During the Spanish colonial era tobacco was brought in the country in the late 16th century. Seeds were brought in by the Augustinian brothers to be cultivated in the Philippines. The tobacco industry was one way of increasing the revenue of the Spanish government in the country as it was a big commodity for export. Let me share with you today what some of the cigarette packaging looked like during the Spanish colonial era and post era.

Cigarillos

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Local farmers grew tobacco in which the Spanish government purchased the harvest from them. In Manila the government owned the factories where the cigarettes were produced. It became an industry and the Philippines became the largest tobacco producer in the whole Asia at that time. Not to mention the monopoly, greed and smuggling that occurred in the process as everyone wanted to get rich.

Remnants of the industry are old packaging from the cigarettes. These are brands made in Binondo Manila which are more than a hundred years old. The artistry on the packaging are museum worthy and maybe a prize for some collectors.

On the packaging there are some street names indicated that exist until today. Although some has been changed already but will remain to be a part of history.

I see these wrappers as artworks from the past. No digital imaging or design just pure hand drawn images that were used to market the cigarettes.

The local language on the advertising on this wrapper is quite old. Some words are so old in which I could not recognize what it means. Let me give it a try to translate it.

Lovely

Since I tasted the Cigarrillo that is offered
I will never forget you, what is the name?
Maybe to tease your inquiry
Can you trace on the face an attitude that is insulting
If that is the case read and remember well
Ah! It is Lovely
Cigarette like a love potion
The only good taste that non compare
Now that I have found you cigarette that is cure
What scent and flavor
Apparently to extend the life

That was pretty hard and I may have taken some words out of context. But reading thru it you know what they were trying to achieve.

Cigarette smoking seems to be fashionable during that time and not much is known yet about the risk it carries.
Today cigarette packaging comes with a warning with pictures of diseases that may result in smoking. Here in our country there is a nation wide ban by our President in smoking in public areas. If caught there would be fines ranging from 500-5000 pesos which is around $10.00 - $95.00 usd.

I hope you enjoyed my little share for today. Going thru a little bit of history and art from the tobacco industry in our country. Do leave some comments and remember that cigarette is dangerous to your health.