Holidays are coming! (Classic 90s Coke ad)

Coke has become a staple in every noche buena and Christmas party! Let's see how this classic TV ad can bring back some childhood memories :p

Britney Spears: Hot before she went Nuts!

Back in the early 2Ks, this was Britney...

Fast forward to 2007:

The 20 Hottest Women of the 90s

Sheesh... They're all HOT like that!

Click here to read about them.

Everybody Does the Macarena!

"Macarena" is a song by Los del Río about a woman of the same name, or any woman from the La Macarena neighbourhood of Seville. It was very successful between 1995 and 1997.

The song became the second longest running #1 and best selling debut single of all time in the US. It was ranked the "#1 Greatest One-Hit Wonder of all Time" by VH1 in 2002. (Click here to read more.)

Now, let's dance the Macarena! Just play the music and follow the GIF below.

Memory Checklist # 2

10. In your early 90s vocabulary, surfing was a water sport that was popular in the States and that only a few Pinoys get into. Later in the 90s, surfing became synonymous to browsing. You surf when you browse Internet sites and TV channels.
11. Among your childhood crushes is Atom Araullo of 5 & Up.
12. You were a Batibot kid.
13. If you're a bit younger then, you're probably more of an ATBP. (Awit Titik Bilang At Iba Pa) kid.
14. Your expressions include "as if!", "duh!" and "whatever" said with your thumbs and index fingers forming a big W.
15. Robert Jaworski was both coaching and playing for Ginebra at PBA. He was actually the most senior guy in the court.
16. You were cool if you hang out at Megamall to ice skate.
17. You were among the kids who got excited over watching the Royal London Circus.
18. You've heard of local classroom wars between the Hiphops and the Metals.
19. Meanwhile, you knew how to classify conos and jologs.
20. AMA was the butt of all school jokes then. (I personally believe that AMA is a fairly impressive educational institution but sad to say, some people can be so discriminating.)

If you can relate to at least 5 of the items here, then you know that you are

a certified Not-So Recent Kid.

Click here to read Not-So Recent Manila's Memory Checklist # 1.

Craving for more? Abangan ang Memory Checklist # 3!

90s Greenbelt Snapshots and Some Ramblings

For those who regularly shop and dine from one hotspot to another in Metro Manila, it's easy to overlook the changes that take place in the areas. Twenty years ago, who would've thought that the mere talahiban in the intersection of QC, Pasig and Mandaluyong would actually become one of the business hubs in the country called the Ortigas Center?

Those in their mid-20s would have probably seen the transformation of Fort Bonifacio Global City, which is more commonly known to the younger generations as The Fort. Back in the early 2ks, there wasn't even Serendra or Bonifacio High Street. There wasn't even Market! Market! nor any of those high-rise offices and condominiums.

My boss told me that way back during the late 80s and early 90s, Makati Avenue was like the place-to-be. However, these days, most women I know cringe at the idea of walking in gimmick clothes along the area. Of course, everyone knows why. (But you might as well watch out for A. Venue. Makati Av might just be the A-venue for all 'em A-list parties and It people.)

It was Greenbelt which took the glory that was that of Makati Avenue. These days, in spite of the mushrooming of malls--upscale or not, in Metro Manila, Greenbelt remains to be the most modern and best landscaped mall complex. As Greenbelt 5 opened its doors to the public late last year, I cannot help but wonder how Greenbelt looked way back in 90s' sophistication.

So here. These are the pictures which I found over the internet.

Goodbye, Carlo!

Remember this commercial way back in '95? This featured Chantal Umali who later joined the second batch of TGIS in GMA. Young heartthrob Patrick Garcia was Carlo in this ad. (Though I don't see him in this version.) He joined ABS-CBN's Gimik, the rival teen show of TGIS.

Pop Swatch

Among the trends of the 90s that shouldn't be missed is the POP SWATCH. The product was relased in the 80s but it onlt made its way here in the 90s. Thanks to Gift Gate. I remember the first endorser was Mikee Cojuangco.

What everyone liked about Pop Swatch are the look--you can call it a mini wallclock =p and the straps which can be changed to match or accentuate your outfit.

Here are some photos of some swatches:

1991 Christmas Pop Swatch Bottone.

Click here to buy the item.

Passport '93

Click here to view Rick's Swatch Collection.

Goodbye Carlo!

This is the classic Purefoods Tenderjuicy Hotdog commercial. Carlo is supposed to be Patrick Garcia but as you will notice, he cannot be seen anywhere in this clip.



* The girl, Chantal Umali, later on starred as Happy in TGIS the second batch.

Memory Checklist # 1

1. Pa-bida ka every start of the school year. Your pencil case has several pop-out compartments. It's a plus if there's a built-in thermometer and magnifying lens. Then you fill your pencil case with Kisses, the scented balls.

2. You remember munching Jack n' Jill Bacon Strips on snack time. (Don't you just miss this?!?)

3. You check if Gobstoppers really change their color and flavor.

4. You checked if M&M's slogan: "melts in your mouth, not in your hands" is true.

5. You bought every flavor of Fanta softdrink. An 8 oz. bottle of Fanta costs around 4-5 pesos.

6. It wasn't Coke Light nor Pepsi Max then. They were just labeled as Diet--Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi.

7. You danced Depeche Mode's "I Just Can't Get Enough" in a school presentation. (Think about field demos and other classroom presentations.) Later on, it was used in an Ovaltinees ad. Oh-oh-Ovaltinees.

8. You've seen Mariah Carey's transformation--from a plain Maria to a divalicious Mariah.

9. You memorized the lyrics of the Nano Candy jingle.

If you can relate to at least 5 of the items here, then you know that you are

a certified Not-So Recent Kid.

Not-So Recent Snapshots: Miss Universe 1994

One of my fondest memories of the 90s is that of the Philippines being the host country of the Miss Universe back in <strike>'93</strike>'94 (Thanks for the correction, Jemyr). Among the long-legged beauties in the picture is Miss Mauritius-Viveka Babajee + (who was also involved in the Film Fest Scandal) and our own darling, Charlene Gonzales.

It was also because of this pageant that the Manolo and Michelle pair came to exist: Ogie Alcasid met Miss Australia-Michelle Van Eimeren who later on became her wife. Former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres of Puerto Rico met Aga Muhlach who soon became her boyfriend. Sad to say, both couples are no longer together. Michelle went back to Australia as Ogie went for Regine Velasquez and Dayanara went back to Puerto Rico and married international artist Marc Anthony. Well, yes, they too separated.

And here's a twist of fate: Charlene Gonzales married Aga. They didn't expect it, for sure.

Photos taken from www.elanecdotario.com.

Read more about your favorite beauty queens on that website.

"Take It, Take It": Remembering the Film Fest Scandal

It's Metro Manila Film Fest season once again. While the stars are busy competing over the "Best," the "Most" and all the "-est" titles, let us take a short trip down on memory lane here at Not-So Recent Manila.

"Take it, take it." Well, I hope not to hear these lines mentioned anytime in the awards' night. They were made famous during the envelope switching moment in 1994's Metro Manila Film Festival Awards.

I wonder what happened to everyone who were involved.

Gabby Concepcion is now peacefully residing in the United States--while there are rumors that the top 2 stations are waging TF wars for his comeback. Former Miss Mauritius and representative to the Miss Universe Pageant held at Manila in 1993 Viveka Babajee has moved to India where she has become a top model. Ruffa Gutierrez is vying for a title of her own in her performance at Desperadas. And well, Lolit Solis is sweettalking Papa Piolo and Sam to take back their million-peso libel case against her... What's new?

It seems to me that the public has already forgiven them but you know, as the Awards' Night approaches, I hope that nobody lets any of them come near the envelopes.

Vintage Finds: Trapper Keeper Binder

Click here to buy the item at eBay.

Sabado na, GIMIK na!

Kapag Sabado ng hapon, noong 90s, sa bahay lang ang gimik ng mga Pinoy teenagers. Ito ay dahil sa inaabangan nila ang kwento ng mga buhay ng kanilang favorite GIMIK characters.

Ang cast ay kinabibilangan nila:

Judy Ann Santos as Diane Villaroel
Rico Yan as Ricky Salveron
G Toengi as Gina de Leon
Diether Ocampo as Gary Ballesteros
Rica Peralejo as Jersey Salveron
Mylene Dizon as Melanie Suntay
Bojo Molina as Brian Lorenzo
LJ Moreno as Cathy Dominguez
Dominic Ochoa as Eric Abesamis
Laura James as Cindy Trinidad
Baron Geisler as Choy Ledesma
Kristine Hermosa as Tintin Fernandez
Kristopher Peralta as Toffee Sanchez
Paula Peralejo as Pauline Salveron
Patrick Garcia as Carlo de Leon
John Lloyd Cruz as Junie de Leon
Kaye Abad as Kakai Marquez
Carlos Agassi as Marco Trinidad
Cheska Garcia as Corrine Apostol
Jolina Magdangal as Ese Aragon
Marvin Agustin as Joey Fajardo

Answer to last entry's Mystery Star: Laura James

Not-So Recent Mystery Star # 1

Naalala niyo pa ba kung sino ang showbiz kid na ito?

Ang susunod na post ay related sa kanya...

90s' Closer You & I Close-Up Commercial

The song was sung by Gino Padilla.

Crush ng Bayan: Jonathan Brandis

Not-So Recent Manila's
MGA CRUSH NG BAYAN
It's time to look back and remember your pre-adolescent crushes!

Jonathan Brandis became a tad bit popular when he got the lead role in The Neverending Story in 1990. He was regularly seen as part of the Sea Quest cast, which Pinoy girls watched on Thursday evenings at RPN 9.

Jonathan became a lot of girls' favorite guy to appear in teeny bopper magazines like Bop, Teen Beat and Tiger Beat. He was also known as Brittany Murphy's real-life prom date.

He didn't make it big though. He usually starred in B-list movies and failed in his attempt to re-launch his showbiz career. This was thought to be the reason for him to commit suicide in 2003. He died at the age of 27.

Now Showing: Forrest Gump

Movie released in 1994.

Click here to view awards and nominations.

Raid your video cabinets and prepare a bag of chips. Here's the trailer of the 1994 hit movie:

Poster photo from www.impawards.com and video from www.youtube.com.

Featured Album: Ultraelectromagneticpop

Eraserheads' first publicly released album.

Released in July 1993.

5x Platinum: Sold 200,000+ copies

Ligaya - First song included in DWLS FM 97.1's Top 10

Pare Ko & Toyang - #1 song in various countdowns

Tracks:

1. Easy Ka Lang

2. Maling Akala

3. Pare Ko

4. Shake Yer Head

5. Ganjazz

6. Ligaya

7. Tindahan ni Aling Nena

8. Honky-Toinks Granny

9. Shirley

10. Walang Hiyang Pare Ko

11. Combo on the Run

OPM Hit of the Week: Is She Thinking About Me?

Another one of those great Pinoy ballads from Jose Mari Chan.

Is She Thinking About Me features Christine Bersola in his 1994 album, Thank You Love.

Sign in to imeem to listen to the track.

Lyrics from Lyrics:OPM Pinoy Songs at

http://fireworks.2elev8.com/lyrics/jose-mari-chan/is-she-thinking-about-me-2/

INTRO
Is she thinking about me

Does she remember my name

Is she hoping I’d call

Do I matter at all

Or her feelings the same

Is he thinking about me

Does he remember my name

How I wish he would call

Do I matter at all

And will I ever be the same

CHORUS

Yet I know what she’s feeling

I can still feel the touch of her hand

I could swear this is just the beginning

Please let her be thinking of me

I’m the one of the many

How could I be the girl of his dreams

Was I caught by surprise

When I looked in his eyes, I saw me