160. THE MASCOTS OF JOLLIBEE, 1980-2008

Mascots have been part of the advertising world for over a century, like Mr. Peanut and Jolly Green Giant. They personify the character of the brand—and they may come in many forms such as super humans, fantastic creatures, animals—and in the case of JOLLIBEE—an insect!

JOLLIBEE IN 1983

It was only in the 1980s that the use of “live” mascots was fully exploited by Philippine advertisers, thanks to the JOLLIBEE MASCOTS.

Before that, Philippine brand characters from the 50s -70s like Nars Cafi (of Cafiaspirina), Shellane Girl (of Shellane LPG) and Pancho Pantera (of Pancho Pantera chocolate drink) all were one-dimensional figures that saw print on posters and ads, and animated on TV like cartoons.

The mascots of JOLLIBEE not only fed the fantasy of children, but because they were so life-like, they could interact with them in many fun moments.

In a special way, the JOLLIBEE mascot became role models too, for each one was created with different characteristics to reflect the various product qualities. But all were likeable and appealing.

JOLLIBEE in 1989

The lead mascot of JOLLIBEE Foods Corporation was , of course, JOLLIBEE, introduced in 1980. His name says it all—JOLLIBEE is a happy, loveable, active figure who flits from one place to another to spread merriment on everyday occasions.  

JFC Founding Chairman, Tony Tan Cak Tiong, has often likened the mascot's character to the Filipino working folk, noting that the bee "hops around and produces sweet things for life, and is happy even though it is busy".

Ms. CHICKEE, the brand mascot for Chickenjoy, was introduced in 1983.

That same year, the mini-skirted bovine beauty,  LADY MOO, was launched to represent the Milkshakes product.

She would be joined in 1985 by MICO, a kid in red short overalls wearing a milkshake cup for a cap. All three would later be discontinued.

The fastfoods’premium burger, CHAMP, also had a mascot with the same name, introduced in 1984. With a hamburger head, CHAMP was dressed as a boxer, complete with gloves and a robe, but, like a boxer, the mascot,  has also been retired.

JOLLIBEE MASCOTS FAN ART
https://sean-the-master.deviantart.com/art/vintage-jollibee-mascot-fanart-121636410

MR. YUM was the original name of the Yumburger mascot, created in 1989. Dressed in a dark suit, he wears a bowler hat in the shape of a Yumburger bun. In 2008, he was updated and became simply YUM, a younger, more funky boy in a raglan shirt and shades, but with the same, sesame seed-topped burger cap.

TWIRLIE was the name of the girl mascot who personified the very popular Twirly Sundaes that were launched way back in 1988. In mall shows, she performs her own special Twirly Dance.

JOLLIBEE MASCOTS, THEN AND NOW.
https://echo-marav.deviantart.com/art/JOLLIBEE-CHARACTER-MASCOTS-636409322

An unusual mascot was seen in 1984, who sported his stringy hair made from—spaghetti noodles. HETTY, the resident spaghetti mascot, was nonetheless, a consistent crowd favorite.

But if HETTY seemed unusual with her noodle ‘do, POPO looked awfully strange with his stringy hair made from—French Fries! The potato boy has since transformed into a less weird-looking dude, with the cardboard pocket holder taken off his head.

JOLLIBEE has successfully employed mascots as promotional vehicles, and they are always in demand not only for the Kiddie Parties, but also for corporate events. Christmas time is when their mascots are at their busiest, where they not only attend partie but also go on school tours, headline musical events, star in commercials, and make special TV appearances. Children would crowd around to touch them, talk to them, pinch them, pat them, adore them-to the point of hero worship.

WATCH THE JOLLIBEE MASCOTS HERE:

Jollibee (Apat na Dekada), posted by Glover Reselosa

They have been replicated as toys and dolls, featured on licensed merchandise from clocks to plates to pillows and lamps, clothing and school bags.

JOLLIBEE MASCOTS IN OPERETTAS THAT EDUCATE AND IMPART VALUES, 1987

As the characters are also used to promote various advocacies—from propagating Pilipino as a language, imparting local values,  to endorsing sanitation and cleanliness programs—the mascots have to conduct themselves in certain way, guided by a Jollibee Manual which has a mascot code of do’s and don’ts.

COLLECTBLE JOLLIBEE MASCOTS VINYL TOYS, credits to the owner of this photo

Today, the JOLLIBEE MASCOTS have all become part of the Philippine pop culture, and there is not a single kid who cannot, at once, identify him and his circle of friends.

JOLLIBEE MASCOTS AT A KIDDIE PARTY

 After all, they could always be counted on to spread fun,good times and great eats! As  one Jollibee fan astutely observed --“JOLLIBEE is not a bee..he is a FRIEND!”.

SOURCES:

De la Torre, Visitacion R. Advertising in the Philippines, Its Historical, Cultural and Social Dimensions, Tower Books Houe, © 1989, pp. 97-99

Vintage Jollibee Mascots: https://sean-the-master.deviantart.com/art/vintage-jollibee-mascot-fanart-121636410

Jollibee Mascots, then and now: https://echo-marav.deviantart.com/art/JOLLIBEE-CHARACTER-MASCOTS-636409322

Jollibee (Apat na Dekada), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szi468pAdCI, uploaded by Glover Reselosa, Jan. 11, 2018.
Superbrands, Vol. 1, 1999
Mendenhall, John. Character Trademarks, 1990
Jollibee, wikipedia