as the world's most populated nation.

Her parents, poor villagers who earn just over $100 a month, say they want her to go to school and be successful in life, but aid workers say this will be an uphill struggle, not only for her but others like her in the developing world.

"The child will face a lot of challenges," said Sona Sharma, director for advocacy and communications at the Population Foundation of India.

"Getting proper nutritional food, clean drinking water and even basics such as medical care such as immunisations to help her survive the first few years will be challenging."