Post by kalapati on Oct 4, 2024 7:04:34 GMT
Hey guys, first timer here.
I've been trying to look for the English to Metric ad (that's what I call it -- not sure if that's its actual title) dating back from, presumably, the 1970s-1980s. I don't know the year it aired, but according to my research, it was an animated campaign TV ad which involved a cartoon ruler singing about converting measurements from the English System to the Metric System used to teach Filipino students growing up during those decades, as the Philippines was transitioning from those measurement systems. It was said to have been created by the DepEd (formerly known during that era as the Ministry of Education because Marcos and all that -- this may have been released during the Martial Law era), but others say it was an ad for a pen brand called Kilometrico, but the Kilometrico thing is more likely to be debunked. My mom, who'd spent her youth during those decades it may have aired, knows this song and would sing it from time to time. I might ask her or anyone else I know if she or they has any info or memories about this ad. I could also consider contacting the DepEd if they have a copy of it or two.
The melody and the lyrics are still preserved by those who'd grown up with this ad based on memory, but I consider the original recordings lost. Here are the lyrics to the jingle used in the ad:
There are also videos of people singing this song too. Here's an example:
If you have any info, memories, recordings, etc. of this ad, please let me know. I'm hoping that we can all find this ad together.
I've been trying to look for the English to Metric ad (that's what I call it -- not sure if that's its actual title) dating back from, presumably, the 1970s-1980s. I don't know the year it aired, but according to my research, it was an animated campaign TV ad which involved a cartoon ruler singing about converting measurements from the English System to the Metric System used to teach Filipino students growing up during those decades, as the Philippines was transitioning from those measurement systems. It was said to have been created by the DepEd (formerly known during that era as the Ministry of Education because Marcos and all that -- this may have been released during the Martial Law era), but others say it was an ad for a pen brand called Kilometrico, but the Kilometrico thing is more likely to be debunked. My mom, who'd spent her youth during those decades it may have aired, knows this song and would sing it from time to time. I might ask her or anyone else I know if she or they has any info or memories about this ad. I could also consider contacting the DepEd if they have a copy of it or two.
The melody and the lyrics are still preserved by those who'd grown up with this ad based on memory, but I consider the original recordings lost. Here are the lyrics to the jingle used in the ad:
It's easy to change from English to Metric
The secret is fun if you know it
So let's all convert from English to Metric
Let's do it, and share it, and show it
Just multiply inches by 2.54 and you will get centimeters
The feet multiplied by .305 will give you equivalent meters
Just multiply pounds by .45 and you'll get kilograms it's true
The gallons by 3.79 will turn into liters for you!
Subtract 32 from degrees Fahrenheit,
The result keep it in mind (Why?)
For you to multiply that with five over nine,
And you'll get Celsius just fine
The yards and the miles are things of the past
Use meters, and go kilometers
So out with the English, we're modern at last
The system of Metric is (the system of Metric is)
The system of metric is better!
There are also videos of people singing this song too. Here's an example:
If you have any info, memories, recordings, etc. of this ad, please let me know. I'm hoping that we can all find this ad together.
