MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Fully Booked and Penguin Random House SEA invite readers, media, and Beatles enthusiasts to the official Manila launch of “You Won’t See Me” by David Guerrero on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at The Studio, Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.
The book revisits one of the most controversial chapters in music history — The Beatles’ ill-fated 1966 visit to the Philippines — a stop on their landmark world tour that would ultimately contribute to the band’s decision to stop touring altogether.
In the summer of 1966, The Beatles arrived in Manila expecting a routine engagement. Instead, the visit took a dramatic turn when manager Brian Epstein declined an invitation to a Palace lunch hosted by then First Lady Imelda Marcos. What followed was a chain reaction that reshaped the band’s relationship with the country and marked a defining moment in their career.
For decades, the episode has been told in fragments and anecdotes. In “You Won’t See Me,” David Guerrero brings the full story into focus.
A Manila-based author, award-winning advertising executive, and lifelong Beatles devotee, Guerrero first explored the incident in a BBC World Service documentary before expanding the research into a comprehensive account. The book examines how power, ego, and geopolitics collided in 1960s Philippines — and how a single declined invitation helped shape international perceptions of a nation for years to come.
The book has garnered early acclaim. Rolling Stone Philippines describes it as “a cautionary tale of pride, ego, and celebrity misadventures,” while author James Hamilton-Paterson calls it “an indispensable addition to the Beatles literature.” Julian Lennon has also expressed intrigue at finally learning what happened to his father’s band during their Manila visit.
Published by Penguin Random House SEA, You Won’t See Me is now available in bookstores and online worldwide.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Venue: The Studio, Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street
For media RSVPs and interview requests, please respond to this email or register at bit.ly/fbevents2026.
