Uratex Monoblock's 'Bawal ang marupok' returns with a taste of wit and wisdom

Filipino plastic furniture brand Uratex Monoblock has reintroduced its “Bawal ang marupok” campaign this year, this time with a sharper edge and broader relevance, reinforcing its place not just in homes, but in the cultural psyche.

The campaign opens with Free Taste, a cleverly crafted film that taps into a familiar experience - succumbing to temptation in the grocery aisle. A father and son navigate free sample stations, each bite drawing them closer to a basket full of unintended purchases. The punchline lands softly but firmly, with the brand’s now-iconic reminder: #BawalAngMarupok (Fragility is not allowed).

Humour aside, the spot sets the tone for a campaign that aims to weave durability into everyday Filipino decision-making. As Dindo Medina, business unit director of Uratex Monoblock, put it: “#BawalAngMarupok goes beyond physical durability - it’s a way of thinking. We want to encourage Filipinos to choose strong, reliable options in all aspects of life, especially when it comes to their home furniture.”

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Launched more than three decades ago, Uratex Monoblock has become a household name in plastic furniture, known as much for its accessible price points as its strength-tested designs.

The brand’s credentials are solid: it remains the only local plastic furniture manufacturer to carry the Level 5 certification from the international organisation for standardisation, alongside accreditations from both the department of trade and industry and the bureau of Philippine standards.

Now, the brand is pushing further - literally folding strength into new product forms. Its William Folding Table prioritises portability and space efficiency, while the Mary Loveseat blends comfort and resilience for compact living. Each product is rigorously stress-tested to withstand weights of up to 200 kilogrammes - adding credibility to the campaign’s central claim: strength isn’t optional.

This year’s “Bawal ang marupok” chapter takes a narrative leap, portraying everyday moments of weakness - impulse buying, procrastination, poor choices - as chances to rethink what it means to be strong. Free Taste is the first in a series of new videos set to roll out across digital platforms, all unified by that same wry sense of cultural honesty.

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