DonBelle and the Close Up Commercial

(Reminder: Words or phrases in green font are link to vids or sources of info. )

Close-up commercials do not just have ad jingles; they commission whole songs. Every generation has a Close-up song as part of their falling-in-love playlist. We will have a new one in our midst as the toothpaste giant announced DonBelle will topbill their new Music Video. Bubblies are waiting for it and doing a Twitter Party every day since June 22 when it was announced. In fact, tags have been trending since day 1. On the first day, #closeupxDonBelle was on top of the Philippine trending list and on fifth place worldwide. #CloserWith DonBelle hit the 6^th spot, and the 7^th spot was #DONBELLE FOR CLOSEUP. To say that Bubblies and Solids are excited is an understatement. The single, “Closer” is sung by Belle composed by Tricia Denise and produced by Jonathan Manalo, and the lyric MV was released last June 27 at 12 midnight, and one Bubbly discovered it on Spotify by 10:30 pm, June 26, but not everyone can access it at that point that some were a bit anxious and want to hear it. You know that feeling of knowing that it is out there, and you want a piece of it but can’t? It was so close and yet so far for some.

The song, Closer, of course, did not disappoint. It was worth the eyebags, and now gives you all the feels of boy-meets-girl and that intense sensation of falling in love. Belle Mariano’s vocals prove that she can also pull off that upbeat vibe. Once again, the tone is youthful and vibrant. The lyrics reflect love that is young and new mirroring experiences of just about everyone. We are so excited for the music video because judging from past Close Up MV, it will surely pack the kilig, the sweetness, and showcase the chemistry and their acting abilities. MVs and commercials have minimal lines if any, and Donny and Belle will have to rely on their superb acting chops. This one promises to be another iconic commercial for Donny and Belle.

There will be a Watch Party as announced on Twitter on June 28 at 8pm. You would not want to be the last person in the block who sees it late. The video will be uploaded on Star Music's YT channel at 8:45 pm on June 28.One thing is sure, the MV and the commercial will surely make its mark not just for Bubblies, but in the industry, as well.

Here are some of the old commercials and MVs Close Up was able to produce throughout the years. You might get a sense of what to look forward to in Donny and Belle’s Closer MV.

Originally a Carpenters song released in 1970, (They long to be) Close to You revived by Gwen Guthrie in the 80’s was chosen for a Close Up Commercial, back in the day when they would get established hits to headline the commercials. Would you like to see the vid?

Next up is the Close Up commercial that introduced Gabby Concepcion’s career in the 80s. He was paired opposite Debbie Moss who also became an actress and model.

Here is a 1987 ad with the beach as the setting. It is probably released summer time that is why the story line is about youngsters hitting the beach to unwind.

Another song that is already a hit before it made it to the commercial is When I Fall in Love It was originally sang by Nat King Cole and revived by his daughter Natalie Cole. The latter was used in the 1988 commercial.

The first original Close Up song was released in 1990. Danny Javier, 1/3 of the Apo Hiking Society, composed “Just a Smile Away”. The vid and the commercial was a show stopping hit that the song became the anthem of a generation. Still remembered by those who were old enough to remember the ad. And why not? The models were good looking. The guy was not only typical boy-next-door, he, Robby Tarroza, was every girl’s dream boyfriend. The girl was sporting a short pixie cut that was the rage in the 90s, and she looked fantastic in it. Everyone had a wish to be either one of them. It is a bonus that the singer, Jaime Garchitorena, son of Sandigang Bayan presiding Judge, does not just have the voice, but also the mestizo looks and the bad-boy-long-hair to go with it. The videos of the commercial and of Jaime singing the whole song in Ryan Ryan Musikahan in the 90s are worth watching.

Ariel Rivera sang one song for Close Up in 1992 entitled “Close in on Love”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVThSVBRLAI

Also in 1992, Din-Din Gallardo did two ads for the toothpaste giant. The following year, she became a beauty title holder as Binibining Pilipinas Universe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzona53uuhc&list=PLaO0pj3yj_XjKJ_k65dctnzEIhejMPwvQ&index=16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqugN9Wf4M4&list=PLaO0pj3yj_XjKJ_k65dctnzEIhejMPwvQ&index=17.

Another crowd favorite is “Closer You and I” composed by Louie Ocampo and sung by Gino Padilla. At the time of its release, everyone kneww the song by heart, and even now, a lot of people still can recall this song. If you ask them if they remember any Close Up song, this will appear at the top of the list as it has captured the hearts of hopeless romantic Filipinos. It is even still Gino Padilla’s most remembered and requested song when he guests in different shows. There is a short and long version of the commercial.

In 2009, Rico Blanco’s “Come Closer” was featured in a commercial they entitled “Blowing Bubbles”. The setting was a marketplace in an Asian country. Wondering if it is in Thailand or Hongkong. I realized it is probably the title of the commercial that fits the fandom the most.

Barbie Almalbis sang “Just a Smile” and featured in an MV with Sam Milby in 2011. It is about commuters whose lives had been entangled by the daily commute. At first, they seem to be near and yet so far. They seem to be in the same station, but never directly crossing paths until they become bus seatmates and they exchanged smiles.

In 2012, Never The Strangers did “Moving Closer”. The plot of the MV revolves around a girl and a boy who is right outside the concert venue, and that is where their meet cute happens.

Coleen Garcia and Enrique Gil were cast in a 2014 commercial. I wonder if they became a couple in this commercial or if they were already together while shooting this.

Elmo Magalona and Janella Salvador was tapped to be a part of the ad campaign. The story line involves what seems to be a share a ride. As they seem to be strangers who are in the same vehicle off to their destination. They did not talk to each other but they were smiling after they have seen eye-to-eye. It seems they have forged a connection with each other that Janella even went down the car to offer Elmo an umbrella when it started to rain.

Enrique Gil was back for another TV ad for Close Up, this time with on-screen partner Liza Soberano in 2017.

In 2019, it is Ben and Ben’s turn to be commissioned for a Close Up song entitled “Maybe the Night”

Close Up also launched Robin Da Roza’s career. He was a model and actor from the Diaz clan. When his face graced the Close Up ad, he was an instant crush ng bayan.

Heart Evangelista and John Pratts also did a series of commercials for Close Up Lemon mint. They were still in their teens. I wonder if Heart knew she would be a well-known fahionista down the line or if John had already planned on being a director. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-ZCDDbtTHE&list=PLaO0pj3yj_XjKJ_k65dctnzEIhejMPwvQ&index=29

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVQSTDn4gPs&list=PLaO0pj3yj_XjKJ_k65dctnzEIhejMPwvQ&index=30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qTowvXbBsA&list=PLaO0pj3yj_XjKJ_k65dctnzEIhejMPwvQ&index=31

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmGEM4W6jqQ&list=PLaO0pj3yj_XjKJ_k65dctnzEIhejMPwvQ&index=32

The story lines and the way the MVs and commercials are done in the past might give us a sense of what we will see in their upcoming MV. This is a long-awaited commercial, like most of DonBelle projects are. We have already heard the song. We want to know how Donny and Belle will bring this to life in a 7min MV and probably a commercial. It is rare for one of the cast to be both performer of the song and of the story line, and Belle will surely nail them both. Rarely also has it been sung by a girl. Close Up ads may have launched several faces’ careers. For Donny and Belle, this solidifies their stature in the industry. The MV directed by Jumbo Albano promises to be iconic and will catapult them both into two of the most recognizable faces in the biz. It will convert more Bubblies and solids along the way.

Can you remember other iconic Close Up commercials that we forgot to include? What are you expecting in this Close Up ad that will feature DonBelle? We would like to hear from you by commenting down below or reaching out to us through our FB page.

Side notes:

Here are some tweets from Close-Up, Star Cinema, Star Music, Mr. Jonathan Manalo, Tricia Denise, and Jumbo Albano about it:

https://twitter.com/StarCinema/status/1541088900583751680

https://twitter.com/StarMusicPH/status/1541088903368544256

https://twitter.com/iamtrishadenise/status/1541093765158703104

https://twitter.com/jumboalbano/status/1541112207165263872

https://twitter.com/jumboalbano/status/1541383454025469953

https://twitter.com/jumboalbano/status/1541258090955153408

https://twitter.com/jumboalbano/status/1541252405462831104

https://twitter.com/jumboalbano/status/1541116232010969088

https://twitter.com/jumboalbano/status/1539941750567206912

https://twitter.com/jumboalbano/status/1539603345840943104