A guide to the last 10 years in tearjerking and memorable Christmas commercials

by Pacifiqa Staff

(YouTube)

 

Nobody celebrates Christmas like Filipinos do. We are known to have the longest Christmas season in the world. As early as September, Christmas decorations are put up, Christmas songs are played on the radio, and Christmas shoppers crowd the malls. In the Philippines, Christmas lasts until the Feast of the Santo Niño in January. Or until people stop asking us for their pamasko.

Let’s be honest. Christmas is also a time when we lavishly spend on gifts and other material things. But Christmas shouldn’t just be about Noche Buena ham, endless parties, and Kris Kringle gifts. It is, according to the gospel and to popular culture, about joy, love, and sharing. It’s the time when children learn the importance of giving, when old friends reunite, and when families come together.

Ironically, the same brands that promote gift-buying are also the ones that remind us what Christmas is truly about through their TV commercials. Here, we have compiled the most heartwarming Christmas commercials of the past decade.

 

2004

This San Miguel Beer commercial harks back to the mid-2000s, when Britney Spears and Friendster were still de rigeur. Watch a younger Parokya ni Edgar sing a boozy rendition of the “12 Days of Christmas.” Also in the commercial are some PBA Players, Judy Ann Santos, and Francine Prieto.

 

Parokya ni Edgar’s 12 Days of Christmas according to San Miguel Beer

 

2005

Chowking’s unconventional take on the family Christmas TVC can surely melt hearts. In this ad, a father reunites with his estranged daughter and his young apo.

 

Chowking Christmas reunion

 

2006

Who could forget the memorable “Tara na, Biyahe tayo!” campaigns of the mid-2000s. In a creative tie-up between Smart and the Department of Tourism, long before today’s “It’s more fun…” commercials, this ad was the Christmas edition of that memorable campaign. Just look at the cellphones in that video.

Also notable, an “aww shucks” Jollibee featuring a mature, family-oriented Aga Mulach and his then-very-young children. If you’d like to feel old, this is what those kids look like today.

 

Pondo ng Pinoy caroling with bottles and coins

 

Coming home with Jollibee

 

Another DOT “Tara na, biyahe tayo!” campaign

 

2007

Chowking has always had an eye for unique Christmas ads, and they proved it once more in this incredibly heartwarming commercial that features a young child and his father meeting for the first time.

On a tastier note, 2007 was also the year of Lechon Pizza from Greenwich.

 

Father and son reunion by Chowking

 

Greenwich Pizza de Lechon

 

2008

Jollibee’s 2008 Christmas ad promoting their “Maaga ang Pasko” project reminds us of our most favorite toy from childhood. The kid in the commercial parts gives his beloved toy to another child.

Also, one of Original Pinoy Music’s pillars, the Apo Hiking Society, tells us why we should see our old friends every now and then.

 

Kid gives away most favorite toy at Jollibee

 

Apo Hiking Society reminisces with SMB

 

2009

Unilab struck gold in their 2009 holiday ad with this moving piece that makes reference to rebuilding after the catastrophic Typhoon Ondoy. With lines like, “Umulan man ang pagsubok, mananatili pa ring matibay ang samahan,” this ad simply hit all the right notes.

Meanwhile, McDonald’s in a unique departure from the typical OFW and family theme, also released an incredibly thoughtful ad about the unheralded yet crucial workers that keep our cities running at night.

 

Night people’s Christmas with McDonald’s

 

The good old days of radio dramas, as told by Tide

 

The unsinkable Filipino resilience by Unilab

 

2010

One can never forget Nicos and his induction into the SMP, also known as the “Samahan ng mga Malalamig ang Pasko.” Because it just hits home to everyone, all the single ladies and gents sympathized with him and gave him an imaginary pat on the back.

 

Nicos and Samahan ng Malalamig ang Pasko from Nestea

 

2011

Who can forget Coke’s OFW Project? With over 1.5M views on YouTube, this commercial really launched the trend for groundbreaking and meaningful ads that highlight the special meaning of the holidays, especially for Filipinos around the world.

 

Coca-Cola’s OFW Project

 

The Complete Christmas from Globe

 

2012

Perhaps taking a cue from Coke’s unique OFW project execution the year before, Knorr tried doing their own OFW pseudo-documentary by surprising returning Filipinos with carolers, and “things they have surely missed about home,” Knorr included, of course.

Meanwhile, Anne Curtis showed us how to “throw a Christmas Ginuman” in this clever spot for GSM Blue. We’re just not so sure about the gin and coffee mix.

 

Welcome back home from Knorr

 

Gin-numan na with GSM Blue

 

2013

We can say that 2013 was Jollibee’s year, since they released ads that definitely tugged at people’s heartstrings.

A father comes home for Christmas after two years of working overseas. He invites his taxi driver, who misses his OFW son, to celebrate Christmas with his family.

In line with their promotion of the “Maaga ang Pasko” endeavor, the other ad shows a little girl hanging out with her new best friend.

A new family member by Jollibee

 

A kid’s new “best friend” by Jollibee

 

2014

This year’s Jollibee ad deviates from their yearly tearjerkers. Featuring Lyka Gairanod and Darren Espanto of The Voice Kids fame, and Sarah Geronimo, this “jolly jolly joy joy” jingle can certainly give you a bad case of last song syndrome.

On the other hand, Eden Cheese’s commercial emphasizes that familial love is not limited to our blood relatives alone.

A “Jolly jolly joy joy” Christmas from Jollibee

 

Eden’s Mamang