Welcome to a very full world, Danica: Was this the worlds seven billionth baby?

By KERRY MCQUEENEY Tiny and innocent, little Danica May Camacho peers out at the world just moments after her birth at a hospital in the Philippines.

Wearing a hat to keep the heat from escaping through her head, she nestles against her mothers skin as her proud parents look on.

However, Danicas birth is not only significant to mother Camille and father Florante. She is one of the worlds symbolic seven billionth occupants.

Room for one more? Tiny Danica Camacho the worlds 7 billionth resident is cuddled by her mother Camille as they are wheeled out of the delivery room

Something to celebrate: Proud father Florante Galura holds a cake marking the significance of his daughters birth

The Philippines, ranked 12th as the most populated country in the world, joined the rest of the world as it welcomed its symbolic seven billionth baby in a simple ceremony at the hospital.
Danica was born two minutes before midnight and arrived to a celebratory cheer at the packed Government-run Jose Fabella Hospital in Manila.
Weighing 5lbs 5oz, Danica May Camacho was delivered amid an explosion of media flash bulbs in the delivery room at Manilas Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital.

Mother Camille Dalura said: She looks so lovely. I cant believe she is the worlds seventh billion.

The baby is the second child for Camille and her partner Florante, who quietly stood in a corner wearing a white 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 small cake.

Whats all the fuss about? Danica is oblivious to the significance of her arrival

New family: Danicas arrival was marked with a simple ceremony at the hospital where she was born

There were also gifts from local benefactors including a scholarship grant for the childs 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 worlds symbolic six billionth baby in 1999 and is now in the sixth grade.

Guevarra said: 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.

The child is one of several in countries around the world being declared a symbolic seven billionth human.The United Nations has declared October 31 as Seven Billion day the date when the globes population is estimated to reach seven billion.

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 worlds seven billionth baby also presented the Philippines with an opportunity to assess population related issues.

According to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) State of the World Population Report, the Philippines is the 12th most populous country in the world with 94.9 million people.

China continues to have the biggest share of the population at 1.35 billion, followed by India at 1.24 billion.

The report noted that in many parts of the developing world, where population growth outpaces economic growth, reproductive health care remains a crucial issue.

UNFPA representative Ugochi Daniels said that while the Philippine population remains young, with people under 25 making up 54 percent of the total, they needed to be taught proper life! skills and about sexual issues.

She said that while women were having fewer children globally, the overall population continued to go up.

While our world of seven billion represents a complex picture of trends and paradoxes, there are some essential global truths we observe, she said. Conversely, there is no one global population outlook.

The UNFPA said 10 percent of Filipino girls aged 15 to 19 have started child bearing, with many of the young also increasingly vulnerable to HIV.

There is scepticism over the accuracy of the UNs Seven Billion Day estimation, with critics saying there is no way of truly telling when the population of the human race hits the landmark.

In the past century, the worlds population has increased fourfold. And it has only been 12 years since the planet marked six billion people.

Many independent demographers say the UN has jumped the gun. Early 2013 is their best guess, but it could be as late as 2019 that the landmark is reached.