MANILA, PHILIPPINES – McDonald’s Philippines released a heartwarming film for the Valentine’s season, aptly entitled Forever Date, and many have become emotional as it showed the kind of love that we all wish for — the one that lasts a lifetime. It was inspired by the life of the late “Mader” Christine Blando, a beloved Assistant Director in the industry.
“McDonald’s is part of many people’s love stories. For some, it’s where they had their first date, for others it’s where they spend Sunday lunch with their family. Here we celebrate one such story,” Leo Manila Chief Creative Officer Raoul Panes shared.
For the production team of this film, this project was even more meaningful. The script created by a Leo Manila team always had a “kilay” or eyebrow grooming moment as a pivotal part of the story. Because of this, the team, led by director Joel Limchoc of Film Pabrika, could not help but relate this story to the beloved person that was Christine.
Christine was one of the most in-demand and well-loved Assistant Directors of the advertising film production industry. Her career, spanning more than two decades, saw her bringing to life thousands of film commercials alongside numerous directors and their crews. “She was strict but always kind with everyone, that’s why ‘Mader’ is what all of us called her,” says Direk Joel, who with “Mader” Christine has directed most of McDonald’s Philippines films in the past years.
In 2024, Christine lost her battle with cancer, just over a year after her husband Tom Frederiksen passed. Known for her perfectly drawn-in eyebrows, there are many stories of her “kilay” — like arriving at early call times with brows already on point or shielding them from rain during an outdoor shoot, instead of her head!
“We envisioned this as a reimagining of Christine and Tom, had they had the chance to grow old together,” said Kat Gomez-Limchoc, Executive Creative Director. She, along with her husband Joel, Raoul, and Creative Director Jonah Brocka, crafted the script and narrative. “If you look closely at the names carved in the heart on the bench where the couple shares their date, you’ll see ‘Christine & Tom.’ It was deeply moving to witness how the crew carefully etched those names during the shoot.”
As a display of their own enduring love for her, the crew who had worked with Christine for years, wore their special ‘Mader’ shirts during the shoot, all with hearts with beautifully drawn eyebrows.
This latest McDonald’s film has also inspired the sharing of all kinds of #ForeverLove stories with McDonald’s at the heart of it.
CREDITS
Client: McDonald’s Philippines
Managing Director: Margot B. Torres
Chief Marketing Officer: Ada Almendras-Lazaro
Marketing Director: Ashley Santillan-Delgado
Agency: Leo Burnett Manila
Chief Creative Officer: Raoul Panes
Executive Creative Director/Copywriter: Kat Gomez-Limchoc
Creative Director/Copywriter: Jonah Brocka
General Manager: Judy Buenviaje-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 and 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 Philippines
Producer: Steve Vesagas
Music: Allan Feliciano
Piano: Gino Cruz
Sound Engineer: Ian Umali
