From jokes to fake launches: Brands, companies mark April Fool’s Day
April Fool’s Day has once again turned social media into a playground for creativity. But ordinary users aren't the only ones joining in on the fun as businesses have also embraced the occasion with their own witty gimmicks.
This year, local brands showed they are just as ready to play the game as they rolled out fake launches, hilarious announcements, and other unexpected twists to catch their audiences off guard.
Here are some of the local companies that joined this year’s April Fool’s Day hype:
Sunlight Air
Anyone who has ever booked a flight with friends knows the struggle of getting separated across different rows, especially on packed or overbooked flights. This is why Sunlight Air announced that it will be installing a foldable seat configuration that supposedly allows groups of five to share one row.
"More space to connect. More chikahan moments, side by side," it joked in their post.
Cocopan
Ever since the Dubai pistachio flavor was introduced into the market, it's all that everyone seems to be craving in cafés and bakeries. Cocopan is putting a rather extraordinary twist to the trending flavor, adding misua noodles and patola into the mix.
"Everyone’s doing Dubai pistachio, so we made ours! Can’t wait for you to try!" the brand wrote.
Pizza Hut
The Dubai chocolate trend isn't over as Pizza Hut also joined the April Fool’s fun with a new Dubai Chewy Chocolate Pizza offering.
The post described the pizza as having been made with toasted kataifi, cocoa powder, marshmallow, and pistachio cream and costs P299.
"Our first-ever sweet pizza is here," Pizza Hut wrote.
BOK Korean Fried Chicken
The Dubai pistachio craze continued with BOK Korean Fried Chicken, as they shared two new items on their menu: the Dubai Pistachio Corndog and the Hotteok Ilocos Empanada with Pistachio dip.
"Hawak mo ang BOK, hawak mo ang BOK. Dubai Corndog, ano tara? Hotteok Empanada, ano tara?" they wrote.
Macao Imperial Tea
Now that summer is here, nothing hits quite like an ice-cold drink to beat the heat, but Macao Imperial Tea seems to have other things in mind.
The beverage brand revealed that they have three new drinks on the menu inspired from classic Filipino dishes: Sinigang Milk Tea, Kare-Kare Milk Tea, and Chili Garlic Milk Tea.
"You’ll understand when you taste it. Or maybe not. Available only on April 1, see you if you dare," Macao Imperial Tea captioned their post.
Kariton
Kariton Sorbetes is fishing for laughs this April Fool’s Day with their latest "drop": Bangus Toyo Mansi Gelato.
While the combo is a prank, the comments section is surprisingly hooked. "You know what... I’m kinda down to try it," one user admitted, while others are already waiting for a Galunggong flavor.
Oatside
Can't get enough of Oatside's oat milk? Why not get a 200L barrel? Only this April 1.
Subway Philippines
Eating bread with ice cream isn't exactly strange in the Philippines—case in point: ice cream pandesal. That’s why Subway’s April Fool’s Day prank felt strangely believable at first glance.
The fast food brand announced that they are introducing a new "Subway Sorbetes" sandwich on their menu, which has cheese, ube and chocolate scoops tucked into a freshly baked bread for the "ultimate sweet-meets-sandwich experience."
"Available for a limited time this summer… or is it?" they wrote.
BOK
BOK Korean Fried Chicken is leaning into the latest food crazes, jokingly announcing two crossovers: a Dubai Pistachio-inspired Corndog and the Hotteok Ilocos Empanada, a blend of Korean sweet pancakes and Filipino savory classics.
They said it's only available for a limited time on April 1.