Ad Nut
Feb 13, 2025

McDonald's Valentine's campaign may make you believe in enduring love

Ad Nut refuses to be manipulated by commercials, but this V-Day spot from McDonald's Philippines, with its saccharine portrayal of enduring love, is surprisingly effective. Curse you, Golden Arches!

Ad Nut isn't known for shedding tears over sappy ads, but even this tough nut has a heart. So, imagine Ad Nut's surprise when a McDonald's adyes, McDonald'salmost brought a tear to the eye. 
 
Produced by McDonald's Philippines for Valentine's Day (eye roll, Ad Nut's least favourite holiday), the 'Love Ko 'To Forever!' (Love you forever!) film actually melted this cynical squirrel's heart. 
 
The film, starring veteran actors Eva Darren and Leo Rialp, proves that sometimes, silence speaks louder than words. Without dialogue, it tells a sweet and tender story of a couple's unwavering love that has stood the test of time, revealing, through the lens of a loving husband, how small acts of care—like drawing his wife's eyebrows—punctuate their journey through ageing, with their love anchored by a simple ritual—a weekly visit to McDonald’s.
 
 
"We loved the idea of showing how even simple actslike sharing fries on a park benchcan provide genuine moments of happiness and reconnection," says Leo Manila chief creative officer, Raoul Panes. "Now, by inviting others to share their own love stories, McDonald’s hopes to continue celebrating a demographic that’s often invisible in popular culture, while showing that love, in its purest form, is unyielding and timeless."
 
The film is part of a broader campaign from McDonald's #ForeverDate, which invites consumers to share their own #ForeverDate moments such as a decades-long relationship, or a cherished friendship by using the hashtag.
 
CREDITS
 
CLIENT: McDonald’s Philippines
Margot B. Torres: Managing Director 
Ada Almendras-Lazaro: Chief Marketing Officer 
Marketing Director: Ashley Santillan-Delgado
 
AGENCY: Leo Manila
Chief Creative Officer: Raoul Panes
Executive Creative Director/Copywriter: Kat Gomez-Limchoc 
Creative Director/Copywriter: Jonah Brocka
General Manager: Judy Medina
Client Services Director: Kimie Arenillo
Account Supervisor: Lara Gascon
Account Executive: Kya Mercader
 
FILM PRODUCTION: Film Pabrika
Cast: Leo Rialp, Eva Darren
Director: Joel Limchoc
Director of Photography: JA Tadena
Assistant Director: Cris Pasturan
Production Design: Nina Torres
Camera Operators: Jojo Dignos, Shem Hampac, Marco Limjap, Gian Caluag
Propsman: Bobot Atanacio
Hair & Makeup: Gina Llanto
Caster: Owel Baal Soundman: Jojo Gonzales
Executive Producer: Ana Fe Manuel
Line Producer: Lei Villena
Production Manager: MeAnn Ballesteros
Production Staff: Rene Milla, RJ Santiago, Sheinna Melaño, Trixia Magdaraog
Offline Editor: Jay Halili
Colorist: Marilen Magsaysay
Online: Central Studios - Yard Pacis & Yoy Acuna
 
SOUNDTRACK PRODUCTION: Prodigious Manila
Producer: Steve Vesagas 
Music: Allan Feliciano 
Piano: Gino Cruz
Sound Engineer: Ian Umali
 
Ad Nut is a surprisingly literate woodland creature that for unknown reasons has an unhealthy obsession with advertising. Ad Nut gathers ads from all over Asia and the world for your viewing pleasure, because Ad Nut loves you. You can also check out Ad Nut's Advertising Hall of Fame, or read about Ad Nut's strange obsession with 'murderous beasts'.
Source:
Campaign Asia

Related Articles

Just Published

1 day ago

Southeast’s Asia’s top 50 brands 2025

After surveying 10,000+ consumers across Southeast Asia, Pureprofile and Campaign crown Samsung and Shopee as the top brands, joined by 48 others leading the region’s market.

1 day ago

Mindshare, EssenceMediacom China chiefs exit

Campaign understands that both Mindshare and EssenceMediacom’s China chiefs are stepping down; WPP Media pushes regional restructuring post rebrand.

1 day ago

Can’t find a clean public toilet? Buktupup to the ...

BuktuPup is a new microsite that helps travellers in rural Indonesia find clean, private restrooms hosted by locals—even in remote tourist spots.

2 days ago

Agency Report Cards 2024: We grade 25 APAC networks

The grades are in for Campaign Asia's 22nd annual evaluation of APAC agency networks. Subscribe to read our detailed analyses.