Sunday, October 4, 2020

290. Is That Who I Think He Is? YVES DIGNADICE for OMEGA PAIN KILLER


"Mr. Adonis of PBA", YVES DIGNADICE for Omega Pain Killer, 1989

One of the leading  manufacturers and distributors of various pharmaceutical and consumer products in the country today is the Cebu-based International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. It was founded by the Wong brothers in 1959:  George, Sixto, Sergio, David Sr., and Pio Sr., with the launch of a product that would become a byword in body aches and pain relief: OMEGA EFFICASCENT OIL.

Aggressive salesmanship and effective door-to-door marketing were key factors that drove OMEGA EFFICASCENT OIL, and by the  mid 1960s, it revitalized its market standing with advertising, using strip ads in local magazines. In 1968, the greaseless version was introduced, which solidified the brand’s national popularity that went on through the 80s.

 Body aches and pains like sprain, lumbago,  cramps, muscle spasms, often happen after strenuous work or sports—and basketball was the perfect contact sport where these are manifested. Besides, basketball-crazy Philippines never ran out of court heroes who can endorse the brand. In 1989, a new campaign was launched by OMEGA EFFICASCENT OIL, using a popular cager at the peak of his career—YVES DIGNADICE, who, with his prowess in the court and his dashing good looks, gained considerable female fandom earning the monicker “Mr. Adonis of PBA”.

 Iloilo-born Yves Arones Dignadice (b. 18 Dec. 1964) was spotted playing in the Palarong Pambansa as a member of the Western Visayan basketball contingent. This led to his being recruited for La Salle where made a good showing at the first ever PABL tournament.  In 1984, he made the national team to the Asian Youth tournament in Seoul, Korea, where the country placed third.

 Dignadice’s  professional  career history included stints with l 1984-1985    Northern Consolidated Cement (1984-85), San Miguel Beermen (1986-1998), and barangay Ginebra San Miguel (2000). He was such an excellent defense player that he earned three All-Star invites and paved the way to his inclusion to the first ever national basketball team composed of PBA players in 1990 that won Silver in the Asian Games.

 It was the mid 1980s that were truly  his prime years—he became several times a member of the national team that played and won in the 1984 SEA Games, 1985 FIBA Asia Championship (Gold) , 1985 FIB World Championshipa and 1985 Jones Cup (Gold).

 As an established basketball star, Dignadice  became an endorser of OMEGA EFFICASCENT OIL in 1989. By then, popular basketball personalities--like Jaworski, Lastimosa, Codinera, and Patrimonio--were doing commercials for their pulling power, and Dignadice found himself doing one too for OMEGA. People still remember his after-game massage scene where he is shown shirtless--  a sure money shot for the country’s bestselling liniment.

 After his retirement, Dignadice migrated to the US with wife Jennifer, a nurse, along with daughters Adrianne, 12, and Sophia, herself, a skilled basketball player. Eldest son Bryce, 24, stays in Manila. He still plays basketball—in PBA reunion games, Fil-Am leagues, while coaching  top girls basketball teams. His Adonis days may be over, but his basketball skills continue to pay off—handsomely.

Where is He Now? UPDATE ON YVES DIGNADICE

Source: PH Sports Bureau

After his retirement, Dignadice migrated to the US with wife Jennifer, a nurse, along with daughters Adrianne, 12, and Sophia, herself, a skilled basketball player. Eldest son Bryce, 24, stays in Manila. He still plays basketball—in PBA reunion games, Fil-Am leagues, while coaching  top girls basketball teams. His Adonis days may be over, but his basketball skills continue to pay off—handsomely.

 SOURCES:

Ph Sports Bureau, YVES DIGNADICE STORY | Ang PBA Player Na NAMAMARIL Sa Court,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC4Xt3c2OS0, uploaded 15 April 2020. Accessed 4 Oct. 2020

Wikipedia: Yves Dignadice

International Pharmaceuticals Inc. website: https://ipi.ph/

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