Jun 1981
Bear Brand Sterilized Milk Tv Commercial
Location 
: Metro Manila, Philippines
Back in the Day
I am writing this blog on Feb 15, 2021, but this commercial was shot around 1981 when I shortly began working after my university graduation. To put things in perspective, during that time, Blondie had a hit single, Call Me, which was used as the theme song for the movie American Gigolo by Richard Gere. New Wave music was slowly inching its way to popularity.
The Good Life
It was heady during those times. I was 21 years old and full of energy (full of myself too). I moved out of my parents' house and had a glamour job, money, an apartment, a car and a girlfriend. All the essentials to a budding career upstart was already there for me. Life was good.
"I Want to be a Model"
I was so confident that I made my stops on the most prestigious advertising agencies in the capital, talked to whoever was in-charge, and simply stated, "I want to be a model". I wasn't tall enough, and I wasn't exactly good-looking enough to be a commercial model, but thank God, I didn't know that. At some point, I actually got a few calls for audition. Bear Brand, one of the leading milk products, was one of them.
Yolly, the Leading Lady
During the filming, I met the 'leading lady', Yolly, a lovely half-Spanish mestiza whose beauty could easily launch her on the silver screen. We got along well. After the filming, we were already 'together'. Yes, life was good.
Yolly and I shared happy moments after the filming
15-Minute Celebrity
With the nationwide launch of the Bear Brand commercial, I became an instant celebrity within my growing social circle. I was known as "the Bear Brand guy". My cheesy jokes were suddenly funny. I got invited to more parties and events. I was popular and people wanted to be friends with me. Women were drawn to me, and I was drawn to them. The good life even got better. I wasn't exactly intoxicated, but I was really enjoying myself.
Domino Effect
Bear Brand was followed by a few more tv and print commercials - Magnolia cheese, an Indonesian beer (I never saw the finished commercial since it was only shown in Indonesia), print ad for Sahara Club (a chique fashion label), Baguio Oil (a national brand cooking oil), etc.
...looking the part to get more gigs
Ending Thoughts
It's nice to reminisce that era when I was still a part of the establishment, young, optimistic, upwardly mobile, and full of life. Fast forward to today, 2021, and although I live life as a nomadic renunciate (no home, no job, no property, little money, letting the wind take me wherever), life has continued to be kind and abundant. I've had challenges but they were all manageable and necessary. Maybe I did good things in a previous life. I've never allowed the euphoria or set backs get inside my head. Yes, it's been a privileged life and I'm always grateful. Like Andy Warhol, I would wish everyone to have their 15-minutes of fame as well - it's quite a surreal experience while it lasts.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit 
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Reader Comments:
Tony 
Greg & Sally Tree Garden Cafe
(Feb 16, 2021) I remember those days... I like you much better now 🙂
Joy (Feb 16, 2021) OMG, i still remember the jingle hahaha.. ikaw pala yon, gosh.
Erica Erica Boucher: Personal Development ~ Yoga ~ Retreats & Travel
(Feb 16, 2021) You never cease to amaze me, Gigit.
Ronx (Feb 16, 2021) hahaha yeah, today I learned! 🙂 Nakita ko to pero ngayong nabanggit mo, narealize ko, ikaw nga!! (Today I learned! I've seen this commercial already but now that you mention it, I realized this is you!)
Gabriella 
Heart Space
(Feb 15, 2021) I love that aging made you even more handsome. ❤ Beautifully written article 🙏
Mark Mark Ratcliff Photography
(Feb 15, 2021) Amazing acting! Good milk?
Gigit
(Feb 15, 2021) Truth be told, the kids couldn't drink the milk so the crew bought a gallon of ice cream and melted it with the milk....and everyone enjoyed it. I would even finish my glass on every "Take!"....and there were a few takes on the scene 🙂 🙂
Edwin (Feb 15, 2021) Buti na retreive mo pa (Good thing you retrieved it).
Gigit
(Feb 15, 2021) There was none on Youtube, so I asked a friend to retrieve it from the advertising agency. That was a long time ago. It was on Betamax (remember that era?) and I had it digitized. Back in the day, it was a long laborious and arduous task to get that simple job done. I just stumbled upon this file again while searching for something else 🙂
Roselyn Surigao City Tourism Office
(Feb 15, 2021) Wow‼
Jonas 
Shantaya Yoga School
(Feb 15, 2021) Yeah man, milk the past for all it's worth 🙂
Helen (Feb 15, 2021) I remember this cuz 🙂
Leonard (Feb 15, 2021) I remember this!
Dindo (Feb 15, 2021) Idol 🙂
Ems (Feb 15, 2021) Nice! I would be born a year after 🙂
Kathryn 
Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)
(Feb 15, 2021) ...had me sterilized
Next Showbiz:
France and Toronto with Dad
(Sep 2000) After missing my Dad all these years, he finally made a trip to visit me in Toronto where I planned for our trip to France...more »»
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