A brighter, more hopeful Christmas with Coca-Cola

Making the holidays brighter in every corner of the country

After more than eight months of pandemic-induced lockdowns and more recently, a clutch of deadly typhoons, many Filipinos have understandably been hard-pressed finding reasons to celebrate Christmas this year. However, the rituals with which we welcome the season still offer people some comfort and hope amid the considerable challenges that 2020 has wrought.

As an iconic presence on Filipino tables, particularly during the holidays, Coca-Cola continues to serve its mission of uplifting spirits and bringing people together. From lighting up all of its manufacturing sites across the Philippines in an undeniable celebration of Christmas to deploying bright red Santa trucks illuminating the roads they traverse to delivering the beverages that have become a mainstay of Filipino culture; from distributing bright red Coca-Cola “parols” transforming sari-sari stores into beacons of Christmas cheer, to helping communities restart and rebuild lives— this year, Coca-Cola seeks to spark a sense of togetherness and kindle a renewed hope for brighter days ahead.

A ray of hope for micro-retailers

The Philippines has over a million sari-sari stores nationwide, one in almost every corner of the community—and they have been one of the hardest-hit industries this 2020. According to a survey conducted by the Philippine Association of Sari-Sari Store and Carinderia Owners (PASCO), 42% of sari-sari stores and 75% of carinderias were forced to close during the hard lockdown, while others have had to drastically downsize their operations by as much as 90%.