The heavy political campaigning for the national elections this coming May 10, 2010 is nearing the homestretch. So I thought it best to share the more appealing TV ads from among the endless infomercials that flooded the small screen since January. I would consider these my favorites not because I’m endorsing them but due to the fact that I liked how they were conceptualized and presented.

#1 – Bongbong Marcos’ Asikasong Bongbong/Tuloy Pa Rin Ako TVC

video courtesy of YouTube/boojocular

The updated version:

video courtesy of YouTube/gabbyshoe08

Hands-down, this is the most refreshing, most technically well-made and least hard-sell among them all. I haven’t really considered giving my vote to Bongbong Marcos for Senator, but I’m this close to including him in my short list. I really like the low-key but tasteful approach to his campaign without losing the drive for popularity along the rocky road of Philippine politics. You should also watch the updated version of the same (released just last week) right after which is quicker-paced and more engaging (apologies for the poorer quality because it is just a direct transfer from tv.)

#2 – Manny Villar’s Scroll TVC

video courtesy of YouTube/zhangwuvids

Among the gazillion of Manny Villar’s ads, this one is the more creative in the sense that it used a scroll that reads forwards and backwards and making sense in both – much like the palindrome “Madam, I’m Adam” which can be read the same from either direction -start or end. I wouldn’t go far in saying that it’s the most original because it was adapted by TBWA/Philippines from the “Truth (Upside Down)” political ad of Argentinian candidate Lopez Murphy in 2006. Short of sounding defensive, though, let me state that I am not backing Villar’s presidential bid. Orange I am not. You can call me a lemon….or a dalanghita but never a kahel.

#3 – Noynoy Aquino’s MTV-style/Rap Ad

video courtesy of YouTube/noytv

This is Noynoy Aquino’s most enjoyable TVC. Never mind that he showed his laughable rapping skills, but he drives the message more effectively than his other opponents, especially the youth which is the main target of this ad. Add to that the quick cameo of his nephew Baby James Yap and he’s all set to conquer Malacanang.

Special Mention: Adel Tamano TVC/Ogie Alcasid endorsement

video courtesy of YouTube/asteriskec

I want to give a consolation prize to Adel Tamano’s TV ad which shows singer/comedian Ogie Alcasid endorsing his senatorial bid. There’s nothing extraordinary about the same, but I’m a sucker for infomercials that are clean and polished and straight to the point – never tiring to the eyes and the ears at all. It’s a pity they don’t show the ad as often as they want to. Airtime costs must have really jacked up to high numbers because of the elections.

There you are. My Top 3 favorite political ads plus one special mention. If you’re in the Philippines right now, you will definitely feel the election fever going on. And since tomorrow – Sunday, May 2 – will be the last day of political campaigning nationwide, I expect all the Presidential candidates to go on a full-blast, no-holds-barred and crowd-filled last hurrah to win more votes.

By the way, this is going to be another long weekend after Malacanang announced that Monday, May 3, will be a non-working special holiday in observance of the Holiday economics that come with May 1, Labor Day, falling on a Saturday.

Enjoy the hot and humid weekend, guys!!! 😉