229. GOLD EAGLE BEER “Billiards” TVC, starring the Bad Bananas, 1988

GOLD EAGLE BEER POSTER, "PARA SA IYO, PARE KO!"

GOLD EAGLE BEER  was launched around 1981, a low-cost, flanker beer of San Miguel Corporation. It was looked at as a light-bodied beer made for the working class to enjoy at day’s end. It was the first beer assignment of McCann-Erickson, and the launch commercial was mainly a brand awareness, jingle-based campaign that showed an eagle being released to the skies, with shots of the product interspersed with the soaring bird, to the beat of “Let the GOLD EAGLE fly!” refrain.

The account went back to Philippine Advertising Counselors and in 1988, the agency developed a popular GOLD EAGLE campaign featuring the Bad Bananas, a  group of actor friends that included Christopher de Leon , Edgar Mortiz, Jay Ilagan† and Johnny Delgado† . 

They had been stars in a highly popular comedy-variety TV show called “Goin’ Bananas” in 1986. It moved to IBC, and then to ABS-CBN, in 1987, where its following grew bigger.

The story is set in a billiard hall where we find the Bad Bananas at play. A kibitzer, superbly played by Ricky Fernando provides commentaries as they play, annoying them in the process. (For his portrayal, Fernando would be named as one of the Top 10 Advertising Models for 1988).

 

RICKY FERNANDO, THE BILLIARD KIBITZER ,  Top 10 Ad Models for 1988

The billiards kibitzer then demonstrates his moves, hitting the ball accurately one by one, as he amazes the gang with his playing prowess. He even took their challenge to sink a bowling ball on the table! The Bad Bananas rally around him, treating him with a bottle of  GOLD EAGLE BEER.

 

GOLD EAGLE BEER PHOTOBOARD

There were two versions of the TVCs, one, dialogue-driven, and the other, jingle-based using the full “Para Sa ‘Yo,Pare Ko!” song. “Billiards” was perhaps the most memorable ad produced by GOLD EAGLE BEER, which, to this day, continues to delight its loyal core drinkers.

WATCH THE GOLD EAGLE BEER "Billiards" TVC Here:

WATCH THE GOLD EAGLE TVC "Billiards"

FULL JINGLE VERSION HERE:

CREDITS:

AGENCY: PAC/BBDO

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Romy Sinson 

ART DIRECTOR: Edwin Wilwayco

COPYWRITER: Julius Deslate

ARTIST: Pit Santiago

CLIENT: San Miguel Corp. 

PRODUCT: Gold Eagle Beer

SOURCES:

Gold Eagle Beer "Billiards" - Philippines , 1988, uploaded by vibesey

Published on Jul 23, 2016.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arLWgLtNpbU

EKING'S GOLD EAGLE BEER COMMERCIAL, uploaded by: perfectmanastig

Published on Aug 12, 2008, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awSLuqN7E00