Over 200 people fell ill with suspected food poisoning Wednesday after a meal at a birthday party for 90-year-old Imelda Marcos - the notorious former first lady of the Philippines.
Ambulances rushed vomiting guests from a sports stadium in Manila where around 2,500 people gathered to honour the widow of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Although the Marcos's was chased from power by a 1986 peaceful uprising, the family is still revered by many in the Philippines and has made a political comeback in recent years.
"Our ambulances took people to hospital after they complained of dizziness and vomiting. They apparently suffered from food poisoning," Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon told AFP.
Health secretary Francisco Duque said the number of ill was 260.
One of them, a woman who only gave her first name, Leonora, said she believed it was caused by the party food.
"I wasn't that hungry so I only ate the egg and a little steamed rice. I vomited and an ambulance took me to the Rizal Medical Centre where I was given an IV drip," the guest said.
"I blame the cook. Everyone knows Madam [Imelda] is blameless since she was not the one who cooked it."
The party featured singing and speeches, as well as water bottles adorned with Imelda's name and meals in plastic boxes.
There were no immediate reports that the guest of honour was taken ill.
The family later issued an apology while pledging to help those who were sick and cooperate with an official investigation.
"I offer my apologies ask for your understanding. Rest assured that we will continue to help until everyone is fully healed," her son Ferdinand Junior said in a statement.
if you go
The flights
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Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race card
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige; Dh110,000; 1,400m
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7.30pm: Handicap (PA); Dh100,000; 2,400m
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The Bio
Amal likes watching Japanese animation movies and Manga - her favourite is The Ancient Magus Bride
She is the eldest of 11 children, and has four brothers and six sisters.
Her dream is to meet with all of her friends online from around the world who supported her work throughout the years
Her favourite meal is pizza and stuffed vine leaves
She ams to improve her English and learn Japanese, which many animated programmes originate in
Pakistan v New Zealand Test series
Pakistan: Sarfraz (c), Hafeez, Imam, Azhar, Sohail, Shafiq, Azam, Saad, Yasir, Asif, Abbas, Hassan, Afridi, Ashraf, Hamza
New Zealand: Williamson (c), Blundell, Boult, De Grandhomme, Henry, Latham, Nicholls, Ajaz, Raval, Sodhi, Somerville, Southee, Taylor, Wagner
Umpires: Bruce Oxerford (AUS) and Ian Gould (ENG); TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS); Match referee: David Boon (AUS)
Tickets and schedule: Entry is free for all spectators. Gates open at 9am. Play commences at 10am
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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