299. THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN PHILIPPINE ADS, 1935-1978

198. THE FILIPINO PAROL, IN CHRISTMAS ADS, 1935-1971

SKYFLAKES, M.Y. SAN BISCUITS, 1963

The parol is an enduring symbol of Christmas in the Philippines, a must-have decoration in Filipino homes during the long holiday season.  The parol, usually star-shaped to evoke the Star of Bethlehem, is hanged and lit in front of houses as early as September as a symbol of hope, goodwill and a bright future. It is no wonder that the colorful parol has been used as a design motif for many years in Philippine advertising and commercial art. Here are a few examples:

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PHILIPPINE MATCH COMPANY, PRINT AD, 1955

OLYMPIAN RUBBER SHOES, PRINT AD, 1935

PEPSI-COLA, PRINT AD, 1957

TANDUAY RHUM, PRINT AD, 1962

YCO PAINTS & FLOOR WAX, PRINT AD, 1963

HELENE CURTIS BEAUTY PRODUCTS, PRINT AD, 1963

DUTCH BOY PAINTS, 1965

SAN MIGUEL BEER, PRINT AD, 1968

RADIOWEALTH TV, PRINT AD, 1971

197. PRINT ADS FEATURING UNUSUAL CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS

The most surprising gift suggestions for Christmas can be found featured on print ads of yesteryears—from the strange, the surprising,  to downright weird. Take your pick!

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Give a house of music:  AVEGON DREAMHOUSE RADIO, 1962

Be generous! Why not give a radio that comes with a house this Christmas? Yes, in 1962, AVEGON introduced new radio models imaginatively designed in the shape of houses. The little bungalows even  had small windows, ‘stone’ foundations and topped by a TV antenna! With this “gift of distinction”, you can now have your dreamhouse…and radio too! Amazing!

Dreaming of a black-haired Christmas: BIGEN HAIR DYE, 1975

For Christmas 1975, BIGEN offers a packaged line of hair products “to suit your holiday mood”. If black doesn’t suit you, there are also different shades of brown to tint your hair, so you can look your youthful best! As the famous hair coloring brand proclaims: “walang hindi pinagaganda…walang hinid pinababata ang BIGEN!”

For a blockbuster of a holiday: FREE MOVIES from DARI CREME, 1964

In 1964, DARI CRÈME ‘spread’ holiday cheer by giving the movie-watching public a special “Free Movie” treat! All one has to do was collect “Santa Claus” wrappers of DARI CRÈME that can be presented at movie houses like Lyric, Capitol, Dalisay, Cinerama, Ever, Avenue and other theaters, to watch the best Filipino and Hollywood movies!

Makulay na Pasko sa inyong lahat! YCO PAINTS, 1967

There’s a plus-side to giving cans of YCO PAINTS for Christmas. You don’t have to cram yourself in sardine-packed department store---you can just pick them up at your nearest crowdless hardware store. Brush on YCO PAINTS…for colors that stay Christmas, after Christmas, after Christmas!

Seasoning’s Greetings!  AJI-NO-MOTO GIFT PACK, 1971

Monosodium glutamate for Christmas? Why not? When you can greet your friends and loved ones with a special AJI-NO-MOTO Gift Pack that includes your favorite vetsin brand in a sprinkler bottle, in a plastic wrapper, with a free Kokeshi doll to match!  Oh what fun it is to  Tak-Tak-Tak all the way!

So Tender and Mild: SILENT NIGHT PERFUME & LOTION, 1962

Yes, Virginia, there is such a perfume brand called SILENT NIGHT, ‘ a perfume masterpiece made by Countess Maritza of New York, U.S.A.”. It was locally distributed in local stores in 1962. But wait,  there’s also a SILENT NIGHT Lotion to complement it. With a name like that, how can you miss? As the ad suggests—“it’s best to give on Christmas!”. One wonders what will happen if you give SILENT NIGHT on Valentine?