Before Tina Revilla Hosted PCSO's Lotto Draw...

...she was the endorser for Alpine! (Along with her son, actually.)

And long before ALPINE Full Cream Evaporated Milk went into the conscious realm of Filipino minds through Tina Revilla ads, 80s and 90s children have already been singing this all-too-familiar song:

Sa bundok, mayroong dalawang pasas
Sa pasas, mayroong dalawang butas
Sa butas, mayroong lumalabas
Ano 'yon?!
Instant Alpine, puking malaki
Dalawa susoooooooooooo

That didn't come from me okay? But I used to chant it with my fellow kababatas back then, and it always earned me a slap in the butt from my Mom. :-D

Si Anna Larrucea at ang Ques-O

Your task: bilugan ang mukha ng batang Anna Larrucea.

Just kidding.

I'll let my (random) readers in on my little grade school secret: I had a big crush on Anna Larrucea, which was heightened to unusual puppy-love levels when she starred in the 90s kid flick Batang X (with John Prats, Janus del Prado and two other kids whose names escape me). I was such a stupid fan that I ended up buying Batang X comic books. Hahaha.

I think she was supposed to star in an indie flick about robots but was replaced by another actress for some reasons. I have no idea what happened to that movie. Anyway, here you go with the Ques-O print ad, featuring a young Anna. Also, it just occurred to me that the guy with the Mexican hat is still a functioning icon for the product. I should know--I'm eating slices of Ques-O right now. :D

 

Ad copy:

Sa amin, No.1 ito!

Ques-O Pasteurized Process Cheese Food

Another Quality Product of

New Zealand Creamery, Inc.

(Address)

Ocean's Best Tuna

Once upon a time, may dalawang *trivial* happenings sa buhay ko as a kid during the 90s...

1.) Nagkaroon ng tuna label na Ocean's Best, which tasted good, I think. And Ocean's Best was supposedly dolphin-friendly.
2.) I went through a stage where I would vandalize everything I could put my hands (and pens) on. Glaring example is this photo below. Sorry! So there, the captain looks all blinged out.

Nice! Acrostic ad copy! How 90s is that?

Ad Copy:


Ocean's Best
Spells out the big difference in tuna...

O - Outstanding for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
C - Champion sa barkada.
E - Excellent for the figure.
A - A-1 for merienda.
N - Number 1 for parties.
S - Sarap!

(Logo) We Care /  Dolphin Safe
(Product Shot) Ocean's Best
Ocean's Best for your family.

"Phyte" The Big C!

 This guy was the face of Del Monte's line of pineapple products back in the 90s. I just forgot the name of this character actor (hindi ba kasama siya sa series na Anna Karenina?). Anyway, looking at him, don na don ang itsura niya, so it all kind of adds up...you know, pineapples grown in farms, hacienderos, the woven hat to shield hacienderos from the harsh sunlight, the shirt with stripes in arresting tropical colours, the tan skin. Boom.

And yeah, Del Monte used the "phyte" word, referencing phytochemicals and how it fights cancer. Yup, wordplay. I think that was iconic, in its own little way.

Also, I love pineapple juice (Del Monte man o Dole), but I am beginning to think this love for this citrus juice is what triggered acid reflux in me, which kind of opened a disappointing pandora's box of foods that are absolutely no-nos until I get this acid reflux out of my system. Shet.

Ad copy:

"PHYTE" THE BIG C THE NATURAL WAY WITH (logo) DEL MONTE


The good news from science is that there is a natural way to fight CANCER -- phytochemicals! These amazing substances work against the "Big C" by preventing the formation of harmful elements in the body during digestion! We can get these fantastic phytochemicals by taking fruits and 100% natural juices (they can't be added to powdered drinks).


The good news from Del Monte is you can conveniently get your phytochemicals by eating Del Monte pineapple or drinking Del Monte 100% Pineapple Juice.


So "Phyte" the "Big C" the natural way with your friend, Del Monte!

The Shape Of Things To Come

 

Guys--if you know what Wacoal is, then mahusay kayong boyfriend/asawa/manliligaw/kuya/pinsan/atbp. Kayo na! :)

Ad Copy:

The Shape Of Things To Come

Through continuous research, Wacoal knows exactly what every woman needs--to shape-up without slip-ups.

That's why each Wacoal product is meticulously designed to flatter each shape and curve. Making sure that only the finest quality materials are used, quality-tested for durability and comfort that lasts.

From bras, panties, support wear to swim wear...

No one knows your body better than Wacoal.

Wacoal (logo)

Born and made in Japan,  under the strict quality standards of Wacoal Corp.

Who Is Sarah Jane Paez?

While other people got worked up with different digital conventions (some of which I actually attended haha), I got busy writing and finding new old stuff to share with the anonymous world.

So as my title asks, who is Sarah Jane Paez? Well, she is one of the more famous women who won a title in Binibining Pilipinas (yes, the beauty pageant!). After winning the 1989 BP tiara and sash, she went on to become a fashion model throughout the early 90s. It was during this time that she became an endorser for Wranco jeans, the proof being this minimalistic print ad that unfortunately went through my scissor-cutting craze when I was seven years old (hence the cut-up piece of Wranco's logo).

Sarah Jane Paez is currently living a private life--she's now enjoying motherhood in her early 40s and is also a proud spa business owner. And in case you're curious, this is how she looks like now (now being 9 years ago. Haha):

I think Sarah Jane has aged gracefully. Incidentally, Wranco is still a surviving apparel brand in the Philippines. Where to find Wranco jeans? Sa SM department stores (probably nationwide).

Knorr Pork Cubes

Apparently in mid 90's "pork cubes" was a new thing. Now we have tamarind, shrimp, and beef. Ayos! So many broths to choose from hehe.



Ad copy:

Siksik sa linamnam!

Ito na ang sarap na matagal niyo nang hinahanap-hanap! Mula ngayon, may bagong sarap na sisiksik sa inyong mga lutuin! Alay ng inyong paboritong Knorr Cubes, bagong Knorr Real Pork Cubes. Siksik sa linamnam ng tunay na pork dahil mayroon itong real pork meat.

Stalling!

Ang gusto ko lang naman ay mag-blog at mag-share. Apparently last year's shiznit has caused me to abandon this blog for a while and succumb to life's bitchin'. But I'm back, baby!

I'm back!

Yun lang kthxbye.

Centerspread ng Loreal

Dahil centerspread nga ang L'oreal ad na yan, ito ang kapartner niyan:


Glamorous! Haha.

Jolina, Angelu and Guia for Newtex

Will you look at that! Before Angelu de Leon went crazy over Joko Diaz, before Jolina Magdangal switched TV networks, and before Guia Alvarez totally slipped out of showbiz consciousness, these three girls were once endorsers of Newtex (yung sanitary napkin. Meron pa ba nito?). For those who really can't remember Guia, she started in Ang TV (everybody now: "Esmyuskee!!!")

They looked so fresh and vibrant in this ad--save for Guia Alvarez's weird smile.

***

Ad copy:

What? Miss the fun because you have? No way! With Newtex, pwede ka pa ring mag-enjoy! Kasi ang Newtex, tamang tama ang thickness kaya sigurado ka sa protection. You'll feel confident...you can be yourself! Ang saya di ba?

(Product shot) Newtex. Pagkat dalaga ka na!

May Queensland Butter Pa Ba?

I used to always see this ad in print dati. May Queensland Butter pa ba ngayon? Pang-Dairy Creme lang kasi ako hahaha.




Simple lang ang ad pero rak! Never mind that it looks like floorwax...

Update: OO MAY QUEENSLAND BUTTER PA PALA. Aside from seeing the product in that famous Charice-Pempengco-Wailing commercial, nabiyayaan din ako sa office nito. Yehessss.

A-bl-bl-blue!

Children of the 90s, do you remember this ad? Ang alam ko this campaign had a catchy tune eh, I just couldn't remember it. :-D I do remember loving the two blue men of this Colgate toothpaste ad, even though they look weird. Haha :D

Baby Plus Egg-shaped Basket Plus Bird Equals...

Johnson's Baby Soap!

If I'm not mistaken, I think this Johnson's Baby Soap ad had a longer visible period because I remember back then, I used to always see it in print media and I'd always find that baby-in-the-basket to be cuddly and cute. Haha.




I think Johnson's and Tender Care had the same approach in advertising. Will look for a Tender Care ad for comparison :-)

Ad copy:

Shouldn't your baby's first soap be the gentlest?
No other soap babies you better.

(Product shot)

Look At My Mole

Ye-he-hes! This one's a classic, alright!
Bear Brand Sterilized Milk:



I used to sing the song from their TVC when I was a kid. No, more like humming lang, really. And I think every kid wanted to have a lolo like that oldie in the commercial. :-)

Look For The Frakkin' Bird!

So, who doesn't remember the Albatross ad? Very catchy eh! Albatross, for the uninitiated, is a popular brand of toilet deodorizers. They have been making our bathrooms smell freshhhh. Tama, masarap singhutin.

Look for the bird daw...and look for the bird we do. :-D


Ad copy:

Let the fragrance of Albatross keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean for a long, long time. With any of the scents of Albatross: strawberry, lemon, sampaguita, herbal, lougere, jasmine, lavender, and now samba, you can be sure that the fragrance of your bathroom will linger on.

Look for the bird.

Albatross. The deodorizer that works overtime.

Ate Vi, Michael Jackson, Student Canteen

Time out muna from ads!


Disclaimer: I am not a 70s kid but I can't help but wonder at these pics! Wow, tagal na pero classic! Very nostalgic, most especially because MJ is dead now. Michael Jackson with Vilma Santos--that's even better than the Nora Aunor bit!






According to Adobomagazine, the source of the pictures is unknown because they were only passed on from an email (I think).


Hay...Those were the days.

HOPE (The Luxury Cigarette) pa ang nagdala sa Jackson 5 dito :D

Sabi ni Magnolia: Other Cheeses Cannot Do As Much!

That's the spirit, Magnolia! Even if back in those days most kids loved that moustached guy Quezo and most moms didn't give a darn about what cheese to use best in dishes like, say, baked mac.

Ad copy:

Reveal your adventurous streak with Magnolia Quickmelt Cheese. Go wild. Slice it. Cube it. Grate it. Bake it. Cook it. Melt it. On just about anything! Yes, you can do whatever you imagine! And all it takes is one great cheese! Magnolia Quickmelt Cheese.

Best of all, it's Magnolia.

***

There there, I think I have busted my HP scanner already. Will have to improvise with my slr for now.

Plainest Toothbrush Ad Everrrrr

A lot of people have told me (including my mom) that a toothbrush, even in any form, colour, shape, electric or not, is still a toothbrush. I know...labo. Ganito lang yun: a toothbrush is a toothbrush. Its main purpose is to clean the inside of your mouth. So it doesn't really matter if it's plain-looking, or patterned after a spaceship (I know a lot of toothbrush brands that look like it). Ganun. Tootbrushing is something innate to mankind. And that's the reason why toothbrush ads turn me off. I always think these ads are here to keep reminding people of the need to brush their teeth, which is really something they should be doing regularly. Oh, for oral hygiene's sake! Now that's yucky.

Anyway, here's a classic from TVP Dental B. After two decades, without any print ads or point-of-sale shelves (to my knowledge) the brand is still alive because I still see it in grocery stores. I still buy Dental B toothbrush, most especially when I travel. I usually pack it neatly along with my other toiletries. Cheap but effective, like any other toothbrush.

The red circle you see points out a product of my childhood...I had this phase in my younger years when I would randomly tear pieces of pages in magazines and books.

Ad copy:

Put your money where your mouth is.

Since you spend so much on making sure you get what you deserve, we felt it was important to ask if your toothbrush is a TVP Dental B.

If it is, you're on the right track.

If it isn't, here's what you've been missing:

- A tapered and rounded head for convenient cleaning of back teeth.
- Top grade nylon bristles rounded at the ends for gentle brushing of teeth and massaging of gums.
- Your choice of bristles: SOFT - for sensitive teeth and gums, MEDIUM - for extra strong cleaning, and HARD for heavy duty cleaning and for brushing dentures.
-Diamond-cut handle in brilliant stone colors to match nearly every whim.

Believe it or not, with all the luxurious features TVP Dental B offers, some people think that all toothbrushes are the same. That's alright. We don't make enough for everyone anyway.
TVP Dental B
The Very Personal DENTAL BRUSH
Feel the luxury.

***

Ouch, natamaan ako sa last line.
Ang haba ng copy!

Richard Gomez For Diet Coke

There are just so many things in this Diet Coke print ad that strike a nostalgic note in me:

1.) Diet Coke at 2.50 pesos. Wowwwww...

2.) Diet Coke in glass bottles. That's something.

3.) Richard Gomez, when he wasn't a politician yet.

Print ads like this worked like crazy in the 90s. Hay...nothing like the good old days.

Ad Copy:

Diet Coca-Cola

Just for the taste of it.

Less than one calorie.

Now available in bottles. Suggested retail price: 2.50

This Was The Way To Advertise Cooking Oil...

...S'yempre pa, Minola! (note the apostrophe, boys and girls...few people write that word that way, astig :p )

Can you see the healthy, wide-eyed omigosh-this-ad-is-gonna-make-me-famous look of the cute girl don in a semi-hawaiian look who's probably in her late 20s right now? She's a good testimony for all that wellness that comes with Minola cooking oil right after deep frying a whole batch of breaded chicken with it. :-)

See, it was that simple. But I believe it was the darn prawns that convinced me flat. Hehe.






Copy:

For Whole-Family Goodness, Choose The Healthy Cooking Oil
The Philippines' No. 1...S'yempre pa, Minola
As clear as can be. You can really see how pure and refined Minola is. No undesirable odor, no oily smell or taste. You'll love frying and cooking with Minola.
Savour the natural good taste of food. S'yempre pa, Minola, the premium edible oil!

*To retain the details of the ad (from the creases down to the paper texture), I refrained from altering the image, save for the watermark, brightness/contrast adjustments and the stitching (the magazine happens to be bigger than my scanner, seriously.)