McDonald’s New TV Ad: First Love
People have been talking about the new TV ad of McDonald’s that first aired a couple of days ago. It is, perhaps, one of the most bittersweet commercials I’ve ever come across. While I’m no fan of McDo, the ad certainly made me go, “Awwww…” :cute:
Basically, the story goes like this: There’s this bespectacled guy who remembers every moment of the first time he met his first love, whom I’ve codenamed pretty girl, whenever he goes to McDonald’s. Their mothers, complete with the 80’s big hairdo, were old friends and crossed paths again on that certain McDo branch. He felt that pretty girl and he had known each other a long time, having the same favorites (dipping the fries on the hot fudge sundae, which, as I side note, I have to admit I’ve been doing for a long time, hehe). So anyway, bespectacled guy fell in love with pretty girl, and this love never died.
Fast-forward to many years later, pretty girl drags him to meet her family, and you just have to see the expression on the bespectacled guy’s face to know how he feels. You know, when your steps falter and your heart suddenly takes a nosedive? It becomes a little bit hard to breathe, your palm gets sweaty, you try to smile but the ends of your mouth pulls down into a frown?
The ad ends with, “At kahit hindi rin naging kami sa huli, siya pa rin ang first love ko.” (Transliteration: And even if we didn’t end up together, she still is my first love.)
Cute, huh? Doesn’t help that the song used is arguably one of the greatest Filipino songs of all time.
Have you noticed the pretty girl’s expression when the bespectacled guy dipped his fries into the sundae? Sort of, like, a mixture of nostalgia and a little bit of regret? Or maybe I’m putting color into how touched she seems?
Don’t worry, bespectacled guy. I’m here. *pats back* I can be your second love. 
According to the one who posted the video, who seems to be involved in the making of the ad, here’s the Creative Team:
GADC (McDo Clients): Margot Torres, Christina Lao, Mel Montemayor
Creatives: Teeny Gonzales – ECD-Copy, Argem Vinuya – Sr. Art Director
Accounts: Tey San Diego, Wella Balagtas, Lester Obice
Producer: Irene Chingcuangco
Director: Stephen Ngo
Prod House: Provill, Sound Design
Caster: Enrich Munchua
Musical Work: “Ang Huling El Bimbo” by Ely Buendia
I applaud the team for this slice-of-life and candid bit, a very heart-warming and brilliant ad that hasn’t graced the local television in a very long time. Great concept as well. Unrequited love is something that a lot of people can relate to. The ad gets even more touching each time I watch it. Kudos! :clap:
So anyway, I’ve been doing a lot of reading and croaking singing lately. Just because. A couple of hours ago, I did a cover of one of my most favorite uplifting songs, You Gotta Be by Des’ree. I messed up on the bridge part, boohoo.
Perfect counter-song for the McDo ad.
Aww, that ad is so cute!!! :heart:
Shrew
13th January 2009 at 05:42
Asteeg talaga ang ad na ito.
It’s the perfect follow-up to their “Kanlungan” inspired ad. More contemporary and mainstream in effect.
Btw, Just heard news of an E-heads Reunion concert part 2. I have a strange feeling Francis M. is involved. :tongue:
jhay
13th January 2009 at 09:51
I’m one of those so kilig with the new ad.. parang it reminds of something happen in the past..
nga pala I have a tribute to you… in my site..
Join the tribute campaign for senior bloggista. See http://painuminmoko.idlip.net/?p=104 for more details if you are qualified..
jeniffer
13th January 2009 at 11:38
[...] childhood, first and (possibly) unrequited love. Shari explained the storyline quite well in her post about the same commercial, and I echo the entire “awww” factor even if I can’t [...]
That McDonald’s Commercial « Refine Me
13th January 2009 at 18:49
Hi! Just wanna ask kung sino yung nagportray na adult na first love niya?
She’s pretty! Tag me back. Thanks! :boogie:
Eks
13th January 2009 at 18:55
Whatta cute ad. People have actually been talking about this for quite a while now, pero ngayon ko lang napanood. :clap:
Dean
13th January 2009 at 19:22
aww, di ko pa nakikita sa tv yan :d dito lang hehe …ganda nga ng concept…reality bites sigh.
liz
13th January 2009 at 19:34
nasa taas ako ng bahay tapos biglang tumugtug el bimbo sa tv, kaya karipas ako ng takbo… tapos patalastas pala ng macdo, tapos inabangan ko ulit lumabas sa tv… ang ganda!
natakot yung nakasalamin dun sa asawa ni pretty girl kasi malaki ang katawan…
dotep
14th January 2009 at 12:09
first time kong mapanood yan :clap: ang lame ko noh?
ang ganda nga nung commercial kaso medyo malungkot ang ending! :suspicious:
you dip your fries on the hot fudge. hmmm… ako dun mismo sa ice cream, sa vanilla! haha!
janelle
14th January 2009 at 17:47
nice ad, very vinzent serrano…
baTo
14th January 2009 at 23:19
That is a cute commercial. It’s very easy to understand. I don’t think it even matters that I can’t understand the language. I agree that the girl likes the fact that he remembers her dipping the fries in the sundae. I can say that is not something I have ever thought to do and probably never will because that sounds gross to me haha.
Good job with singing! You have a good voice. I would never be able to post my singing online. I’m pretty sure I would love all of my visitors haha.
Deanna
16th January 2009 at 05:05
one of the best ads nowadays.. other ads suck. sayang ang pera sa ibang ads. also love the LBC ads – really funny.
bing
17th January 2009 at 20:54
The guy is still in love with his first love : sundae-dipped fries. Hehehe!
pugadan
18th January 2009 at 07:34
That really was cute. V. good advertising.
Gill
19th January 2009 at 11:33
That is the sweetest commercial! Bittersweet has always been a favorite of mine in ways to end a story. There’s something to heartwrenching watching those little scenes. I’m so glad you posted it!!
And you sound very good! I use to try recording myself singing and just got scared so never did it again lol
Carla
19th January 2009 at 13:25
NGAYON KO LANG TO NAKITA. Sry. Not much of a TV person ever since nag-aral ako dito sa LB. Hmp. Anyways.. I admit, yun din yung nakita ko dun kay “pretty girl”–that hint of nostalgia and regret, like oh-I-remember-that-day look.
What I like with this commercial is its not-so-happy ending. Yung tipong, akala mo magiging sila sa huli (which is very obvious in most of Filipino movies or.. say, commercials na rin) pero this one just did it.
Nice, neat, and mushy!
Buti hindi sila nagkatuluyan.
Kevin
19th January 2009 at 20:41
unique ad, it somehow shows na kahit mahal ka pa ng girl, kung di naman naghahayag ng feelings ang guy, wala ding mangyayari.. mahirap ng nagpaparamdaman lang.. tsk2 hehe
bj
19th January 2009 at 20:57
That was such an adorable commercial :heart: I’m also a fan of dipping my fries in sundaes, yum!
Jenny
20th January 2009 at 00:08
mcdonald’s has done it again. every time i see that commercial it makes me wanna smile and frown at the same time.
one lucky girl! and guy! hahaha
karissa
20th January 2009 at 07:30
churi ngaun lang ulit ako nka visit huh..wui, thanks much sa reply mo dati bout websites huh..mwah! keep rockin’!
carL
20th January 2009 at 12:02
That is an adorable video. Poor guy, though.
Angela
20th January 2009 at 17:04
Hello there! it was a nice commercial. I always dreamed of becoming part of he production team, production designer. Do u have an opening at ProVill? I hope u could contact me.. pleeeaaasssseeee…. n_n
09225257636
Cha
Charisse
21st September 2009 at 21:56