PANCHO PANTERA is
an instant chocomilk powder drink that was widely popular in Mexico, introduced
in the Philippines in 1965. Its product label claimed it is U.S. made and that
the vitamins-and-minerals-fortified product was repacked in the Philippines by
Garrick Enterprises Inc., owned and operated by Ricardo Quintos (father of Paul
and Michael who were murdered by hired killers of his political opponent in
Mindoro).
WATCH A MEXICAN TV AD OF PANCHO PANTERA CA. 1967
But PANCHO PANTERA
is a heritage brand from Mexico, sold and enjoyed for over 90 years, before folding up in 2021. Along the
way, the brand was bought by a succession
of blue-chip companies, from Procter & Gamble to Mead Johnson,
PANCHO PANTERA
had a brief shining moment in Philippine marketing, advertised in full color
ads in magazines, and TV, with an animated
cartoon commercial featuring a cowboy mascot and a catchy jingle.
PANCHO PANTERA MASCOT, updated
In less than 2 years, PANCHO
PANTERA would disappear from the local market, but Filipino children
growing up in the 60s still vaguely remember the cowboy kid that ran through te
TV screen, a picture of a healthier, stronger, taller kid, brought up with
chocomilk that is PANCHO PANTERA!
TRIUMPH INTERNATIONAL began in a German factory tha
manufactured corsets, and would grow into one of the world’s leading manufacturers
of lingerie and underwear—and a most successful global brand at that! It
underwent a series of worldwide expansion, beginning in Europe from 1953-1959,
and in the 1970s, forayed into the South American, Australian, African and the
Asian market, beginning in Hong Kong.
MONDRAGON, on the other hand, began in 1969, distributing Tupperware,
educational books and toys, skincare products
(Naturelle), feminine hygience products (Uni-charm, Confidence and Lady
Fresh sanitary napkins), Nike sports, among others.
By the 1980s, it became an exclusive distributor of TRIUMPH
INTERNATIONAL, which it also marketed and promoted via advertising. The company
was led by Jose chief executive Antonio “Tony” Gonzalez, who later became the
tourism secretary under Cory Aquino’s administration.
The TRIUMPH ads revolutionized female underwear advertising by
going beyond the functional benefits, positioning them as premiere fashion
brands. New lines were presented as “annual collection” much like a fashion collection---and
the print ads were done with a very classy look—from the well-chosen models who
were mostly Caucasians, to the slick photography and tasteful lay-outs that
seemed to have come straight from Madison avenue.
The TRIUMPH International brand was further elevated when it
forged an alliance with a national beauty pageant to form a “Mondragon Triumph
Court of Fashion”, actually a group corporate award for contestants, who later
on, were featured in ads and events.
In 1989, TRIUMPH INTERNATIONAL (PHILS.) was put up in the
Philippines, which manufactured intimate apparels for the world. The product portfolio
became diverse and expanded into a range of lingerie, silk lingerie, nightwear,
swimwear and sportswear for females, and underwear, swimwear and casual wear
for males.
TRIUMPH INTERNATIONAL, 1989 FASHION STYLES
In later years, MONDRAGON INTERNATIONAL PHILS. was beset
with financial issues—unpaid loans--leading to several high profile cases
filed by banks. The Mondragon building in Makati City, which served as the company's
headquarters, was foreclosed by bank creditors. The once profitable Mondragon Group of
Companies with over 2,500 employees, was reduced to a one-man organization by 2000,
composed of Gonzalez as chairman of the board and chief executive officer.
TRIUMPH INTERNATIONAL (PHILS.) was also plagued with labor
problems, and in June 2009, the company announced that it will cease
manufacturing and distribution center operations in the Philippines, effective August
28. TRIUMPH fashions are still available in the local market today, via official TRIUMPH
stores and online sites like Zalora, LazMall and Shopee.
One of the most popular and celebrated basketball icons of
the Philippines, Robert Vincent Salazar Jaworski Sr (born March 8, 1946) is the
so of American-Polish , Theodore Vincent Jaworski and Ilocana Iluminada
Bautista Salazar. As a student, he became
a well-known collegiate basketball player for the University of the East,
leading the “Red Warriors” to back-to-back victories at the University Athletic
Association of the Philippines (UAAP) meet in 1965 and 1966. That earned him a
place in the basketball team that went on to compete at the 1966 Bangkok Asian
Games, and at the Asian Basketball Championships, where his team placed first,
beating the host country, Korea.
WATCH THIS CERVEZA NEGRA TV featuring JAWORKSI (1978)
His amateur career began in 1967 when he joined the YCO
Painters under coach Carlos Loyzaga. He then suited up for Meralco in 1970.
After being banned by the Basketball Association of the Philippines in a
mauling incident during a game against Crispa-Floro (which caused him to miss
the 1972 Olympics), he was reinstated in 1973 to the national team.
“Big J”, as he was called, joined the newly-formed Toyota
Comets after his Meralco stint, and he officially became a PBA player in 1975
after the Toyota Comets became one of the league's founding franchises of the
league. He played with Toyota until
1984, and it was there that he became an MVP in 1978.
WATCH JAWORKSI'S ANEJO RUM COMMERCIAL:
He then joined Ginebra San Miguel, staying with the team for
14 years (184-1998), which would become the most popular Jaworski-led team in
Philippine basketball history. As a playing coach, he and his team won the 1986
Open Conference championship finals. He also coached the Philippine team that
won Silver at the 1990 Asian Games.
In 1991, Jaworski won his third title at the expense of
Formula Shell of the PBA that a team came back from a 3–1 deficit to win the
championship.
WATCH JAWORSKI'S JUVELON COMMERCIAL (1983)
Ginebra’s performance faltered from 1992-95 due to PBA budget
limitations, but rebounded in 1996 with new top players that enabled the team
to win a 4th championship in 1997 vs. Alaska Milkmen.
Fifty year old Jaworski's last game in the PBA was in March
1997 in a game held at Dumaguete City. He ran for the Philippines senate and
won a seat during the May 1998 elections but was defeated when he ran for
re-election in 2004.
WATCH JAWORSKI'S GINEBRA "BIDA" COMMERCIAL:
As the country’s most-well known PBA player, Jaworski’s
influence cannot be denied. He was sought after by advertisers and agencies for
his pulling power, and some of his well-known commercials included TIMEX (“The
Tough Watch”), GINEBRApromotional
plugs, Añejo AÑEJO RUM, NESCAFE Master Roast, among many others.
Recently, his son Robet “Dudut” Jaworski Jr. , who also
played in the PBA along with his fater,
announced in 2021 that Robert Sr., age 76, was suffering from a rare blood
disease.
The enterprising Mr. Maximo Gimenez founded the popular fried chicken restaurant
way back in 1945, who met American soldiers who posted in Quezon City. These military men
often dropped by his house, where they would be served homecooked meals. This
gave rise to the idea of opening a QC café—MAX’s---which
the Stanford-educated quickly put up to answer this need.
Source: MAX's Restaurant website
The first menu offering was fried chicken, that soon became
everyone’ favorite, especially when Gimenez’s niece, Ruby, improved on the
recipe that gave the chicken an appealing deliciousness—what with its crispy
skin, and tender meat that one would dip with sweet Jufran or Mafran catsup. It
soon opened a branch along Dewey (Roxas) Boulevard and expanded its menu.
MAX'S FRIED CHICKEN, 1987
MAX's also began actively advertising on TV and print since the
1970s, and one of its most memorable commercial, under the “Sarap to the Bones”
campaign starred Mr. Pure Energy, Gary
Valenciano, in 1996.
WATCH MAX'S RESTAURANT "GARY V." TVC HERE:
Now known as MAX’s Restaurant, the Philippine institution
has evolved into a modern restaurant chain, but which continues to be beloved
part of the Filipino tradition of fine family dining.
