461. 2010 Kidlat Ad of the Decade: McDONALD’S “Karen/Lolo” TVC 45s’, 2001

McDo's Most Memorable "Karen/Lolo" TVC, Hemisphere-Leo Burnett, 2001

In 2001, Hemisphere-Leo Burnett produced a TV commercial for its client McDonald’s that departed from the usual “good time, great place, great taste” executions that depicted happy folks, delightful kids, smiling customers in a fun-looking place, with a memorable jingle to match.

The 45 seconder “Karen/Lolo” ad  touched  millions just by showing a quiet, simple interaction between an aging grandfather and his favorite granddaughter Karen. Slightly peeved for being called by a different name by the grandfather with a failing memory, Karen’s attitude changed when the grandfather wraps half of the burger to save it   “para sa paborito kong apo….Karen”.

WATCH McDO'S "KAREN/LOLO" AWARD-WINNING TVC HERE:

(TVC courtesy of 4 As Philippines' youtube channel)

The iconic commercial was one of the most multi-awarded ads in history. In 2002, it earned a PILAK AWARD  from the 4As Philippines, as one of the Top 25 Classic Ads from the last 50 years.

KAREN/ LOLO, PILAK Awardee, 2002

At the 1^st Kidlat Ads of the Decade presented by the Creative Guild of the Philippines in 2010,  McDonald's "Karen" TV by Leo Burnett, shared honors along with Philippine Daily Inquirer  "Volcanic Ash" print ad by Ogilvy & Mather and Lotus Spa "Traffic Therapy" radio ad by JWT. The ads were chosen from the Ads of the Year, from 1999 to 2009.

Internationally  "Karen/Lolo” was the first Philippine ad to win a Gold Lotus in the ADFEST.  This unique award is given to works that embody local values whether in terms of culture, religion, beliefs, traditions, language, insights, or context.

 CREDITS:

CLIENT: McDONALD's Philippines

AGENCY: Hemisphere-Leo Burnett

Creative Director: Richard Irvine / Edsel Tolentino

Copywriter: Sheila dela Cuesta/ Art Director: Mike dela Cuesta / Joel Eudela

Producer: Irene Chingcuangco / Talent Caster: Abbey Young/ Jonathan Herr

PRODUCTION HOUSE: Production Village

Director: Thierry Notz / Cinematographer: Larry Manda

"KAREN” AND “LOLO”, Then and Now

Karen de los Reyes. The character “Karen” was played by a fresh-faced 17 year old talent, Glomirose Amor de los Reyes (b. 29 Sep.1984), a St. Benilde student. Glomirose was lured by GMA Networks to join its roster of talents and it was no surprise that she adapted the screen name Karen delos Reyes”.

She was first signed up for the youth series “Click”, and went on to bigger projects, joining the reality show “Survivor Philippines” and appearing as Savannah in the blockbuster fantasy, “Mulawin”. 

Now 39, she is a single mom with a son, Gabriel Lucas, and continues to be active on TV.

Rudy Francisco. The grandfather role was essayed by 79 year old lawyer and actor Rudy Francisco (b. 4 Sep. 1922), younger brother of matinee idol, Fred Montilla. While still a Far Eastern University law student, the younger Francisco moonlit as an actor, making abiut 10 movies during his short showbiz stint (1951-54). He was known for “Teniente Ramirez”, “May Araw Pang Darating” (with Gloria Romero) , “Buhay Pilipino”and Binibining Kalog (with Lolita Rodriguez). He later lawyered for Sampaguita Films.

Rudy’s son is the businessman, commercial director, film-tv-stage actor Raymond Francisco, better known as RS Francisco. Lolo Rudy passed away on 8 May 2019 in Manila, at the venerable age of 96.

 SOURCES / CREDITS:

Photo of Karen delos Reyes, GMA Network

Bios of Karen delos Reyes and Rudy Francisco, Wikipedia

4 AS Philippines youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzLM8oBbIs

296. Where Are They Now? THE MANOEUVRES of CO.B Perfect Company, 1994

 COMPANY B TRADE AD FOR ISETANN,1994

In the late 80s and 90s, the MANOEUVRES were one of the hottest male dance groups in the country, along with Streetboys and Universal Motion Dancers. Established  in 1984 as WEA Dynamics, and later Octo-Manoeuvres, by WEA Records, the original dancers-- Uriel Policarpio, Ronnel Wolfe , Jon-Jon Supan, Rene Sagaran and Jojo Lapena—promoted music records by way of dance on TV and in events.  Brothers Jason and Joshua Zamora, and Jon Cruz later joined the group.

The dancers gained notice when they supported Gary Valenciano in his blockbuster major concert “Pure Energy” at the Folk Arts Theater in 1987. Their career as male dance group would be linked with Gary V, when Genesis Entertainment—a talent management group under  Gary’s wife, Angeli Pangilinan—signed them up. They became simply known as MANOEUVRES.

The MANOUEVRES took the concert scene by storm with their participation in the concerts and other events of the country’s biggest and most popular entertainers—from Regine Velasquez, Sharon Cuneta, Jaya to Martin and Pops. But it was with Gary V that they were most associated with; head choreographer Uriel Policarpio choreographed many of the “hataw” moves that the energetic singer  did in many of his concerts.

The group became visible in TV dance shows, noontime programs and even had stints in Southeast Asian countries, Canada, U.S., Italy and East, performing for the overseas Pinoy market. In time, the MANOEUVRES were holding their own dance concerts (even a 25^th anniversary concert)  that were always sold out.

With the measure of fame the group achieved, the MANOEUVRES managed to snag a few commercial endorsements  that included blue chip clients like Magnolia, Royal Tru-Orange and Coke. One fashion brand they also promoted in 1994 was CO.B (COMPANY B. )  a flagship brand of Tri-Union International, a big apparel company that created a youth line of denims and tops.

Four members—Uriel Policarpio, Jonjon Supan, Jason and Joshua Zamora appeared in trade ads of CO. B, on leading newspapers and magazines. They were  featured in a TV 30s  spot ,”Voices/Dances/Strings”, which became a Creative Guild Ad of the Month in 1994. The commercial was created by Hemisphere-Leo Burnett, led by Creative Director Maun Bondoc, Lilit Reyes and Betsy Baking.

Many of the members used their showbiz exposure to venture into other fields like Acting and directing, in the case of the Zamora brothers. Jon Supan became a managing Director of Hotlegs. But almost all of the original members including Uriel Policarpio (who fully recovered from a quadruple bypass)  and Rene “Mr. Flex” Sagaran continue to be involved in dance, conducting workshops and choreographing numbers for shows.

UPDATE! The 4 MANEOUVRES Today

The MANOEUVRES are still very much around and active today, with new generation members. Their FB group states that they are now under the management group of Artistation, Inc., handler of some of the biggest names in show business today.

SOURCES:

Photo Updates: FB Maneouvres FB Page

Photo Co.B. 1994 Souvenir Program Creatuve Guild Ad of the Year

Retro-5: Memorable Dance Groups in Recent History, 

https://starcinema.abs-cbn.com/2014/4/21/news/retro-5-memorable-dance-groups-in-recent-history-4420