449. Beauty Queens as Ad Models: 1960 Miss Press Photography EDITA VITAL, for PINES CIGARETTES

MISS P-P-P IS A P-P-PINES CIGARETTE FAN, 1960 Ad

“Fresh as a breath of mountain air”---that’s how PINES CIGARETTES was described when it was launched in the Philippines in the late 1950s, a product of the Associated Anglo-American Tobacco Corporation. Established in 1949 in Pasay City, it is one of the oldest cigarette manufacturers in the country. PINES CIGARETTES has an exclusive “air softened”,  snow-white filter, promising a satisfying mild, refreshingly mentholated smoking experience. 

Edita Vital as Miss Philippines, courtesy of Mr. Tony Paat

Newly-elected Miss Press Photography EDITA RESURRECCION VITAL  was recruited to promote the merit of PINES CIGARETTES in this two-color print ad from 1960. The daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Domingo Vital of Quezon City, Vital was a student of the University of Santo Tomas when she was voted by the country’s association of press photographers as their muse.

“My ideal man should be a PINES smoker, because a PINES Smoker knows his own mind”, so what she claims in the print ad. “ He knows what he wants in a cigarette—full-flavor, light menthol coolness, and a mildness that can only be his, with PINES”.

PINES CIGARETTE AD, late 1950s. Courtesy of the Pinoy Kollektor

Later in the year, Vital went on to win the Miss Philippines title and got to represent the country in the 1^st ever Miss International Beauty Pageant in Long Beach, California. She reached the semifinals in the contest won by Colombia’s Stella Marquez. Lured by showbiz upon her return, she made period movies like Noli Me Tangere (1961)  and El Filibusterismo (1962), which earned her a FAMAS nomination. Vital is married to lawyer Angel Castaño, Jr. 

The company that manufactures PINES CIGARETTES continues to be in operation even after 70 years. Currently, it produces American-style cigarettes using a blend of the finest locally sourced and imported tobaccos. Its current brands include: Winnsboro, Casino, Freedom, Dallas, Navy Club, Spotlight, and Asia Boston.

SOURCES:

Associated Anglo-American Tobacco Corporation WEBSITE

Photo of Edita Vital as Miss PH: Tony Paat Collection, Veestarz

Special thanks to Edward delos Reyes of Pinoy Kollektor, for the use of his Pines Cigarette print ad clipping.