Classic Filipino Food Commercials
Before the days of tablets and mobile phones, you had to sit in front of the TV to catch your favorite shows. Commercials were a big part of the experience of watching TV because one had no choice but to sit through the ads (though sometimes it felt like the commercials were longer than the show). This gave rise to memorable Filipino food commercials that shaped Pinoy pop culture and promoted beloved Filipino brands. This trip down memory lane will bring you back to your childhood.
SPRITE “Magpakatotoo ka!”
In this campaign that first ran in the 2001, Sprite pushed the message of being true to one’s self as a way to empower the youth by encouraging them to be bold in telling the truth.
KNORR “Real Chinese Soup”
This ad for an instant soup packet is iconic for its catchy jingle, tagline and sound effects. As you watch, listen to the gong that accentuates that magic ingredient to make “real Chinese soup.”
MCDONALD’S “Karen”
This one will tug at your heartstrings as the twist is revealed in the end. The lolo was a former actor in the 50s but he turned away from showbiz to become a lawyer. He passed away last year at the age of 96.
PUREFOODS “Goodbye Carlo”
This has one of the most memorable one-liners in Filipino commercials. A little girl writes in her diary about her crush who said she’s pretty but has to lose weight. She bids farewell to her favorite snacks but struggle to let go of hotdogs.
PUREFOODS “Coffee”
Another memorable one-liner is “Coffee na lang” (Just coffee, please). The husband repeatedly turns down the breakfast prepared by his wife until she serves him honey-cured bacon he couldn’t resist. The husband is played by John Arcilla who is the lead in Heneral Luna (2015).
JOLLIBEE “Jennifer”
This 90s commercial was a hit largely because of the cute acting skills of Trisha which people spoofed on TV, making the ad even more popular. Jollibee did a great job in weaving their product into a mother-daughter relationship and Filipino family values.
BEAR BRAND “Lolo”
In this sentimental commercial, we get a glimpse of a middle-class family gathering — three generations in one house, enjoying over dance, song and food. There’s a ridiculous urban legend that one of the kids in this commercial is actually a ghost.
I hope this list of classic Filipino food commercials brought you back to your childhood. It’s fun to remember those days of watching through TV commercials (although at the time it seemed annoying). What was your favorite Filipino food commercial? Share them in the comments.