Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Witty Witty Bang Bang Ads Wordplay


Smart and seasoned
foreign travelers to the Philippines can figure it out right away when they see
- thought-provoking, fun advert signs and witty wordplay in Taglish
(Tagalog-English) in different places and small towns.  Tonyboy O. explains
why so much wit -
"We came from a country where
you require a sense of humor to survive.  We have a 24-hr comedy show here
called the government and a huge reserve of comedians made up mostly of
politicians and bad actors."



CLEVER AND REDESIGNED ADS,
SIGNS AND WORDPLAY


Flower shop in Dilliman, Quezon City
-  PETAL ATTRACTION


Sewing accessories shop - BEADS AND
PIECES


Chinese pastry shops - HOLLAND HOPIA AND
POLAND HOPIA (Holland Hopia is owned by a man named Ho and Poland Hopia is run
by a man name Po.  Another meaning is Ho and Po are Tagalog words of
respectful greetings to each other)


On Congressional Avenue in Manila -
PARKING FOR COSTUMERS ONLY.


A restaurant in Baguio - WANTED: BOY
WAITRESS


On highway in Pampanga - WE MAKE MODERN
ANTIQUE FURNITURE


On the photography window shop in
Cabanatuan - WE SHOOT YOU WHILE YOU WAIT


On the glass wall in an eatery in Panay
Avenue, Manila - WANTED: WAITER, CASHIER, WASHIER  (Juan or Jack of all
trade)


A shoe store in Pangasinan - WE SELL
IMPORTED ROBBER SHOES (Could these be the sneakiest sorts of
sneakers?)


A house in Jaro, Iloilo - HOUSE FOR
RENT, FULLY FURNACED (Call it a 'Summer House')


A ticket window sign at a ferry pier
outside Davao, southern Philippines -


ADULTS: 1 USD

CHILD: 50 CENTS

CADAVERS: SUBJECT TO
NEGOTIATION




LOVE OF THINGS
AMERICA


A Manila Bakery - BREAD
PITT


A bread shop - ANITA
BAKERY


A 24-hour restaurant - DORIS DAY AND
NIGHT


A garment shop - ELIZABETH
TAILORING


A hairdresser - FELIX THE
CUT


A Makati fast-food place selling maruya
(banana fritters) - MARUYA CAREY


A water-engineering firm - CHRISTOPHER
PLUMBING


A boutique - THE WAY WE
WEAR


A video rental place - LEON KING VIDEO
RENTAL


A restaurant in the Cainta district of
Rizal town - CAINTACKY FRIED CHICKEN


A local burger restaurant - MANG
DONALD'S  (Mang is Filipino word for Mister)


A doughnut shop -
MACDONUTS


A shop selling selling lumpia (eggrolls)
in Makati - WRAP AND ROLL


2 butcher shops - MEATING PLACE AND
MEATROPOLIS



Source: The Far Eastern Economic
Review




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